In the late 1960s, Decca was playing to its strengths – mass marketing classical and easy-listening recordings just as it had been doing since the late 1920s. In April of 1968, Decca entered into a venture that would see its repertoire prominently displayed by non-specialist retailers, and after much resistance, it moved into the world of budget releases, with the beginning of its much loved ‘The World Of’ series in 1968.

In the late 1960s, Decca was playing to its strengths – mass marketing classical and easy-listening recordings just as it had been doing since the late 1920s. In April of 1968, Decca entered into a venture that would see its repertoire prominently displayed by non-specialist retailers, and after much resistance, it moved into the world of budget releases, with the beginning of its much loved ‘The World Of’ series in 1968.

The World Of series acted as perfect primers, and the price put it at almost half the price of full-price … More

Pat Kelly out of all the Jamaican singers was influenced most by the voice of American soul singer Sam Cooke. As were indeed many of the singers from that time, few however could carry out this daunting task as well as Pat Kelly. His delivery was perfect and so was his ability to carry any song that came his way.

Pat Kelly out of all the Jamaican singers was influenced most by the voice of American soul singer Sam Cooke. As were indeed many of the singers from that time, few however could carry out this daunting task as well as Pat Kelly. His delivery was perfect and so was his ability to carry any song that came his way.

For this release we have focused on material that Mr. Kelly had recorded with legendary Jamaican producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee. … More

A revival of interest in vinyl music has taken place in recent years–but for many of those from the “baby boomer” generation, who made their acquaintance with the music of their youth in this way, it never went away. Graham Sharpe, a high-profile veteran of the betting industry, boasts of being a vinyl record veteran with well over 50 years service as a serious 45 & 33rpm collector. Graham relaxes by visiting every record shop he can find, from London to New Zealand, to feed his voracious vinyl appetite, scorning and spurning to this day, advice that Spotify, downloading, streaming, are the way to go.

A revival of interest in vinyl music has taken place in recent years–but for many of those from the “baby boomer” generation, who made their acquaintance with the music of their youth in this way, it never went away. Graham Sharpe, a high-profile veteran of the betting industry, boasts of being a vinyl record veteran with well over 50 years service as a serious 45 & 33rpm collector. Graham relaxes by visiting every record shop he can find, from London to New Zealand, to feed his voracious vinyl appetite, scorning and spurning to this day, advice that Spotify, downloading, streaming, are the way to go.

His life has been played out to a background of personally significant vinyl-related events and his own large and ever-growing … More

In 1959 Vincent opened a small shop, named after Randy’s Records in Gallatin, Tennessee, on the corner of East Street and Tower Street in downtown Kingston and started selling old records from the jukeboxes. The business expanded rapidly and, two years later, Randy’s moved to new premises in Kingston’s commercial district at 17 North Parade where Randy’s Record Mart soon established itself as one of Jamaica’s leading retail outlets. Vincent started to produce his own recordings and, in the summer of 1962, Jamaica declared its independence to the sound of Lord Creator’s ‘Independent Jamaica’ produced by Vincent Chin and released on Randy’s Creative Calypso label..

In 1959 Vincent opened a small shop, named after Randy’s Records in Gallatin, Tennessee, on the corner of East Street and Tower Street in downtown Kingston and started selling old records from the jukeboxes. The business expanded rapidly and, two years later, Randy’s moved to new premises in Kingston’s commercial district at 17 North Parade where Randy’s Record Mart soon established itself as one of Jamaica’s leading retail outlets. Vincent started to produce his own recordings and, in the summer of 1962, Jamaica declared its independence to the sound of Lord Creator’s ‘Independent Jamaica’ produced by Vincent Chin and released on Randy’s Creative Calypso label..

..Vincent also produced some superlative ska sides, including The Maytals’ incredible tribute to Cassius Clay ‘He’s The Greatest’, but … More

Coming soon, pre-order here. Go Mod! heavyweight vinyl set by Charly Records is an overview of the original Mod era. From that, you can guess that we are talking less ‘crate digging’ and more mod classics. Ok, perhaps not the obvious classics, but tunes at that end of the range. According to Charly, this is music from ‘the decade that defined the sound of Mod’, which is down as 1957 through to 1967.

Coming soon, pre-order here. Go Mod! heavyweight vinyl set by Charly Records is an overview of the original Mod era. From that, you can guess that we are talking less ‘crate digging’ and more mod classics. Ok, perhaps not the obvious classics, but tunes at that end of the range. According to Charly, this is music from ‘the decade that defined the sound of Mod’, which is down as 1957 through to 1967.

Pre order vinyl double LP here.

By 1970, Lee Scratch Perry was firmly established as one of Jamaica’s premier producers, having issued a series of local hits on his Upsetter imprint, including the international best-seller, ‘Return of Django’. His no-nonsense, hard-hitting sound won him numerous fans, both in his native land and the UK, where legions of young skinheads snapped up every record they could find that bore the Perry hallmark sound. Originally issued by Trojan at the start of 1970, ‘Scratch The Upsetter Again’ illustrates Perry taking a contemplative glance further into the realm of instrumental sound.

