Africa Iron Gate Showcase

• 1. Prince Hammer – King In A The Ring
• 2. Echo Minott – Emilo Bimbo
• 3. Trinity – Quiete Horse
• 4. Lee Van Cleef – Chalice And Spliff
• 5. Prince Hammer – Africa Iron Gate
• 6. Enos McLeod – Words Sound And Power
• 7. George Nooks – Moses
• 8. Prince Hammer – Press Along Dreadlocks
• 9. Trinity – She Is Mine
• 10. Prince Hammer – King Salassie M.16

Momentous album from 1982 building a bridge between roots reggae and dancehall. A conscious compilation with a variety of youth deejays, including Lee Van Cleef, Prince Hammer & Trinity chanting down babylon over a selection of the very best Roots Radics rhythms and of course, mixed at Tubby's (recording took place between Channel One and Tubby's). From Lee Van Cliff's pro-weed anthem "Chalice And Spliff", to Prince Hammer's more politically charged, "Press Along Dreadlocks" and "Moses", which features the same riddim but has George Nooks toasting some spiritual righteousness over the track. Slightly slower and lighter than what would become the standard for 'traditional' dancehall, you can almost hear both singers and producers hanging onto the roots sound and this album marks a critical moment in the transition into modern dancehall, tangible throughout these cuts. Out of print since 1982 and regularly fetching upwards of £70 2nd hand, this is an essential re-release by Dub Store Japan for reggae dancehall lovers across the world.