‘Black Symbol presents Handsworth Explosion II’ – For Record Store Day 2014
Various Artists – Released 19th April 2014 – Ltd Edition Green Vinyl
   
Black Symbol were always more than a reggae band and although they released their own music on their Black Symbol label, they wanted to support other talented artists in their community and so without any outside help, they used their own money to record, release and distribute two compilations of music from Birmingham's Handsworth area.
The aim of these compilation albums was summed up on the back of “Handsworth Explosion Volume II”: “Handsworth Explosion is a brand new revolutionary idea originated by 'FATMAN' the producer, lead vocalist and founder member of BLACK SYMBOL. The intention of this album is to provide a much needed link between Symbol and other Ghetto bands, to reveal, an as yet, undiscovered talent suppressed by the music machine. The Handsworth Explosion shall open up the eyes and hearts of many, yet it shall explode in the minds of many; this combination of music can only be played in the Ghetto by musicians who live in and bear the weight of their society. Handsworth Explosion sets out not only to satisfy musically, but be an inspiration and revelation.”
This was indeed underground music and it was pretty much ignored by the mainstream when it was released in very small numbers, but for those lucky enough to have found the records, their hearts were indeed opened up to the music within.
Now, more than thirty years after the music was recorded, Reggae Archive Records are delighted to have teamed up with Fatman and  have licensed the entire Black Symbol back catalogue as well as releasing the new Black Symbol album “Journey” on our sister label Sugar Shack Records. We plan a comprehensive reissue campaign throughout the coming year, including a combined CD release for both volumes of “Handsworth Explosion”, but to kick things off we are doing a very limited vinyl edition of “Handsworth Explosion II” for Record Store Day 2014.
Musically, this is a straight reissue with the same 10 tracks from Black Symbol, Benjamin Zephaniah, Mystic Foundation, Man from the Hills and Black Knight, a musical time capsule of talent from inner city Birmingham at the start of the 1980s, a very different time but one that still resonates today.
One thing we have changed is the sleeve design, with Fatman's blessing and in keeping with the original; we have commissioned a new illustration from Nick Darby and hopefully rectified the one weakness of the original release.
This slice of Handsworth reggae, Birmingham reggae, and British reggae has always deserved wider exposure and it's a real privilege for Reggae Archive Records to team up with Fatman and ensure the music reaches a new worldwide audience, an audience that it always deserved.
With original copies rarely appearing and fetching three figures, this is a great opportunity to grab an affordable new copy of one of the rarest UK reggae albums and something that will appeal to all fans of roots reggae. “Handsworth Explosion Volume II” will be available from participating retailers on Record Store Day 2014, April 19th in a strictly limited edition, it won't be repressed again on vinyl.
www.reggaearchiverecords.com 
ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: ‘Black Symbol presents Handsworth Explosion II’
RELEASE DATE: 19th April 2014  
LABEL / DISTRIBUTION: Reggae Archive Records / Shellshock
FORMAT:  Strictly Limited Edition LP
CAT NO / BARCODE: RARC012V - 5052571055014 
DOWNLOAD LINK (For review purposes only): 
WEBSITE: www.reggaearchiverecords.com
PRESS CONTACT: Mike Darby, E: mike@reggaearchivercords.com  T: 07885 498 402      

S-a-N Ltd | PR | Booking Agency | Record label | Registered in England No. 5171652652
Side A

1.	Stop The War                     Benjamin Zephaniah                      5.17
2.	Redemption Day              Man From The Hills                         3.13
3.	Life In The Ghetto           Mystic Foundation                          3.37
4.	Feeling Is Irie                     Black Symbol                                      2.52
5.	Lets Make Up                    Black Knight                                        3.19

Side B

1.	Trouble Trouble                Black Symbol                                      5.05
2.	Unite Handsworth           Benjamin Zephaniah                      4.05
3.	How Long                            Man From The Hills                         3.10
4.	Handsworth                       Mystic Foundation                          3.37
5.	Feeling                                 Black Knight                                        3.36



Black Symbol - Feeling Is Irie

I'm Alive - Danny Red
Push Push - Al Campbell
Stay in My Corner - Dennis Brown
Door Peep - Burning Spear
Reggae-Lution - The Mighty Diamonds
Can't Give Up - Mr Dallas
I Love King Selassie - Black Uhru
Unite Handsworth - Benjamin Zephaniah
Proud Is Babylon - Payoh Soul Rebel 
We Rule - Anthony Johnson
Show Some Love - Michael Prophet
Buss Off Head - Dennis Brown
Jahovah - Danny Red
Meltdown - Robert Lee
Thruth & Rights - Ramon Judah
Social Living - Burning Spear
Revlolution - Donovan Kingjay
Jah Glory - Thrid World
Unity - Horace Martin
Hills Man - Danny Red
Ku Klux Klan - Steel Pulse
Political - Musical Youth
Battlefield - Robert Lee
Slavery Days - Burning Spear
Cool & Calm - Israel Vibration
Give Jah The Glory - Freddie McGregor
Jam Session - The Mighty Diamonds
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (live) - Michael Rose 
Glor to the Kings - Groudation
Won't Give up the Fight - Twighlight Circus

MDJ - Roots Reggae - 8-8-2020

ROOTS LOCKDOWN Mix - Revolutionary Songs !✌!  ALL British Roots Reggae Mix spanning from 1976 to 2020 !✌! TURN UP THE BASS !✌!

Tracklisting :-
1. Bun Dem - Steel Pulse [1997]
2. Fa-Ward - Groundation [2014]
3. Equalisation - Capital Letters [2016]
4. None a Jah Jah Children - Black Symbol [2015]
5. Ruled By The Stone - Sledge Hammer [2016]
6. Hear Talk Of Inflation - Cimarons [1976]
7. Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem) - Linton Kwesi Johnson [1979]
8. Instruments - Mystic Foundation [2015] 
9. Unite Handsworth - Benjamin Zephaniah [2015]
10. Through His Eyes - Sandra Cross [2020]
11. Doun Di Road - Linton Kwesi Johnson [1979]
12. Two Sevens Clash (John Peel Session) - Culture [JA] [1988]
13. Follow Fashion - Misty In Roots [1983]
14. In Time - Sandra Cross [2014]
15. Mr. Workhard - Carnastoan [2015]
16. Dim the Light - Cimarons [1976]

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE SONGS ON THIS MIX.

xXx