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Can't Let You Go: Early Digital and Roots Reggae Heartbreakers w/ Spud Roots
Can't Let You Go: Early Digital and Roots Reggae Heartbreakers w/ Spud Roots
04.05.23 · Bristol

Can't Let You Go: Early Digital and Roots Reggae Heartbreakers w/ Spud Roots

This mix is a selection of some of my favourite early digital roots reggae records from JA, UK, US and CA, dealing with love, lost-love and heartbreak in a melancholic fashion. The minor-key “roots” sound exemplified in this mix has always been what has drawn me to reggae music, whether singers talk about the enslavement of their African descendants, or the racism suffered by Jamaicans who experienced racism after moving to the UK. Whilst this minor key style is more easily seen in these more 'roots' centric topics, it is often used in reggae tracks dealing with love and heartbreak, and I hope I have conveyed this in this mix. I hope you enjoy this mix as much as these records give me solace, despite their melancholy nature.

For the nerds: The last (and title track fro this mix) is from 1975 so has nothing to do with the early digital sound, but it was too beautiful not to include in the mix!

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This mix was made by an NTS listener like you, for Supporter Radio: Heartbreak. Be the first to know about the next series of Supporter Radio and submit your own mix for playout by signing up as an NTS Supporter.

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Tracklist

  • J. Delgado 
    Loving You Girl
  • Inspired Children 
    Lonely Feeling
  • Barrington Levy 
    Open Book
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  • Linval Stanley 
    I Need Your Company
  • Tamlins
    Real Love
  • Struggle 
    If You Love Me

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  • Blue
    Love Affair
  • Gideon Walker 
    My Feelings
  • Cornell Campbell 
    Part Time Loving
  • J. Osbourne 
    Kiss Somebody
  • Freddie McKay 
    Where Have You Been
  • Valerie Stuart
    Flirt
  • Paula Clarke
    Heartbreaker
  • Humry Hartman 
    Will You Be There
  • Levi Ruby
    Misty Morning
  • Red Hot 
    Letter To My Baby
  • Taxman 
    Tina
  • Michael Ellis 
    Memories Of You (Lover's Cut)
  • Bridie Stewart 
    Can't Let You Go

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