Pressed on vinyl for the first time.
‘A marvellous set of jazz reggae instrumentals… a unique entry of super cool amid the chaos of the On-U catalogue’ (Steve Barker, The Wire).
‘Beckett’s genius is that he is always true to himself, whoever he performs with. His effervescent, tumbling, improvised melodies never fail to lift the spirits.The Modern Sound Of Harry Beckett is a magnificent sonic treat.’ The Guardian.
‘Sherwood’s production style strikes a perfect balance here between sonic creativity and respectful restraint, and Beckett himself is brilliant, creating horn lines that weave and insinuate themselves through the grooves rather than riding on top of them. Established On-U Sound fans will find this to be an enjoyable curiosity; Harry Beckett fans may find it revelatory’ (All Music).

‘Rhino Reserve, cut from analog tape.’

Everything Is Everything, Donny Hathaway, Live, Extension Of A Man, and In Performance.

‘Welcome to the Kalakuta Republic — havin’ a ball.’ Buy this for the wonderful JJD, 23 minutes live and direct, with all the cogs of the Africa 70 band well-oiled and whirring together.

‘Them leave sorrow, tears and blood, Them regular trademark… My people self dey fear too much, We fear for the thing we no see… We fear to fight for freedom.’
Magnificent defiance from 1977.

‘Another underground spiritual’, as the opening puts it, about Botha and apartheid,and supporters like Thatcher, Reagan and the Dis-United Nations. (‘One veto vote is equal to 92 or more, or more’).

In 1974 the police raided Fela’s commune. Looking for dope, they threatened to pump his stomach.

Interpol head: ‘I’ll talk to you in my office.’
Fela: ‘You get office? You foolish, stupid bastard, you goat…’

Shakara is killer, with Fela and Africa 70 right at the top of their game. London Scene has Egbe Mi O, where afrobeat is joined spine-tinglingly by the Abbey Road house choir.