Volume Two picks up where volume one left off to continue the celebration of roots rock rebels from the English Midlands.
As before, the focus remains on the reggae riddims that flourished all too briefly in the mid-1970s.
Aside from the digital versions, the album is also released on high quality double vinyl in a luxurious gatefold sleeve.
These volumes mix familiar names, like Handsworth's Steel Pulse, with more obscure cuts. Key players in the Birmingham scene are represented with tracks by Black Symbol, Sceptre and Eclipse but four of the tracks are previously unreleased; namely Africans from Bass Dance; Leicester's Groundation with Rebel; Cannot Take It Away by Mystic Foundation and Equalisation from Wolverhampton's Capital Letters.
The collection proudly taps into a nostalgic mood to appeal to completists yet, at the same time, it is designed to show that Jamaica was not the only source of cutting edge reggae from this period.
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One of the standout tracks is a mighty 12" mix called Hustling Man from one of the 'new' names, the late Linton Haughton.
The elegant Ruled By the Stone by Sledge Hammer, previously only available as a 7” single, is another highlight.
From this lovingly curated collection it is easy to hear how this anti-establishment music proved to be such a key inspiration to aspiring punks. It's also sad to reflect that the recurring appeals for peace, justice and equality are just as necessary now as they were forty years ago.
Reggae Archives Records' website
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