{"title":"U Roy","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-seven-gold-2","title":"The Seven Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe late foundation deejay U-Roy recorded The Seven Gold at Michael Carroll's Creative Sounds Studio in Kingston (with assistance from engineer, and singer \u0026amp; producer in his own right, Paul Davidson) for Prince Jazzbo's Ujama imprint - with the LP then seeing the light of day on the label in 1987, and now a reissue on Death Is Not The End sub-label 333.\n\nIt features the late, great Ewart Beckford appearing on a range of killer Jazzbo-produced late-80s digitap rhythms - from the inspired Replay version on 'Holo Gow', to the updated digital take on the Heavenless rhythm on 'Jah Jah Call You' and his take on Horace Ferguson's Sensi Addict in 'Musikal Addick'. The bulk of these rhythm tracks were performed by revered multi-instrumentalist Tyrone Downie (a long-time member of Bob Marley \u0026amp; The Wailers since the mid 70s) alongside Tony \"Asher\" Brissett - another massively undersung session musician perhaps most notable for laying down the initial Sleng Teng rhythm track for Jammys in 1984.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"333 Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50413804716363,"sku":"2197965","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_ae91b7c1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726677472"},{"product_id":"creation-rebel-rare-sides-by-the-reggae-originator","title":"Creation Rebel Rare Sides By The Reggae Originator","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Limited-Edition vinyl release for RSD Black Friday 2021 celebrates the long and ground-breaking career of the artist who single-handedly created the model for all succeeding reggae DJs, the legendary U ROY.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is impossible to overstate his importance to the history of reggae, representing a status as Louis Armstrong’s lasting influence on Jazz; U Roy’s feat of having the Top 3 best-selling singles at one time in 1970 on the airwaves \u0026amp; in record shops announced the beginning of a long recording and live performance career, known internationally as the ‘Rasta Ambassador’, a status he held until his death in February 2021. Quite simply, U Roy created the template for all those countless Mic MCs who followed his example, from the 1970s to now. Bob Marley was known to not be a fan of the DJ music sweeping the dance in Jamaica, but when asked what he thought of the trend replied “Well…me like U Roy.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePressed on clear vinyl (with liner notes by the noted reggae producer\/historian Leroy Pierson), this compilation includes Roy’s collaborations with the leading vocalists of the day (including Johnnie Clarke, Lee Perry, The Heptones, Slim Smith and others), on his own, now-extremely rare JA-only 45 releases, from the collection on Sound System Records, Foundation Skank . There are also sides from an earlier release on Sound System (out of print on vinyl for 20 years) The Lost Album: Right Time Rockers, cited by the Rough Guide To Reggae as one of its 100 Essential LPs. Chatting as a master jazz scat-vocalist over the rhythms originally cut at the Channel One studio in Kingston for the all-time greatest LP of the vocal group Mighty Diamonds, they give an intimate look at the island’s #1 DJ at the top of his form.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"System Sound","offers":[{"title":"Clear | LP","offer_id":50440392966475,"sku":"1138836","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/bdeee8db-17b1-4553-bfe6-92e49a83979c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726961291"},{"product_id":"solid-gold-u-roy","title":"Solid Gold U-Roy","description":"\u003cp\u003eU-Roy's final full-length, \u003ci\u003eSolid Gold U-Roy.\u003c\/i\u003e The album has become a celebration of one of the most profoundly influential reggae stars of his generation. An originator of the chatty rhythmic vocal style known as toasting — a key foundational element in the development of rap in its nascent stages in the 1970s — U-Roy left behind an unmatched legacy which is clearly on display on \u003ci\u003eSolid gold U-Roy,\u003c\/i\u003e with its guest appearances including Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Mick Jones of the Clash, Santigold, Sly and Robbie, David Hinds of Steel Pulse and more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BMG","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50445830455627,"sku":"1123880","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2d606d83-8dc0-469d-812c-b682022f9d8d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727047056"},{"product_id":"version-galore","title":"Version Galore","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe pioneer of toasting Ewart Beckford, better known by his stage name U-Roy, is a Jamaican vocalist. He was bursting onto the Jamaican scene in the early 1970s with his typical rapping style of singing (toasting) over the rhythms and beats he created. All of a sudden, Jamaica awoke one morning and U-Roy was everywhere. He released his debut album \u003ci\u003eVersion Galore\u003c\/i\u003e in 1970, it consists of his earliest songs, all recorded for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. Most listeners will especially recognize \u003ci\u003eTide Is High\u003c\/i\u003e, originally by the Paragons and recorded later as a 1980 hit by Blondie. Enjoy listening to the way he’s bringing his lyrics all over the record. It’s toasting at best.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Music On Vinyl","offers":[{"title":"Orange | LP","offer_id":50461460332875,"sku":"190048","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Gold LP","offer_id":50461461053771,"sku":"2048062","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/28dd73b3-46aa-42d2-a10d-de3f7aa734aa_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727248698"},{"product_id":"live-in-brighton","title":"Live In Brighton","description":"\u003cp\u003eU Roy had visited Brighton before but there was something special about that balmy night in August 2017, when he walked out on stage at the Komedia to a hero’s welcome and immediately got the crowd cheering and dancing. There was so much warmth and excitement generated that night, and it’s all captured on this final live album of the reggae superstar’s illustrious career.