Pressure Sounds discography

Pressure Sounds started off as a subsidiary of On-U Sound run by Adrian Sherwood's long term associate Pete Holdsworth but quickly became a self-supporting label in its own right. The labels brief is to select, revive and re-release quality, hard-to-find reggae from the golden era of the genre.

In particular releases are often from the lesser known labels, artists or producers in order to present the freshest material and to give a broader range of coverage. It also sometimes means that completely unreleased material comes to the surface or product makes it onto CD for the first time ever. Maximum Pressure is a sub-imprint and collaboration between Pressure Sounds and Frenchie of the label Maximum Sound to reissue more modern (post 1985) productions.

The label is very much run by reggae enthusiasts for reggae enthusiasts with each album release accompanied by detailed, informed sleeve notes giving historical background together with period photos. The occasional Sounds & Pressure CD-only samplers present a mixture of new material and selections from other catalogue releases.

Detailing the original artists and producers behind Pressure Sounds releases is largely beyond the scope of this website and notes will remain deliberately brief except to note where there is crossover On-U Sound interest. It is also clear that re-working of rhythms commonly takes place within these releases, but once again only rhythms related to On-U Sound are noted for simplicity.

In summary, Pressure Sounds pays tribute to those who made ground breaking and quality reggae music in their day and who inspired the likes of Adrian Sherwood in the roots revival that continues to this day.