[youtube=http://youtu.be/tf-APoNTgQE]
Straight up, Rupie Edwards did not get enough respect. Odd we know, in that the Pama subsidiary he ran was Success. None the less the man was immensely talented as soon as he sat in the producers seat and the first tune released on the Success imprint shows that exactly. "Look Who Buss A Style" by the Mediators has all the hallmarks of a skinhead reggae classic: killer instrumental backing and a sickly sweet vocal. A wonder then, probably down to the touch and go Pama distribution system of the time, that the Success label isn't more regarded in the current skinhead reggae collector and DJ scene. Might have a lot to do with it not being initially popular amongst the original skinheads. The fact tunes weren't released on the label til near the end of 1969, with media exploitation of the cult at its peak, might also have something to do with it. Either way this is one of the finest stars of any label from that time period, both sides absolute monsters in their own rights. It's just too bad Mr. Edwards doesn't receive the acclaim he righteously deserves.
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Friday, 5 October 2012
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Rupie Edwards
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf-APoNTgQE?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
Alright, we’ve got to admit too it. We’ve slept on Rupie Edwards productions for far too long. You know how it goes, you get wrapped up in Joe Gibbs and Bunny Lee and Lee Perry produced tunes. Soon you’ve completely lost sight of the fact there was a handful of other producers during the early/skinhead reggae period. But fret no more, we realize we’ve messed up. This is just one of Edwards fine productions. Producers were certainly spoilt with choice during this period as there seemed to be no shortage of absolutely incredible musicians available. Gladstone Anderson is on the keys for this tune, his piano playing being a highlight of the track. Rupie was another one of those cats who left the performing side of the business to begin producing his own tunes. Originally he recorded as a solo vocalist before moving onto a duo, The Ambassadors, which he formed with Junior Menz. Shortly after Dobby Dobson joined the group to become a trio, known as The Virtues. One particular piece of rocksteady magic we’d love to get our hands on is the Virtues track “Falling in Love”. Rupie happened to produce this track, an early sign of the talent he possessed in the studio. It was shortly after this track was produced that he started putting out some topic early reggae productions such as “Promoters Grouse”. Although not the best producer of the period, he’s certainly an underrated and oft forgotten one and we’re hoping this does a bit to remedy that situation.
Alright, we’ve got to admit too it. We’ve slept on Rupie Edwards productions for far too long. You know how it goes, you get wrapped up in Joe Gibbs and Bunny Lee and Lee Perry produced tunes. Soon you’ve completely lost sight of the fact there was a handful of other producers during the early/skinhead reggae period. But fret no more, we realize we’ve messed up. This is just one of Edwards fine productions. Producers were certainly spoilt with choice during this period as there seemed to be no shortage of absolutely incredible musicians available. Gladstone Anderson is on the keys for this tune, his piano playing being a highlight of the track. Rupie was another one of those cats who left the performing side of the business to begin producing his own tunes. Originally he recorded as a solo vocalist before moving onto a duo, The Ambassadors, which he formed with Junior Menz. Shortly after Dobby Dobson joined the group to become a trio, known as The Virtues. One particular piece of rocksteady magic we’d love to get our hands on is the Virtues track “Falling in Love”. Rupie happened to produce this track, an early sign of the talent he possessed in the studio. It was shortly after this track was produced that he started putting out some topic early reggae productions such as “Promoters Grouse”. Although not the best producer of the period, he’s certainly an underrated and oft forgotten one and we’re hoping this does a bit to remedy that situation.
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