Description
Release Date Friday 24th April 2026
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection on that day.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: THE LONG-LOST RECORDINGS OF BIRMINGHAM ROOTS
REGGAE PIONEERS NATRUS
Mastered 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.
Comprising 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.
With 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).
Featured 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.
When 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.
As 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for looking at our listing, below are a few points to consider before making a purchase:
- All records we sell are Brand New - pre-orders will normally come sealed but if you are purchasing in stock items, please note the copy may have been unsealed for display in the shop. Please email straight after purchase to enquire if this is of importance to you.
- Orders won't ship until all items are released, so keep this in mind when purchasing multiple pre-orders or a mix of in stock and pre-order items.
- The 'Product' page will show the most up to date info we have with regards to the item and its release date, but this information is subject to change so check in with us if you have any questions.
- We unfortunately don't offer tax/vat outside of the UK via the website so please keep in mind that when the items arrives in your country you may be liable to pay a further charge before delivery. (all UK orders the price you see is the price you will pay). Please also note that we are unable to adjust the declared value on items sold internationally.
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.