With the release of the latest Black Roots album “On The Ground” and its dub counterpart “On The Ground In Dub” via our sister label Sugar Shack Records, Bristol Archive Records decided to do something special to celebrate the band's return to the studio. What could be better than a very special reissue of Black Roots self-titled first album, released to coincide with its 30th anniversary and, as this will be a vinyl only release we thought we'd combine it with this year's Record Store Day event.
Artist: Black Roots
Format: Limited Edition Vinyl
Release date: 20th April 2013 – RECORD STORE DAY
Label:Bristol Archive Records
Distribution: Shellshock
Cat No.: ARC265V
Barcode: 5052571041611
30th Anniversary Rerelease RECORD STORE DAY SPECIAL with Unique Hand Made Screen Printed Sleeve (original sleeve included) Strictly Limited to 100 copies and Limited to 3 copies per person Released 20th April 2013.
With the release of the latest Black Roots album “On The Ground” and its dub counterpart “On The Ground In Dub” via our sister label Sugar Shack Records, Bristol Archive Records decided to do something special to celebrate the band's return to the studio. What could be better than a very special reissue of Black Roots self-titled first album, released to coincide with its 30th anniversary and, as this will be a vinyl only release we thought we'd combine it with this year's Record Store Day event.
“Black Roots” wa'The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live' - Various Artistss originally released in 1983, by which time the band was established as one of the UK's leading live acts with a strong repertoire of socially aware songs reflecting the issues of the day. When it came to their first album, they chose eight of their strongest tracks and assembled what was to become one of the classic British reggae albums of the decade.
Featuring the tracks; “The Father”, “Survival”, “Juvenile Delinquent”, “What Them 'A Do”, “Opportunity”, “Tribal War”, “Africa” and “Move On”, the album covers themes of social alienation, deprivation, repatriation, Rastafari, violence within the black community and ends, with the tale of a failing relationship. Three decades later, many of the songs are just as relevant and provide the perfect complement to their latest recordings.
This new release will be strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide. 400 copies will be available for Record Store Day, 20th April 2013, at participating retailers and feature a facsimile of the original sleeve, whilst 100 copies will be available directly from Bristol Archive Records and very select retailers and feature a unique handmade screen printed sleeve as well as being individually numbered, a very special edition.
This is the first time this album has been available on vinyl for twenty five years and there is every likelihood that demand will outstrip supply so be sure to grab your copy.
Spanking new album ‘The Best of Electric Guitars (re-Strung)’ set for national release on Monday 15th July 2013 on CD & digital download, through Bristol Archive Records.
This is the early eighties at it’s very best, whether it’s called Post-Punk, New Wave or whatever the historians are calling the age in which we evolved the music. These boys took all the best bits of the freedom that punk provided and turned it into something accessible, something you could dance to or at least tap your foot to without being accused of mediocrity.
Artist: Electric Guitars
Format: CD
Release date: 15th July 2013
Label: Bristol Archive Records
Distribution: Shellshock
Cat No.: ARC260CD
Barcode: 5052571035627
GENRE: Post Punk, 1980’s, Alternative Pop Music
This is the early eighties at it’s very best, whether it’s called Post-Punk, New Wave or whatever the historians are calling the age in which we evolved the music. These boys took all the best bits of the freedom that punk provided and turned it into something accessible, something you could dance to or at least tap your foot to without being accused of mediocrity.
This album is the journey (in no specific order) through the EG’s development to their break up shortly after the release of ‘Wolfman Tap’, a catchy smooth production which led some reviewers to tag the EG’s funk. It's there, but it’s not alone, here is the diversity of sound that gave this era its reference.
So visualise while you listen, Matthew standing on his drum stool while delivering blows to a variety of misshapen objects. Novel then, much copied since. (Is that the drum stools irritating squeek at the end of ‘Interference’). Imagine or remember their pretty ridiculous outfits and hair in which termites could happily nest.
Dropouts from Bristol Polytechnic (or artists in pursuit or their dream) Neil Davenport (Vocals) and Richard Hall (Bass, Guitar, Vocals) together with Matthew Salt (Drums) paid rent for squat conditions in a shared house in Redland where they were joined by Dick Truscott (Keyboard, Guitar) and Andy Sanders (Guitar, Vocals) who had the sense to live elsewhere, Backing vocals were provided by Sarah and Wendy Partridge.
Here their first offerings to vinyl, ‘Dumb Words’,’ Le Camping’ and ‘Magic Surfaces’ were polished for the first Bristol Recorder, brainchild of Thomas Brooman CBE, he of Womad, among others.
‘Health’/ ’Continental Shelf’ was released as a single on Fried Egg Records and their second single ‘Work’, not written from experience, was a UK Indie chart hit on Recreational Records.
Signing to Stiff Records opened doors to Martin Rushents production, 7", 12" and EP delivered, covers designed by Peter Saville. They were the band most likely to!
Although never gaining mainstream fame, Electric Guitars deserve a chance to feature in modern playlists. Sandwich ‘Language Problems’ between Talking Heads and the B 52’s and you can't go wrong. Play ‘Work’ at a Zumba class and watch them fall like flies!
'The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live' - Various Artists
17 Track CD / 11 Track DVD & Digital Download. Released 3rdJune 2013.
For the past three years, Bristol Archive Records have shone the spotlight on the City's musical legacy, particularly reggae. Last year we decided we'd turn the spotlight on the artists themselves and so in August, a who's who of Bristol reggae artists gathered together for The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live. It was a unique chance to enjoy more than ten of the city's finest veterans sharing the same stage, in some cases for the first time in two decades.
Artist: Various Artists
Format: CD/DVD and Digital Download
Release date: 3rd June 2013
Label:Bristol Archive Records
Distribution: Shellshock
Cat No.: ARC267CD
Barcode: 5052571045923
For the past three years, Bristol Archive Records have shone the spotlight on the City's musical legacy, particularly reggae. Last year we decided we'd turn the spotlight on the artists themselves and so in August, a who's who of Bristol reggae artists gathered together for The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live. It was a unique chance to enjoy more than ten of the city's finest veterans sharing the same stage, in some cases for the first time in two decades.
The show was a huge success with the whole crowd and all the artists going home with large grins on their faces, having enjoyed one of the best shows and some of the nicest vibes in years. By chance, young film makers from 8th Sense Media and the “Dubplate To Dubstep” Ujima Radio film project were in attendance to document the evening and although we hadn't planned a commercial release, the show was such a great success we decided that perhaps we should share the footage.
With many of the artists coming from St. Paul's and with most of them having been involved in past carnivals, it seemed obvious to turn this celebration of Bristol and St. Paul's musical legacy performed by the elders and filmed by the youths into something that could benefit the community and the next generation of performers.
Knowing of the yearly struggle to raise funds for St. Paul's Carnival, Bristol Archive Records will be releasing “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Live 2012” as a CD/DVD package on 3rd June 2013 with profits donated to The St. Paul's Carnival.
Although technical issues mean that not every artist is represented, the DVD contains eleven performances from Lord John Hutchinson, Bunny Marrett, Dennis McCalla aka Dallas, Popsy Curious, Glen Crookes, Dan Ratchet, Jashwha Moses and the mighty Talisman, who also provide backing for the other acts.
The accompanying CD contains 17 studio recordings from the acts involved and as well as those featured on the DVD, we get to enjoy the talents of Winston Minott, Veronica Morrison aka Veereal, Vibes and Cool Runnings with several tracks previously unreleased.
A special mention must go to Michael Jenkins and Steve Street whose hard work on the video and soundtrack respectively, made this release possible and of course the young film makers who captured the evening.
Whether you were fortunate enough to be present on that August night, are a fan of the acts or the label, want to support St. Paul's Carnival or are just curious, you are sure to enjoy this package.
2012's “On The Ground” was the first new Black Roots album in more than twenty years and was eagerly received by fans old and new. As well as gaining numerous fantastic reviews, more than three decades after their formation, Black Roots were back as though they'd never been away and their music was equally relevant in the present as it was thirty years ago.
To celebrate the success of “On The Ground” and also to satisfy numerous requests from the band's fans, Sugar Shack Records in conjunction with Nubian Records, have decided to release the dub counterpart to the album “On The Ground In Dub”.
The dub mixes have been done by Louis Becket, a man who has a long history working with leading reggae bands including Misty In Roots and Culture. He has used those years of experience to craft a dub album worthy of comparison with those from the music's peak during the 1970s. Recorded with a full band including a horn section, the dubs hark back to that time before digital production and sampling took over. Focusing on the rhythm section with the horns dropping in and out, weaving a new tapestry from the original multi tracks, this is classic dub music of the sort that has been rarely made in the last thirty years, a modern dub classic.
Stripped down and rearranged, “On The Ground In Dub” is a worthy release and stands on its own merits as a fine album that will appeal to all fans of dub Equally, those that already love the vocal album will get renewed enjoyment, hearing their favorite songs reshaped with the same authentic sound and attention to detail that have helped “On The Ground” succeed so well.
The 15 track album will be released on 4th March 2013 by Sugar Shack Records as a CD and digital download and will be available from all good outlets.
19 Track CD & Digital Download, Released 15th April 2013.
Shoc Wave Records was the brainchild of Dominican immigrant Gene Walsh, Fitz Watson and Melford Gardener. From the late 1970s through to the 1990s, Shoc Wave provided the only label willing to put out records by the majority of the City's reggae and soul acts ignored by bigger and more mainstream labels and too small to finance their own releases.
Shoc Wave Records was the brainchild of Dominican immigrant Gene Walsh, Fitz Watson and Melford Gardener. From the late 1970s through to the 1990s, Shoc Wave provided the only label willing to put out records by the majority of the City's reggae and soul acts ignored by bigger and more mainstream labels and too small to finance their own releases.
Fortunately for Bristol's musical heritage, Gene Walsh kept an open mind when it came to what music his label should release and so over the course of the label he released roots reggae, dub reggae, dancehall, lovers rock, soca, disco, soul and pop, Gene and the team’s vision encompassed it all.
Without Gene Walsh and Shoc Wave many artists would never have got the chance to record in a proper studio and their music would have been lost and forgotten. Many of Bristol Archive Records previous albums would have been all the poorer without being able to draw on Gene's catalogue and so it is only fitting, that Bristol Archive Records celebrate Bristol's pioneering black music label with the release of our latest compilation, “Shoc Wave – A Bristol Story”.
This new compilation attempts to tell the story of the label and reflect the diversity of musical styles it embraced. The 19 tracks range from its first release from 1979 with Gene's own “Independence Fever” right up until the label's last single with Haswell's “Prissy Miss Maybe”. This compilation paints a picture of the musical developments in the City and the wider world as styles evolved or fell out of fashion.
Artists such as Joshua Moses, Sharon Bengamin, Bunny Marrett and Buggs Durrant will be familiar to those who follow Bristol Archive's releases. Many others are new to us with The Rimshots, No Deposit, Nite Watch, Sweet Energy, Felix The Cat, Second City Sounds and Haswell helping to illustrate other aspects of the city's music scene during the 1980s and beyond.
Released on 15th April 2013, “Shoc Wave – A Bristol Story” is available on CD and digital download from all good outlets, the CD comes with a booklet telling the history of Shoc Wave Records illustrated with archive images.
With decades of involvement in the Bristol music scene, Winston Minott and Popsy Curious are no strangers to Bristol Archive Records. Winston was the lead vocalist with Cool Runnings and can be heard on their self titled album as well as volumes 2 and 3 of our “Bristol Reggae Explosion” series.
With decades of involvement in the Bristol music scene, Winston Minott and Popsy Curious are no strangers to Bristol Archive Records. Winston was the lead vocalist with Cool Runnings and can be heard on their self titled album as well as volumes 2 and 3 of our “Bristol Reggae Explosion” series. It is on volume 3 that you can also hear Popsy with his “Chant Down Bobby Rome”. It was after these recordings and after they had shared the stage as members of Black Flames that the two men decided they wanted to focus more on reggae and create their own sound, from which Vibes was born. After a few months, a chance conversation with the sister of local singer Veronica aka Veereal led to her recruitment and with the unusual mix of two men and one woman on vocal harmonies, the group's sound fell into place.
Although they gigged both locally and further afield, Vibes were always focused on recording. With Veronica, Winston and Popsy all writing songs, they soon got down to work creating their own unique take on the reggae sound which they then practiced and polished before heading for the studio. Over the next three years they recorded several tracks but were always too busy to finish the mixes, moving on to the next song and with no record deal they just kept writing and recording. The band would split up almost by accident when, with Popsy on an extended visit to Jamaica, both Winston and Veronica found employment opportunities in London and plans for the band went from being on hold, to a permanent split.
Having already worked with all three, the Vibes members decided that Bristol Archive Records should be entrusted with their precious masters and so Mike Darby took possession of the multi track tapes. It took a while to find the right person for the job, but we really got lucky when we decided to ask Dave “Oldwah” Sandford to mix the tapes and create the finished album. Dave has been a reggae fan for more than forty years. He is also an accomplished musician with years of experience and although this is his first commercial project, his previous reggae mixes have already gained him a cult following.
As soon as we heard the first finished mix we knew we had the right man and so, after twenty years, Vibes album “Reminisce” is finally completed and in the words of Popsy “everything we wanted it to be”. The album contains 15 tracks including dub versions and as a bonus, we've thrown in some mixes from Bristol Archive's resident mastering engineer Steve Street (Doug The Dub).
Vibes “Reminisce” is released on 15th April 2013 by Bristol Archive Records as a CD with a booklet detailing the band's story and a digital download, available from all usual outlets and finally taking reggae in Vibes own unique direction.
Released 15th October 2012 on 12” Vinyl (Limited Edition) & Digital Download with additional exclusive mixes, through Sugar Shack Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
October 15th sees the release of “Pompous Way” on Sugar Shack Records in conjunction with Nubian Records, the first new Black Roots single in over twenty years. “Pompous Way” is taken from the band's new critically acclaimed album “On The Ground” also released by Sugar Shack/Nubian Records.
The double A side twelve inch vinyl release features an exclusive extended mix of the album version of “Pompous Way”, clocking in at nearly seven minutes the vocal is seamlessly followed by the dub in classic discomix fashion. Although recorded this year and dealing with the economic and political mess we are currently facing, the song doesn't attempt to cater to any current fads. Instead it's a slice of roots reggae the way it used to be, real musicians playing real instruments and singing about real problems.
