Stop That Train, an Update

If you read my post about the Stop That Train Rhythm last year, you might be interested to know that Ernie B's has some of those tracks in stock on 45 really cheap... Take my advice, Act now:

Stop That Train by Keith and Tex on Trojan imprint.

Cool Breeze by Big Youth on Big Youths own label Negusa Negast.

These are re-issues, but you never know when the stock will dry up.

Hit The Road Jack by Big Youth

Hit The Road Jack by Big Youth is just one of those songs... No matter what my mood, when I hear it, it makes me feel just great. I picked up a well worn Jamaican jukebox 45 of it about a year ago, and its by far one of my favorite songs by Big Youth. It was released in 1976 and recorded over the riddim "Love Me forever" originally by Carlton & The Shoes... Big thanks to the YouTube comments for clueing me into that. That said, I don't believe Big Youth is toasting over the actual original recording, but someone else's version. If anyone knows who's version this is, Please post in the comments.

The Tune:

The Original Riddim:

Stop That Train: Updated

Stop That Train by Keith & Tex, according to the amazing music shop Ernie B's, is a mid tempo reggae track recorded in 1967 for Trojan Records. Originally done by the Spanishtonians (AKA the Spanish Town Skabeats) in 1965 and released on Blue Beat, the later Keith & Tex recording has been used as a backing rhythm in a number of fantastic DJ versions. As good as Keith and Tex track is, two of the DJ cuts manage to surpass the original.

Draw Your Brakes by Scotty appeared on the famous The Harder They Come soundtrack. Starting out with a DJ call "Forward..." and with the addition of some minor percussion and delay, this track really helps bring attention to the rhythm its self. The guitar and break towards the end of the track never fails to bring the song home.

Cool Breeze by Big Youth starts much like the Scotty version, but is more aggressive with dropping the vocals in and out of the mix. Originally done in 1972 for the Crystal and Green Door labels, this track is an excellent example of the blue print that would soon be exported to America, quickly becoming Hip Hop. Taking an existing track and adding vocals to produce something new had been done in Jamaica for years, but this track in particular is a shining example of the art.

According to Google Analytics, lots of people come here looking for the original Spanishtonians track... Well this guy has it, so enjoy:



And for that matter, here is Cool Breeze by Big Youth and Draw Your Brakes by Scotty: