A foundational roots reggae document returns with a new limited edition vinyl reissue by Lantern Records.
Originally released in 1975, Dread In Session is a landmark in the evolution of UK reggae, produced by the legendary British-Caribbean producer Clement “Clem” Bushay. This rare compilation captures a crucial moment when Jamaican musical sensibilities were being reinterpreted through a diasporic lens—ushering in the UK roots and dub era that would influence sound system culture for decades to come.
Bushay, often credited with shaping the early British reggae sound, assembled an elite lineup for this release, including guest musicians Ken Boothe, Delroy Washington, Bob Davis, Gene Rondo, and former members of the Cimarons. Some of the recordings were engineered at the legendary Black Ark Studios in Jamaica by none other than Lee “Scratch” Perry, lending the album a raw dubwise texture that merges UK grit with Jamaican mysticism.
Culturally, Dread In Session stands at the intersection of migration, identity, and resistance. Released during a time of social unrest and racial tension in Britain, it gave voice to the Afro-Caribbean youth experience in the UK—providing sonic ammunition for sound systems like Jah Shaka, Sir Coxsone Outernational, and Saxon Sound, which dominated community centers and blues dances.
It is recommended for fans of King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, Dennis Bovell, UK roots/dub collectors, sound system selectors, and anyone exploring the diasporic roots of reggae culture.