For the AA side we have teamed up with Rootikal Productions, which is David Hill and Ashley Beedle - both men are long-time reggae lovers who bring a wealth of musical experience to the project. David is one of the people behind Rootikal, one of London's most successful reggae nights, which has hosted some legendary guests including Cornell Campbell, Linval Thompson and Al Campbell - plus A-list selectors such as David Rodigan, Channel One and Aba Shanti I. He's recently overseen the Rootikal Selection series of 45s, reworking versions of hard to find or unreleased Jah Thomas productions and re-editing dubs or adding trombone overdubs with Matic Horns. Prior to that, he worked with David Katz reissuing rare reggae on the Auralux label. Ashley is perhaps best known for his role in X-Press 2, The Black Science Orchestra and the Ballistic Brothers (also with David). In 2010 he recorded an album with reggae great Horace Andy, which led to a European tour. Ashley and David recently had the privilege of remixing several Bob Marley and The Wailers tracks after Island Records gave them access to the original Tuff Gong multi-track masters. They also present the Rootikal radio show together.
Rootikal were given free reign on the mix and their “Rootikal Humble Yourself Version” takes the track in a whole new direction. Shifting the emphasis onto the rhythm, the drum, the bass, the guitar, the horns and adding just a little melodica, the track is reinvented for the twentieth century. It becomes a lost classic from the late seventies and an entirely different listening experience.
In addition to the 12” limited vinyl, there is also a digital download available which adds a further two exclusive mixes from Oldwah, although this is his first official commission, Oldwah has been making his own unique reggae mixes for years and has built a large and loyal following on YouTube.
For further information on Rootikal please see www.rootikal.net
Side A:
Black Roots ‘Pompous Way / Dub’
Written by Black Roots
Produced by Jeff Spencer & Black Roots
Mixed by Louis Becket
Engineered by Jeff Spencer at J&J Studio, April 2012
Taken from the album ‘On The Ground’ released Sept 2012
P&C Sugar Shack Records/Nubian Records 2012
Published by Archive Publishing Ltd 2012
FOD092V
All Rights Reserved
Disco 45
SIDE AA:
Black Roots 'Pompous Way' (Rootikal Humble Yourself version)
Written by Black Roots
Remix and additional production by David Hill and Ashley Beedle for Rootikal Productions
Additional melodica by Darren Morris
Engineered by Darren Morris at Cydonia One, July 2012
P&C Sugar Shack Records/Nubian Records 2012
Published by Archive Publishing Ltd 2012
Released 8th October 2012 on LP (Limited Edition), CD & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
Leading lights in the 21st century UK digi dub/roots scene Dubkasm have built themselves a worldwide following for their brand of reggae since launching their own Sufferah's Choice label in 2003. What many fans may not realise is that even before that first Sufferah's Choice release, Dubkasm had nearly a decade's worth of recordings behind them. Unfortunately, other than a track on the 1996 “Dub Out West Volume Two” compilation album, those early recordings were the preserve of leading UK sound systems such as Aba Shanti and Jah Shaka and could only be heard played off dub plates at dances.
Released 8th October 2012 on LP (Limited Edition), CD & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
Leading lights in the 21st century UK digi dub/roots scene Dubkasm have built themselves a worldwide following for their brand of reggae since launching their own Sufferah's Choice label in 2003. What many fans may not realise is that even before that first Sufferah's Choice release, Dubkasm had nearly a decade's worth of recordings behind them. Unfortunately, other than a track on the 1996 “Dub Out West Volume Two” compilation album, those early recordings were the preserve of leading UK sound systems such as Aba Shanti and Jah Shaka and could only be heard played off dub plates at dances.
Dubkasm have finally decided that the time is right to share the story of those early years and make a selection of those formerly exclusive tracks available for everyone to enjoy. Being proud of their Bristolian roots, Dubkasm found the perfect partner for the project in Bristol Archive Records and the label's ongoing programme to document and make available Bristol's reggae heritage. As if a selection of previously unreleased tracks from Dubkasm wasn't enough, these particular tracks were all played by leading sound system operator Aba Shanti and the versions were all personally mixed by him to achieve the ideal sound balance on his sound system. Once Dubkasm's Digistep had finished initial mixes of the tracks, he would deliver the multi track master to Aba Shanti who would then mix down his own exclusive versions.
It's the Aba Shanti connection that inspired the album's title, for it was at Aba's legendary sessions at the Brixton Rec that these tracks could be heard to full effect. The album is named in tribute to those great sessions and hopefully the music captures a bit of that magic as well as bringing back some great memories for those who were there, or even those who were only there in spirit through the medium of sound tapes.
Thanks to DJ Stryda's long standing Sufferah's Choice radio show Dubkasm are in contact with many of the scene's leading players and four of the vinyl's eight tracks are vocals with contributions from Tena Stelin, “The Soul” and “Spiritual Warrior Time”, the deeply missed Lidj Xylon, “The Order” and Bristol's own, and Dubkasm regular Ras Addis, “Jah Bible.” Each of the vocals is accompanied by its dub counterpart and each track is UK roots of the highest order.
The CD and download version contain three bonus tracks, a melodica cut to “The Soul”, “106.2FM” a track that captures the vibes as Aba Shanti both mixes and sings live and finally “Earth Rocker” which is actually a recording captured in a dance at Brixton Rec; about as authentic as we could get even if the audio quality leaves a little to be desired. Bristol Archive Records take the story of reggae in the city forward into the 1990s with this essential and previously unreleased selection. complete with sleeve notes, telling the story of Dubkasm's early years including rare archive photos. “Brixton Rec” is released on Limited Edition Vinyl, CD and digital download October 8th.
Track Listing - Vinyl:
Side A:
1. The Soul (ft. Tena Stelin)
2. Soul in Dub
3. The Order (ft. Lidj Xylon)
4. Dub Order
Side B:
5. Spiritual Warrior Time (ft. Tena Stelin)
6. SIM Dub
7. Jah Bible (ft Ras Addis)
8. Biblical Dub
Track Listing - CD
1. The Soul (ft. Tena Stelin)
2. Soul in Dub
3. The Order (ft. Lidj Xylon)
4. Dub Order
5. Spiritual Warrior Time (ft. Tena Stelin)
6. SIM Dub
7. Jah Bible (ft. Ras Addis)
8. Biblical Dub
9. 106.2fm
11. The Soul - Melodica Piece
12. Earth Rocker
Released 1st October 2012 on CD (Deluxe Edition) & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
NB this is not a compilation album.
20 tracks by the band that confused the hell out of record reviewers everywhere.
SOLO ALBUM originally released in 1980, and now re-released in 2012 rides again with a 16-page booklet entitled 'The true story behind the most confusingly named band of all time'.
In 2012 the members of THE VARIOUS ARTISTS may have bought a Band Name Generator App to ensure a name that guaranteed the correct allocation of royalties and an indexing in record shops to aid discovery. Then again, if you made one mistake, you might not add to it by calling your album SOLO ALBUM. But then again, if you’ve been in Bristol for a few years Bristolian irony may just have rubbed off. We have to take some credit because this lot weren't born and bred.bandcamp
PRE ORDER NOW
CD (Deluxe Edition)
PRE ORDER £8.00+ delivery
Format CD
Released 1st October 2012
Cat No. ARC259CD
Released 1st October 2012 on CD (Deluxe Edition) & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
NB this is not a compilation album.
20 tracks by the band that confused the hell out of record reviewers everywhere.
SOLO ALBUM originally released in 1980, and now re-released in 2012 rides again with a 16-page booklet entitled 'The true story behind the most confusingly named band of all time'
In 2012 the members of THE VARIOUS ARTISTS may have bought a Band Name Generator App to ensure a name that guaranteed the correct allocation of royalties and an indexing in record shops to aid discovery. Then again, if you made one mistake, you might not add to it by calling your album SOLO ALBUM. But then again, if you’ve been in Bristol for a few years Bristolian irony may just have rubbed off. We have to take some credit because this lot weren't born and bred.
The Key brothers Jonjo (Vocals/Guitars) and Robin (Guitars/Vocals/Keyboard), were originally from Birmingham which perhaps explains a certain TWO TONE reference here and there. They were joined by John Langley a drummer of some distinction, with Christian Clarke providing Bass.
3/4s of THE VARIOUS ARTISTS were simultaneously THE ART OBJECTS, (with original Various Artists member Bill Stair on Bass Guitar) and it was from this 'school' that emerged THE BLUE AEROPLANES. Not that the bands were taking the same subjects and this isn't an album that traces that evolution. Nor do we have to find echoes of the 'Bristol Sound' because it isn't there.
The eclectic mix of tastes that the bands personnel brought with them works; it's an album that feels so familiar that by second playing humming is compulsory. This album is not just a soundtrack to the 80's it feels like an album you've known all your life.
‘UNLUCKY IN LOVE’ and ‘STRAIGHT SEX’ could so easily have been hits for ELVIS COSTELLO, an influence that Jonjo (principal songwriter) acknowledges in the accompanying booklet of the real story behind the album in his own words.
Jonjo’s lyrics are intelligent and their poetry connect them to their ‘school’, ' obsessed by a cure for mortality, caressed by your normality’. There is a history lesson in the clearly enunciated lyrics. ‘UNOFFICIAL SECRETS’ is about sexual oppression in the home. His words tell the story of things that mattered in an era when young people questioned inequality and discrimination. So what's in a name, it could have been worse they could have called themselves THE WHO.
Released 10th September 2012 on CD, Limited Edition Vinyl and digital download, through Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
Following the 2011 release of “Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology” and the 2012 rerelease of “All Day All Night” deluxe version by reissue label Bristol Archive Records, Black Roots and their label Nubian Records have now teamed up with Bristol Archive's parent label Sugar Shack Records to release their brand new album “On The Ground”.
It may be more than twenty years since the original line up were together in the studio, but for their new record they've picked up where they left off and are right back in that classic Black Roots groove that will keep their existing fans happy and appeal to a whole new generation of reggae lovers, many of whom weren't born when Black Roots released their string of classic records.
Released 10th September 2012 on CD, Limited Edition Vinyl and digital download,
through Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
Following the 2011 release of “Black Roots – The Reggae Singles Anthology ” and the 2012 rerelease of “All Day All Night” deluxe version by reissue label Bristol Archive Records, Black Roots and their label Nubian Records have now teamed up with Bristol Archive's parent label Sugar Shack Records to release their brand new album “On The Ground”.
It may be more than twenty years since the original line up were together in the studio, but for their new record they've picked up where they left off and are right back in that classic Black Roots groove that will keep their existing fans happy and appeal to a whole new generation of reggae lovers, many of whom weren't born when Black Roots released their string of classic records.
The music is entertaining and upbeat, but it is still roots music. These songs have a social message that is just as relevant in the troubled world we inhabit in 2012 as the band's songs were during the ups and downs of the 1980s.
Opening track “I Believe” makes it clear that for all the progress we've made, for many people life today is just as hard as it's ever been. Surviving the system isn't easy. Second track “Pompous Way” is also concerned with society, but this time with fixing it and reaching out to the next generation rather than labelling them as the problem. The music itself harks back to Black Roots of old and other than the mention of the digital age could easily have been recorded thirty years ago.
Another song that sounds like it could have come from the band's first incarnation is “Militancy” definitely sounding like Black Roots of old and also touching on the theme of slavery, a theme that receives further exploration in the aptly titled “Slavery” recalling the memory of the great evil that befell millions of Africans and their descendants.
There are more upbeat songs recalling a life in rural Jamaica with “Long Long Ago” or celebrating Africa with “Oh Mama Africa.” In fact whatever the message the band are delivering they still do it with great and enjoyable music, the new members of the band more than earning their place alongside the founding fathers.
More than three decades after they formed, Black Roots are back with a brand new 17 track CD album that defies the passage of time and will appeal to all reggae fans, released on September 10th on CD, limited edition vinyl and digital download, available from all good retailers.
ARTIST: Black Roots
TITLE: On The Ground
RELEASE DATE: 10th September 2012
LABEL: Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: CD, Limited Edition Vinyl and Digital Download
CAT NO: FOD091CD, FOD091V
BARCODE: 5052571032725 / 5052571032718
GENRE: Reggae
Released 16th July 2012 on CD & Digital Download,
through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
1986 was a period of transition for reggae music. In Jamaica roots had been entirely displaced by dancehall which itself was progressing from the early digital sound into what would become known as ragga, whilst in the UK a more mellow approach inspired by the commercial success of lover's rock held sway. Reggae's twin capitals of Kingston and London couldn't have been on more different paths and yet this was the year that a young Dan Ratchet would travel between both cities, absorbing their very different vibes and working with leading musicians from both scenes to record tracks for what was intended to be his first album...
Released 16th July 2012 on CD & Digital Download,
through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
1986 was a period of transition for reggae music. In Jamaica roots had been entirely displaced by dancehall which itself was progressing from the early digital sound into what would become known as ragga, whilst in the UK a more mellow approach inspired by the commercial success of lover's rock held sway. Reggae's twin capitals of Kingston and London couldn't have been on more different paths and yet this was the year that a young Dan Ratchet would travel between both cities, absorbing their very different vibes and working with leading musicians from both scenes to record tracks for what was intended to be his first album.
Now after 26 years, that album “Jah Poor People” finally gets released on Bristol Archive Records on 16th July. Although he'd already gained plenty of experience on the live scene as a member of Full Force + Power amongst other things, Dan's big opportunity came through his cousin Simbarashe Tongogara, a writer and producer who was very well known on the UK reggae scene and had extensive connections both in the UK and Jamaica. Spotting Dan's talent Simba arranged for him to record the first sessions in London with backing provided by members of Aswad and Misty In Roots amongst others. An extended stay in Jamaica saw further sessions at Channel 1, Tuff Gong and Dynamic studios with first rate backing musicians including Earl “Chinna” Smith and Sly Dunbar. The final mixes were done by Steven Stanley best known for his work with Bob Marley and The Wailers.
Having completed the album, Simba and Dan faced the same difficulties experienced by so many other producers and artists and weren't able to get the record released as they wished, the only evidence of all their hard work being the 12” release of “Sweet Rosie” on the Jamaican Startime label and a Zimbawean issue for “The Time Has Come”. Finally the music's time has come and Bristol Archive Records are very pleased to be given the chance to showcase some of Dan's first recordings.
When Simba gave us the master tapes, we discovered that although the album had been conceived firmly in the vinyl era they'd recorded plenty of versions and alternate takes meaning we were able to select 16 tracks for both a full length CD release and a digital download. The album itself ranges from the political themes of title track “Jah Poor People” and “Afrikana Policies” to joyful expressions of love with “Sweet Rosie” and “Girl You Want My Love” yet whatever the subject, you can't miss the sweetness of Dan's vocals. This album truly demonstrates Dan’s amazing voice, and it is rather fitting that this, his first album should give him the wider exposure that his hard work and talents have always deserved, even if it is a quarter of a century after he and Simba started the journey.
