VARIOUS ARTISTS - Roots Rock Rebels: When Punk Met Reggae 1975-1982

54 track 3CD clamshell box set focusing on the period of time between 1975-1982 when reggae influenced and inspired punk in the UK.

This compilation features key tracks by The Clash, Burning Spear, Generation X, Culture, Public Image Ltd, Steel Pulse, The Specials, Dennis Brown, Ruts, Madness, Black Uhuru and many more. Also included is a selection of obscure gems from the likes of 4th Street Orchestra, African Stone, Basement 5, Electric Guitars, Sir Horatio, Talisman, The Pop Group and Black Symbol.

The front cover image is from the photo library of British photographer Syd Shelton who documented the Rock Against Racism movement. His work is held in the collections of Tate, the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) and the National Portrait Gallery.

Enclosed is a 28 page fully illustrated booklet containing a foreword sleevenote by Don Letts AKA The Rebel Dread plus notes on each track with relevant sleeve illustrations.

“Looking back, I see it as a turning point, a cultural crossroads when different genres collided, giving birth to something entirely new. It was a celebration of diversity and a rejection of homogeneity. Its impact has it rippled through the years, influencing subsequent generations of musicians and shaping the landscape of alternative music. The fusion of punk and reggae became a blueprint for bands seeking to break free from the constraints of genre. As DJ at The Roxy (the UK's first live punk rock venue) I was lucky enough to sees these ideas blossom to become what we now call the 'punky reggae party' and forty-five years later its message is still in full effect.” - Don Letts

Format: 3 CD clamshell box set
Label: Cherry Red
Release date: 19 July 2024

Tracklist:

Disc one:

1. Burning Spear - Slavery Days (album version)
2. Dillinger - Buckingham Palace (album version)
3. 4th Street Orchestra - Za-Ion
4. Culture - Two Sevens Clash
5. The Clash - Police & Thieves (remastered)
6. Generation X - Wild Dub
7. Errol Campbell - Jah Man
8. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Watching The Detectives (single version)
9. Good Breed - Heights
10. XTC - Fireball XL5 / Fireball Dub ('White Music' out-take)
11. Steel Pulse - Ku Klux Klan
12. The Clash - (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
13. African Stone - Choose Me
14. Graham Parker & The Rumour - Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions
15. Althea and Donna - Uptown Top Ranking
16. China Street - Rock Against Racism
17. Dennis Brown - Money In My Pocket (part one)
18. Ruts - Jah War (single version)
19. Matumbi - Point Of View (Squeeze A Little Lovin)
20. Doll By Doll - Janice

Disc two:

1. Janet Kay - Silly Games
2. The Pop Group - She is Beyond Good & Evil (Dub)
3. Jimmy Lindsay - Ain't No Sunshine
4. Stiff Little Fingers - Johnny Was
5. The Specials - Doesn't Make It Alright
6. The Selecter - Too Much Pressure
7. Public Image Limited - Poptunes
8. Joe Jackson - Sunday Papers (album version)
9. The Clash - The Guns Of Brixton
10. The Members - Offshore Banking Business (edit)
11. Linton Kwesi Johnson - Inglan Is A Bitch
12. Glaxo Babies - Who Killed Bruce Lee?
13. The Piranhas - Coffee
14. Madness - Embarrassment
15. Aswad - Warrior Charge
16. The Beat - Stand Down Margaret (Dub)

Disc three:

1. The Bodysnatchers - Ruder Than You
2. Black Symbol - Non A Jah Jah Children
3. UB40 - King
4. Bad Manners - El Pussycat
5. Basement 5 - Work Dub
6. Black Slate - Amigo
7. The Slits - In The Beginning There Was Rhythm (early version)
8. Weapon Of Peace - Jah Love
9. Angelic Upstarts - Different Dub
10. Musical Youth - Political
11. Black Uhuru - Sponji Reggae (single version)
12. Carroll Thompson - Hopelessly In Love
13. Eclipse - Blood Fi Dem
14. Electric Guitars - Work
15. Talisman - Dole Age (7" mix)
16. Musical Youth - Generals
17. Sir Horatio - Sommadub
18. Creation Rebel - Independent Man (part one)