Roots reggae gems from U Brown's Hit Sound label resurface

Here's the scoop...

Following Soul Revivers release of their acclaimed album "Holding It Down," co-founding member David Hill has assembled the special archival compilation Soul Revivers in the Vaults of Hit Sound, Vol. 1 (out Friday, November 13 via for Acid Jazz Records' subsidiary label Roots Records), showcasing the work of roots and dancehall pioneer U Brown and his Hit Sound Label.

Huford Brown aka U Brown

Huford Brown, under his performing name U Brown, was one of a new generation of reggae MCs who emerged in the late 1970s, building on the success of the pioneers of the game, most notably Daddy U Roy.

He was a well-known figure, who was early on signed to Richard Branson’s Virgin Frontline label, recording at both Channel One and King Tubby’s with many of the island’s top musicians. At the same time, he set up his own Hit Sound label, where he recorded soulful roots recordings that built on a young man’s deep love of reggae’s at-the-time short history, while also moving into the emerging sounds of dancehall.

David Hill from Soul Revivers has put together this fantastic compilation, showcasing the very best of U Brown’s production output, which appeared on a number of labels, including Hit Sound and Tanka. This is the first compilation of Brown's work to appear on vinyl and includes previously-unreleased dubplate mixes of cuts by Al Campbell, including his classic ‘Give The People’, which is available with pre-order.

The album also features under-recorded vocalist Vincent Taylor, the legendary vocalist Delroy Wilson, with two rare 12-inch cuts, the lilting instrumental sound of Bobby Ellis & Deadly Headly, and the dancehall classic by Carlton Livingstone ‘Hey Mr DJ’.

This is the sound of a young producer hustling to get heard in the over-crowded Jamaican record scene. Many of these records sunk from trace at the time, but listened to today, stand up with the very best. 

Get a copy of Soul Revivers In The Vaults of Hit Sound, Vol. 1 via Bandcamp right here. Read a Reggae Vibes interview with U Brown right here. Listen to some of U Brown's top tunes right here. 

Soul Revivers in the Vaults of Hit Sound, Vol. 1

1. Al Campbell - Give The People (Dubplate Vocal Mix) 

2. Al Campbell - Give The People (Dubplate Dub Mix)

3. Delroy Wilson - You Never Get Away

4. Vincent Taylor - There's Much More To Life

5. U Brown - Love Me Want

6. Al Campbell - Don't Cry

7. Delroy Wilson - I Must Get You Baby

8. Crucial Bunny - Gas Balloon

9. Bobby Ellis & Deadly Headley - Blow Your Balloon

10. Carlton Livingstone - Hey, Mr. Dee Jay

Midweek Mixdown: Guitarist Charlie Parr spins some faves

Guitarist Charlie Parr – who plays the Horseshoe on Nov 20 – picks his favourite tracks from the archive of Smithsonian Folkways. 

Here's the scoop...

We’ve got a special mix from Duluth-based singer/guitarist Charlie Parr for the latest Smithsonian Folkways show on NTS Radio. Tune in to hear a selection of songs that Charlie likes from our vast collection, featuring recordings of Cat Iron, Roscoe Holcomb, Harry McClintock, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rahim AlHaj, Woody Guthrie, and more.

You can listen back to the archived show here: nts.live/shows/smithsonian-folkways

Parr’s new album ‘Rooming House’ is out now: folkways.si.edu/charlie-parr/rooming-house 

Catch Charlie Parr live with Maisy Owen in Toronto at The Horseshoe Tavern on Friday, November 20th. Tickets are available right here. Check the rest of his tour dates following a few performance clips below. 

Rachel Lichtman's Programme 4 television event @ Paradise Theatre, November 12

Video director Rachel Lichtman brings her Programme 4 television event – with Joe Pernice – to T.O. on Thursday, November 12!

Programme 4 at the Paradise Theatre

with guests: Joe Pernice, Aurora Browne, Kris Siddiqi, Mike Evin

Paradise Theatre (1006c Bloor Street West, Toronto)

Thursday, November 12, 2026

7 pm to 10 pm

Escape to the hilariously switched-on world of Programme 4, the groovy, feature-length “broadcast” from the Botany 500 Age of Television. Transmitting surreal local programming from the wall-to-wall carpeted dimension of Golden Sands — exclusively screened in-person at Toronto's Paradise Theatre for your analog pleasure with Programme 4 creator Rachel Lichtman. Plus special guest stars Joe Pernice, Aurora Browne, Kris Siddiqi and Mike Evin on the Fender Rhodes electric piano! This is simply an unmissable happening! Advance tickets are $28.25... get 'em right here.  

Programme 4 is more than just a collection of too-great-to-be-true TV shows, razor sharp send-ups of local commercials, interstitials and mind-blowing title sequences elevated to their own deserving art forms. From cinemas to star-studded variety showcases, it’s a live, anything-can-happen happening. Featuring special guest stars, Rhodes pianos, musical guests, surprise walk-ons, talk show-style discussions, & more! Programme 4 is unlike anything happening today. It’s an in-person experience that invites you to tune in, turn on and connect with like-minded people in a mellow environment that is conducive to discovering and savouring art with unbroken attention.

