Greetings reggae lovers,

It's been a while since our last roots drop, so this month sees a bit of a catch-up

with a few of this year's better roots rhythms on 7" single.

The big news is that Alborosie's latest album, "Escape From Babylon" has finally arrived. Released on Greensleeves in the UK in June this one has taken it's good time to appear over here, but proves to be most definitely worth the wait. For those that must have wax, we also have three of the album cuts on 7" single - "Can't Stand It" (with Dennis Brown), "Mama Don't Like You Boy" (with I-Eye) and "I Rusalem". In addition we also have another great collaboration with The Tamlins, revisiting their own classic version of "Baltimore", which is not included on the new album. Everyone's favourite pastafarian also pours the spaghetti sauce over a couple of Frenchie's recent productions - the first being a wicked re-working of Jacob Miller's "False Rasta", also known as Pablo's "Matches Lane" rhythm. Also check Anthony B & Chezidek's awesome combination style on this rhythm. The second is a beautiful Sly & Robbie driven ganja anthem called "I Know My Herbs" rhythm which also features other choice vocal cuts from Burro Banton, Lukie D and Jah Mason.

Frenchie has certainly been busy this year and another fresh rhythm out on his Maximum Sound imprint is the smooth "Vineyard Town". Choice cuts on this one include offerings from Luciano, Capleton, Fantan Mojah and Peetah Morgan.

Germany's Pow Pow productions bring the "Respond" rhythm with tasty versions from Gentleman, Lutan Fyah and Natural Black. Collie Buddz' forthcoming sophomore album "On The Rock" sadly seems to be entirely lost in some sort of label and licensing vortex, so in the meantime we have the Bobby Konders-produced "Herb Tree" single with a great b-side in "Hustle".

On CD we have Tarrus Riley's highly-rated "Contagious" album and Queen Ifrica's "Montego Bay" - see the descriptions and tracklisting below. Whilst on the reissue front Pressure Sounds continue their current programme of rare and early dub albums with the excellent "Sound System International Dub LP". This is one of the first entire dub albums mixed by King Tubby and features some beautiful Clancy Eccles productions backed by The Dynamites.

Respect,

Dubhead.

DANCEHALL The story of Jamaican dancehall culture $69.95 (Beth Lesser) Beth Lesser's definitive new study of the 1980s Jamaican Dancehall scene features hundreds of exclusive photographs and accompanying text that captures a vibrant, globally influential and yet rarely documented culture that has been mixing music, fashion and lifestyle with aplomb since its inception. With unprecedented access to the incredibly vibrant music scene during this period, Beth Lesser's photographs and text are a unique way in to a previously hidden culture.