Echoes, April 2024

This month's reggae cover stars are UB40, currently celebrating their 45th Anniversary with the brand-new album UB45 - the band's first full-length set to feature Matt Doyle's lead vocals and songwriting skills. The other main reggae article places Jamaican singer Jah Lil in the spotlight, whilst my monthly Vibes column discusses new books written by Ray Hurford (Rhythmwise 3&4) and Adam Reeves, whose Trombone Man: Ska's Fallen Genius is a fabulous comic book about the early life of Don Drummond. We also offer a sneak preview of a forthcoming official Mikey Dread biography called Love The Dread co-authored by his widow Monika Campbell, due to be published later this summer.

Elsewhere there are reviews of new albums by Earl Sixteen, Prince Fatty (Artikal Intelligence), Ras Teo (Ion Man) and Exco Levi, whilst Run The Track has fresh singles releases by the likes of Shenseea & Masicka, Sean Paul & Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Aleighcia Scott, Iotosh, Namaan & Alborosie, Sevana and Inna Vision featuring Gappy Ranks.