By 1970, Lee Scratch Perry was firmly established as one of Jamaica’s premier producers, having issued a series of local hits on his Upsetter imprint, including the international best-seller, ‘Return of Django’. His no-nonsense, hard-hitting sound won him numerous fans, both in his native land and the UK, where legions of young skinheads snapped up every record they could find that bore the Perry hallmark sound. Originally issued by Trojan at the start of 1970, ‘Scratch The Upsetter Again’ illustrates Perry taking a contemplative glance further into the realm of instrumental sound.

New reissue vinyl LP available in store and online.

Robert “Dandy” Livingstone was one of the major influences in the spectacular rise of Trojan Records. Let’s Catch The Beat consists of some his best work he recorded before the end of the 1970s. Credited as the Brother Dan All Stars he brought the reggae rhythms with a British flavour. This fine combination marks one of the largest pieces in the early days of the Trojan Records label. Dandy’s third album Let’s Catch The Beat was released for the price of two 45’s-quite a bargain, and went on to become a big seller. Originally released in 1968.

Robert “Dandy” Livingstone was one of the major influences in the spectacular rise of Trojan Records. Let’s Catch The Beat consists of some his best work he recorded before the end of the 1970s. Credited as the Brother Dan All Stars he brought the reggae rhythms with a British flavour. This fine combination marks one of the largest pieces in the early days of the Trojan Records label. Dandy’s third album Let’s Catch The Beat was released for the price of two 45’s-quite a bargain, and went on to become a big seller. Originally released in 1968.

New repress available in store and online.

Once in a while, a man comes along who has a talent not only within one field, but many fields. Lee Perry is such a man. Singer, songwriter and producer. This album is a showcase for what this man is trying to say with his music. Defying convention time and again, Lee has spearheaded musical taste in Jamaica and once again, he comes up with new sounds and dances on this album.. The Upsetter.

Once in a while, a man comes along who has a talent not only within one field, but many fields. Lee Perry is such a man. Singer, songwriter and producer. This album is a showcase for what this man is trying to say with his music. Defying convention time and again, Lee has spearheaded musical taste in Jamaica and once again, he comes up with new sounds and dances on this album.. The Upsetter.

Classic Trojan album now reissued on vinyl. Originally released in 1969 the album is mainly instrumentals but includes vocal tracks … More

Out tomorrow, new repress of Marcia Griffiths’ – ‘Sweet And Nice’ on a double LP. £24.99. Though the album has been released under various names and iterations, Be With is presenting it in its original form, remastered from the studio tapes. Its 21 tracks include the 14 songs from ‘Sweet And Nice’ on the first LP, alongside 7 rare cuts on the second LP.

Out tomorrow, new repress of Marcia Griffiths’ – ‘Sweet And Nice’ on a double LP. £24.99. Though the album has been released under various names and iterations, Be With is presenting it in its original form, remastered from the studio tapes. Its 21 tracks include the 14 songs from ‘Sweet And Nice’ on the first LP, alongside 7 rare cuts on the second LP.

New repress available in store and online.

Our “Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities” CDs have showcased high quality 60s and early 70s records beloved of collectors and dancers. The series has proved much appreciated by the soul cognoscenti, making this new vinyl edition a necessity. Tracks such as Marva Holiday’s ‘It’s Written All Over My Face’ and Darrow Fletcher’s Detroit-produced ‘What Good Am I Without You’ were played at the famous Northern Soul venues of yesteryear but got lost in the waves of 70s discoveries. They have improved with age. Later discoveries are just plain elusive or horrifically expensive. Salt & Pepper, a multiracial group of US GIs stationed in Bangkok, pressed the 250-500 run of ‘A Man Of My Word’ in Thailand in 1970 – an extremely scarce record that took many years to find before becoming a rare soul standard. The Antellects’ ‘Love Slave’ was played by 100 Club DJ Shifty in the 90s and very few copies have found their way into the hands of collectors.

Our “Northern Soul’s Classiest Rarities” CDs have showcased high quality 60s and early 70s records beloved of collectors and dancers. The series has proved much appreciated by the soul cognoscenti, making this new vinyl edition a necessity. Tracks such as Marva Holiday’s ‘It’s Written All Over My Face’ and Darrow Fletcher’s Detroit-produced ‘What Good Am I Without You’ were played at the famous Northern Soul venues of yesteryear but got lost in the waves of 70s discoveries. They have improved with age. Later discoveries are just plain elusive or horrifically expensive. Salt & Pepper, a multiracial group of US GIs stationed in Bangkok, pressed the 250-500 run of ‘A Man Of My Word’ in Thailand in 1970 – an extremely scarce record that took many years to find before becoming a rare soul standard. The Antellects’ ‘Love Slave’ was played by 100 Club DJ Shifty in the 90s and very few copies have found their way into the hands of collectors.

Vinly LP available in store and online.