{"title":"Smith and Mighty","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-three-stripe-collection-1985-1990-1","title":"The Three Stripe Collection 1985 - 1990","description":"\u003cp\u003eduring the 1990s, 'the bristol sound' became a global phenomenon with albums from massive attack, portishead and tricky regularly placed high in polls of the best albums of the decade or indeed of all time. but for those in the know, 'the bristol sound' had been defined at the tail end of the eighties with a string of releases from the studio of rob smith and ray mighty. perhaps if they hadn't been so ahead of the field, had released an album instead of a run of singles or if their subsequent signing to a major label had worked out, the names smith and mighty would be as well known as those other bristol artists. it's never too late to put the record straight and add another name to the pantheon of bristol music greats, something they more than deserve. it is with genuine excitement that bristol archive records release 'the three stripe collection 1985-1990'. the 17 tracks have been personally selected and compiled by rob smith and start with 'walk on' and 'anyone' the two songs that announced the arrival of smith and mighty and heralded the coming of 'the bristol sound'. the tracks selected, comprise a complete overview of the label's two years as an independent, highlighting just how productive and creative the partnership was. they took musical ingredients from reggae, funk, hip hop, pop, house, soul and anywhere else that inspired them, added a huge amount of talent, skill, originality, a large portion of the bristol vibe, some primitive digital technology and turned out cutting edge, boundary crossing dance music the likes of which had never been heard before. being producers they used these songs to showcase the pool of local talent including; jackie jackson, krissy kriss, mc kellz and dj lynx. the majority of these tracks have never been re-released since they appeared as singles more than twenty years ago and for the first time they are gathered together as an album.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470842892619,"sku":"348019","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cc67793b-224d-417e-9e0a-c9707fa51ed5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727383954"},{"product_id":"ashley-road-sessions-88-94","title":"Ashley Road Sessions 88-94","description":"\u003cp\u003eCelebrating 30 years since their first release, on November 9th foundation laying forefathers \u003cstrong\u003eSmith and Mighty\u003c\/strong\u003e release \u003cem\u003eAshley Road Sessions\u003c\/em\u003e. This special one-off double label partnership between Pinch’s Tectonic and Peverelist’s Punch Drunk is an endeavour in homage to their Bristol neighbors, whom they both hold in high regard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDespite being inextricably linked to the South West England sound, \u003cem\u003eAshley Road Sessions\u003c\/em\u003e proffers an array of styles, the breadth and spectrum of which might surprise. \u003cstrong\u003eBreakbeat\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ehardcore\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebalearica\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eacid house\u003c\/strong\u003e all feature as prominently as the \u003cstrong\u003edub\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ereggae\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ehip hop beats\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003esoul\u003c\/strong\u003e for which they’re most commonly associated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially timely in light of the recent breakbeat and jungle revival, this important document feels both historical and relevant, with the classic hip hop sample, crisp breakbeats and Gat Décor bass of perky opener \"Always Be There (Step Up)\" sounding remarkably current. \u003cstrong\u003eAirborne dub fx\u003c\/strong\u003e float around heavy beats on the sparse pulse of ‘Stalagnate’, which wouldn’t seem out of place on Bokeh Versions, sounding both vintage and very now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aptly titled \"Morning Light\" surely soundtracked the end of long orbital rave nights, straddling funky hardcore breaks, emotive melody, sub bass and heartening Balearic optimism. The deft break chopping of \"Film Score\" shows they could do deep jungle as well as anyone, contrasting with \"Higher Than Tempo\" – a cerebral slow IDM trance dance, that was post E2 E4 and pre Landcruising.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Dub Song\" seamlessly blends hardcore, jungle and steppers with a smooth liquidity, whilst frenetic sixteenths, hard snares and purring bass drive the skeletal head-snapper \"Through A Dark Cloud\". Percussion and drum machines meet melodic chords on \"Leaving Pt 1 and 2\", which exemplifies the plaintive, melancholy British bass, later made famous by \u003cstrong\u003eMassive Attack\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tectonic Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471795360075,"sku":"1046892","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a817ea9a-3557-4216-86df-668fe2372263_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727411747"},{"product_id":"the-three-stripe-collection-1985-1990","title":"The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2019 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 13th April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 20th April.