Poor Mans Friend Records

01/05/2026

Yes Instagram crew — it’s Friday the 1st… you know what that means
A brand new 7” / 45 is now live on our Bandcamp (link in bio).
We’re truly honoured to welcome veteran artist Dennis Walks to the Poor Man’s Friend label. With a career spanning over 60 years — from his early days with Duke Reid in the mid–late 1960s to countless recordings since — Dennis remains a cornerstone of rocksteady and early reggae.
Best known for classics like “Drifter,” “Heart Don’t Leap,” and “Margaret” alongside The Mudies, he brings a signature vocal style shaped by R&B and doo-wop, paired with deeply thoughtful songwriting.
“What A Pressure” is a vibrant, horn-driven early roots cut inspired by the Studio One sound — full of energy, warmth, and authenticity. Backed by rich harmonies and a tight, analog groove, the track is powered by a deep rolling bassline and a saturated rhythm section that nods to Kingston’s golden era.
Dennis’s voice carries both weight and soul, delivering conscious lyrics with urgency and clarity.
This one’s more than a tune — it’s a tribute to the pioneers, the studios, and the timeless spirit that continues to shape reggae music today.
-Out now — tap in via the link in bio.

Photo by
Graphic design by jodihunt

07/04/2026

A huge shout out to everyone that purchased a copy over the weekend. We only have a few copies remaining on Bandcamp now.

Originally the gateman at Jammy’s, Pampidoo released only one album during his fairly short career. The sought after "Governer General" with tracks like "Ghost Buster" and "Dj with the Rockstone Voice". He is arguably the pioneer of one of the modern dancehall styles, with his gravel or rockstone voice influencing artists like Ugly man, B***o Banton and many others.

Blackout JA first recorded for the highly regarded Sky High label in the very early 90's and has had a prolific recording career since. Seamlessly adapting to the changes in the music over the years. An incredibly versatile artist with a super well regarded stage show and presance. It is a honour to finally welcome Blackout to the label.

05/04/2026

Pampidoo Ft Blackout JA – “Jah Jah Move”
(Purchase/streaming links in bio)

We are proud to present our latest release: a strictly limited 7" polyvinyl dubplate (only 25 copies). A true collector’s piece, rooted in sound system culture and the spirit of Reggae and collecting/selecting—where music is not just heard, but held, shared, and preserved.

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know our mission is to record and celebrate iconic and cult artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s. This release continues that journey, bringing together legendary voice Pampidoo with Blackout JA on “Jah Jah Move”—a track that carries the weight, history and authenticity of early dancehall into the present.

There’s a common misconception that successful music must be youth-led. At Poor Man’s Friend, we challenge that idea. In times like these, the voices of wisdom, experience and lived reality are more vital than ever—and they still have so much to say.

This isn’t just a release, it’s a statement: music is timeless, not disposable.

VinylOnly Reggae Dancehall RootsMusic SoundSystemCulture LimitedRelease

04/04/2026

A Brand new release has just hit our Bandcamp (link in comments)

This is the B side of our latest Polyvinyl, an Ethio Jazz influenced Nyahbinghi/horn driven roots cut for all you sound men and women. The A side is a vocal from legendary Pampidoo from the Jammys camp alongside our friend

We have only cut 25 copies and just under half have gone out already! Huge thanks to everyone supporting we are really trying to push foward this year with a release (or two) each month and a super busy events schedule.

Big up all of the incredible players that put this one together .d_oconnell, , and .

#

04/04/2026

A Brand new release has just hit our Bandcamp (link in bio)

This is the B side of our latest Polyvinyl, an Ethio Jazz influenced Nyahbinghi/horn driven roots cut for all you sound men and women. The A side is a vocal from legendary Pampidoo from the Jammys camp alongside our friend

We have only cut 25 copies and just under half have gone out already! Huge thanks to everyone supporting we are really trying to push foward this year with a release (or two) each month and a super busy events schedule.

Big up all of the incredible players that put this one together .d_oconnell, , and .

03/04/2026

29/03/2026

We’ve teamed up with to bring you some killer weekend sessions over the coming months. Our aim is to build something consistent on the south side of Bristol—a regular meeting point for lovers of vintage and revival reggae, powered by strictly vinyl DJs. Expect deep cuts, roots, rocksteady, and conscious sounds, all delivered the way they’re meant to be heard.

