Single Reviews

Anotha One Productions featuring Roberto Sanchez: Jah Bless The Rastaman Dub Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Following on from the success of the late Tabby Diamond’s final track, with Gregory Isaacs’ nephew Ray, the label responsible for it has released a Dub version – and it’s a scintillating listen. Jah Bless The Rastaman Dub, released via Anotha One Productions, sees the outfit join forces with well-respected producer and engineer Roberto Sanchez. As Pauzeradio said of the Diamond/Isaacs version: “Jah Bless The Rastaman is excellent work from all involved – particularly the Reggaement Band and Anotha One’s sterling commitment

Ray Isaacs and Tabby Diamond: Jah Bless The Rastaman Single Review by Mr Topple For Pauzeradio.com. The last song ever recorded by Donald “Tabby Diamond” Shaw has finally been released, over a year after his murder. It serves as a fitting memory of the man and the artist – but also a glimpse of what he still had to offer, and what was cruelly taken. Jah Bless The Rastaman, released via Anotha One Productions, sees Diamond team up with Ray Isaacs – nephew of Gregory. It was recorded on 28 March 2022, after Diamond called up Isaacs wanting to come

Sid Buck Records featuring the Ebony Sisters: Tell Love Hello 7” Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The recently launched Sid Buck Records is remastering and reissuing the legendary producer and engineer Sid Bucknor’s work, thanks to his son Byron. So, the Pauzeradio shop is humbled to stock another one of these classic tracks, reimagined. Bucknor should need no introduction. Over the years, as Sid Buck Records note in a press release, Sid: “was the most prolific sound engineer and composer of the time. He started his career at Studio 1 with his cousin Coxson Dodd and soon became

Sid Buck Records featuring Spanky Brown: Come Out Of Darkness 7” Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. The legendary yet under-recognised talents of Reggae producer and engineer the late Sid Bucknor have recently been reinvigorated, with the launch of a label dedicated to re-releasing his groundbreaking work. Pauzeradio is proud to have in its shop several of these releases – with a classic from the early seventies being one. Come Out Of Darkness, now released via Sid Buck Records, was originally published in 1972 via Bucknor’s JamCam Records with vocals by Spanky Brown – on a double A-side with

Derajah and Inna De Yard: Africa Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Derajah has gone back to his roots (in this case, his earlier musical ones) – by once again collaborating with the rest of the Inna De Yard collective across a track off their latest album. Africa, released via Chapter Two Records and Wagram Music, sees Derajah and Inna De Yard take on the Gaylads classic, which was originally produced by Clement “Coxsone” Dodd and released via Studio One. It’s off the collective’s latest album, Family Affair – which was a retrospective of its members’ timeless work, as

The Phonosonics: The End of the World Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Canadian west coast Roots Reggae veterans the Phonosonics’ latest single is an 80s-inspired, dystopian Roots nightmare – but in a very good way, of course. The End of the World sees the band continue to move forward from their original early Reggae and Rocksteady sound – here, creating something dark and brooding. Written by the group, and produced by members Spencer Cleave and Anthony Shackell, the mastering by Brock McFarlane is a slick and efficient affair – focusing on the overall, unsettling landscape of the main

Aysha Lorén: Your Love (Island Mix) Single Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. You can tell when an artist writes a track in Jamaica, as the Caribbean vibes shine through. And that’s the case on Aysha Lorén’s latest cuts, which shows ‘her love’ for the island as well as other genres. Your Love (in this case the Island Mix) is a bold, simmering, and fresh song from West London-based Lorén. Co-produced by herself and Adrian McKenzie, the original of the track was released in late 2022 – but given the time of year, this warm cut is well worth a

Derajah: Babylon A Quake 7″ Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Inna De Yard alumni Derajah has had a long but carefully trod career – from his early beginnings working with the legendary, late Sugar Minott to his 2022 collaboration with the 32 Golden Souls. After his recent hit Jah Will Mek A Way, Pauzeradio is proud to stock another 2023 cut from this consummate artist. Babylon A Quake, released and produced via Fruits Records, is a veritable Roots anthem for our times, across a 7” vinyl. The 18th Parallel, the Swiss label’s band who have an impressive roster

Joe Yorke: End Of The Day 7” Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. What happens when Bristolian Joe Yorke teams up with Swiss-based The 18th Parallel and Fruits Records, as well as master lyricist Eeyun Delroy Purkins? Well, at the ‘end of the day’ it’s perfection, of course – and now available in the Pauzeradio shop. End Of The Day, released and produced via Fruits Records, sees the UK-based Yorke collaborate with The 18th Parallel across the arrangement, and Purkins across the lyrics. The slick mixing comes from Westfinga, and the mastering is done with finesse by Sam John

Mikey General: Hold Strong 7″ Vinyl Review by Mr Topple for Pauzeradio.com. Mikey General is always a solid, reliable artist – and with the latest of his releases to hit the Pauzeradio shop, he has cemented that credibility. Hold Strong, released via Dubquake Records, is an engaging and thought-provoking affair. It’s a strongly-constructed track – with the final mix and master giving a classic, vinyl feel to the proceedings. This is helped along by the excellent B-side ‘Strong Dub’, where O.B.F gives a delicious take on the main track – stark, ambient, and very eerie. So, what of the headline