Reggae Chartbusters reissued on CD

Launched by Trojan late in 1969, the Reggae Chartbusters album series swiftly became one of the best-selling lines in the company’s catalogue - and the original three albums (plus a further three) are about to be reissued on CD for the very first time.

The three albums were released over a a three-year period between 1969 and 1972 and with 40 years passing since their introduction, it seems as good a time as any for the reissue. The original trio of releases are augmented by another three volumes, each of which highlights the most popular Reggae sounds from a specific period. We're guessing the first volume (with the 'skinhead reggae' tracks) is perhaps of most interest, but see over the page for the full tracklistings of all, in case any other catches your eye.

Original sleeves, new booklets and sleevenotes and a cheap price - worth picking up? Well, as the PR company can't be bothered sending us review copies, we can't say for sure, but at just £4.89 from Amazon, they certainly sound like a bargain.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Soul Power hits DVD and Blu-ray

After a brief tour round the arthouse cinemas, cult music documentary Soul Power will also hit the stores, on both DVD and Blu-ray.

The year was 1974, with a host of black American acts mixing it up with African musicians at a 12-hour, three-night festival in Zaire, playing out alongside the infamous Rumble in the Jungle fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

Soul Power is a record of 'Zaire '74', showing both the experiences and performances acts including James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers and Celia Cruz, with the original footage restored in HD with top-notch audio for an 'as if you were there' experience.  Special features for the retail release include a number of extra songs and deleted scenes (that didn't make the cinema version), with the discs hitting the shelves on 16th November 2009. if you want to get in early, Amazon is already doing pre-orders.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Uncut Magazine does the blues

If you haven't seen it already, Uncut Magazine has a free CD that's worthy of your attention - especially if you want to hear the sound that inspired the original mod sound of the early 60s.

A free CD titled Woke Up This Morning features 15 blues classics that inspired 60s bands like The Yardbirds, The Who, Them and The Kinks, along with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck. If you've never thought about buying a blues CD, but always fancied one, this could be the place to start. There's a feature on The Yardbirds too, offering up another reason to buy it.

It's on the shelves now, get it now while you can.

Uncut Magazine website
http://www.uncut.co.uk/magazine

From CBGB to the Roundhouse

Missed this when it launched last month, but From CBGB to the Roundhouse by Tim Burrows certainly looks worth your while if you have an interest in the history of clubs and live music.

According to the blurb, From CBGB to the Roundhouse is 'the first ever exploration of the role that live venues have played and continue to play in the development of popular music', taking in the legendary venues from across the globe, how they have evolved over the years and how many have been lost. Not just big name venues either, you'll find some obscure vintage locations too, as this snippet from the book about reggae/ska venue The Four Aces in Hackney shows.

If that tempts you in, Amazon is selling the book discounted right now - yours for £7.49.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Miss Goldie podcast at Daptone

Looking for something lively and interesting to download to your PC and/or iPod? We would like to recommend the Miss Goldie podcast at the Daptone Records website.

According to the site, Melbourne-based Miss Goldie spins two weekly hours of funk, soul, northern and R&B on PBS Boss Action, all orginal vintage 45s of course. The podcast condenses a selection of tracks down to just over an hour - perfect for the daily commute or to keep any home workers away from Radio 2 weekday hell.

To get the podcast, along with a full tracklisting, follow the link below. The podcast is free, of course. If you spot any other decent podcasts, let us know - and we'll let the world know.

Miss Goldie podcast at the Daptone website

Modrophenia 79 in Brighton

Just had this flyer forwarded over by Alan Fletcher, which seems to give most of the details of a Modrophenia 79 in Brighton, which takes place on 15th August 2009.

Anyway, from what I can gather, it's a 30-year since Quadrophenia event, mixing a scooter rideout from Beachy Head to Brighton with an event mixing DJs and live acts (including The Lambrettas, The HiWatts, Timebomb and Mark Joseph), throwing in a talk from Mod Crop and Quadrophenia author Alan Fletcher.

Tickets are £15 - see the flyer above for more details or check out the Concorde 2 website below, where the event is being hosted.

Concorde 2 website

Gene Drayton Unit at the 100 Club

Having spent the spring exploring Greek grooves, Brummie beats and Flemish foibles, the Gene Drayton Unit is back in London this month, playing the 100 Club on Friday July 17th 2009.

For the first set, the band will play the whole of the Smells Like '66 album in its entirety - and if you like what you hear, you can buy the album for £3 on the night. There's also DJ support from Tim Fuller, who will be spinning soul, jazz, blues and R&B 45s.

As you probably know, the 100 Club is at 100 Oxford Street, W1, doors 7.30pm with admission at £10 / £7 with flyer.

Gene Drayton Unit website

1960s Rave Magazine issues on eBay

They're becoming ever-more collectable, so investing in some of the issues of Rave Magazine on eBay might be a shrewd investment.

One particular seller (cactuskay123) seems to have a number of issues of the 60s teen culture magazine, as well as a number of issues of Beat Monthly and allsorts of memorabilia of the day.

Prices aren't cheap though, although you can pick up the March 1967 issue above (which features a Steve Marriott/Crissie Shrimpton photo article) for £18 on a Buy It Now. Check out all the magazines for sale via the link below.

Rave Magazine at eBay

Pete McKee mod-inspired artwork

If you're after something cool, stylish and with more than a hint of mod inspiration for your walls, check out Pete McKee's mod-inspired artwork, which is available to buy on his site.

Sheffield lad McKee has recently done the tour artwork for Oasis and even if you're not a fan of the band, there's every chance you'll appreciate the rather hip graphics above.

The Oasis is available to buy as a special edition at £190 unframed or £240 framed, but if you want something a little more affordable, other unlimited prints are available for around the £20 mark. Check out the website to view them all.

Find out more at the Pete McKee website

The Specials live CD giveaway

Yesterday we mentioned the free Specials track to download, now we hear that a full album is being given away - in this weekend's Sunday Times (12th July 2009).

According to the newspaper's website, a 12-track live CD will be given away, all the tracks recorded live at the Brixton Academy during the recent gigs there. if that's not enough, there's also an 'exclusive' interview in the newspaper's magazine too.

Which means it might be worth getting up a little bit earlier this Sunday and beating a path to the newsagents - it's certain to be in short supply.

The Specials website