There will be food available on site and theres an incredible selection of beers on tap aswell.

Free entry

event

22/03/2026

Our brand new single is now available via Bandcamp (link in Bio)

Last year we travelled to Kingston Jamaica 🇯🇲 to record some of our favourite veteran artists. To say we are huge fans of is possibly an understatement. His album Lambs Bread is possibly the epitome of a great roots album. With a veritable whos who of a line up on the credits. Musicians and producers including King Tubby, Glen Brown, Tommy McCook, Flabba Holt, Carlton Barrett

20/03/2026

Happy Friday everyone!

The team at Poor Man’s Friend Records are proud to welcome the legendary Sylford Walker to the label with a powerful roots debut single: “They Don’t Know.”

True to form, this track delivers exactly what you'd expect — and crave — from one of reggae’s most iconic and unmistakable Rasta voices. A heavily saturated drum and bass groove sets the foundation, locked tight with a tough, swung Nyahbinghi section. The rhythm is sparse but deeply textured, featuring carefully placed guitars, percussion, and saxophone that leave room for the message to breathe.

Low in tempo but loaded with low-end weight, “They Don’t Know” is a roots statement that resonates. Fans of classic conscious anthems like “Babylonians,” “Chant Down Babylon,” and “Africa Homeland” will find themselves right at home.

A heavyweight One Drop. A voice of experience. A message for the times.
Don’t sleep on this one.

Out now via Poor Man’s Friend Records. Catalog number: PMF006.

This one is distributed by

Shoot me a message if you would like to stock this release and aren't currently ordering through them.

Link in Bio to stream and or purchase your copy.

08/03/2026

New T shirts have just hit the Bandcamp (link in bio)

This is a variation on our "classic tee", disstresed Front and back logos sit on a beautiful hand dyed, mid weight (190gsm), organic cotton blank provided by .

Hand printed by locally, this oversized Tee has a modern cut with drop shoulders, a tighter ribbing and a boxy fit. This is a super limited run with an emphasis on quality and sustainability, only 30 available from our Bandcamp or you can message us directly.

Modelled by Bristols own

Photo by

07/03/2026

Brand New Polyvinyl - Available Now (link in Bio)

The crew at Poor Man’s Friend Records are super proud to announce our third dubplate (poly vinyl) release of the year.

We’re especially excited to welcome a brand-new addition to the Poor Man’s Friend roster — the outstanding vocal talent that is Zadio. Bringing a fresh and inspired interpretation to a true soul classic, Zadio delivers a powerful performance that perfectly complements the band’s mid-’70s roots-style cut of Let's Straighten It Out, originally recorded by Latimer and later covered by O.V. Wright.

Pressed as an ultra-limited run of just 35 copies, this dubplate continues our commitment to keeping things special and strictly for the collectors.

Recorded and mixed in the Poor Man's Friend Studio by our house band

Pure roots. Strictly limited. No repress.

Thank you all so much for the support these last two months, we have a packed release schedule and aim to bring you great new music every month! Keep rocking with us guys.

23/12/2025

(WARNING! Obligatory end of year socials post incoming)

Wow, what can we say about 2025....

Highlights include dropping our debut album - Icho Candy & Friends - Pressure Them (give it a listen if you haven't already). Put on a whole heap of events with our extended friends and family. Created and dropped music with some legendary artists, including artists like Cornell Campbell, , The Viceroys, , , , and more.

We did of course do an incredible amount of recording with the ever growing Poor Man’s Friend family, create a ton of awesome merch and have begun preparations for next years releases (first bits landing in Jan....👀)

We also invested in a Lathe, supplied by our good friends over . Expect a crazy amount of music next year.

Thank you all so much for all the support this year, you guys bought lots of records, dubplates and assorted merch. Without you our mission to put out great records with our treasured veteran artists wouldn't be possible. Have a great holiday season and we will.catch up with you in the new year.

Shout out to the whole family, it takes a village.d_oconnell, , , , ,
, . ,
,, and all the other great players of instruments, Djs, singers and assorted creatives.