Scott Monteith aka Deadbeat may be the missing link between house music and its long forgotten dub & reggae roots. Prolific is the least we could say about Deadbeat, with no less than 22 LPs and dozens of EPs and remixes, spread across various genres that somehow all converge to the same point. And it’s this point we’re trying to define through this unique selection of tracks, rooted deep into his reggae universe. Just in time to mark Pressure Double Down EP, released on Echchord earlier in 2025.
Derrick Laro & Trinty – Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough
Whether you are playing a hipster club, wedding, bar mitvah, or an Irish wake, this one is guaranteed to get smiles and deep “wind and grind” on every dancefloor.
Sizzla – Someone Loves You
Voiced on the timeless Sleng Teng riddim, which started the digital dancehall revolution so many moons ago, this cut from the mighty Sizzla is perhaps one of the most joyous versions ever done.
Living Truth – Bongo Natty
A 7 inch I picked up from reggae Don Jesse I in, of all unlikely places, Melbourne Australia many years ago, this rare cut from The Living Truth has truly become one of may favorite roots tunes and just exudes Rasta elation.
I Roy – Fresh and Clean
What more can a Roots lover ask for? Timeless riddim produced by the mighty Niney the Observer, with the Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown on vox, and King Deejay I Roy ‘pon chat? Timeless fi real!!
Barrington Spence – Go Deh Natty
Another slice of pure roots sunshine that never leaves my bag, with a lethal dub on the B side, this one never leaves my 7 inch bag.
Jackie Brown – Lion Head
An amazing, hilarious version built on the Israelites riddim produced by Lee Scratch Perry, which apparently was inspired by an outbreak of food poisoning in Kingston from dumplings made at the Lion Head bakery.
Barrington Levy featuring Beenie Man – Under Mi Sensi
Every reggae/dancehall selector wants to play Under Mi Sensi at some stage during an extended session, but for me, this version is the one most likely to light a fire regardless of when you drop it.
Kingston Allstars featuring Rzee Jackson – Bossman
Top cut from the Kingston Allstars album produced by my brother Mossman who more than anyone in the world schooled me on all things Jamaican music with a wicked and crucial vocal performance from the incredibly under appreciated Rzee Jackson.
LV featuring Errol Bellot – Globetrotting
A secret weapon of mine and an entirely overlooked contribution to the Hyperdub catalog that grumpy OG reggae heads always wrongly assume was produced in the late 70s. ‘Nuff said. This one is just roots glory incarnate.
Mista Savona featuring Lutan Fyah, Cornell Campell, and Prince Alla – 100 Pounds of Collie
Have end not one, but two sets at Waking Festival in Portugal, which is the best festival the world has ever known, and truth be told I may make it a tradition that ALL sets I do there for evermore end with this slice of utter bliss. I challenge anyone not to smile and dance listening to this one.
Don Calros – Lazer Beam
Ultra witty advanced digital vs analog sound clash destroyer, “They want to come on the scene, but they come with M16, so pass me the Lazer Beam, and let me wipe out dem wicked and clean”.
Delroy Wilson – False Rasta (Rascal Man)
A clear message to all the Trustafarians and Jah-fakeins round the globe with Saint Delroy Wilson and Niney the Observer on the desk at the Scratch’s legendary Black Ark Studio.