All tracks recorded at BBMC, London 1986 except tracks 15 and 16 recorded at Channel One, Jamaica 1985
All tracks engineered by Michael Campbell except tracks 15 and 16 recording engineer unknown
All tracks mixed by Steven Stanley at Dynamic Studio, Jamaica 1986 except tracks 11 and 12 mixed at BBMC, London 1986
Produced by Simbarashe Tongogara
Tracks 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10,15,16 written by Simbarashe Tongogara
Tracks 11 and 12 written by Simbarashe Tongogara and Joe Brown
Tracks 3 and 4 written by Neil Williams and Barry Anderson
Released 18th June 2012 as Vinyl LP (Limited Edition), CD & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
An influential figure on the Bristol reggae scene since the 1970s, Bunny Marrett has been shamefully neglected on record with just two tracks on the A side of a 1981 Shoc Wave 12” his sole output, although his compositions have fared somewhat better having been recorded and released by both Black Roots and Delroy Ogilvie.
Bristol Archive Record's June 18th release of Bunny's 1986 recorded album “I'm Free,” should go some way to making up for that oversight. As a bonus, Bunny is accompanied by legendary Bristol band The Startled Insects and equally legendary local jazz drummer Tony Orrell...
Released 18th June 2012 as Vinyl LP (Limited Edition), CD & Digital Download,
through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
An influential figure on the Bristol reggae scene since the 1970s, Bunny Marrett has been shamefully neglected on record with just two tracks on the A side of a 1981 Shoc Wave 12” his sole output, although his compositions have fared somewhat better having been recorded and released by both Black Roots and Delroy Ogilvie.
Bristol Archive Record's June 18th release of Bunny's 1986 recorded album “I'm Free,” should go some way to making up for that oversight. As a bonus, Bunny is accompanied by legendary Bristol band The Startled Insects and equally legendary local jazz drummer Tony Orrell.
Bunny may be a reggae artist, but he is also a jazz lover and with first rate jazz accompaniment, the music they produced is a totally natural fusion of reggae and jazz that more than twenty five years after it was recorded still sounds totally fresh. It's naturalness, it's simplicity and it's beauty make this music timeless and with an appeal far beyond the traditional reggae market. This is joyful music created by musicians who were obviously having fun and that shines through. There is no artifice in this meeting of Jamaica's and the United States' greatest musical gifts, it just works as a perfect blend of styles.
Bunny has been singing since his childhood in Montego Bay and after relocating to Kingston was soon entering talent competitions. Moving to England whilst still in his teens, Bunny continued to sing as well as becoming involved with sound systems. He also embraced the local jazz scene as well as the diverse music of the West Indies including learning to play Piano with Laurel Aitken. Although his profile outside of Bristol may not have been high, by the time he recorded “I'm Free” he was an experienced writer and performer.
When they collaborated with Bunny the, Startled Insects had already made an impact with their first two records on Antenna and were about to be signed by Island. One of the Startled Insects, Richard Lewis, will be well known to fans of Bristol Archive Records as legendary engineer and producer UK Scientist. The remaining band members known as just the Insects, would go on to a very successful career scoring music for film and television, writing for Massive Attack and working with several leading UK acts.
Drummer Tony Orrell is something of a legend in Bristol music circles. In fact, having played with Spirit Level, Sphere, Andy Sheppard and Adrian Utley to name just a few, he's a hugely respected musician on the UK jazz scene and has often utilised his talents for non jazz artists.
The vinyl LP contains the 1986 album as it was envisioned, four vocals, the uplifting title track “I'm Free”, Bunny's tribute to Bob Marley with “Jazzy Reggae” making an excellent adaptation of the Wailers original. “Farm Diggin'” inspired by life in rural Jamaica and “Natural Princess” a pure love song, “Jazzy Reggae and “Farm Digging” are accompanied by their versions/dubs. For the CD issue we have added “Times Are Getting Harder” and “Hard Times (dub)” both tracks from Bunny's Shoc Wave 12”.
Released 11th June 2012 as 12”Vinyl (Limited Edition) & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
For the young Dan Ratchet 1986 was a busy year. Under the guidance of Simbarashe Tongogara, his cousin and a man with extensive experience in the music industry, he spent several months working in Kingston and London studios recording what was intended to be his first album. For various reasons, the only songs to see a release were “Sweet Rosie,” which saw a limited pressing on the Jamaican Star Time label and “The Time Has Come” which had been co written with Misty’s drummer Munya Brown and released in Zimbabwe as a double A Side, coupled with Misty In Roots “Wandering Wanderer.” The rest of the tracks remained in Simba’s safe keeping until Bristol Archive Records licensed the album for forthcoming release under the title “Jah Poor People”.
Released 11th June 2012 as 12”Vinyl (Limited Edition) & Digital Download, through Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock and all digital platforms.
For the young Dan Ratchet 1986 was a busy year. Under the guidance of Simbarashe Tongogara, his cousin and a man with extensive experience in the music industry, he spent several months working in Kingston and London studios recording what was intended to be his first album. For various reasons, the only songs to see a release were “Sweet Rosie,” which saw a limited pressing on the Jamaican Star Time label and “The Time Has Come” which had been co written with Misty’s drummer Munya Brown and released in Zimbabwe as a double A Side, coupled with Misty In Roots “Wandering Wanderer.” The rest of the tracks remained in Simba’s safe keeping until Bristol Archive Records licensed the album for forthcoming release under the title “Jah Poor People”.
As a taster for the album, Bristol Archive Records will be releasing a double A sided four track 12” single and digital download of the tracks “Afrikana Policies” / “Ekomé Is Unity”, both sides featuring the vocal version immediately followed by dub versions in proper reggae discomix style. As luck would have it, after we scheduled the release we discovered that the two songs are Dan's favourites from the album, what better recommendation could there be.
Recorded at the height of the campaign against apartheid “Afrikana Policies” was a message to the racist regime of P. W. Botha. Fortunately Dan's hope for an end to apartheid was to come true sooner rather than later, but the song's message still has resonance today and Dan's sweet vocal belays the strong political message of the song.
“Ekomé Is Unity” is a song inspired by Bristol based cultural organisation Ekomé and was co-written by the man behind it, Barry Anderson. Although Ekomé concentrated on African music and dance, many of Bristol's reggae musicians passed through its doors and Barry Anderson was a key figure in Bristol's live reggae scene during the 1980s.
Simbarashe Tongogara allowed us access to all the session tapes and as we were lucky enough to find alternative versions of the non vocal tracks, we have made them exclusive to the 12” vinyl and digital download and we have included different mixes on the “Jah Poor People” album.
The 12” vinyl and digital download will be available from 11th June from all good retailers and on the usual digital platforms.
Tracks:
1. Afrikana Policies
2. Afrikana Policies Dub
3. Ekomé Is Unity
4. Ekomé Is Unity Dub
ARTIST: Dan Ratchet
TITLE: Afrikana Polices / Ekomé Is Unity
RELEASE DATE: 11th June 2012
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: Format: 12” Vinyl (Limited Edition) and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC254V
WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson, E : garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk T: 01429280582
SMITH & MIGHTY The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990
Released on 14th May 2012
Limited Edition Pressing Double Vinyl LP
During the 1990s, “The Bristol Sound” became a global phenomenon with albums from Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky regularly placed high in polls of the best albums of the decade or indeed of all time. But for those in the know, “The Bristol Sound” had been defined at the tail end of the eighties with a string of releases from the studio of Rob Smith and Ray Mighty.
SMITH & MIGHTY
‘The Three Stripe Collection 1985 –1990’
Released on 14th May 2012 through Bristol Archive Records.
During the 1990s, “The Bristol Sound” became a global phenomenon with albums from Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky regularly placed high in polls of the best albums of the decade or indeed of all time. But for those in the know, “The Bristol Sound” had been defined at the tail end of the eighties with a string of releases from the studio of Rob Smith and Ray Mighty.
Perhaps if they hadn't been so ahead of the field, had released an album instead of a run of singles or if their subsequent signing to a major label had worked out, the names Smith & Mighty would be as well known as those other Bristol artists.
It's never too late to put the record straight and add another name to the pantheon of Bristol music greats, something they more than deserve. It is with genuine excitement that Bristol Archive Records announce the release of Smith & Mighty, “The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990”.
The 17 tracks have been personally selected and compiled by Rob Smith and starts with “Walk On” and “Anyone” the two songs that announced the arrival of Smith & Mighty and heralded the coming of “The Bristol Sound”. The tracks selected, comprise a complete overview of the label's two years as an independent, highlighting just how productive and creative the partnership was. They took musical ingredients from reggae, funk, hip hop, pop, house, soul and anywhere else that inspired them, added a huge amount of talent, skill, originality, a large portion of the Bristol vibe, some primitive digital technology and turned out cutting edge, boundary crossing dance music the likes of which had never been heard before. Being producers they used these songs to showcase the pool of local talent including; Jackie Jackson, Krissy Kriss, MC Kellz and DJ Lynx.
The majority of these tracks have never been re-released since they appeared as singles more than twenty years ago and for the first time they are gathered together as an album. “The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990” will be issued on May 14th as a double vinyl LP, CD and digital download, to borrow from one of the song titles “This Is The Time” to finally acknowledge the Smith & Mighty legacy and as Krissy Kriss says in that very song, “This is what we call the Bristol Style......just listen”.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
Walk On
Anyone
This Is The Time
Brain Scan
Always Be There (Instrumental)
Acid Off A Way (Part 1)
Acid Off A Way (Part 2)
Time to Rhyme – Featuring The General
The Dark, Dark House
Some good
Mix Me Down Maestro
Killa
Funky Man (You Better Run)
Different Chapter
Clash Of The Beats (Instrumental)
Anyone (Mellow Mix)
Walk On (Mellow Instrumental)
ARTIST: Smith & Mighty
TITLE: ‘The Three Stripe Collection 1985–1990’
RELEASE DATE: 14th May 2012
FORMAT: Double Vinyl LP, CD and Digital Download
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
CAT #: ARC247V and ARC247CD
BARCODE: 5052571023914 / 5052571023921
GENRE: Dance, Electronic
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson, E : garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk T: 07834713232.
Released 9th April 2012
on CD and Digital Download
With a career that spanned twelve years including the entire 1980s, Cool Runnings were one of Bristol's longest lasting bands, yet their failure to gig beyond the West Country or release anything more than their lone twelve inch single means that they are also one of the City's best kept musical secrets. Originally formed in Weston-Super-Mare by Keyboardist Mark Tuck and Guitarist George Condover, they immediately relocated to Bristol and recruited various local musicians including an experienced and talented singer, Winston Minott...
COOL RUNNINGS
'COOL RUNNINGS'
Released on 9th April 2012 on CD and Digital Download
With a career that spanned twelve years including the entire 1980s, Cool Runnings were one of Bristol's longest lasting bands, yet their failure to gig beyond the West Country or release anything more than their lone twelve inch single means that they are also one of the City's best kept musical secrets. Originally formed in Weston-Super-Mare by Keyboardist Mark Tuck and Guitarist George Condover, they immediately relocated to Bristol and recruited various local musicians including an experienced and talented singer, Winston Minott.
Although “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” was their solitary release, the band regularly recorded material throughout their career and fortunately thanks to the foresight of George and Mark in holding onto various master tapes, Bristol Archive Records are able to release the band's self titled debut album “Cool Runnings”.
We've selected a dozen tracks recorded between 1983 and 1985 at various local studios, and a couple of live tracks, to give an idea of why the band were so popular in person. Although their music leans towards the more mellow end of the market, (Lovers Rock), music ideally suited to Winston's soulful voice, the band were more than capable of writing good roots tunes, five of which are featured including the excellent “We Must Go Home”, “Children Of Zion” and the previously released “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto”. Winston Minott had spent many years touring all over Europe with soul band The Invaders and many songs showcase his vocal talent, but a particular highlight has to be “Playhouse” an alternative recording of which can be found on “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 3”.
Perhaps proper management would have seen Cool Runnings achieve the success and wider exposure that their combined talents and unique take on reggae undoubtedly deserved. Now twenty years after the members went their separate ways, Bristol Archive Records are pleased to fill in another missing piece of the City's musical heritage with a band whose music fits perfectly with their name, Cool Runnings.
Tracklisting:
We Must Go Home
Playhouse
Children Of Zion
Give Me Some Interest
Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto
Lawman
You Can’t Pay Me
Is This For Real?
Permanent Diet
There You Go
Sunshine – Weep Willow Weep
Last Train
ARTIST: Cool Runnings
TITLE: ‘Cool Runnings’
FORMAT: Format : CD and Digital Download
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC248CD
RELEASE DATE: 9th April 2012
Having previously teamed up with Nubian Records to release the critically acclaimed “Black Roots – The Reggae Singles Anthology”, Bristol Archive Records have once more been allowed into the Black Roots/Nubian tape vaults. This time we bring out a 25th anniversary deluxe CD edition of “All Day All Night”, the album that saw them teaming up with the Mad Professor and moving away from their original sound for a more polished version. Whilst the music may have been brought up to date, the band's lyrics rarely strayed away from the same themes of social and historical justice that define the roots genre.
BLACK ROOTS
‘ ALL DAY ALL NIGHT ’ (Deluxe edition)
Released 23rd April 2012 on CD via Bristol Archive Records
Having previously teamed up with Nubian Records to release the critically acclaimed “Black Roots – The Reggae Singles Anthology”, Bristol Archive Records have once more been allowed into the Black Roots/Nubian tape vaults. This time we bring out a 25th anniversary deluxe CD edition of “All Day All Night”, the album that saw them teaming up with the Mad Professor and moving away from their original sound for a more polished version. Whilst the music may have been brought up to date, the band's lyrics rarely strayed away from the same themes of social and historical justice that define the roots genre.
As well the original dozen vocal tracks, we've added several dub versions and the extended 12” mix of “Pin in the Ocean”. The music itself saw the band embracing new technology and production techniques to give themselves a more contemporary UK sound, expertly helmed by the UK's leading reggae producer Neil Fraser. The dub mixes give another dimension to the music, the Mad Professor's signature mixing style meaning these mixes wouldn't seem out of place in his own “Dub Me Crazy” series.
A quarter of a century after its first release, “All Day All Night” is worthy of reissue and hopefully will find a new audience amongst fans who were too young for its original release as well as appealing to those who want to supplement their vinyl issues and enjoy the many extra tracks included on this CD. Bristol Archive Records have paid their usual attention to detail and to complement the newly re mastered music, the booklet will include many previously unpublished photos of the band.
