In today‘s episode I dive into the stacks and do some tune juggling - from the Lions to Sister Nancy, classic roots from Eric Donaldson and Gregory Isaacs to the recent Vibronics and Swindle releases. The goal - pack as much music into one hour.

Back for another edition of the Bassment Sessions where I share a selection of new music that‘s come across my desk over the past few weeks.

Kick back, turn up the volume and enjoy an hour of serious grooves.

For this special episode, I sifted through hundreds of songs I felt fell into the “rare” category as most are unknown or ultra-rare 7” releases or as I call them,  Rare Reggae Gems. Music left behind in the dust of time but not forgotten. 

Part of the fun in discovering these artists becomes, who were they and where’d they go?  For many, these questions go unanswered which makes for an intriguing listen - the mystery of the many who came, recorded and vanished.

For Part One, we looked at the evolution and growth, along with some of the key female figures in reggae and for Part Two, I wanted to begin with the next generation of singers and origins of dancehall, slackness, empowerment and shine the spotlight on several singers that helped breakthrough new barriers in the 80s and 90s (J.C. Lodge, Lady Saw) to help the younger artists that have been breaking through around the world of the past decade starting with Hollie Cook, Jah 9,  Koffee, Nubiya, Shenseea and more.

In this episode of the Bassment Sessions I’m going to focus on Women In Reggae 1964-1982 - from Millie Small’s breakout hit up to Rita Marley‘s 1982 hit One Draw.

It’s an impossible task to showcase the true scope and depth fully required to highlight six decades of women in reggae but I hope to help you discover some of the vital women who helped pave the way for the wonderful new artists continuing and evolving the genre and pushing the music ever forward.

This episode includes music from Millie Smalls, Sister Nancy, Nora Rean, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Janey Kay, and more.

For Part Two I‘ll be looking at how Studio One regained the crown after losing some of their cache and hitmaking ability to Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle and his rocksteady output by shifting gears, embracing Rasta and the evolving roots reggae style, toasting, rub-a-dub, dub and rockers ushering in the new generation of future icons: Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Willi Williams and more.

Every transformation of music in Jamaica from 50s R&B & Mento, Ska to Rocksteady, Roots to Rockers, Dancehall to Digital - Studio One has been one of the driving forces of music. 

Hour one, part one ( of a three-part series), looks at the origins of Coxsone Dodd and Studio one beginning with his Downbeat Soundsystem in 1954, to his first release in 1959 up until 1969.

Today I wanted to play some new tracks and a few classic ones along the ride. Tune in for 15 songs jammed into one hour of pure groove-oriented vibes.

In this episode, I take a look at the career and legacy of Dennis Bovell, from his beginnings with Mutambi, the creation of Lovers Rock and its anthem ”Silly Games” by Janet Kay, to his work with Linton Kwesi Johnson, Thompson Twins, Babylon Movie and Arcade Fire

In this episode, I take a look at the career and legacy of Lloyd Barnes, aka Bullwackie, and his Wackies label. The show includes songs from Horace Andy, Love Joys, LIttle Roy, Chosen Brothers, Jah Vill, and more