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive Record's 2012 compilation \u003ci\u003eThe Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990\u003c\/i\u003e re-released on Blue colour vinyl for RSD2019. 17 tracks selected and compiled by Rob Smith start with \u003ci\u003eWalk On\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAnyone\u003c\/i\u003e the two songs that announced the arrival of Smith and Mighty and heralded the coming of \"The Bristol Sound\". Smith and Mighty took musical ingredients from reggae, funk, hip hop, pop, house, soul and anywhere else that inspired them, added a huge amount of talent, skill, originality, a large portion of the Bristol vibe, some primitive digital technology and turned out cutting edge, boundary crossing dance music the likes of which had never been heard before.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50482846073163,"sku":"1058449","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6a2b7b46-9000-4bbf-9226-be1a75ff2561_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727556859"},{"product_id":"connected-sequences","title":"Connected Sequences","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough other acts would be the ones to see huge worldwide success with the Bristol Sound the combination of reggae infused basslines, elements of hip hop, female and male vocals and a laid-back tempo were pioneered on Ashley Road, St. Paul's at the Three Stripe studio by Rob Smith and Ray Mighty. \"We started out in the 80's. A couple of young guys on the dole with a bit of a knack for making original DIY, Lo-Fi beats, and basslines. with just one ambition, to make a record. Everything else was a bonus and to be frank, came as a complete surprise.\" - Rob Smith. One of Bristol Archive's earliest and most satisfying releases \"The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990\" did a great job of covering those first records, the period before Smith and Mighty signed a major deal with London FFRR and includes many important and now classic tracks that helped inspire so many artists and producers both locally and further afield. In the mid-eighties and early nineties their Ashley Road studio was a hive of activity and their open-door approach to collaboration as well as nurturing talent, would see them record with numerous local singers and musicians as well as directly inspire future members of Massive Attack, Full Cycle and Way Out West among others. Ashley Road was ground zero for the Bristol Sound. With so much collaboration and experimentation, only a fraction of the finished tracks could be pressed up and released, leaving a library of unreleased music that adds an additional layer to the story. \"Compiled from salvaged DAT tapes and cassettes, these are some of the lesser-known beats and pieces we were making at the time.\" In proper Bristolian style we have taken our time to continue documenting the Smith and Mighty and Three Stripe Story with this our follow up album, \"Connected Sequences.\" The new album was recorded between 1985 and 1992 and features a few names familiar to fans of both Smith and Mighty and Bristol Archive Records. Side A is a mixture of hip hop and reggae influenced tracks kicking off with local hip hop pioneers Kelz and Lynx on \"Rock U Boom Kick\" already demonstrating, all involved had mastered the genre and given it a Bristol spin. \"Feeling Alright\" is a perfect fusion of Dan Ratchet's sweet reggae-tinged vocals with an addictive bassline and hip hop influenced backing. The reggae hip hop fusion continues more explicitly with Rudy Lee's catchy vocal providing the counter to Kelz's rap in \"Danger.\" The first side is rounded off with a brace of reggae influenced tracks, the sample driven \"Step Forward\" rides a fine line between dance and reggae, sounding like it could veer off into a dancehall friendly heavy steppers dub at any moment whilst always staying just inside the dance music line, the reggae melodica and vocal sample never quite overwhelming the dance friendly backing track. \"Evolve Dub\" is another attempt to reconcile a reggae vocal sample and bassline with then current dance music. \"Hardly Wait\" kicks offside two with the classic Smith and Mighty sound and a collaboration with Gina Foster, with Gina's voice and a relentless bassline propelling it, this would surely have been a potential hit if released at the time. Regular Three Stripe contributor Jackie Jackson is joined by Jessica George on the upbeat and joyful \"Save Us\" while another regular Smith and mighty collaborator Marilyn McFarlane rounds off the trio of female vocals with her strong performance featuring on \"Dub Reasons\". With a couple of simple vocal hooks and driving beats combined with what would pass for discarded soundtrack elements \"Stupid Dope Rock\" hints at an unfulfilled career composing film soundtracks, if only. The album is rounded off by \"Piano Twist\" a dark and heavy instrumental that blends various elements to good effect. \"Connected Sequences\" an album of lost, unreleased Smith and Mighty - Three Stripe productions is released on limited edition clear vinyl, (300 copies), and digital download by Bristol Archive Records on 7th March 2025, distributed by Shellshock Distribution. \"Though most people will think of Massive Attack, Portishead or even Roni Size when asked about Bristol's influence on UK music in the late 80s and 90s, really none of them have had anywhere near as much of an impact as Smith \u0026amp; Mighty. With a hand in the development of jungle, dubstep and the particular of - Bristol-ness that so defined the aforementioned artists, their influence is comparable to that of the city itself.