Back together after many years, Black Roots are working on a new album to be released in late 2012 as well as performing around the UK. The fact that several of these songs have found a firm place in their live set, emphasises the quality of the writing and the need for this long overdue reappraisal. Bristol Archive Records have once again fulfilled their mission and rescued another deserving and high quality album from obscurity for a new generation of fans.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
Tracks CD:
1. Realize
2. Pin In The Ocean
3. Release the Food
4. Freedom
5. Poor Children
6. Spare The Rod
7. Conman
8. Seeing Your Face
9. All Day All Night
10. Mighty Lion
11. Suffer Me Not
12. Childless Mother
Additional tracks:
13. Pin In The Ocean (Extended Mix)
14. Reality Dub
15. Folitrickshun Dub
16. Dub Free
17. Face Dub
18. Fertility Dub
Release: All Day All Night (Deluxe Edition)
Artist: Black Roots
Format: CD
Cat No: ARC252CD
Label: Bristol Archive Records
Barcode: 5052571026526
Release Date: 23rd April 2012
Genre: Roots Reggae
Website: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
Contact: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
JOSHUA MOSES JOSHUA TO JASHWHA - 30 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS
Released 9th April 2012
as Limited Edition Vinyl with Insert, CD and
Digital Download
From the beginning of Bristol Archive Records involvement in documenting Bristol's neglected reggae heritage we've wanted to release an album that showcases the great talent of one of the local reggae scene's mainstays, Joshua Moses.
Unfortunately, Joshua has no copies of the many recording sessions he has done in the years since his first session in 1978, and so it has taken more than eighteen months of painstaking research and the pursuit of numerous leads to gather together the fifteen tracks on "Joshua To Jashwha - 30 Years In The Wilderness". The result is more than worth any effort involved on our part and is as strong a debut album as anyone could wish for, guaranteed to create a buzz among reggae fans worldwide.
JOSHUA MOSES
JOSHUA TO JASHWHA - 30 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS
Released 9th April 2012
as Limited Edition Vinyl with Insert, CD and Digital Download
From the beginning of Bristol Archive Records involvement in documenting Bristol's neglected reggae heritage we've wanted to release an album that showcases the great talent of one of the local reggae scene's mainstays, Joshua Moses.
Unfortunately, Joshua has no copies of the many recording sessions he has done in the years since his first session in 1978, and so it has taken more than eighteen months of painstaking research and the pursuit of numerous leads to gather together the fifteen tracks on “Joshua To Jashwha – 30 Years In The Wilderness”. The result is more than worth any effort involved on our part and is as strong a debut album as anyone could wish for, guaranteed to create a buzz among reggae fans worldwide.
The tracks on this album were recorded between 1978 and 2003 yet prior to Bristol Archive's involvement the only tracks to have been previously released were the very scarce “Africa (Is Our Land) and it's dub counterpart “Home”. The former, included on the “Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983” and both tracks will be reissued on a very limited 12” in February 2012. The only other track to have previously seen the light of day is “Rise Up”, first heard on “The Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2”. Again we have included it's dub counterpart and again we are releasing a very limited edition 12” alongside “Africa (Is Our Land)” in February 2012.
The other 11 tracks were recorded over a period of twenty years and include a trio of live recordings, but all the tracks have one thing in common, they are all roots tunes of the highest order and Joshua being a multi talented musician has created the music with as much skill as the lyrics. Having dealt with repatriation with “Africa (Is Our Land)”, we move on to “House of Dread”. One of the highlights of Joshua's live shows in the early eighties, it welcomes all of humanity to embrace Rastafari in universal unity, although there is the caveat that the rich may not be welcome.
Evildoers come under attack in “Stick It Up” which attacks the hypocrites and parasites, (vampires and old pirates), who have caused so much suffering throughout history. We then move onto “Jah Time Has Come” that skilfully adapts Aswad’s “Promised Land” rhythm as Joshua looks forward to the coming of Jah and universal justice. Another candidate for the twelve inch treatment is “Suffering Is In the Past” and it's dub counterpart, a tale of life's struggles and overcoming suffering. This is followed by “Rise Up”, Joshua's call to fight oppression and injustice wherever it is found. “Steel” calls for love to triumph over evil. Joshua then proclaims his Rastafarian, Jamaican and African identity in “Bobby Wrong”. “Children Of the Light” and “Nothing To Lose” show Joshua's vocal versatility as he uses a falsetto voice, whilst “Protection” says that if you embrace Jah he will guide and protect you and show you the way. The final track “Distant Guns” introduces a bluesy guitar giving the song a unique and extremely catchy feel as Joshua sings how love will triumph over adversity come judgement day. All the tracks are sung with the utmost conviction, by an artist who truly believes what he sings.
It's likely that if Joshua had been recording in Kingston rather than Bristol he would have become an international star, his music avidly collected and lauded with praise. It may be rather belated, but this release should go a long way towards establishing Joshua's reputation internationally.
The other purpose of this release is to draw a line under Joshua Moses and see him reborn as Jashwha Moses, Jaswha has had many trials and tribulations over the decades and his lonely struggle for musical success has often been an uphill battle. Now with this career retrospective and a new name to tie in with his new, but equally spiritual material, he can hopefully look forward to the success and wider recognition his talents have always deserved.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
ARTIST: Joshua Moses
TITLE: ‘Joshua to Jashwha – 30 Years In The Wilderness’
RELEASE DATE: 9th April 2012
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: Format: CD, Vinyl and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC250CD and ARC250V
Track listing:
CD:
1. Africa (Is Our Land)
2. House Of Dread
3. Stick It Up
4. Jah Time Has Come
5. Suffering In The Past
6. The Suffering (Dub)
7. Rise Up
8. Rise Up (Dub)
9. Steel
10. Bobby Wrong
11. Children Of The Light
12. Nothing To Lose
13. Protection
14. Distant Guns
15. Home (Version)
Vinyl:
Side A
1. Africa (Is Our Land)
2. Home (Version)
3. House Of Dread
4. Stick It Up
Side B
1. Jah Time Has Come
2. Rise Up
3. Rise Up Dub
4. Steel
5. Protection
6. Distant Guns
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.
Released 23rd April 2012
as 12” Vinyl (Limited Edition)
AMJ Dub Collective have reggae in their blood and now they tell the story of the scene they grew up in, "Sound History" is an authentic slice of eighties reggae recorded in the 21st century.
The group's name may be new to people, but their part in Bristol's musical heritage goes back more than thirty years. Mark Spence and Andy Clarke, the band's rhythm section are graduates of Zion Band from which they progressed to legendary Bristol band Restriction,). The third member of the trio is producer John Hollis, another Restriction graduate and for their first release they've called on two other former band mates Eric 'The General' McCarthy on MC duties and Bristol legend Rob Smith for a brace of mixes.
The trio's aim was to recreate the classic reggae sound that they grew up with, yet they aren't afraid to bring things up to date where appropriate as well as bringing in some guest musicians for an added Latin twist that harks back to Jamaican music's origins and close links with Cuba and the wider Caribbean.
The idea for these tracks came from Mark Spence who felt it was long overdue to document in song the City's rich heritage of sound systems, their selectors, MCs and the posses who supported them, a tribute to the reggae scene that nurtured and inspired the members of AMJ Dub Collective as well as countless others over the decades.
Released on 23rd April 2012 via Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
For our first venture into reggae, Sugar Shack have teamed up with a new group, AMJ Dub Collective. The group's name may be new to people, but their part in Bristol's musical heritage goes back more than thirty years. Mark Spence and Andy Clarke, the band's rhythm section are graduates of Zion Band from which they progressed to legendary Bristol band Restriction, (music from both bands can be found on our sister label Bristol Archive Records). The third member of the trio is producer John Hollis, another Restriction graduate and for their first release they've called on two other former band mates Eric 'The General' McCarthy on MC duties and Bristol legend Rob Smith for a brace of mixes.
The trio's aim was to recreate the classic reggae sound that they grew up with, yet they aren't afraid to bring things up to date where appropriate as well as bringing in some guest musicians for an added Latin twist that harks back to Jamaican music's origins and close links with Cuba and the wider Caribbean.
The idea for these tracks came from Mark Spence who felt it was long overdue to document in song the City's rich heritage of sound systems, their selectors, MCs and the posses who supported them, a tribute to the reggae scene that nurtured and inspired the members of AMJ Dub Collective as well as countless others over the decades.
The choice of Eric 'The General' on microphone duties was obvious as not only had he taken that role in Restriction, but was also an MC on legendary Bristol sound system Enterprise. His delivery has lost nothing in the last thirty years and it's great to be able to hear him again.
Rob Smith needs no introduction and although his career has covered the “Bristol Sound”, drum and bass and dub step, he has never drifted far from his reggae roots, having been a founder member of both Zion Band and Restriction, it's only natural that his mixing talents were called upon and he certainly delivers.
This is reggae for the twenty first century, yet reggae built on years of practice and skill, music played on real instruments by real musicians and not something programmed on a PC using the same tired digital effects, “Sound History” will be released as a limited edition 4 track 12” EP complete with picture sleeve, if only all new reggae was made with such care and attention.
Tracks:
Side 1
SOUND HISTORY 1
SOUND HISTORY 1 (version)
Side 2
SOUND HISTORY 2
SOUND HISTORY 2 (version)
Release ‘Sound History Volume One’
Artist AMJ Dub Collective
Format 12” Vinyl (Limited Edition)
Cat Nos FOD090V
Label Sugar Shack Records / Bristol Archive Records
Barcode: 5052571026717
Release Date 23rd April 2012
Genre Roots Reggae
'Africa (Is Our Land)' and 'Rise Up'
Two 12" Vinyl singles released on 20th February 2012 Strictly Limited Editions
Bristol Archive Records are pleased to announce their first foray into the world of the reggae 12” single with a brace of releases from Bristol reggae legend Joshua Moses.
Both releases will be strictly limited to 800 copies worldwide and as well as a chance to purchase ‘Africa (Is Our Land)’ at a normal retail price this will probably be the only opportunity to obtain ‘Rise Up/Rise Up Dub’ as a physical release.
The first of the duo is ‘Africa (Is Our Land)’, originally released in 1978 on the More Cut label produced by Dennis Bovell it is now acknowledged as a classic slice of UK roots and on the rare occasions copies surface they regularly command over £100. We included the vocal side on ‘The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983’, now following numerous requests we’ve decided to issue it in its original format along with the original dub mix.
FORMAT: 12 "VINYL
Limited Edition 800 Copies Only
BUY NOW £7.50 + delivery
Release Africa (Is Our Land) / Home (Dub)
Released 20th February 2012
Cat No. ARC245V
Our second 12” from Joshua Moses is ‘Rise Up’, another strong roots outing this time from 1983 that until it’s inclusion on ’Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2’ had remained unissued and unknown to the reggae audience. Judging from the feedback we’ve already received, ‘Rise Up’ could become as popular as ‘Africa (Is Our Land)’ and so we’ve chosen to release it along with the previously unreleased accompanying dub version on the format for which it was always intended.
FORMAT: 12 "VINYL
Limited Edition 800 Copies Only
BUY NOW £7.50 + delivery
Release Rise Up / Rise Up(Dub)
Released 20th February 2012
Cat No. ARC221V
TALISMAN - ‘Takin’the Strain’
Released 5th March 2012
as CD (Deluxe Edition) and Digital Download
Originally issued as a vinyl LP in 1984, “Takin’ The Strain” was Talisman's first album. The culmination of a long musical journey as the band had existed in various guises since 1976. At the time of the album’s release Talisman were a three piece.
Originally issued as a vinyl LP in 1984, “Takin’ The Strain” was Talisman's first album. The culmination of a long musical journey as the band had existed in various guises since 1976. At the time of the album’s release Talisman were a three piece. This core of Desmond Taylor (Dehvan Othieno Sengor), Dennison Joseph and Donald de Cordova were supplemented for the recordings by a host of local musicians as well as the engineering and co-production talents of Richard Lewis (UK Scientist), a mainstay of the British reggae scene.
Although they'd been through personnel changes, this line-up were consummate performers and delivered a musical statement for the time. The nine tracks showcasing some variety and even including a soul tune. Having been launched to great fanfare with a live show at The Bristol Studio, then the city's premier live music venue, the album achieved some success. It also suffered from being released on a small independent label without the muscle to break through to a wider audience.
Having already released Talisman's earlier recorded output on “Dole Age - The 1981 Reggae Collection” (ARC199), it's only fitting that Bristol Archive Records should turn their attention to the band's first studio album. Not only is this the first digital issue, available on both CD and download, but this release is enhanced by the addition of five live cuts recorded at London's Lyceum in 1985. As well as live performances of “Takin’ The Strain”, “Calamity”, “Ah Wah You Seh” and “Lick & Run” we've also included a live version of “Slow Poison”, a track that didn't make it onto the original issue, but was a key part of the band's live sets for many years.
In addition to the extra tracks Bristol Archive's usual attention to detail is evident and the CD comes with a booklet full of archive images and extensive sleeve notes based on the recollections of Lead Vocalist and Guitarist Dehvan Othieno Sengor. Coinciding with a renewed appreciation for their work Talisman have reformed and are now playing gigs throughout the UK, rebuilding the loyal following they once had and winning over a whole new generation of new fans, many of whom weren't born when “Takin’ the Strain” was first released.
Takin The Strain
Crime Of Passion
Lick & Run
Ah Wah You Seh
Lord Of The Dance
Stride On
I'm Sorry
Calamity
Burn The Bread
Bonus tracks recorded live at The Lyceum supporting Eek-A-Mouse in 1985
Slow Poison
Released 5th March 2012
as Limited Edition Vinyl LP and
Digital Download
1979 was a good year for reggae and British reggae in particular. Lover's rock went mainstream with Janet Kay on Top Of the Pops and Aswad, Steel Pulse and Linton Kwesi Johnson all building on their debuts with strong second albums. Meanwhile the healthy live circuit gave bands an opportunity to make a living from music. One of those bands was Bristol's Revelation Rockers who although founded in 1976, would not find real success until slight line-up changes and a change of name to Talisman which would see them become established as one of the UK's finest live acts.
Format VINYL
Released 5th March 2012
Cat No. ARC242V
Format: CD
BUY NOW £10.00+ delivery
Strictly limited edition hand made replica CD version of Revelation Rockers 'Jah Praises' album.
Artwork completed by the legendary Bristol designer Sam Giles.
Format CD
Released 5th March 2012
Cat No. ARC242CD
Released 5th March 2012 as Limited Edition Vinyl LP and Digital Download
1979 was a good year for reggae and British reggae in particular. Lover's rock went mainstream with Janet Kay on Top Of the Pops and Aswad, Steel Pulse and Linton Kwesi Johnson all building on their debuts with strong second albums. Meanwhile the healthy live circuit gave bands an opportunity to make a living from music. One of those bands was Bristol's Revelation Rockers who although founded in 1976, would not find real success until slight line-up changes and a change of name to Talisman which would see them become established as one of the UK's finest live acts.
Until recently Bristol Archive Records had believed that no recordings of Revelation Rockers existed, so when we were handed a master tape we couldn't wait to get it transferred and as the first people to listen to these tracks in nearly a third of a century we knew we'd discovered something rather special. The five songs on this album aren't some rough demo tracks best forgotten, but a fully realised UK roots album worthy of standing alongside anything released at the time.
The reason why these tracks weren't released in '79 is long forgotten - perhaps it was the change of name or personnel, possibly the lack of funds or interest from record labels or maybe it was just that the music and Talisman took a slightly different direction. Whatever the reason, Bristol Archive Records is belatedly putting things right with the 5th March 2012 release of “Jah Praises” Revelation Rockers entire recorded legacy as a vinyl only LP, just as it would have been in '79.
This record is a time capsule, dealing with the reality of life in late seventies Britain, racism, mass unemployment, industrial unrest and poverty. The title track is a song of praise to Jah driven by a relentless bass line backed up by horns, the sort of song that was almost compulsory for any seventies roots album. From praising Jah, the music tackles the loss of cultural identity caused by the legacy of slavery, “Give me back my culture, give me back my roots”, the track “Culture” makes its message clear. Perhaps borrowing a lyrical idea from the Wailers “Who Feels It Knows It” makes it clear you can't truly relate to how others live their lives until you've actually experienced a similar situation yourself, a lesson still very much relevant today. “Wicked Dem” is a song that would go on to become one of the signature tunes of Talisman. Here we have its earliest recorded incarnation, very different from the version we all know, rawer, sparser, slower and heavier, but just as hard hitting and able to hold its own with the later Talisman cuts. The album ends with a change of mood, a love song, yet there's nothing soft about “When You're Away” as it's driven along by a heavy contemporary backing with the added benefit of horns.
It's a rare event to have the opportunity to hear an entire “lost” reggae album, even rarer when the music is this good. This record is essential for all fans of UK roots reggae and beyond, rewriting the story of what was happening on the Bristol and UK reggae scenes in 1979. Long overdue it may be, but Revelation Rockers finally get to secure their place in the music's history.
The Bristol Reggae Explosion is back with a third volume. Whilst still happily exploring what was happening in the city during the 1980s, we've bent the rules and included a lone track from 1979. If anything, this third volume is our strongest so far, an amazing achievement when you consider that 11 of the 15 tracks are previously unreleased.
The Bristol Reggae Explosion is back with a third volume. Whilst still happily exploring what was happening in the city during the 1980s, we've bent the rules and included a lone track from 1979. If anything, this third volume is our strongest so far, an amazing achievement when you consider that 11 of the 15 tracks are previously unreleased.
By popular demand, “Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 3 – The 1980s Part II” has a strong leaning towards the roots side of reggae. The album opens with Revelation Rockers “Jah Praises”, recorded in 1979 and taken from the album of the same name that sees its first release on Bristol Archive Records in March 2012 exclusively on vinyl, so it's inclusion on Volume 3 will be it's only CD issue. Revelation Rockers soon changed their name to Talisman and as such they feature twice more with the unreleased (Cave mix) of “Takin' The Strain” and “Lick & Run” taken from their debut album “Takin' The Strain”, re-released on CD as a deluxe edition in March 2012.
We included Bunny Marrett's only vinyl outing on Volume 2. He returns for Volume 3 with an incredibly soulful and atmospheric performance of “I'm Free.” An alternative version will be included on Bunny's first album which Bristol Archive Records plan to release later in 2012, something we are really excited about.
Another act from whom we intend to release a long overdue album is Joshua Moses. ‘Stick It Up’ is a live recording that gives you some idea just how good his shows were and is a taster from the album ‘Joshua to Jashwha- 30 Years In The Wilderness’. Maintaining the roots vibe are Zion Band, most of whom would go on to form Restriction but not before putting out a six track EP and we’ve included “Babylon Fire/Babylon Dub” from that scarce vinyl release.
Two more previously featured acts from Volume 2 are Alfred McIntosh, whose dubs were so well received last time, and Cool Runnings, with unreleased alternative versions of two songs taken from their forthcoming self-titled album on Bristol Archive Records.
Although very well known locally, Popsy Curious gets his introduction to the worldwide reggae community with his “Chant Down Bobby Rome”. He makes a second contribution showing his lovers rock side, as one of the vocalists on Vibes' “My Love”. The remaining artists Ron Green, Zapp Stereo, The Radicals and Dan Ratchet will be familiar to those who have our previous volumes. It is worth noting that Dan Ratchet is backed by members of Aswad for his take on the classic mid-eighties U.K. reggae sound. Bristol Archive Records are currently working on releasing Dan's first album from which “Sweet Rosie” is taken as well as an album from the multi-talented Ron Green.
All in all, these 15 tracks provide a great overview of the diversity of ideas and styles that were bubbling away in 1980s Bristol. We have had a great response to our first two volumes and hopefully volume three will receive an equally positive welcome.
www.bristolarchiverecords.com
ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: The Bristol Reggae Explosion 3 – The 80’s Part 2
RELEASE DATE: 19th March 2012
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
FORMAT: CD, Limited Edition Vinyl LP and Digital Download
CAT NO: ARC249CD and ARC249V
BARCODE: 5052571025215 / 5052571025222
DOWNLOAD LINK (For review purposes only): to follow WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson, E : garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk T: 01429280582
Following the critical and commercial success of “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 - 1983” Bristol Archive Records have dug even deeper into the city's reggae heritage for the follow-up, “Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2 - The 1980s”. This time we continue our quest not only with a selection of rarities, but with several tracks that have never been previously released, by popular demand Volume 2 also comes with greater dub content.
Following the critical and commercial success of “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 - 1983” Bristol Archive Records have dug even deeper into the city's reggae heritage for the follow-up, “Bristol Reggae Explosion Volume 2 - The 1980s”. This time we continue our quest not only with a selection of rarities, but with several tracks that have never been previously released, by popular demand Volume 2 also comes with greater dub content.
Bristol's top roots exponents Black Roots feature once more, “The Father” is a prime example of their early roots style. Whilst “Pin In The Ocean” shows the later more commercial sound they adopted in collaboration with the Mad Professor, both tracks can also be found on the label's “Black Roots The Reggae Singles Anthology”, a career spanning overview.
Bunny Marrett wrote Black Roots' “Bristol Rock”, the opening track on Volume 1 so it's only appropriate and with great pleasure that we include his sole vinyl outing, the very scarce “Times Are Getting Harder”, a great slice of UK roots. When it comes to scarcity there were reputedly just 200 copies pressed of “Robin Hoods Of The Ghetto” by Cool Runnings, we believe it deserves a much wider audience.
The Radicals, 3-D Production and Joshua Moses will be familiar to those who have Volume 1 and return with more of the same. The Joshua Moses track is previously unreleased and appears here thanks to the detective work of Mike Darby. Another unreleased track we've managed to uncover is Alfred McIntosh's “Wicked Dub” a 7 minute workout that helps give this release a greater dub flavour.
The mid part of the decade is represented by Zapp Stereo's appropriately titled “Way Out West” and Lord John Hutchinson's “Little Eyes”. Both tracks are previously unreleased. The albums closing track is Dan Ratchett's “Raggamuffin Girl”. Recorded in 1989 it perfectly sums up the way Reggae music started to change direction. Dan was an ever present part of the Bristol scene in the late eighties and nineties and hopefully this will be the first of many tracks we get to license for future releases.
Rather than discuss all the tracks in detail we've left a few surprises for the listener to discover for themselves, but you can be sure that this release builds on the strengths of Volume 1 and explores the Bristol scene in far more depth. Hopefully it shows how the live, band based scene at the start of the decade evolved to be more solo artist based a few years later. This sowed the seeds for the explosion in studio based production companies that were just around the corner, the two volumes compliment each other perfectly, roll on Volume 3!
Vinyl
Side One
"Rise Up" Joshua Moses
"Times Are Getting harder" Bunny Marrett
"Twelve Tribes" Zion Band
"Robin Hoods Of the Ghetto" Cool Runnings
Side Two
"Re-Arrange (Version)" 3-D Production
"Wicked Dub" Alfred McIntosh
"Ah It (Dub" Alfred McIntosh
"Re-Action" Restriction
CD
Joshua Moses Rise Up (Joshua Moses 1983) (p) Copyright Control 1983
Bunny Marrett Times Are Getting Harder (Bunny Marrett 1980) (P) Unitone Publishing 1980
Alfred McIntosh Wicked Men (Dub) (McIntosh/Talisman 1983) (p) Copyright Control 1983
Zion Band Twelve Tribes (Reynold Duncan 1982) (p) Unitone Publishing 1982
3-D Production Re-Arrange (Version) (Ronald Green 1980) (p) Third Kind Music 1980
Alfred McIntosh Ah It Dis (Dub) (McIntosh/Talisman 1983) (p) Copyright Control 1983
Zapp Stereo Way Out West (Snow/Palaste 1984) (p) Copyright Control 1984
Double Vinyl LP - Limited Edition Pressing with
Insert plus Deluxe Edition CD/DVD and Download.
Thirty years after they released their first four track EP Black Roots' singles output is finally showcased on “Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology”. Released on September 5th, by Bristol Archive Records in collaboration with Nubian Records this 16 track album spans the band's creative peak of the 1980s.
Double Vinyl LP - Limited Edition Pressing with
Insert plus Deluxe Edition CD/DVD and Download
Thirty years after they released their first four track EP Black Roots' singles output is finally showcased on “Black Roots - The Reggae Singles Anthology”. Released on September 5th, by Bristol Archive Records in collaboration with Nubian Records this 16 track album spans the band's creative peak of the 1980s.
Black Roots were Bristol's leading exponents of reggae, constantly touring throughout the UK and Europe. They also managed to release a steady stream of LPs and singles mostly on their own Nubian label. Now for the first time the majority of those singles are brought together on a single CD and limited double vinyl LP.
The music includes all of their key early singles, their first EP in its entirety, the three track follow up, the original single mix of “The Frontline” from the BBC series of the same name and later releases such as their collaborations with the Mad Professor.
This release wouldn't have been possible without the full support of the Band's own label, Nubian Records, who have allowed us free reign of their archives, the result being a 16 page booklet to accompany the CD that is packed full of previously unpublished photos of the band, the limited double vinyl issue comes with a similarly illustrated LP size insert.
As if a 16 track selection of some of the finest UK reggae wasn't enough the initial run of CDs have an added bonus, the first DVD issue of the impossible to find “Celebration”. A great live show from 1986, recorded at the Bristol Studio and previously only available on the original self financed video cassette issue. Taken directly from the video master this performance catches the band in fine form, joined by a horn section that includes the legendary Vin Gordon on Trombone the ten tracks are evenly split between their then pending “All Day All Night” album and their earlier more roots orientated material. Seeing them on stage 25 years ago really brings home how versatile the band were. Fortunately the original line-up of Black Roots reformed last year and with plenty of gigs in the pipeline everyone will be able to experience their live shows again.
As is usual Bristol Archive Records have paid meticulous attention to detail and, not only do you get a selection of great music, sleeve notes, a booklet packed with great photos, and a bonus live DVD, but we truly believe the music has never sounded so good on CD.
Track Listing
BRISTOL ROCK 4.15 (Bunny Marrett/Arranged by Black Roots) 1981
TRIBAL WAR 4.22 (Black Roots)1981
THE FATHER 3.30 (Black Roots)1981
THE SYSTEM 3.58 (Bunny Marrett/Arranged by Black Roots)1981
CHANTING FOR FREEDOM 8.45 (Black Roots)1981
CONFUSION 3.28 (Black Roots)1981
WHAT THEM A DO 5.57 (Black Roots)1981
THE FRONTLINE 3.43 (Black Roots)1984
MOVE ON 6.07 (Black Roots)1983
JUVENILE DELINQUENT 4.23 (Black Roots)1984
STRUGGLING 5.14 (Black Roots)1984
SEEING YOUR FACE 4.17 (Black Roots)1986
CONMAN 3.22 (Black Roots)1986
PIN IN THE OCEAN 6.38 (Black Roots)1987
SUZY WONG 4.57 (P. Ecclestone)1987
START AFRESH 5.55 (Black Roots)1988
ARTIST: BLACK ROOTS
TITLE: ‘The Reggae Singles Anthology’
FORMAT: Limited Edition Pressing Double Vinyl LP plus Deluxe edition CD/DVD and Download
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC218V and ARC219CD
RELEASE DATE: 5th September 2011
WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
PRESS CONTACT: Garry Hutchinson, E: garry.hutchinson@s-a-n.co.uk T: 01429280582
11 stunning tracks 7 previously unreleased in any format.
Hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed "The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983" Bristol Archive Records return to the City's rich reggae heritage with another album full of lost gems. This time it's the criminally neglected Talisman who benefit from a long overdue and well deserved release.
5 Track Vinyl Album. This version is limited to 250 copies with a special colour pullout with stories, exclusive pictures and poster images only available from The Bristol Archive Records shop. Sleeve notes by Martin Langford. Tracks include the 12" Mixes of Dole Age, Free Speech, Run Come Girl and Wicked Dem together with a previously unreleased track Nitty Gritty.
Format VINYL
Released 9th May 2011
Cat No. ARC199V
11 STUNNING TRACKS 7 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED IN ANY FORMAT, 5 DIFFERENT TRACKS ON THE VINYL ALBUM (INCLUDING THE 12" MIXES)
Hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed "The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983" Bristol Archive Records return to the City's rich reggae heritage with another album full of lost gems. This time it's the criminally neglected Talisman who benefit from a long overdue and well deserved release.
Originally formed in 1977 as Revelation Rockers, a name they soon changed, by the early 1980s, Talisman were consummate performers not only vying with Black Roots for the title of Bristol's number one reggae act, but also one of the country's most popular live bands. They toured the UK building up a loyal following and leaving memories of gigs that are still discussed to this day. The band's prowess earned them support slots with acts as diverse as Burning Spear, The Clash and The Rolling Stones and they were more than capable of playing in such esteemed company.
Despite their undisputed talent a major record deal never materialised and until now the only way to hear Talisman has been to track down their two difficult to find singles from 1981, or their two later LPs, "Takin' The Strain" from 1984 and "Jam Rock" From 1990. Now after nearly thirty years Bristol Archive Records have lovingly compiled a CD of the band at their peak in 1981. Not only does the CD contain the band's two original 7" singles, but also seven carefully selected live cuts from classic shows at Glastonbury and Bath University.
This is the first time on CD for this material and is also the first proper release of any kind for the live tracks, though either gig was surely strong enough to have produced a proper live release at the time. If only the finance had been there, at least there was the foresight to properly record the shows for posterity.
Being a reggae release vinyl hasn't been forgotten. The limited edition LP is effectively a completely different release featuring the full extended 12" mixes of both singles in their entirety as well as the previously unreleased "Nitty Gritty".
As with the label's previous foray into the local reggae scene, which incidentally also features tracks from Talisman, this release allows a new generation to hear some great music and strongly makes the case that there was a lot more to the UK reggae scene than Aswad, Steel Pulse and Misty In Roots, Bristol was rocking just as hard as London or Birmingham and Talisman were a large part of the reason why!
Talisman 'Dole Age' - The 1981 Reggae Collection
Cat Nos: ARC199CD
Tracklisting:
DOLE AGE 7" Mix 5.53 (Joseph / Talisman) 1981
FREE SPEECH 7" Mix 4.18 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
RUN COME GIRL 7" Mix 4.18 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
WICKED DEM 7" Mix 4.02 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
STRIDE ON 5.54 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
CALAMITY 6.00 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
AH WHA U SEH 8.52 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
NOTHING CHANGE 6.26 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
SHINE ON 5.38 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
WORDS OF WISDOM 14.22 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
SLOW POISON 8.13 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
Track 1,2,3,4 Originally released on Recreational Records and recorded at Crescent Studios, Bath, UK
Track 1 and 2 Engineered by David Lord and Produced by Talisman and UK Scientist
Tracks 3 and 4 Engineered by Steve Street and Glen Tommey and Produced by UK Scientist
Tracks 5, 6, 7 Recorded live at Glastonbury Festival 1981 - Mixed in London by UK Scientist
Tracks 8, 9, 10, 11, Recorded live at Bath University 1981 - Out front sound UK Scientist
RUN COME GIRL 12" MIX 8.35 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
WICKED DEM 12" MIX 8.05 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
NITTY GRITTY 3.44 (Taylor / Talisman) 1981
Track 1,2,3,4 Originally released on Recreational Records and recorded at Crescent Studios, Bath, UK
Track 1 and 2 Engineered by David Lord and Produced by Talisman and UK Scientist
Tracks 3 and 4 Engineered by Steve Street and Glen Tommey and Produced by UK Scientist
Track 5 Recorded live in the studio (Studio location unknown) - Mixed by UK Scientist
The Line Up:
Bill Bartlett - Keyboards
Donald de Cordova - Drums
Leroy Forbes - Lead Guitar, Vocals, Synth
Desmond (Lazarus) Taylor - Rydim, Lead Vocals
Dennison Joseph - Bass, Vocals
Brendan Whitmore - Sax, Harp
Except on Tracks 5,6,7 Keyboards Chris Potter
All tracks originally re-mastered by Shaun Joseph at Optimum, January 2010 and compiled, edited and remastered by Steve Street December 2010
All Rights Reserved
P&C Bristol Archive Records 2011
All recordings owned by Talisman and exclusively licenced to Bristol Archive Records
All songs Copyright Control 1981
Except Tracks 3 and 4 Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Tracks 1,2,5,6 and 7 Published by All Media Music
Thanks to Chris Parker, Lloyd Harris, Richard Lewis, Zulu PA, Ken Pustelnik, Dave Massey, Steve Street, Sam Giles, Michael Eavis, Dingwalls ( Boss Goodman) and The 100 Club, John Curd (Straight Music), Angela Davis (Terry King Associates) and John Peel.
Front cover design taken from the original Lloyd Harris 1981design
Artwork by samgilesdesign@gmail.com
This album is dedicated to the memory of Revolver Records
As 1978 wore on, we thanked God for the likes of UK Subs and Angelic Upstarts, and here in Brizzle...the mighty X-Certs! With Clive Arnold (vocals and guitar), Simon Justice (guitar), Taf (bass) and Neil Mackie (drums), The X-Certs served up welcome blasts of Clash-style punk anthems. They were politically charged and passionate, friendly and down to earth, and a great live act, but for some reason their recordings were relatively few and far between. One track, Blue Movies, on Hearbeat Records' 4-Alternatives EP, and another called Anthem on the same label's acclaimed Avon Calling compilation album. And that's yer lot with the original line up.
This edition includes a Limited Edition Insert with stories from all four members of the band, Introduction by Shane Baldwin and never seen before pictures.
Artwork completed by the legendary Bristol designer Sam Giles
Vinyl LP - Limited Edition 500 Pressing with Insert plus Strictly Limited Replica CD and Download
‘RATED XXX’
Released 8th August 2011
1978 and especially 1979 were confusing times for young punks in the provinces. If you didn't want to go all arty and post-punk, or buy a stupid skinny tie and go New Wave, you were doomed to be terminally unfashionable. Two years later, you were still terminally unfashionable, but you could sell records. But that's another story.
As 1978 wore on, we thanked God for the likes of UK Subs and Angelic Upstarts, and here in Brizzle...the mighty X-Certs! With Clive Arnold (vocals and guitar), Simon Justice (guitar), Taf (bass) and Neil Mackie (drums), The X-Certs served up welcome blasts of Clash-style punk anthems. They were politically charged and passionate, friendly and down to earth, and a great live act, but for some reason their recordings were relatively few and far between. One track, Blue Movies, on Hearbeat Records' 4-Alternatives EP, and another called Anthem on the same label's acclaimed Avon Calling compilation album. And that's yer lot with the original line up.
Live, though, they were real contenders, pulling as many as 500 people into Trinity Church before they even had a record out, and supporting the likes of the afore-mentioned Angelic Upstarts, Pere Ubu, Misty In Roots, The Only Ones, and most famously, The Clash, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on 11 February 1980, on the 16 Tons Tour, with none other than Topper Headon mixing their sound.
By the Clash gig the line-up had changed and so had the band's style, exploring new musical territories including reggae, but this album captures the original four-piece at the peak of their Punk Rock powers.
"We Are What We Are. We Are - The X-Certs"
ARTIST: The X-Certs
TITLE: ‘Rated XXX’
FORMAT: Limited Edition 500 Pressing Vinyl LP plus strictly limited edition hand made replica CD and Download
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC138V and ARC138CD
RELEASE DATE: 8th August 2011
WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
7” Vinyl - Limited Edition Single
“RIOT” and “Re-Arrange (Version)”
Released 11th July 2011
The success of “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1979-1983”, has helped many new fans discover some of the wonderful reggae music hidden away and half forgotten in Bristol's musical story. Many people have got in touch with us and asked if there was any chance of re-releasing some of these tunes in their original seven or twelve inch vinyl format. Having dipped our toe in the reggae singles market with our very limited release of a Joshua Moses/Sharon Bengamin split seven inch for Record Store Day we are delighted to announce our first full release is the most requested track from the album, 3-D Production “Riot”, coupled with it's original B side, “Re-Arrange (Version)”.
3-D Production were an offshoot of The Radicals with John Carley on vocals, guitar and percussion and Black Roots member King providing the bass lines. This two man core were then supplemented by other local musicians. The single was released in 1980 on the small reggae label Third Kind and judging from it's scarcity it seems to have sunk without trace, fortunately we didn't forget it !! So after more than thirty years it will be re-released on Bristol Archive Records.
The title “Riot” needs no explanation and is about the St. Paul's riot that had only just happened, a classic case of reggae reportage, opening with police sirens and the sound of smashing glass. The original picture cover is adorned with an image of the burning Lloyds Bank on Ashley Road whilst the rear features a burned out police panda car. Perhaps it's no surprise “Riot” was banned by the BBC!
The B side “Re-Arrange (Version)” didn’t appear on the LP and has not previously been reissued. It presents a complete contrast to “Riot”, a sparse dub obviously inspired by late period Black Ark recordings with the snippets of vocal harmonies dropping in and out of the mix. A real grower that you find yourself drawn back to again and again wishing that there was a proper vocal version to accompany it.
The single will be released on Monday 11th July housed in an updated version of the original picture sleeve and with perfect attention to detail, we have even used the same colour for the labels as used on the original.
ARTIST: 3-D Production 7” Vinyl
TITLE: ‘Riot / Re-Arrange (Version)’
FORMAT: Limited Edition 7” Vinyl Single
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Exclusive to www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CAT NO: ARC185V
RELEASE DATE: 11th July 2011
WEBSITE: www.bristolarchiverecords.com
CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@bristolarchivercords.com T: 07885 498 402
SPLIT 7” Vinyl - Limited Edition Single - Hand Numbered 250 Copies
Featuring ‘Pretty Girl’ and ‘Mr.Guy’
Released as part of ‘Record Shop Day’ April 16th 2011
Bristol Archive Records are extremely pleased to announce their participation in the phenomenon that is ‘Record Store Day’ For our contribution we have selected two tracks from our highly popular album “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 – 1983”, (ARC191), and coupled them on a strictly limited seven inch single.
This double A sided release finds us in a mellow mood as we couple Joshua Moses' “Pretty Girl” with Sharon Bengamin's “Mr Guy”.
“Mr Guy” is a lovely slice of lover's rock and somewhat overlooked when released in 1980 but it has become a firm favourite with us here at Bristol Archive. “Pretty Girl” finds Roots singer Joshua Moses showing his softer side, it was something of a hit on the original release and makes a natural pairing with Sharon's tune.
Both tracks were originally released as singles on Bristol label Shoc-wave Records some thirty years ago and were given their first digital release with their well deserved inclusion on “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 – 1983”. “Mr Guy” also made it onto the limited vinyl version of the album, but running time constraints meant there was no room for “Pretty Girl” something we a very pleased to rectify with this vinyl release.
To compliment the vinyl we've designed a custom die-cut sleeve that pays homage to those original reggae disco bags of the late seventies, each sleeve is individually hand numbered with the pressing being limited to just 250 copies.
The record will be available to buy on Record Store Day April 16th 2011
The Cortinas 'MK1'
14 Track Vinyl album (3 Tracks previously never released before) on any format. The release is limited to 500 copies. The Cortinas soon built up a big local following, and a break came when the band supported The Stranglers at the fabled Roxy Club in Covent Garden on 22 January 1977.Things then moved quickly for the band. Miles Copeland and Mark Perry's Step Forward label released the classic singles 'Fascist Dictator' in June and 'Defiant Pose' in December, the band recorded a fine Peel session, and they appeared on the front cover of the April/May issue of Sniffin' Glue. Heady stuff, but sadly, it was over all too soon. This edition DOES NOT include the Limited edition insert.
(3 Tracks previously never released before) on any format. The release is limited to 500 copies. (This version is nearly sold out on black vinyl and does not include the limited edition insert).
The Cortinas soon built up a big local following, and a break came when the band supported The Stranglers at the fabled Roxy Club in Covent Garden on 22 January 1977. Things then moved quickly for the band. Miles Copeland and Mark Perry's Step Forward label released the classic singles 'Fascist Dictator' in June and 'Defiant Pose' in December, the band recorded a fine Peel session, and they appeared on the front cover of the April/May issue of Sniffin' Glue. Heady stuff, but sadly, it was over all too soon.
Format VINYL
Released 21st June 2010
Cat No. ARC155V
Format - WHITE VINYL
BUY NOW £8.00 + delivery
NEW VERSION
Includes a limited edition insert in all 500 copies
Format 'WHITE' VINYL
Released 21st March 2011
Cat No. ARC155V
Format - CD
BUY NOW £10.00+ delivery
Strictly limited edition hand made replica cd version of The Cortinas 'MK1' album.
Artwork completed by the legendary Bristol designer Sam Giles.
Format CD
Released 2nd July 2010
Cat No. Not applicable (Limited Edition)
14 STUNNING TRACKS 3 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED IN ANY FORMAT
Bristol Archive Records via this website have 100 special copies available which will include a black and white pull out with Stories / A personal insight by Tim Williams, Steve Bush and Phil Harrison. Also included are rare pics by Stephen Swan of the band recording Fascist Dictator and playing live at Chutes Club in Bristol, 1977 ( FANTASTIC!)
Bristol's first punk band, The Cortinas, formed in March 1976 when Jeremy Valentine (vocals), Nick Sheppard (guitar), Mike Fewins (guitar), Dexter Dalwood (bass) and Daniel Swan were still at school.“Jer put the band together, he definitely had a vision of what he wanted; he was very hip - Dexter and Mike went to the same school as him" remembers Nick. “He found me via Mark Stewart, who I went to school with, and I brought Dan in; we had played in a band together before. We used to practise at the back of Jer’s Dad’s shop".
The Cortinas soon built up a big local following, and a break came when the band supported The Stranglers at the fabled Roxy Club in Covent Garden on 22 January 1977. Nick recalls how it came to be: “Hugh Cornwell was staying at a friend of his’ flat near the university, on holiday, and me and my girlfriend met him in the street. This would have been in the summer of 76. We started talking to him because we recognized him from seeing The Stranglers and hung out for the afternoon. I told him about the band. Later on, in January 77, he sent us a postcard asking us to play at the Roxy, so we rang up and said yes! I remember my mum telling me not to be too disappointed if people didn’t like us…".Things then moved quickly for the band. Miles Copeland and Mark Perry's Step Forward label released the classic singles 'Fascist Dictator' in June and 'Defiant Pose' in December, the band recorded a fine Peel session, and they appeared on the front cover of the April/May issue of Sniffin' Glue. Heady stuff, but sadly, it was over all too soon.
The following year, after a poorly received album, the band were no more, but in 1977 they were unstoppable - simply one of the best first wave punk bands around.
This album contains all four tracks from those two great singles, plus ten rare early demo tracks, all newly remastered.
Tracklisting:
Side One
Side Two
Track 1 Defiant Pose
Track 1 Justice
Track 2 Further Education
Track 2 Fascist Dictator
Track 3 Have It With You
Track 3 Tribe Of The City
Track 4 Ask Mr Waverley
Track 4 I Trust Valerie Singleton
Track 5 Independence
Track 5 Slow Down
Track 6 Youth Club Dance
Track 6 I Don’t Want To Compromise
Track 7 Television Families
Track 7 Television Families (Demo)
Track 2 Side Two and 7 Side One recorded at Polydor Studios Engineered by Peter Wilson and Produced by M.C and M.P
Tracks 1 and 5 Side One recorded at CBS Studios Engineered by Simon Humphrey and Produced by Turner, Copeland and The Cortinas
Tracks 2,3,4,6 Side One recorded at GBH Studios Bristol Engineered by Andrew Peters and Produced by The Cortinas
Tracks 1,3,4 Side Two recorded at GBH Studios Bristol Engineered by Andrew Peters and Produced by The Cortinas
Tracks 5,6,7 recorded at GBH Studios Bristol Engineered by Steve Street and Produced by The Cortinas
8 Track Vinyl Album. Sleeve notes by Martin Langford. Tracks include Black Roots, Talisman, Restriction, Joshua Moses, Sharon Bengamin and Buggs Durrant
Format VINYL (Limited Pressing)
Released 1st MAY 2011
Cat No. ARC191VGREEN
Format - RED VINYL Low Stock
ORDER £13.00+ delivery
8 Track Vinyl Album. Sleeve notes by Martin Langford. Tracks include Black Roots, Talisman, Restriction, Joshua Moses, Sharon Bengamin and Buggs Durrant
Format VINYL (Limited Pressing)
Released 1st MAY 2011
Cat No. ARC191VRED
Format - CD
ORDER £8.00+ delivery
14 Track compilation album with 11 of the tracks never before released in the digital format. Sleeve notes by Martin Langford. Featuring Black Roots, Talisman, Joshua Moses plus many more. This album full of forgotten treasures will go some way to completing the story of just what was happening in Bristol back in 1978 and how the underground Reggae scene developed and flourished.
Various Artists 'The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983'
Released worldwide on 21st February 2011
From Pop to Punk, the late seventies and early eighties saw a huge explosion in the number of local bands as more and more people thought they’d give it a go, new studios and independent labels weren’t far behind and Reggae wasn’t going to be left out of the musical mix.
If the majors were even aware of Bristol they showed minimal interest and it was left to the bands themselves and the handful of indie labels to document Bristol’s contribution to what was then a vibrant UK Reggae scene. Working on tight budgets and with no money for marketing campaigns local bands managed to release a small, but steady flow of vinyl, mostly pressed in tiny quantities and often sold direct to fans at gigs, these records, although cherished by those who own them, and sought by those in the know, have been largely ignored by the wider music industry.
Fortunately Bristol music has its own champion in the shape of Bristol Archive Records, a label with a mission to share our great musical heritage with the world, “The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983" is the first and only attempt to document the local Reggae scene from the late seventies until the early eighties.
The music itself reflects the dominance of the Roots style in Bristol, even today Roots is by far the most popular type of Reggae in both the retail and live scenes locally, Black Roots live up to their name and show why they were the equal of any UK Reggae band in their day, Talisman and Restriction follow in their Roots footsteps, but a real highlight of this release is the inclusion of the ultra rare “Africa Is Our land" from Joshua Moses, a UK Roots classic. Bristol wasn’t all about Roots though and the other tracks follow a more mellow template, dealing with love and relationships, Talisman show another side to their music and are joined by tracks from Buggs Durrant and Sharon Bengamin who’s “Mr. Guy" is a classic UK Lover’s track in the mould of Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson, Louisa Marks et al.
“The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983" will be released as a eight track Vinyl album, which sits perfectly along side the 14 Track cd version and just to keep things local the sleeve art is a mid-eighties carnival shot from Bristol’s own Beezer, (www.beezerphotos.com), featuring a classic image of Jah Revelation sound-system.
This release will shine the spotlight on a long neglected corner of the UK Reggae scene and Bristol’s musical heritage, the same music that would help underpin Bristol’s musical dominance in the following decade.
Vinyl
Cat. No ARC191V Tracks:
Side 1
Bristol Rock - Black Roots 4.18
Wicked Dem (Live) - Talisman 5.38
Four Point Plan - Restriction 4.02
Africa (Is Our Land) - Joshua Moses 5.57
Side 2
Tribal War 12" Mix - Black Roots 4.20
Run Come Girl (Live) - Talisman 7.27<
Baby Come Back (Home) - Buggs Durrant 3.35
Mr.Guy - Sharon Bengamin 4.31
CD
Cat. No ARC191CD Tracks:
Black Roots : Bristol Rock (Bunny Marrett) (Arranged by Black Roots) p Nubian Music 1981
Joshua Moses : Africa (Is Our Land) (Joshua Moses 1978) p Copyright Control 1978
Talisman : Run Come Girl - Live (Taylor / Talisman 1980) p Recreational Music 1981
Restriction : Four Point Plan (Restriction 1983) p Unitone Publishing 1983
Black Roots : Tribal War 12" Mix (Black Roots) p Nubian Music 1981
Restriction : Restriction (Restriction 1983) p Unitone Publishing 1983
Talisman : Wicked Dem - Live ( Taylor / Talisman 1980) p Recreational Music 1981
The Radicals : Nights Of Passion ( John Carley 1980) p Copyright Control 1980
Sharon Bengamin : Mr Guy (Unknown 1980) p Unitone Publishing 1980
Black Roots : Juvenile Delinqent (Black Roots) p Nubian Music
Buggs Durrant : Baby Come Back(Home) (Errol Williams 1983) p Unitone Publishing 1983
3-D Production : Riot (John Carley 1980) p Third Kind Music 1980
Talisman : Dole Age 12" Mix ( Joseph / Talisman 1981) p Recreational Music 1981
Tracks 1, 5, 11 originally released on Nubian Records
Track 2 originally released on More Cut Records
Track 3 and 8 previously unreleased Live Recordings
Track 4 and 6 originally released on Restriction Records 1983
Track 7, 10 and 12 originally released on Shoc Wave Records 1979, 1980 and 1983
Track 9 originally released on The Bristol Recorder 2 1980
Track 13 originally released on Third Kind Records 1980
Track 14 originally released on Recreational Records 1981
Track 1, 5 and 11 Engineered by UK Scientist, Recorded at The Facility, Produced by UK Scientist and Black Roots
Track 2 Engineered by Dennis Bovell, Recorded at Gooseberry Studios London, Produced by Dennis Bovell
Track 3 Recorded Live at Glastonbury Festival
Track 4 and 6 Engineered and Mixed by The Mad Professor, Recorded at Ariwa Sound Studios London, Produced by Restriction
Track 7, 10 and 12 Produced by Gene Walsh, Recording location unknown
Track 8 Recorded Live at Bath University
Track 9 Engineered and Produced by David Lord at Crescent Studios Bath
Track 13 Recording location unknown, Arranged and Produced by Ron Green
Track 14 Engineered by David Lord at Crescent Studios Bath, Mixed by UK Scientist, Produced by Talisman and UK Scientist
All tracks re-mastered by Steve Street, July 2010
11 Track Vinyl Album never released before in any format. The release is limited to 500 copies. The Pigs were the first Punk band to come out of Bristol after The Cortinas.
Format - VINYL
BUY NOW £7.00+ delivery
Format VINYL
Released 4th October 2010
Cat No. ARC090V
100 Copies will have a special Limited Edition Insert featuring stories and exclusive pictures
“When we finally got to see The Cortinas at the Granary - up till then we had them down as more of the Feelgood thing - wow we really got the message!! And that’s what did it. It was so energizing, it felt like we had to get our band started the next day, the same night probably. The Punk train came and we all jumped on it, like a lot of people did, but we were the first ones on in Bristol, after The Cortinas."
So says guitarist Kit Gould, who indeed formed The Pigs with drummer Ricky Galli, bassist Nigel Robinson and singer Eamonn McAndrew, in time to release the second Bristol Punk single to hit the shops after said Cortinas debut.
New Bristol Records was set up after the band supported Generation X at Chutes, where they met Miles Copeland. “We decided to set it up, it was our idea, with Vernon and John (their managers), and he just went along with it", says Kit. “Now, looking back, it’s obvious that if Miles Copeland’s going to pay for you to do a recording, he’s not just donating it to you so you can set up your own label, whereas at the time that seemed like an entirely realistic proposition. It’s just naïve kids really that don’t have a clue about the music business. Miles Copeland came on board, he was our London connection."
The band went into Sound Conception Studio on 12 August 1977 and recorded their whole set, from which four tracks were selected for the 'Youthanasia' EP. It gained airplay on John Peel's show and sales were reasonable, but it proved to be their only release. They continued to gig regularly, including two more shows with The Cortinas, a support slot with Siouxsie and the Banshees at Barton Hill Youth Club, and even a headliner at the legendary (but by that time sadly ailing), Roxy, on 13 January 1978 with Open Sore and The Heat, but they called it a day the following March.
And now we are proud to give you, for the first time, all eleven tracks that the band recorded at Sound Conception, on lovely vinyl, in a rather dinky sleeve.
TITLE: “1977"
LABEL / DISTRIBUTION: Bristol Archive Records / Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC090V
FORMAT: Limited Edition 500 copies Vinyl Only
Tracklisting:
Side One
1. Psychopath
2. Youthanasia
3. Ran Me In
4. National Front
5. They Say
6. Exploitation
Side Two 7. General Election
8. Nuclear Disarmament
9. Personality Change
10. Give It Ball
11. They Shoot Horses Don’t They
20 Track compilation album of all previously unreleased material. Sleeve notes by Simon Edwards. Featuring The X-Certs, Apartment, Private Dicks and Europeans plus many more. This new album full of forgotten treasures and will sit perfectly along side the original AVON CALLING release and go some way to completing the story of just what was happening in Bristol back in 1979/1980 and how the music sounds as relevant today as it did back then.
Format - CD
BUY NOW £8.00+ delivery
Format CD
Released 23rd August 2010
Cat No. ARC160CD
In 1979, Bristols’ music scene was riding the crest of the new wave, spawning numerous bands and performers whose influences and indeed physical beings have gone on to feature in some of todays’ big music makers.
During this period local musician Simon Edwards decided to form Bristols’ first independent label, Heartbeat Records, to capture all the excitement and get Bristols’ music out beyond the M32.
With so many bands to choose from the label set about releasing a series of 7" singles, and such was the demand realised by these that a compilation LP featuring fifteen of these bands was released. The album, topically titled AVON CALLING went on to achieve near legendary status - even hailed by John Peel as “truly superb, the compilation that all others should be judged by".
Such was the interest in the album that the bands involved continued to supply the label with demo tapes, and the lucky ones went on to release more singles, even 12" EP’s and ultimately LP’s. The sheer volume of demos and the eventual logistical constraints of “just how many records can one man put out in a year" meant that only a few would actually see further releases - though the content was in most cases nothing short of superb.
Label boss Edwards openly admits to continually returning to many of the songs purely
just to listen and enjoy some “bloody good music". Long has it been his ambition to put together an album of these songs - for no other reason but to get them out there where they belong, so they can at last be heard by others and the bands once more be applauded for making such exciting and essential sounds.
Well, the dream has finally been realised and Bristol Archive Records have given him the platform to finally release AVON CALLING 2, a collection of previously unreleased recordings from the vaults of Bristols’ Heartbeat Becords. Featured bands include EUROPEANS, APARTMENT, SNEAK PREVIEW, JOE PUBLIC, 48 HOURS, ESSENTIAL BOP, THE DIRECTORS, THE X-CERTS and SOCIAL SECURITY.
This new album full of forgotten treasures will sit perfectly along side the original AVON CALLING release and go some way to completing the story of just what was happening in Bristol back in 1979/1980 and how the music sounds as relevant today as it did back then.
Tracklisting:
SOCIAL SECURITY SELF CONFESSION
EUROPEANS THE ONLY ONE
APARTMENT BROKEN GLASS
PRIVATE DICKS YOU GOT IT
X-CERTS PEOPLE OF TODAY
ESSENTIAL BOP AUDITION ROOM
APARTMENT RETROSPECT
SNEAK PREVIEW MR MAGOO
JOE PUBLIC LETTERS IN MY DESK
48 HOURS TRAIN TO BRIGHTON
DIRECTORS SHOWCASE
PRIVATE DICKS WANT SOME FUN
SNEAK PREVIEW I CANT GET OUT
STEREO MODELS MIDDLE OF NO WHERE
THE PHONE ANY TAKERS
SEAN RYAN SUICIDE MAN
JOE PUBLIC FASTER
TVI’S DANCER
DIRECTORS EMPTY PROMISES
UNKNOWN YOU MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY YOURSELF
REVIEWS
Record Collector Album Review
3/5
The legacy of Bristol’s Indie bands is in safe hands.
In subtitling this follow-up to the 1978 Avon Calling compilation, documenting a multitude of hopeful Bristol indie bands, Forgotten Gems and Unknown Curios, its archivist Simon Edwards (who put out the original LP on his Heartbeat imprint all those years back), is acknowledging both this collection’s distilled essence of musical ambition and that, while none of these acts have transcended their regional scene, some have totally vanished without trace. What got left behind was a veritable treasure trove of cassette tapes that Edwards has horded and loved ever since.
We don’t care that these bands never got to the Colston Hall, let alone Carnegie: what we like is the notion that someone out there is hearing themselves and their aspirations and dreams for the first time for 30 years due to this diligent tending of the flame. What that must feel like!
As you’d anticipate, there’s a certain amount of raw enthusiasm over genuine talent embedded in these C60 demos, but there’s also some perky three-minute pop recorded for posterity. Were you a member of Sneak Preview, The Phone, Social Security (what a shame Self Confession is so grainy), Directors or Europeans? You did good!
20 Tracks (7 Tracks never released before), 16 page booklet, 4000 word sleeve notes by Shane Baldwin. Featuring The Cortinas, The Pigs, The X-Certs, Onslaught and covering the whole Bristol punk scene from 1977 to 1983
Format - CD
BUY NOW £8.00+ delivery
Format CD
Released 14th June 2010
Cat No. ARC154CD
The Cortinas were the first. They played the Roxy Club, released two singles on Mark Perry and Miles Copeland's Step Forward label, graced the front cover of Sniffin' Glue and recorded a Peel Session. Guitarist Nick Sheppard remembers the night it all slotted into place: “I think a real turning point for us was seeing the Ramones at the Roundhouse on July 4 1976 - we definitely started to write our own songs after that gig. We had been playing and doing gigs for about a year by then - all covers apart from one song, Tokyo Joe as I remember. After that gig we started writing stuff like Television Families. I think we saw people like us in the audience at that gig, and it must have given us confidence."
Taking their cue, bands like Social Security (the first band on Heartbeat Records), The Pigs (whose Youthanasia single was released by Miles Copeland's New Bristol Records), The Primates, The Media, The Posers and The Verdict gave Bristol one of the strongest provincial early punk scenes, mainly centred around the Clifton area of Bristol and Barton Hill Youth Club.
Barton Hill also gave us The X-Certs, who by 1978 could already pull audiences of 500 into Trinity Church, without the aid of a safety net or record contract. Though we didn't realise it at the time, they effectively bridged the gap between the late 70s Bristol scene and what our American cousins like to term the UK82 bands.
Vice Squad and Heartbeat Records boss Simon Edwards formed Riot City Records toward the end of 1980, releasing the band's first single Last Rockers in January 1981. It sold well and after a second Vice Squad single the label recruited other Bristol bands like Portishead lunatics Chaos UK, Court Martial and The Undead, while Disorder recorded for their own label, all achieving impressive sales. The less said about Chaotic Dischord, the better.
