{"product_id":"natrus-natrus-lp","title":"Natrus - Natrus - LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eFOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: THE LONG-LOST RECORDINGS OF BIRMINGHAM ROOTS REGGAE PIONEERS NATRUS\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMastered from the original tapes by Guy Davie at Electric Needle Mythology, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster Pete Paphides, is thrilled to announce the archival release of newly-discovered recordings by Birmingham reggae band Natrus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eComprising members of the same family – seven in total – Natrus were a ubiquitous presence of the live circuit within and beyond the West Midlands in the late 1970s. Used as an ad hoc “Wrecking Crew” by local producer and promoter Toney Owens, NATRUS frequently provided live accompaniment to visiting Jamaican artists such as Sugar Minott, Johnny Osbourne and Freddie McKay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith an age span ranging from 9 to 25, NATRUS’S live work had to be structured around the educational obligations of their younger members. But when they weren’t playing live, they would frequently hone their own compositions at Owens’ studio in Saltley, Birmingham. During their collective lifetime, NATRUS released one very limited edition single Mash It, with a stellar guest vocal from deejay Ranking Glad(Stone).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeatured alongside Mash It on this release are a selection of recordings previously thought lost by the group who laid them down. They were only discovered after Toney Owens’ alerted Needle Mythology’s Pete Paphides to the existence of some 60 quarter-inch reels featuring all the music recorded by Owens over a period of ten years or so.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen Paphides finally tracked down NATRUS rhythm guitarist Owen Taylor, he was stunned to hear of their existence. After a meeting with Taylor and his siblings, Needle Mythology collaborated with NATRUS on the restoration and remastering of the tracks featured on this, their very belated debut album.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs well as Mash It and its original flipside Come From Africa, highlights on ‘NATRUS’ include a superb version of Slim Smith’s The Time Has Come and the deep roots entreaties of Freedom Inna Babylon, both showcasing the soulful vocal of lead singer Fitzdonald “Fitz” English and the almost psychic sense of musical attunement that percolates right down the the formidable rhythm section of Beverley Stewart (bass) and Clinton Gordon (drums). Natrus is set for release on vinyl and CD on April 24th. There will also be a strictly limited edition 10-inch dub plate on the specially-created Roots Mythology imprint featuring artwork unique to this release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A :\u003cbr\u003e1. Mash It (ft. Ranking Glad(Stone)) \/ 2. Freedom Inna Babylon \/ 3. Don’t Cry (Never Gonna Run) \/ 4. Free At Last\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide B :\u003cbr\u003e1. Come From Africa \/ 2. Time Has Come \/ 3. Free At Last Dub \/ 4. Don’t Cry (Never Gonna Run) Dub\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"hidden\"\u003eThis item is available for pre-order. It will be available on 07\/17\/2026. \u003cbr\u003eNotice: orders cannot be split into several shipments. Your order will be dispatched when all items are available.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Season of Mist - International","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53871839412567,"sku":"P-173486-","price":33.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/6500\/8471\/files\/Natrus-Natrus-LP-173486-1-1770799671.jpg?v=1782459897","url":"https:\/\/shop.season-of-mist.com\/products\/natrus-natrus-lp","provider":"Season of Mist - International","version":"1.0","type":"link"}