The Label Fable

BLOOD AND FIRE Maybe too glib to say doing for ‘70s reggae what Kent did for ‘60s soul, but could be the case. Anyone can arrange to re-release classic sounds, but it takes a certain amount of diligence and vision to get it right. Blood And Fire releases are exquisitely packaged (with designs by Intro) and come with scholar notes by Steve Barrow or a similarly sage figure. There is an argument that if you have half a dozen ‘70s dub collections you’ve enough to keep you going. However, every now and then, I have to dabble in the delights of a Blood And Fire release, and they’ve yet to disappoint. Honourable mentions should go to Pressure Sounds, out of the On-U stable, who are doing a similarly fine salvage job, though certainly have yet to get it as aesthetically right as Blood And Fire.

IMPULSE!