Dancecrasher: A Cool Blog on Jamaican Music...

Dancecrasher is way more than just a music blog, it has label art scans, show listings, interviews from old magazines, and a good bit of info on the latest re-issues.

I'm enjoying reading the "greatest 100 Rocksteady tunes" article now.

New Pressure Sounds Release: Pleasure Dub

I'm so going to get this...

Duke Reid died from cancer in 1974 and his nephew, Errol Brown, who had been a junior engineer at Treasure Isle and who would go on to become one of the key engineers at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio, took over the studio controls. He mixed three dub albums at Treasure Isle that dressed down and dubbed up some of the best of the Bond Street catalogue. Snatches of the original vocals were woven in and out of mixes that sound as fresh and as vital today as they did when they were first released, both in their original sixties incarnations and their seventies counteractions. 'Treasure Dub Volume One' and 'Treasure Dub Volume Two' have been available in various incarnations ever since. However, 'Pleasure Dub', the best of the set featuring Errol Brown's cuts to rock steady classics such as 'The Right Track' by Phyllis Dillon, 'The Tide Is High' and 'Riding On A High & Windy Way' from The Paragons and 'Things You Say You Love' by The Jamaicans has never been re-pressed since its initial release. 'Pleasure Dub' is a record we have wanted to release for a long, long time and we are all delighted to be able to finally add a Treasure Isle album to the Pressure Sounds catalogue.

Pressure Sounds, started in 1994, is up there with Blood and Fire and Soul Jazz, producing some of the best Reggae re-issues available. It is affiliated with Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sounds.

I found a review of Pleasure Dub Here.

Stop That Train by the Spanishtonians

So, Lots of people have been coming to my blog looking for Information on the Spanish Town Skabeats A.K.A The Spanishtonians because of my post last year about my 2 of my favorite tracks on the Stop That Train Rhythm. Well now you can enjoy the original:

Small Axe Files on Dee Jays...

I've been digging around on the Small Axe web site again, and found a fantastic "top 100" guide to reggae DJ's. It was written in 1992, and goes all the way back to the early 1960's. For each entry, it has an excellent although really short summery of each artist, and a crucial track or LP to look for. Here is what they say about it:

It is not a history of DJ's, the amount of information needed for something like that is not at the moment available. Its purpose is to act as a guide to all the major DJ's over the last 30 or so years.

...and since I'm on an I-Roy kick, here is that entry:

I.ROY

Roy Reid, While working on his own sound Son's Junior. He was discovered by Harry Mudie in Spanish Town. With Harry Mudie he had a big hit ›Drifter‹ released in 1971. While Gussie Clarke produced his classic ›Presenting‹ LP [Trojan] in 1973.

Thanks for all this work, Ray.

More On I-Roy

I found an interesting write up on I-Roy, referenced in the Wikipedia entry. Its from 1999, and looks like the kind of information that falls off the web all to frequently... It seems to have been written around the time of his death in 1999. Very informative.

Jah Lion Jungle by I-Roy

So, my favorite track lately is Jah Lion Jungle by I-Roy. I picked it up as the A side on a Mafia re-issue, and it kicked my ass. Some quality time with Google indicates that this track was initially done for Keith Hudson, and it shows up on the second disk of the massive Keith Hudson- The Hudson Affair on the Trojan label... and here is a word for the wise, Sanctuary Records, who owns Trojan, was bought by Universal Music Group in late 2007, so I would pick up any of the current releases in your wish list sooner rather than later.

I-Roy's lyric's on this track can't be beat. His flawless delivery takes you on a trip through the concrete jungle of 1970's Jamaica. The production is loud and clear, and the backing rhythm is a real rocker. I didn't have any luck tracking down the original riddim yet, but I'll post when I figure it out. In the mean time, here are a few words about I-Roy from the book Solid Foundation by David Katz:

By the time of Alcapone's arrival in Britain, I Roy was firmly in ascendancy back home. Born Roy Samuel Reid in Saint Thomas in 1944, I Roy operated a set called Soul Bunnies in the rock steady era, playing Friday nights at Rose Lane in downtown Kingston A civil servant working at Customs and Excise, Reid had more ready cash than some of his peers and made a point of always being immaculately dressed...

His verbal skills drew the attention of producer Harry Mudie, who cut the toaster's debut disc, 'Hearts Don't Leap', towards the end of 1970. I Roy voiced further songs for Mudie, including a version of Dennis Walks' chilling 'Drifter', and helped distribute Mudie's product on a Honda motorcycle. As he started to branch out and record for other producers, the quick-witted toaster began chatting on the Clarendon sound V-Rocket, and ended up temporatily filling U Roy's shoes on King Tubby's Hi Fi in 1972.

It kind of makes me wonder if I-Roy might not have been partial inspiration for Horsemouth's character in the film Rockers...

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.

Reggae Links on Del.icio.us, Jamaican Label Art

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."

Fantastic!

RIP Alton Ellis

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.

Small Axe Reggae 'Zine

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.

Classic Sound System Tapes.

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.

Ken Khouri and Federal Records

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.

Jah Shaka and Mad Professor

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 showing at the Alamo Draft House in Austin

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.

The trailer on YouTube:

The disco dub TAKEOVER:

The best use of 20 bucks.

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.

King Tubby on YouTube

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:

Thanks again, bwoyrough.

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:

Soundclash in Austin, Sunday Sept 21st.

I have been spinning Reggae with Heart & Soul Soundsystem for over 2 years in Austin. This coming Sunday we are having a FREE Soundclash at Lovejoy's in Austin, and are expecting at least 10 DJ's. Here is the flyer:

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:

Patience by The Upsetters

Patience by The Upsetters

Part of my interest in dub is that the producers like Lee Perry and King Tubby furthered a new roll for recording that was more than just basic capturing and documentation of music. The recording process itself was now becoming an active participant in the creative process. The mixing desk was becoming an instrument. George Martin and The Beatles pioneered this kind of studio wizardry with their work in Abby Road Studios in the late 60's with such noteworthy tracks as Tomorrow Never Knows. But Lee Perry, less than 10 years later, was not only using cutting edge studio technique, he was also fulfilling the lo-fi "DIY" promise made by mid-60's garage rock. He was, by his own account, using toys to produce astonishing works of art.

From the 1976 album "Super Ape", "Patience" is one of my favorite Lee Perry dub tracks. As you listen to it, the entire song has a slight "breathing" quality that evolves as the track plays, possibly in part due to the countless overdubs that we're a standard practice in Perry's Black Ark Studio. Perry recorded on a 4 track analog tape recorder, and would mix down to a 2 track machine while adding live instruments at the same time, then he would re-record the 2 track tape back to the 4 track, freeing up at least 2 tracks on the primary deck so the process could be repeated. Tape hiss and distortion became a permanent part of the song. The vocals drift in and out of the mix, evoking a 3rd world radio station echoing across a city. Delay in the middle of the song is transformed into a crunchy swirling sound that is essentially a new instrument. Intertwined in the mix is a horn section that somehow sounds both rich, and mid-range at the same time. The track is a delicate balance between noise and subtlety that few but Lee "scratch" Perry could maintain.