Seven years ago independent record stores came together forming a campaign that since 2008 has created a buzz of awareness to inform the media, an more importantly the music loving public that brick-n-mortar record stores were not ready to fade away to the digital age. On Saturday April 19th, National Record Store Day is celebrating once again, inviting music lovers out for in-store performances & exclusive releases.
A day for the people who surround the world of the record store, the staff, the customer and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently-owned stores play in their communities and the music industry. Special vinyls, CDs and various promotional products are made exclusively to be released that day by hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe. For a full list of Record Store Day Releases head to RecordStoreDay.com
Every year the event produces a ton of limited releases from so many beloved artists in every genre, including a few excellent tracks from the best in Reggae-Rock. Last year, Reggae label, VP Records unleashed four vinyl selections for the unofficial holiday, including Barrington Levy classics from 1979-1984 entitled “Sweet Reggae Music”, two reissues of rare dub sessions including Winston Edwards’ “Natty Locks Dub” and King Tubby & Lee Scratch Perry’s “King Tubby Meets The Upsetter At the Grass Roots of Dub” and a picture disc single for Little John’s “Clarks Booty” (dye cut in the shape of a Clarks desert boot).
[Related: National Record Store Day: 4/21/2013]
The year before delivered exclusive vinyl releases from 311, Slightly Stoopid, The Expendables, The Green, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Peter Tosh
[Related: National Record Store Day: 4/21/2012]
This year be sure to head down to the record store to pick up specialty releases from Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Osbourne, Fishbone, Lionize and 311!
Following a severn year hiatus, Manchester’s reggae and dub record label, Blood And Fire Records, with VP Records will be releasing a limited edition 12″ Vinyl for Record Store Day. The pressing features Gregory Isaacs’s 1977 roots classic “Mr. Know It All.” Recorded at the legendary Channel One Studio and expertly produced by Ossie Hibbert the track captures The Revolutionaries at their creative peak. On the b-side, the devastating Sly Dunbar propelled “War Of The Stars” dub.
Recorded at Channel One and mixed at King Tubby’s for the first time Greensleeves and Greensleeves Dub Master labels issues a 12″ of Johnny Osbourne “Give A Little Love.” This limited Record Store Day pressing is available on collectable red, green or gold colored vinyl. The release is completes with two previously unreleased dubs showcasing Roots Radics in full effect with Scientist at the controls.
On April 19th, the still red hot LA group, Fishbone will release a reissue of their classic first album. Available for the first time on LP in nearly 30 years the 12″ record Contains their hit singles “UGLY,” “Party at Ground Zero” and “Lyin Ass Bitch.” On April, 22nd Fishbone will also release a brand new 5-song EP titled Intrinsically Intertwined.
April 19th marks a momentous event for Lionize as it will be the group’s first time participating in the global event, not only representing Weathermaker Music, but also sharing a Split 7″ with Clutch. The A-side features a brand new Clutch tune recorded with J.Robbins , while the B-side features a unreleased lionize song produced by Machine and Jean-Paul Gaster, producers of Lionize’s lasted release, the scortching Jetpack Soundtrack. Go out and pick up a copy, only 3,000 are available world wide.
Following the recent release of their 11th studio record, Sterolithic, as a Record Store Day first release, 311 will drop their self-titled 311 album as well as Evolver on vinyl. The self-titled album or “The Blue Album” includes 311 favorites “Down,” “All Mixed Up” and “Don’t Stay Home,” while Evolver, 311 7th studio album features the hit
Everyone at The Pier are all fans of music, be it Reggae or any other genre and we strongly encourage you to show support for your local record store. Each Record Store across the globe will have its own incentives, deals & exclusives. If you’re not sure if there’s a record store near you or what deals they’re offering, for a list of participating stores check out recordstoreday.com. Please notice that not all record stores will carry all releases that drop on Record Store Day. Be sure to check with the local store to see what releases they will have in stock.
Let us know in the comments below which Record Store near you, that you will be supporting. Or let us know on The Pier’s Facebook or Twitter
Article By: Aaron Solomon