Natrus (Self Titled) Vinyl LP 2026

Tracklist:

1. Mash It (ft. Ranking Glad (Stone)
2. Freedom Inna Babylon
3. Don’t Cry (Never Gonna Run)
4. Free At Last
5. Come From Africa
6. Time Has Come
7. Free At Last Dub
8. Don’t Cry (Never Gonna Run) Dub

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: THE LONG-LOST RECORDINGS OF BIRMINGHAM ROOTSREGGAE PIONEERS NATRUSMastered from the original tapes by Guy Davie at ElectricNeedle Mythology, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster PetePaphides, is thrilled to announce the archival release of newly-discovered recordings byBirmingham reggae band Natrus.Comprising members of the same family – seven in total – Natrus were a ubiquitouspresence 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 SugarMinott, Johnny Osbourne and Freddie McKay.With an age span ranging from 9 to 25, NATRUS’S live work had to be structured around theeducational obligations of their younger members. But when they weren’t playing live, theywould 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 thoughtlost 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 reelsfeaturing 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 stunnedto hear of their existence. After a meeting with Taylor and his siblings, Needle Mythologycollaborated 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’ includea superb version of Slim Smith’s The Time Has Come and the deep roots entreaties ofFreedom 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 thethe 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 limitededition 10-inch dub plate on the specially-created Roots Mythology imprint featuring artworkunique to this release.