Lunatic Fringe, with the mighty Bear Hackenbush on vocals, recorded their first single on the short-lived Resurrection Records label.
The Bristol Punk Explosion brings you all these bands, and closes with a track from Death Metal Monsters Onslaught. Before all this “Spitting blood in the face of Gaaaahd!" malarky, Onslaught were a Discharge-style hardcore punk band, and here we include the snapilly-titled Thermo Nuclear Devastation Of The Planet Earth from their first demo.
In short, this is the history of Bristol punk, from its very beginnings, through the early 80s, and up to the point when hardcore began to morph into thrash, metal, and, um, thrash metal.
(Sleeve notes by Shane Baldwin - Vice Squads Drummer and Record Collector / Big Cheese Journalist)
The release includes a 16 page full colour cover with 4000 word sleeve notes.
Tracklisting:
The Cortinas - ‘Defiant Pose’ (The Cortinas 1977) (p) Step Forward Music
The Pigs - ‘National Front’ (Kit Gould 1977) (p) New Bristol Music
Social Security - ‘I Don’t Want My Heart To Rule My Head’ (Social Security 1978) (p) Heartbeat Music/Cherry Red Music
The Pigs - ‘Youthanasia’ (Kit Gould 1977) (p) New Bristol Music
Social Security - ‘Choc Ice’ - (Social Security 1978) (p) Heartbeat Music/Cherry Red Music
The Posers - ‘Good Advice’ (The Posers 1978) (p) copyright control
The Media - ‘New Blood’ (J Britton 1978) (p) copyright control
The Primates - ‘ Generation Warfare (Live)’ (Britton, Shennan, JJ 1977) (p) copyright control
The X-Certs - ‘Fight Back’ (S Justice 1978) (p) copyright control
48 Hours - ‘A Soldier (Demo)’ (A Peters 1979) (p) copyright control
The Verdict - ‘IRA Man’ (The Verdict 1978) (p) copyright control
The X-Certs -‘ Stop The Fussing And The Fighting’ (Culture 1979) (p) copyright control
Vice Squad - ‘Resurrection’ (Bateman, Bond 1981) (p) Heartbeat Music/Cherry Red Music
Disorder - ‘Complete Disorder’ (Allen, Curtis 1981) (p) Complete Music
Chaos UK - ‘Four Minute Warning’ (Greenham 1982) (p) Heartbeat Music/Complete Music
Court Martial - ‘Gotta Get Out’ (Burrough, Burrough, Braybrooke, McPherson 1982) (p) Heartbeat Music / Complete Music
The Undead - ‘It’s Corruption’ (Hamm, Hamm, Denning, Scarlet, Simmonds 1982) (p) Heartbeat Music/Complete Music
Lunatic Fringe - ‘Who’s In Control?’ (Finch 1982) (p) Heartbeat Music / Complete Music
Chaotic Dischord - ‘Who Killed E.T? (I Killed The Fucker!)’ (Chaotic Dischord 1983) (p) Heartbeat Music / Complete Music
Onslaught - ‘Thermo Nuclear Devastation Of The Planet Earth’ (Onslaught 1983) (p) Irate Music Publishing
Track 1 originally released on Step Forward Records 1977
Tracks 2 and 4 originally released on New Bristol Records 1977
Tracks 3 and 5 originally released on Heartbeat Records 1978
Tracks 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11,12 all previously unreleased
Tracks 13, 15, 16, 17, 19 all previously released on Riot City Records and licenced from Captain Oi! Records 2010
Tracks 14 previously released on Disorder Records 1981
Track 18 previously released on Resurrection Records 1981, never re-released or made available
Track 20 previously unreleased until 2008 when it appeared on the Candlelight Records album Shadow Of Death.
Track 1 Engineered by Simon Humphrey, A Turner, Copeland, Cortina Production
Tracks 2and 4 Engineered by Chris David and Produced by The Pigs at Sound Conception
Tracks 3 and 5 Engineered and Produced by Simon Edwards at GBH
Tracks 6, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17 Engineered and Produced by Steve Street at SAM
Track 7 Engineered by Roger Wall at The Facility
Track 8 Recorded live by Simon Edwards
Track 10 Recorded at Duffys Anerley
Track 18, 20 Engineered by Steve Street and Produced by Shane and Dave for S.A.D Productions at SAM
Track 19 Engineered by Sven and Steve Street at Frome Musical and Produced by Shane and Dave for S.A.D Productions
Track 13 Engineered by Andy Allen and Produced by Vice Squad at Cave
Track 14 Engineered by Andy Allen and Produced by Disorder at Cave
Track 15 Engineered by Andy Allen and Produced by Chaos UK at Cave
A COMPILATION OF BANDS FROM THE FORGOTTEN YEARS 1979 - 1981
FEATURING... GLAXOBABIES, TALISMAN, SHOES FOR INDUSTRY,ELECTRIC GUITARS, GARDEZ DARKX and many others.
Awash with 40th birthday parties, it's been a great couple of years for viewing fat, sag and follicle loss amongst Bristols 'we're going to make it' set of the 70's and early 80's.
At the latest we were pre-warned by our hosts (including Gareth Sager -Pop Group, Rip Rig and Panic Kevin (Ebo) Evans- Colour Tapes) to anticipate the onset of the ageing process. So I squeezed into a pair of leathers, applied layers of slap and prayed for dim lighting..... and do you know it plain didn't matter.
The Tabernacle, Notting Hill was simply oozing with Bristol-weaned artistic talent. From a Make up artist on Eastenders to Dexter Dalwood - Cortinas now an internationally acclaimed artist, what these people shared was a Bristol Music past that must of made an impact long before the Bristol Sound was invented.
Unfortunately together with physical deterioration, memory loss is a big set back for the over 40's or is it simply that the 60's catchphrase about not really having been there if you remember it, applies to all decades. In either case, try and get people to remember back then and you get lots of 'I always stuck to the Dug Out carpet' and not much more.My very first experience of bands and such like was gawking at my friends brothers band Exiguus Mus containing Ben Young (pre Cold Storage entrepreneurism) and the dabblings of Tony Moore (of Eurovision Fame!). I really can't remember the music but it was probably of the'progressive' genre.
In search of a more diverse musical education and boys that wore Ben Shermans, I joined Youth Clubs and lent against palm trees at Tiffany's hoping for a musical awakening. No sooner positioned than some boys I knew got a gig 'up the Youth Club.'It was my first local live experience and although Jeremy Valentine was the butt of my newly discovered sharp tongue (I adamantly deny having ever snogged him), I had to concede that together with Mike Fewins, Nick Shepherd, Danny Swan and Dexter Dalwood, The Cortinas were on the road to somewhere.
Now Mark Stewart, who I had considered extremely uncool as I was the only girl at his Birthday party at which his Mother produced a Birthday cake, announced his intention to 'gig.' The Pop Group's first outing was at Tiffany's and I was there, ready to 'take the piss’. Instead I came away hooked, hooked on the music, hooked on the rock and roll dream and hooked on the endless possibilities for boys. The Pop Group rise to fame and the esteem with which they are revered today is well documented and the Birthday incident now replaced in my memory by one of Mrs Stewart standing next to Ian Dury at a Pop Group 'event' at Hope Centre.
Jeremy Valentine, a bitten off ear, a punkette and presumably Shane McGowan (as he has been credited with the incident), for me it was the first time someone I knew appeared in the national music press.
Meanwhile other groups were emerging on the Bristol circuit and with them my realisation that going to watch a band didn't need to be the intense experience that Maestro's Sager and Stewart would have us believe.
The Spics were my first love, not only were they graced with a plethora of good looks (I can't look at Michaelangelo's David to this day without remembering John Shennan), but their music was fun, I could dance to it (they did a mean version of Springsteen's-Fire, before The Pointer Sisters) and Wendy, Sarah and Jo's backing vocals introduced me to a previously unknown concept, that girls could do it too.
The back bar of The Lion, Cliftonwood, once I'd found it, was the place to hang. The glitterati met and talked in loud voices of big name supports and 'pie in the sky ' record deals, but here too 'yet-to-be exploited' innovations were realised. Bands were formed, shuffled and renamed. No one had any money, signing on was fine if you said you were a poet, all our clothes were from second hand shops and DIY record production was the toast of the day. Heartbeat, Fried Egg, Wavelength recorded The Spics, Shoes for Industry, Various Artists, Gardez Darkz, The Europeans, The Untouchables, Wild Beasts, Essential Bop and more. Avon Calling became the first Bristol compilation album and in the absence of anyone spotting my potential as a lead vocalist, I became the first female DJ down the Dug Out Ah, the Dug Out, unique and never cloned, a club for non-clubbers, where chatting was easy and disco scorned. Where Indie could be mixed with Reggae and Glaxo Babies back to back with Joe Loss (1979- I did it first!). From then chronological order becomes blurred.
Mike 'Spic' knew some people moving into a house in Redland, they needed a sixth. I was that girl, although I seriously doubted my sanity on first meeting Neil and Richard (at least I combed my hair on a regular basis), but Matthew was quite cute. They'd moved in together to form a band and after much deliberation and Pils quaffing in The Kensington, became The Electric Guitars.
The house was a pigsty, the basement a rehearsal room and the kitchen a health and safety hazard. (Why Gary Clail broke in and nicked our baked beans is a mystery to this day.) Proverbially 'starving in their garret' these boys produced a new genre of music and stage presence that took Bristol by storm.
At some point the innovative Video Bar, down the Dug Out was Rockfords Restaurant and who better to staff it than Bristols wannabes. Amongst others Mandy Joseph (Art Objects Muse) Mandy Stewart (Scream and Dance), Mike Smith, (Joe Public, Circus Circus) and Ian Mullard (Circus Circus) cooked and waited between gigs. Yours truly not content with the decks downstairs, and the griddle upstairs promoted bands on Wednesday nights, Pete Brandt's -Slow Twitch Fibres amongst them. We cooked and partied, Green Rooms, The Stonehouse and later Carwardines. Out of towners came proving we were with the groove Echo And The Bunnymen, Paul Young's Q Tips, U2 at Redland Teacher Training College. Sometime along the way I DJ'd at Trinity Hall, supporting the likes of The Cramps and The Thompson Twins.
Wavelength metamorphisised into The Bristol Recorder, brainchild of Martin Elbourne, Jonathan Arthur and Thos Brooman (sometime drummer, now WOMAD overlord).
Where other Independents had failed trying to promote more than one up-and-coming band at a time, a clever gimmick (then) of incorporating an ad filled magazine between the covers, aimed to fund this compilation album of local bands.
The high quality music became staple diet at my Monday night Dug Out slot, returning the compliment, Recorder 2 mentioned the Dug Out to be 'excellent with Jill at the controls.'(Spelling forgiven). By the time Recorder 3 appeared, the eighties had begun to take hold and with it a crisis of confidence in the local scene. Major record companies ate 'indies' for breakfast, the recorder used The Thompson Twins to boost sales and potential Bristol Sounds were swallowed by way of Tax loss. Pigbag made Top of the Pops, but that didn't have the knock on effect that Massive Attack has had today.
I moved to London and partied with Shane McGowan, The Higsons and tried to set up an Independent record company with Speedy Keen (Thunderclap Newman), our showcase act Cold Fish dumping us for the first Major that made them an offer, never to be heard of again..(Pete Howard re-emerged with Nick Shepherd in The Clash, who incidentally have a lot to thank me for, I was obviously the catalyst!)
Returning to Bristol with big city ideas. I promoted new bands (Brilliant Corners) at the new function bar Upstairs (above the Dug Out), tried the 'Club one nighter, 'The Dug Down Too Far' ahead of my time, band management (Tootin' Crocodiles) and gradually gave up DJ'ing. No way was I getting into that scratching business and ruining my vinyl. (Anyway some geezers calling themselves The Wild Bunch seemed to have that all sewn up).
When the lights went on that night at The Tabernacle, the 80’s survivors were revealed and in the corner was a forty year old woman beating herself over the head for giving up DJ'ing at a giddy peak of eight quid a night.
( GILL LOATS )
Tracklisting:
GLAXOBABIES - THIS IS YOUR LIFE
GARDEZ DARKX - BLISS
THE SPICS - YOU AND ME
THE NUMBERS - ALTERNATIVE SUICIDE
ELECTRIC GUITARS - CONTINENTAL SHELF
APARTMENT - THE CAR
SHOES FOR INDUSTRY - THE INVASION OF THE FRENCH BOYFRIENDS
Ah, Bristol in the punk era! Guitars, cafes, speed and conspiracy theories. Originally one of the main punk centres (early attention for the Cortinas, Social Security and the Plastic Snowmen), by 1979 it had settled into the position it holds today - self-sufficient bohemianism with a hint of cross-over and the occasional defining moment to interest the outside world.
By the turn of the decade, the original punk-oriented labels were already looking beyond the city to fame and big bucks (yeah right) and not reflecting the uniquely pungent flavour of punk, pop, pilfering, piss-take and pretension that has always characterised this inland port.
Someone had to recognise Bristol's combination of shit-hot musicianship, theatricality and absolute disregard for success, and that man was Andy Leighton, Phil Manzanera look-alike guitarist for the Crystal Theatre (a real 60's alternative theatre group) and publisher of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The Crystal Theatre production of RADIO BLZBUB (featuring a youthful Keith Allen) led to the formation of Shoes For Industry, and then to Fried Egg Records, and then to a John Peel session. Suddenly, a label! Led by the twin poles of musicality and eccentricity, it must have seemed normal at the time to sign anything that sounded good or interesting. A bunch of 13-year-olds performing Dr Feelgood-style R & B? No problem! A performance poet backed by college-rockers who were also Bristol's premier pop band? Great! Post-punks who split up before they could be accused of inventing Simple Minds? Fantastic! A tour of England and Europe called the Be Limp tour? Spiffing! Fried Egg's world domination was only prevented (according to local rumour) by Andy inheriting a Caribbean island and disappearing from the scene.
Personally, I remember that time with great affection. I saw all these bands play live in all the local dives and we all had a great time. No one knew anything about The Music Industry, and I'm sure it would all have been different if we had. What we had was clever innocence: useless for paying the mortgage and it won't get you press coverage, but these recordings were made for the hell of it and to get gigs at the Western Star Domino Club. Nothing quite like this stuff exists today, and whether that's good or bad is up to you.
GERARD LANGLEY (ART OBJECTS AND BLUE AEROPLANES)
Tracklisting:
Jerusalem - Shoes For Industry
Positive Thinking - Pete Brandt's Method
Hard Objects - Art Objects
Johnny Runs For Paregoric - Exploding Seagulls
Minimum Maximum - Wild Beasts
Invasion Of The French Boyfriends- Shoes For Industry
The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983
info@bristolarchiverecords.com