Each Programme 4 show is unique, custom-tailored for its host city and featuring local celebs and artists, adding to the local-TV vibe of the Programme 4 “telecasts.” The list of luminaries involved in the switched-on, immersive world of Golden Sands includes Dave Gruber Allen, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Mitch Easter, Dave Foley, Jay Gonzalez, Dana Gould, Juliana Hatfield, Bill Janovitz, Mikael Jorgensen, Dag Juhlin, Josh Kantor, Rich Koz, Jon Langford, Ted Leo, Aimee Mann, Michael McKean, Eugene Mirman, Chris Murphy, Joel Murray, Patton Oswalt, Joe Pernice, Michael Penn, Pat Sansone, The Sklar Brothers, Michael Spicer, Tammy Faye Starlite, Kelley Stoltz, Sean Wolcott, Jon Wurster & many more! 

Watch the Programme 4 "Make The Scene" Fall Preview trailer followed by an interview with Rachel Lichtman conducted by Mark Caro for Caro Pop below. You can also read Jason Scott's think piece The Browner World: In The Realm of Programme 4 right here. Watch a rave review of the current touring show from Patton Oswalt recently posted on FB right here. 

Erika Werry launches new "Pick It Up" album @ The Bell & Beacon, Nov 12

Michael Bennett, Adam Lawryshyn & Adam Warner (not shown) will be accompanying Erika Werry with Freeman Dre opening at 9 pm.   Photo: Susy G

Sez Erika:

This Thursday!!! November 12th The Bell and The Beacon room with the gregarious Freeman Dre playing a rare solo set to kick us off. WE ARE BRINGING THE VINYL TO THE BEACON. This is my first release ever on vinyl so please come to hear the songs and say hello to the band: Dean Drouillard, Adrian Lawryshyn, Michael Bennett, and the lovely Adam Warner on drums. It will be a grand time with Jack Larmet and Maggie Ruhl. 
 

Listen to Erika Werry's new "Pick It Up" album via Bandcamp right here. 

Erika Werry – Pick It Up

1. Pokerface 3:34

2. Cruisin' for a Bruisin' 3:09

3. Quest for Joy 3:18

4. Tongue Tied 4:15

5. Short Circuit 3:48

6. Pick It Up 2:18

7. Overshoe Shooter blues 2:25

8. The Muse 3:28

9. Doldrums 3:55

10. Last Moves 3:06

11. To Start 3:25

12. Short Circuit Alt. version

Credits:

Erika Werry's "Pick It Up" album was produced and mixed by Dean Drouillard. Joining Erika Werry (acoustic guitar, lead vocal) is Adrian Lawryshyn (double bass), Michael Bennett (guitar, harmonica),  Adam Warner (drums, percussion), with backing vocals contributed by Mark Rainey and Rebecca Campbell. All songs written by Erika Werry ("wanderlust" rap by Mike Bennett). Thanks to Dean also for playing guitars and sundry instruments, but not too many. Engineered by Tim Vesely over a over a couple days of recording at Toronto's Woodshed studio. Mastered by Joao Carvalho 2026. Cover art: Gavin McDonald, cover photo: Ingram Barss.

B-Side Wins Again: Dave Berry

Check out "Don't Give Me No Lip Child" by Dave Berry – with Jimmy Page on guitar – later covered by the Sex Pistols.. 

Remembering Pretty Things frontman Phil May on his birthday

Remembering the legendary Phil May with a few stellar Pretty Things performances and his Electric Banana recordings.  

Jaymz Bee's epic feature film "MagicLand" screens @ The Fox Theatre, Monday

Jaymz Bee's MagicLand – starring Irene Torres – is screening at the Fox Theatre tonight, at the Royal on Wednesday and The Redwood on November 20. 

Here's the scoop...

MagicLand, The first feature film from Toronto’s own Jaymz Bee (co-directed with Jason J. Brown and co-written with poet Robert Priest), is a joyful, all-ages musical fantasy bursting with colour, comedy, and songs spanning every style imaginable.

When Athena, goddess of wisdom, falls for a handsome mortal poet, she trades her immortality for a shot at human love and slides down a rainbow into MagicLand, a whimsical realm full of scheming leprechauns, singing sirens, a grumpy cyclops, a lovable ogre named Oggie, and a kindly wizard. But when she finally meets the man of her dreams, Athena discovers the greatest magic of all is simply being yourself.

Starring Irene Torres and featuring local heroes including Barbra Lica, Denielle Bassels, Lori Cullen, Jef Farquharson, and many more, MagicLand is a homegrown love letter to Toronto’s music and arts community, and a big-hearted adventure for the whole family.

Get advance tickets from The Fox Theatre (2236 Queen St. East) right here. Watch the trailer below. Note: This screening is a rental. Regular pricing and discounts do not apply. For more information about Jaymz Bee's activities, visit his site: https://jaymzbee.com/news/.