Scotch Bonnet Records revels in the sheer breadth of reggae and dancehall for their second daringly diverse Puffers Choice compilation. Following the success of 2016’s volume 1, the label arm of Glasgow’s Mungo’s HiFi has selected more cream cuts from their globe-trotting link-ups celebrating sound system culture.
Once again, each track comes vetted and endorsed by the Scotch Bonnet team as prime examples of their work.
a1. Bim Sherman – Lightning & thunder (Mungo’s Hi Fi remix)
a2. Wolves ft Bo* Johnson – Follow me (Subactive remix)
a3. Chief Rockas ft Supercat – Dance inna New York
a4. Nem – Purest force (Mungo’s Hi Fi remix)
a5. Isha Bel – Locks grow (Aquarius remix)
a6. Naram ft General Jah Mikey – Ites, green & gold
b1. Danny T & Tradesman ft Mark Iration – Up deh
b2. Dreadsquad - Space
b3. Escape Roots ft Skari – Feel good (Puffers mix)
b4. Capitol 1212 ft Earl 16 – Love will tear us apart
b5. Stalawa ft Ponchita Peligros – Run the calypso
Reggae's African connection meets the global ethos of Glasgow's Scotch Bonnet Records for their historic new EP. French-born, Glasgow-based producer Stalawa has voiced a talented selection of East African vocalists to thrilling effect, over his heftiest roots rub-a-dub rhythms. This project is the culmination of multiple fruitful visits to Kenya and Uganda by Scotch Bonnet proprietors, Mungo’s Hi Fi sound system. It has been fine-tuned between Glasgow and Kampala over the last three years.
The A side features the wailing voice of Ugandan singer and emcee Blessed San. Showcasing a vocal style not unlike legendary Jamaican reggae veteran Michael Prophet (despite never actually having heard him before), Traitor is a mournful rebuke to all who violate his trust. Stalawa has mixed a haunting accompanying dub: all crashing drums and biting horns.
The B side hosts a Kenyan-Caribbean collaboration on a vintage classic. Connoisseurs’ Jamaican singer Delroy Melody has recut his 1979 local hit Ease Up The Pressure, adding verses from Luganda Rasta lyricist C Wyne Nalukalala (meaning “the troublemaker”). The remade backing, based on Dennis Brown’s Easy Take It Easy, was built in Jamaica by renowned drummer Sly Dunbar and keyboardist Dennis ‘Jah D’ Fearon. Also on the flip is Kenya's “first lady” of hip hop and reggae Nazizi. Her song Ukiangalia (“when you see” in Swahili) rides a dubby update of King Tubby’s famous Tempo rhythm.
All vocals bar Mr Melody’s were recorded in Kampala, Uganda by David Cecil and Wana Benjamin of East Africa Records, with brass parts dubbed by Stalawa in Glasgow. The guitar on Traitor is the work of popular Scottish vocalist Tom Spirals. Hornplay comes courtesy of Tim Quick, Liam Shorthall and Matieusz Sobieski.
a1. Stalawa - Traitor ft. Blessed San
a2. Stalawa - Traitor Dub
b1. Stalawa - Ease Up The Pressure ft. Delroy Melody & C Wyne Nalukalala
Mungo’s Hi Fi cement their long-standing connection with Italian-born, Paris-based singer Marina P, by releasing eagerly awaited concept album Soul Radio. Over six years in the making, Soul Radio is an ambitious representation of the artistic fullness of Marina P, expanding into multiple genres while keeping its roots in rocksteady, reggae and ska.
Born in Italy to jazz loving parents, Marina P travelled to Paris to get involved in its music scene. Word reached Mungo’s HiFi of this rising singer with a cool yet emotive tone, and the Scottish sound system and label reached across the Channel to voice her on their industrial strength Belly Ska riddim. The result was 2007’s massive and enduring Divorce à l'Italienne, which was included on Mungo’s 2009 Sound System Champions LP.
That track is present on Soul Radio, alongside an inspired rocksteady cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ Soma, plus ska smash, And The Beat Goes SKA!, an adaptation of Sonny and Cher’s And The Beat Goes On. Having worked up a sweat on the ska and rocksteady dancefloor, the album relaxes into a more chilled space, with the haunting Nice To Meet You and the serene Great Wave. These calming, secluded sonic spaces combine Mungo’s forward-thinking production with a retro 90s-meets-50s, trip- hop-in-a-jazz club nostalgia. Taken as a whole, Soul Radio celebrates Marina P’s depth and versatility as an artist. It’s also the perfect soundtrack to both the night before - and the morning after.
a1. Soma
a2. Mama Was Right
a3. Divorce A L'Italienne
a4. The Beat Goes SKA! ft Tippa Irie & Dennis Alcapone
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