\" Crack.Side A: Hip Hop\/Reggae Side. 1. \"Rock U Boom Kick\" featuring Kelz and Lynx on the cut 2. \"Feeling Alright\" featuring Dan Ratchet 3. \"Danger\" featuring Kelz and Rudy Lee 4. \"Step Forward\" 5. \"Evolve Dub\".Side B: Dance\/House Side 1. \"Hardly Wait\" featuring Gina Foster 2. \"Save Us\" featuring Jackie Jackson and Jessica George 3. \"Dub Reasons\" featuring Marilyn McFarlane 4. \"Stupid Dope Rock\" 5. \"Piano Twist\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Clear","offer_id":51245597622603,"sku":"2231824","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Clear \/ Black Smoke","offer_id":51441889444171,"sku":"R9740-0399","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_b2cacb27_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1739225680"},{"product_id":"three-stripe-one-uk","title":"Three Stripe One","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis album is pure, concentrated, 100% vintage Bristol Sound at its best. For those of us who were here, and even for those who weren't, it's a time portal back to those lazy days of late eighties Bristol when this music was radical and new, and we had the joy of hearing each of these tunes for the very first time. You reach a certain age and it's easy to reminisce through rose-tinted glasses. That's not the case here - we knew these were special the first time we heard them. Nearly forty years later, many, many people have followed their blueprint, and these originals have only grown in stature. It's now six decades since Dionne Warwick went into a New York studio to record her million-selling versions of \"Anyone Who Had A Heart\" and \"Walk On By\". Demonstrating admirable confidence, our Bristolian heroes tackled the brace of Bacharach and David classics - only instead of the luxury surrounding of New York's Bell Sound Studios; populated with the cream of New York session musicians, they had a tiny studio on Ashley Road with basic equipment and no budget.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey may have been short of funds and equipment, but they had an abundance of ideas and talent. \"Walk On\" starts off pretty straight, Jackie Jackson singing the hook over for 22 seconds then everything changes as the beats and bass line usher in the future of Bristol music. Just listen to all the ideas that are crammed into just over four minutes as Dionne's beloved pop\/soul classic, is turned inside out and reinvented as cutting-edge dance music. The first of the pair that was released is even more direct, \"Anyone\" jumps straight into reshaping expectations and the future of music with an instant assault of beats and bass line. \"This Is The Time\" takes \"Anyone\" and turns it into a raw hip hop outing; hip hop with a British, Bristolian twist.We close out Side A with \"Mix Me Down Maestro\" another more polished hip hop outing showcasing the lyrical talents of M.C. Kelz and the scratching talents of Lynx, it also features the reggae influence, so synonymous with Bristol's music. If side A focuses on vocals, Side B kicks off all about the beats, and bass with vocals reduced to snippets and samples, sharp, hard repetitive beats with bass lines that will swallow you up like a tsunami depositing you on a strange new shore a few minutes later. \"Clash Of The Beats,\" Killa,\" and \"Different Chapter\", tough tunes then and tough tunes now. Rob's former bandmate in Restriction, Eric \"The General\" McCarthy gives us the most obviously reggae-influenced selection, complete with \"No, No, No\" vocal sample with \"Time To Rhyme\", a nice change of pace before rounding things off and travelling almost full circle with the always popular \"Walk On (Mellow Mix)\". With money tight Three Stripe focussed on releasing singles that could recoup costs quickly, yet both this title and our previous album of unreleased material \"Connected Sequences\" amply demonstrate how easily Smith and Mighty could have pre-empted both their peers and the many who followed in their footsteps with a strong, coherent, and cutting-edge album as early as 1989. It's intriguing to speculate what may have happened if that path had been taken, for now we present this as both a compilation of essential singles that have more than stood the test of time and a \"what if\" album that could have been released in 1989. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - White","offer_id":53173889696075,"sku":"R7989-8149","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/p_27352561-375d-4700-bb77-a7f80b0ced04.jpg?v=1755120023"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/smith-and-mighty.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}