In this second instalment of our Riddim Breakdown series, we are looking at one of the most influential Reggae tracks of all time: Wayne Smith's 'Under Mi Sleng Teng.' Released in 1985, this song didn't just top charts; it revolutionised the entire genre. The tale of 'Under Mi Sleng Teng' began when young musician Noel Davey and his pal Wayne Smith got their hands on a Casio MT-40 keyboard. They'd managed to get hold of it from his friend George "Buddy" Haye, a musician who had been touring the US with The Wailing Souls. Davey was hoping for a Yamaha DX7 synthesiser, but...

Our latest single 'I'll Get Along Without You' featuring the great Earl 16, is out now on all streaming platforms, you can also download it in HD from our Bandcamp page here. The release also features a brand new Dub version of the track, mixed by Reggae Roast’s very own Matt Interrupt, which deconstructs the riddim, showcasing each element in the mix. We always love working with Earl 16, he is one of the most revered Reggae singers of his generation, having worked with the crème de la crème of producers in both Jamaica and Europe. He is a foundation Jamaican singer who has...

This month's Artist Spotlight is an extra special one, as it features none other than James Harper, the DJ, Producer, Soundman and founder of Reggae Roast. So we’re going to dive into James’s story and of course, the story of Reggae Roast. James has dedicated his life to bringing people together through music. He put on his first events as a teenager in Kentish Town, North London in the 90s and has gone on to stage 100’s of events, spanning 4 decades. He has put out dozens of releases, both as a producer and through his label, providing a platform...

One of the best things about hearing a live Reggae Soundsystem, is the selector or DJ's creative use of sirens and outboard FX to add that extra unique flavour and spice to the mix.  As DJs, we know how satisfying it is hitting that button before a big drop, or slapping some lickshot delay on a transition. So when we were building our Soundsystem we searched high and low to find the best gear.  We were lucky enough to meet Sandro Musetti, founder of Benidub Audio Electronics who specialise in building the finest Dub sirens and outboard FX units.  Benidub products...

Welcome to the first in our new series of Genre Deep Dives, where we explore the origins of Reggae sub-genres and the impact they've had on the evolution of music. In this article  we look at the origins of Dub and how its' legacy has impacted so many of the modern genres that we know and love.

'Stalag 17' by Ansel Collins & Winston Riley has been used for over 300 versions of Reggae and Dancehall tunes and has been sampled in hundreds more songs in other genres.  Find out the story of one of the most well-known and reused riddims in the history of Reggae music.