John Masouri

Many thanks to Jamz Supernova for being the perfect host on her Radio 6 Music show, broadcast on 18 February 2026.

This is the official launch of the Steppin' Razor Remaster edition, where I shall joined by Don Letts and host DJ Danniella Dee at SJQ in Dalston, London N16.

On 12 March I'll be at the Con Club in Lewes, East Sussex celebrating the life and times of Jamaica's most controversial reggae starr, Peter Tosh, and the launch of a revised edition of my Peter Tosh biography Steppin' Razor. It'll be an evening of music, film and lively discussion, hosted by Brighton Radio Reverb presenter Mark Johnson, and featuring stories galore about the charismatic Bush Doctor.

Echoes celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and this is the first issue of 2026. The reggae content includes an obituary of Third World guitarist Cat Coore centred around tales of he and the band's early years; a trip round the UK reggae scene circa 1976; the story of Randys (forerunner of VP Records) and the usual pages of singles and album reviews. As well all the essential soul and jazz happenings of course...

I've always enjoyed writing for the German publication Riddim, which has long led the field of specialist publications across Europe. My contribution to this issue was a lengthy feature on Jamaican artist Keznamdi, currently celebrating his latest album Bl**d & Fyah.

This month's Echoes, the last of the year, has my tribute to the late, great Jimmy Cliff; a feature on Naya Rockers and a Round-Up Of The Year looking back on the highs and lows of 2025. It was a tumultous year for the music in so many ways, culminating in the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa and the sterling efforts to raise funds for the island's reconstruction.