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Global Beats","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50506124132683,"sku":"1133568","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ea99df65-aae7-40d7-983d-1b7e937942ed_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727819344"},{"product_id":"version-galore-expanded","title":"Version Galore - Expanded","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most influential reggae albums of all time. Includes 4 tracks new to CD. The complete Treasure Isle works of a Jamaican legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough largely unreported by the mainstream popular press, 17 February 2021 witnessed the passing of a true great of popular music: Asman Euwart Beckford. Under his stage name of \u003cstrong\u003eU Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e, Beckford revolutionised the Jamaican music industry and in so doing also heavily influenced the development of hip hop, jungle, and grime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1970, the immense popularity of his ground-breaking 7” singles for Treasure Isle boss, Duke Reid popularised DJ recordings, and sparked an explosion of similarly-styled discs, performed by a plethora of established and wanna-be toasters. Over the next year or two, \u003cstrong\u003eU Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e continued to record high quality works for Reid, who gathered many of the DJ’s most popular sides on two best-selling long-players, \u003cem\u003eVersion Galore\u003c\/em\u003e and the eponymously titled \u003cem\u003eU Roy\u003c\/em\u003e, issued in 1971 and 1993, respectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn tribute to the man and his music, both of these seminal collections have finally been brought together, along with the remainder of his Treasure Isle singles and a number of rare alternate takes. These historic recordings, which forever changed the sound of reggae, demonstrate the inimitable style that resulted in \u003cstrong\u003eU Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e becoming the world’s first DJ superstar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Doctor Bird","offers":[{"title":"CD | x2","offer_id":50508087787851,"sku":"1136886","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2c0de75b-e66a-4ff1-838f-0b4dcd0d2a4d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727856063"},{"product_id":"i-am-the-originator","title":"I Am The Originator","description":"\u003cp\u003eKingston Sounds have compiled some of U Roy's best loved cuts from his mid 70's period when all were still looking at him for guidance.  The opening cut Call On Me sees him working over Delroy Wilson's 'Got To Be There'.  You Never Get Away gets U Roy answering Delroy Wison's 'Keep On Rocking'. Johnny Clarke's 'Time Gonna Tell' with rootsy bassline turns into Every Knee Shall Bow. Cornell Campbell the Gorgon himself gets his 'Check Mr Morgon' turned into Gorgon Wise. Johnny Clarke's Hold On gets reworked. Jeff Barnes 'Blowing In The Wind' tuned into Number 1 and alongside King of The Road which sees Lennox Brown blow his saxophone over the instrumental 'In The Swing of Things', was one of U Roys first releases. Linval Thompson's 'Let Jah Arise' is versioned to Joyful Locks. I Originate which lends us to the title of this compilation, says it as it is, a classic built over Dave Barker's 'Shocks of Mighty'. Linval Thompson again provides the backbone with his Cool Down Your Temper cut for U Roys version. The mighty Burning Spear's Creation Rebel although providing our next track, it is Johnny Clarke's version that gets worked over. Leo Graham's 'Birds of A Feather' turns into Stick Together. Soul Syndicates instrumental 'Goliath' grows into Riot. A big hit for Max Romeo Wet Dream sounds great under U Roy's new rendition.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kingston Sounds","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50510909374795,"sku":"2218684","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/KSLP019_1_b956f135_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727881896"},{"product_id":"natty-rebel-black-history-month","title":"Natty Rebel (Black History Month)","description":"\u003cp\u003eU-Roy was a true reggae pioneer, dubbed The Originator for good reason. Bursting onto the Jamaican scene in the early 1970s, he pioneered the vocal approach called toasting, which in addition to bringing Jamaican music into a new era, was also heavily influential on an American vocal style also in its infancy: rapping. A very welcome reissue of the vocalist's 1976 full-length (and fourth) album, \u003ci\u003eNatty Rebel\u003c\/i\u003e, which has been out of print for more than 30 years. Produced by Tony Robinson (known for his work with Big Youth, Lloyd Parks, the Gladiators and many more), the album's 11 cuts range from bouncier and sometimes even disco-tinged grooves \u003ci\u003eHave Mercy, Go There Natty \u003c\/i\u003eand the album lead-off, \u003ci\u003eBabylon Burning \u003c\/i\u003eto the classic roots stepping that drew fans to the legendary Jamaican vocalist over his long career including So Jay Jah Say and Natty Kung Fu. At its core, this is a deep journey into the heart of rasta living, spoken by one of Jamaica s most underrated dub and roots legends, and it's one of the strongest full-lengths in his expansive catalog. Whether you are experiencing U-Roy for the first time, or replacing your decades-old original LP, diving into this reissue of \u003ci\u003eNatty Rebel \u003c\/i\u003eis one hell of a way to spend an afternoon. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMC","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50905734316363,"sku":"1133688","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c06ed99a-eedd-43fa-aced-a9d8d957f642_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732850547"},{"product_id":"wake-the-nation-non-violence-version","title":"Wake The Nation \/ Non Violence (Version)","description":"\u003cp\u003eU Roy’s chart topper of 1970 “Wake The Nation” released with it’s original dub “Non Violence”.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jamaican Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":51246201995595,"sku":"2050021","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/JR7022_698b6d3f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1739233211"},{"product_id":"right-time-rockers-td","title":"Right Time Rockers - RSD 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy in-store on Record Store Day (12\/04\/2025). 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We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO ALL RSD APPROVED TID CUSTOMERS LIMITED EDITION (1,000) VINYL\nU Roy Is Considered To Be The Most Influential DJ In Reggae Music, Since 1970, He Is Considered The Godfather Of Jamaican DJ Music. These Rare Tracks Have Never Been Released On Vinyl In The United States, And Captures Him At The Absolute Peak Of His Career.","brand":"Soundsystem","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56475717370187,"sku":"R4899-9860","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/418467310903_800.webp?v=1770396059"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/u-roy.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}