{"title":"I Roy","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-observer-book-of-i-roy","title":"The Observer Book Of I Roy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThough he kind of shot himself in the foot by deriving his stage name so obviously from that of the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eU-Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eRoy Reid\u003c\/strong\u003e nevertheless went on to become one of the most influential reggae DJs of the 1970s, arguably the classic period of his chosen specialty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe was a hugely popular feature of \u003cstrong\u003eKing Tubby's Hi-Fi\u003c\/strong\u003e sound system, and recorded for many of the top producers of the day, most notably \u003cstrong\u003eBunny Lee\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGussie Clarke\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eLee \"Scratch\" Perry\u003c\/strong\u003e. He also cut 11 tracks for a young producer named Winston Holness, aka \u003cstrong\u003eNiney the Observer\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll of those tracks were compiled onto a single CD for inclusion in the VP label's excellent \u003cem\u003eDeep Roots Observer Style\u003c\/em\u003e box set, and was subsequently released separately on vinyl as well. The rhythms over which he chats are mostly derived from the hit records Holness was making with \u003cstrong\u003eDennis Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e at the time; in fact, the \"Wolves \u0026amp; Leopards\" rhythm shows up twice here, once on the very fine \"\u003cem\u003eStep On the Dragon\u003c\/em\u003e,\" then again on \"\u003cem\u003eSister Maggie Breast\u003c\/em\u003e.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Up Park Camp\" rhythm makes an inevitable appearance as well, supporting an excellent toast on \"\u003cem\u003ePoint Blank Observer Style\u003c\/em\u003e.\" But the most enjoyable entry comes right near the end, with \"\u003cem\u003eJah Is My Light\/Wicked Eat Dirt\u003c\/em\u003e,\" a showcase track on which \u003cstrong\u003eLeroy Smart\u003c\/strong\u003e sings, and which segues immediately into a dub mix over which \u003cstrong\u003eI-Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e toasts in psalm-like mode. Brilliant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VP Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50454070001995,"sku":"347070","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d12fa137-79a9-414d-af76-7bb05d83f7de_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727180467"},{"product_id":"heavier-than-lead","title":"Heavier Than Lead","description":"\u003cp\u003eCompilation documenting I Roy's time with Bunny Lee, having been produced by him through most of the dj phenomenon. One of the best and most revered deejays to burst out of the Jamaican scene in the early 70's - his well educated wordings and clever use of stories gave the listener not only a great vibe but also a little something to think about after the initial rush of the tune had settled. \u003ci\u003eHeavier Than Lead\u003c\/i\u003e features 15 stone cold classics!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kingston Sounds","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470450561355,"sku":"299005","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/56d4194a-2b93-4951-a017-f94ebc80c5d3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727377206"},{"product_id":"dread-bald-head","title":"Dread Bald Head","description":"\u003cp\u003eFormer Customs clerk Roy Reid thrilled the Jamaican music scene as a toaster, his effortless rhymes establishing a reputation on the Supreme Ruler of Sound in his native Spanish Town and later on various Kingston sets, including King Tubby’s. Following a successful phase in London, he returned to Jamaica to record for various producers, having a special connection with chief hit-maker, Bunny Lee; \u003ci\u003eDread Bald Head \u003c\/i\u003eis a rare set from 1976 with Roy toasting at Tubby’s studio over some of Bunny’s hardest Aggrovators rhythms as laid by Tommy McCook and team, originally for Johnny Clarke and Derrick Morgan. Essential listening!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Radiation Roots","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50485306196299,"sku":"2008550","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-1_8ead4ff8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727598302"},{"product_id":"straight-to-the-heart-3","title":"Straight To The Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003eFeaturing the rare 1975 album Truth \u0026amp; Rights – rated “the best deejay LP in a long time” by Carl Gayle in the magazine Black Music, April 1976 – \u003ci\u003eStraight To The Heart\u003c\/i\u003e includes many of I-Roy’s hits from that year plus 4 bonus dub tracks. This set includes some heavy I-Roy songs, filled with improvised humour, infectious rhythms and thought- provoking themes. This 15-tracker features the hit ‘Dread In The West’, a stunning combination of Lee Perry’s terrific rhythm track on ‘Three Blind Mice’ and Roy’s razor sharp social commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Culture Press","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531833807179,"sku":"2206947","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5060767449134_3961c978_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728112623"},{"product_id":"crisus-time-rsd-2026-mc","title":"Crisus Time - RSD 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy in-store on Record Store Day (18\/04\/2026). This product is an RSD Exclusive title and is not available to pre-order.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRemaining stock available online from:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUS - 08:00 EST (19\/04\/2026)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEU - 14:00 CEST (19\/04\/2026)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK - 20:00 BST (20\/04\/2026)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSome titles will sell out prior to online sale and some will only be available in specific regions. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe mic reggae master returns! For the first time ever, I-Roy’s \u003cem\u003eCrisus Time\u003c\/em\u003e comes back to wax — fully remastered and restored to mark 50 years since its original release in 1976. A cornerstone of roots DJ culture, this long-lost treasure now steps forward again in a special anniversary edition made for true reggae heads and vinyl collectors. This exclusive Record Store Day release features a faithful replica of the original 1976 sleeve, plus a new printed inner sleeve with fresh liner notes by acclaimed reggae writer John Masouri and a full-page black-and-white photo of the man I-Roy — a fitting tribute to one of Jamaica’s most original voices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn \u003cem\u003eCrisus Time\u003c\/em\u003e, I-Roy delivers his trademark mix of wisdom, humor, and rebel poetry. From the streetwise sermons of “Hypocrite Blackout” and “Love Your Neighbor” to the Rasta calls of “African Tak” and “Don’t Touch I Man Locks,” he turns everyday truth into lyrical fire. Riding deep dub rhythms, his voice moves between meditation and proclamation — pure word, sound, and power. A true monument of the reggae DJ era, Crisus Time shines again — 50 years on — a timeless celebration of rhythm, roots, and I-Roy’s enduring message.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Charly","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56474835517771,"sku":"R1323-4976","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0nvDkNU0UES6EextOc_9EIimxVG1lM2emVEcFCIl4lA-1920w.jpg?v=1770385367"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/i-roy.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}