The Del.icio.us user copeseticsoundsystem has some top quality reggae links... Which led me to the coolest site of the night, a collection of Jamaican record label art! It's loaded with scans of 45 labels, and has a darn fine mission:
"We don't intend the site to be an exhaustive discography of single releases, there are plenty of those to be bought from the bookseller or found for free on the Net. Instead we both thought it was about time for an online version of a coffee table book; glossy and thin on information but thick on indulgence. In short pure eye candy, nothing more. There are enough weighty tomes available to the serious collector, so go make yourself a long cool cocktail and treat yourself to some pure pleasure."
Looks like Alton Ellis Passed away last Saturday. 2008 is turning into a sad year, with the loss of Joe Gibbs in Februrary. Here is an article about it in the Jamaica Gleaner.
If you are interested in reading about reggae, it doesn't take too long before you run into quotes from an early reggae 'zine called Small Axe. Edited by Ray Hurford it was published between 1978 and 1989, and again during the 1990's. This publication has some fantastic interviews and information that goes much more in-depth that what you normally expect from a zine. It appears that some of the articles were collected and reprinted in several books, but I didn't have much luck finding copies for sale online. What I DID find online was a selection of articles on a site called Small Axe - The Annex. Since I found the site a few weeks ago, it has been updated, so obviously new material is being written... And it looks like they have a band as well called Small Axe People.
I just stumbled across a blog called "Who Cork The Dance?" that collects classic sound system tapes. Lots of stuff from the 1980's and a the late 1970's. Many great names are here, Channel One and Jah Shaka were the first things to catch my eye. Lots to enjoy here.
While researching the first recording studio in Jamaica, I ran across 2003 article in the Jamaica Gleaner about Ken Khouri who founded Federal Records in the early 1950's. He was there in the beginning, and remains a largely unsung pioneer. Federal Records was eventually bought by Tuff Gong Records after Bob Marley's Death.
As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I've been collecting Jah Shaka's records for about 10 years, although I don't have as many as I'd like. My favorites by far are several of the projects that he did in the early 80's with Mad Professor. One jewel in particular is a dub album of Twinkle Brothers cuts from 1982. The album is called Dub Massacre Vol. 1, and its fantastic.
Thanks to YouTube, here is track one, called Jahovah in Dub Majesty and track seven called Kingdom Dub.
From not long after, here is an interview with both Jah Shaka and Mad Professor circa 1985:
If you want more, the reggae 'zine Small Axe published a long interview with Jah Shaka in 1990, which I tracked down online. It's a fascinating read that really helps shed some light on Jah Shaka's approach to both original music and his influential sound system. His discussion at the beginning of the article, about establishing a "sound" for his sound system, is very true to the goal of early sound systems. Originality was a crucial part of the earliest Jamaican sound systems back in the 50's and 60's. At first, this meant playing rare records that other sound systems didn't have, mostly soul and R & B records from the US. Eventually this drive to always have new and specialized music led to recording of local talent. Many early Jamaican recordings were made for specific sound systems so they would have exclusive tracks to play at dances. To the sound system owners, like Coxsonne Dodd, selling the music to the public on 45's was really more of an afterthought.
Rockers is by far my favorite reggae movie, and the Alamo Draft House in Austin is showing it Monday, October 6th, and again on October 13th at 9:30pm. It is a Robin Hood tale set in 1970's Jamaica, and cast is a who's who of Jamaican music from that period. I like it much better that The Harder They Come. If you love reggae music, it is a must-see... and if you love 70's style, well my friend, you will NOT see cooler clothes anywhere.
In my opinion, you will not find a better use for 20 bucks than buying the album King Tubby's in Fine Style... Released in 2004 by Sanctuary/Trojan records, it is an impressive collection of dub versions produced by legendary dub pioneer King Tubby. Highlighted here are some of his more rare cuts along side some undisputed dub classics, such as King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown. This compilation includes versions he created for some of the most famous Jamaican producers of the 70's, including Niney The Observer and Lee Perry. One of my favorites, Black Panta is an amazing track from what is arguably considered the first dub LP, Upsetters 14 Dub Blackboard Jungle aka Blackboard Jungle Dub. And if that wasn't enough, it includes a good dub of the Stalag Riddim, which has been used on countless tracks over the years. If you want to know more about King Tubby, this is the best pace to start. The liner notes are good, and the sound quality is great.
Since Amazon doesn't have previews for this album, here is the itunes link for it... unfortunately they don't have the full album for sale.
I am of the opinion that King Tubby is one of the most important music producers of the 20th century... and this is the only video clip of him that I've ever seen:
