http://youtu.be/18AoqJn4M1A
So this one might actually win for best First Cut. We're of course biased in that we love both The Techniques and Pat Kelly. And this is one of his finest performances.
Showing posts with label Labels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labels. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Another "I Am The Gorgon" Teaser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kmNYtFfHLQ&feature=youtube_gdata
What a nice little Sunday treat we have here, a new clip running just under 3 minutes from the Bunny Lee documentary. This one outlines a bit of the rivalry between Striker and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. Early reviews thus far have been very positive, meaning we're hoping the film gets a more widespread release in the near future or a DVD release sooner rather than later. You can never get enough Bunny Lee.
What a nice little Sunday treat we have here, a new clip running just under 3 minutes from the Bunny Lee documentary. This one outlines a bit of the rivalry between Striker and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. Early reviews thus far have been very positive, meaning we're hoping the film gets a more widespread release in the near future or a DVD release sooner rather than later. You can never get enough Bunny Lee.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Jandisc Makes A Splash
http://youtu.be/DNpTqWOJ54o
California based label, Jandisc, has recently put out what may be the finest slab of reggae vinyl in quite sometime. The label, originally started in 2007, boasts an extremely talented house band in The Black Emeralds and on the A side of this one they have Dennis "Scorcher" Williams doing one of the best intros this side of the sorely missed King Stitt.
California based label, Jandisc, has recently put out what may be the finest slab of reggae vinyl in quite sometime. The label, originally started in 2007, boasts an extremely talented house band in The Black Emeralds and on the A side of this one they have Dennis "Scorcher" Williams doing one of the best intros this side of the sorely missed King Stitt.
Friday, 31 May 2013
First Cut: Caltone
http://youtu.be/Af2ZRfVmu0c
We all now know Ken Lack's Caltone label as one that is responsible for numerous rocksteady classics. It wasn't always so, as those who've been collecting for any number of years can attest.
We all now know Ken Lack's Caltone label as one that is responsible for numerous rocksteady classics. It wasn't always so, as those who've been collecting for any number of years can attest.
Monday, 6 May 2013
First Cut: Coxsone
http://youtu.be/iegW2jGijVo
It's near impossible to measure how dramatic an impact someone like Clement "Coxsone" Dodd has had on the Jamaican music industry. Countless words have been both spoken and written about that impact but words can only do so much.
It's near impossible to measure how dramatic an impact someone like Clement "Coxsone" Dodd has had on the Jamaican music industry. Countless words have been both spoken and written about that impact but words can only do so much.
Sunday, 14 April 2013
First Cut: Giant
http://youtu.be/PxsZpHZ3Yuk
Giant only released 41 singles, and two more non reggae sides, over the course of 1967 and 1968 but it's held in high esteem by record collectors around the world. Certainly a lot of that acclaim is down to the legendary "The Cooler" single, by the Wrigglers, seeing release on the label in '68 and the numerous Dandy produced and likely Dandy featuring sides that also featured. But that's only part of the story.
Giant only released 41 singles, and two more non reggae sides, over the course of 1967 and 1968 but it's held in high esteem by record collectors around the world. Certainly a lot of that acclaim is down to the legendary "The Cooler" single, by the Wrigglers, seeing release on the label in '68 and the numerous Dandy produced and likely Dandy featuring sides that also featured. But that's only part of the story.
Saturday, 29 December 2012
So Long, Mr. Charmers.
So here you are again, another Friday crammed into a sweaty club while the reggae beat pumps through speakers as big as mum and dads wardrobe. Bass so loud it is sending waves of sound threw your suit jacket. The smell of Brut and cigarette smoke and stale Red Stripe creating an intoxicating aroma. The three wouldn't seem as though they would be the sort of mixture that you'd happily wake up smelling of tomorrow morning, but that's exactly what you know will happen.
First Cut: Song Bird
[youtube=http://youtu.be/q-rAWtnu098]
We figured with the tragic passing of a Jamaican music legend, Lloyd Charmers, this week it was only right that our First Cut this week honored the man. Although Derrick Harriot would later go on to produce many of the most famous hits on the Song Bird label, it was Mr. Charmers that kicked it off right. A bit of a different take on the typical skinhead reggae track thanks to the addition of the steel pans, this one is a real smooth cut. The sort of thing Charmers was famous for. His loss is yet another massive one for the Jamaican music industry, one of it's most prolific producers and performers in it's early days. But his music will forever live on in sounds like this. A proper first cut if there ever was one.
We figured with the tragic passing of a Jamaican music legend, Lloyd Charmers, this week it was only right that our First Cut this week honored the man. Although Derrick Harriot would later go on to produce many of the most famous hits on the Song Bird label, it was Mr. Charmers that kicked it off right. A bit of a different take on the typical skinhead reggae track thanks to the addition of the steel pans, this one is a real smooth cut. The sort of thing Charmers was famous for. His loss is yet another massive one for the Jamaican music industry, one of it's most prolific producers and performers in it's early days. But his music will forever live on in sounds like this. A proper first cut if there ever was one.
Sunday, 23 December 2012
First Cut: Blue Cat
[youtube=http://youtu.be/jci-E-W9Sz4]
"Are you ready to rocksteady?" is the line that kick off this double sided slab of gold. The Pioneers, whether working with Leslie Kong or Joe Gibbs, were almost surefire hit makers from 1968 to 1970. On this Blue Cat outing it was Gibbs behind the controls once again and that means it is real hard to decide which is the better tune. "Shake It Up" is a lovely piece of late rocksteady magic while "Goodies Are The Greatest" is yet another one of those killer tracks taking on the topic of the rude boy phenomenon. It's a fitting start to the label, with many of the biggest tunes in its early days being Joe Gibbs productions. Oddly enough, for a Trojan imprint, it would also go on to feature some absolute stormers from Coxsone Dodd. Other producers popping up include Bunny Lee, Charles Ross and Enos McLeod amongst others. Biggest tune on the label? May just be "Dip It Up" by The Sparkers, a Rannie Williams production. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
"Are you ready to rocksteady?" is the line that kick off this double sided slab of gold. The Pioneers, whether working with Leslie Kong or Joe Gibbs, were almost surefire hit makers from 1968 to 1970. On this Blue Cat outing it was Gibbs behind the controls once again and that means it is real hard to decide which is the better tune. "Shake It Up" is a lovely piece of late rocksteady magic while "Goodies Are The Greatest" is yet another one of those killer tracks taking on the topic of the rude boy phenomenon. It's a fitting start to the label, with many of the biggest tunes in its early days being Joe Gibbs productions. Oddly enough, for a Trojan imprint, it would also go on to feature some absolute stormers from Coxsone Dodd. Other producers popping up include Bunny Lee, Charles Ross and Enos McLeod amongst others. Biggest tune on the label? May just be "Dip It Up" by The Sparkers, a Rannie Williams production. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
First Cut: Clandisc
[youtube=http://youtu.be/m8KUZbLqckg]
The Dynamites were some bad cats. Clancy Eccles was a bad cat. So, needless to say, whenever they got together some real magic happened. This was certainly the case for the first 45 to be released on the Clandisc label: "Skokiaan". Clandisc was the Trojan subsidiary set up to showcase the productions of Mr. Eccles. In this track all the members of The Dynamites get their chance to shine, from Winston Wright down to Paul Douglas on drums. Really a skinhead reggae instrumental that deserves to get more love than it does. Then you flip it over and King Stitt is hanging out. His contribution is just as good, though not necessarily the typical DJ vocal he became famous for. Instead on this Stitt borders on singing throughout. Yet another impressive start for a label. Although later output on the label would vary from absolutely outstanding (see: most of King Stitt and the Dynamites further output) to absolutely underwhelming (see: Westmorelites "Zion") there's enough good on this label to make it highly collectable.
The Dynamites were some bad cats. Clancy Eccles was a bad cat. So, needless to say, whenever they got together some real magic happened. This was certainly the case for the first 45 to be released on the Clandisc label: "Skokiaan". Clandisc was the Trojan subsidiary set up to showcase the productions of Mr. Eccles. In this track all the members of The Dynamites get their chance to shine, from Winston Wright down to Paul Douglas on drums. Really a skinhead reggae instrumental that deserves to get more love than it does. Then you flip it over and King Stitt is hanging out. His contribution is just as good, though not necessarily the typical DJ vocal he became famous for. Instead on this Stitt borders on singing throughout. Yet another impressive start for a label. Although later output on the label would vary from absolutely outstanding (see: most of King Stitt and the Dynamites further output) to absolutely underwhelming (see: Westmorelites "Zion") there's enough good on this label to make it highly collectable.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
For The Suits Label Guide: Unity, Part 2
Last week when we begun this musical journey we were, in all honesty, overwhelmed by the amount of quality releases on the Unity label. What was initially going to be one article quickly turned into something that needed to be broken down into two parts. The quality of the label in 1969 alone was staggering, a prolific output which most labels would be blessed to have over the entire course of the labels lifetime. Things didn't slow down in 1970.
First Cut: Big Shot
[youtube=http://youtu.be/GS-ivWY1Mwk]
The roll continues! Big Shot was a Trojan subsidiary label, first releasing tunes in 1968. They started with an stone cold classic: "Reggae Girl" by The Tennors. Produced by Tennors founder George "Clive" Murphy it was the start of a run of big tunes for the Tennors in the early days of reggae. The B side is also a winner "Donkey Trot" by Clive's All Stars, a solid instrumental. Nothing mind blowing mind you but certainly far from boring. The sort of tune you'd listen to on a Sunday afternoon, not the sort of thing you'd want to hear on Saturday night. "Reggae Girl" you most certainly would. It was the start of a number of high quality releases on the label, as one might expect when production credits are split between the likes of Bunny Lee, Derrick Harriot, George Murphy and Winston Riley. The sort of label well worth your time to search out releases on.
The roll continues! Big Shot was a Trojan subsidiary label, first releasing tunes in 1968. They started with an stone cold classic: "Reggae Girl" by The Tennors. Produced by Tennors founder George "Clive" Murphy it was the start of a run of big tunes for the Tennors in the early days of reggae. The B side is also a winner "Donkey Trot" by Clive's All Stars, a solid instrumental. Nothing mind blowing mind you but certainly far from boring. The sort of tune you'd listen to on a Sunday afternoon, not the sort of thing you'd want to hear on Saturday night. "Reggae Girl" you most certainly would. It was the start of a number of high quality releases on the label, as one might expect when production credits are split between the likes of Bunny Lee, Derrick Harriot, George Murphy and Winston Riley. The sort of label well worth your time to search out releases on.
Sunday, 25 November 2012
For The Suits Label Guide: Unity, Part 1
Bunny Lee is a bad man. There isn't too much more too it. After getting into the recording business in 1967 "Striker" went on to record a string of hits throughout the ever changing world of Jamaican music for the next 3 decades, but important for us is his output during the rocksteady and early reggae era many of which saw release in the UK on the Unity label. Lee wasn't the only producer for the label but he produced some of its biggest hits. But we can't forget the work of cats like Harry Robinson and the legendary Derrick Morgan. So let's delve a little deeper into the label and see what gems we can find for ourselves.
First Cut: Camel
[youtube=http://youtu.be/_hhK-nikkW4]
We're on a bit of a roll as of late, now aren't we? One of our personal favorite tracks and guaranteed to get a play out, the Camel label started out in style with a Winston Riley produced track of the highest order. "Who You Gonna Run To", although credited to The Techniques, is actually performed by The Shades. Now we're not 100% sure of all the members of The Shades but Bruce Ruffin was certainly a member of both The Techniques and The Shades. It's likely the track ended up credited to The Techniques because of Riley's production credits. Nonetheless, this track is early reggae gold and set the standards high for a label that would go on to feature productions from Lee Perry, Alvin Ranglin, Lloyd Charmers and Glen Adams to name but a few. "History" by Harry and Radcliffe might be the best track put out on the label. It might be one of the best skinhead reggae tracks ever as well. And the label is beautiful as well. All around winner.
We're on a bit of a roll as of late, now aren't we? One of our personal favorite tracks and guaranteed to get a play out, the Camel label started out in style with a Winston Riley produced track of the highest order. "Who You Gonna Run To", although credited to The Techniques, is actually performed by The Shades. Now we're not 100% sure of all the members of The Shades but Bruce Ruffin was certainly a member of both The Techniques and The Shades. It's likely the track ended up credited to The Techniques because of Riley's production credits. Nonetheless, this track is early reggae gold and set the standards high for a label that would go on to feature productions from Lee Perry, Alvin Ranglin, Lloyd Charmers and Glen Adams to name but a few. "History" by Harry and Radcliffe might be the best track put out on the label. It might be one of the best skinhead reggae tracks ever as well. And the label is beautiful as well. All around winner.
Sunday, 18 November 2012
First Cut: Duke
[youtube=http://youtu.be/QCtySZyxerM]
It's a toss up to whether Pat Kelly's voice has ever sounded quite so sublime as it does in The Techniques cover of "I Wish It Would Rain", the first cut for the Duke label. Now, technically, the first cut for this label was The Bubbles "The Wasp" which was released in 1960. But only two other singles would be released between 1960 and 1961 on the label before it was left to lay dormant. Then in 1968, with the popularity of the Trojan label starting to pick up steam in the UK, the label was revived as a showcase for the productions of the legendary Duke Reid. Hence Duke, get it? For the rest of 1968 the label would release some absolutely beautiful rocksteady cuts before going on in 1969 to release some skinhead reggae classics. We've stated it before in our Techniques and Pat Kelly profiles, but there really hasn't been anyone that better filled a spot like the one Slim Smith left open in the Techniques in quite the manner Pat Kelly did. The man has one of the most beautiful voices in the history of Jamaican music. Combine that with the harmonies provided by Winston Riley, Franklyn White and Frederick Waite and throw in the kind of top shelf muscianship Reid featured on all his products and we're back on a roll for the First Cut Friday series.
It's a toss up to whether Pat Kelly's voice has ever sounded quite so sublime as it does in The Techniques cover of "I Wish It Would Rain", the first cut for the Duke label. Now, technically, the first cut for this label was The Bubbles "The Wasp" which was released in 1960. But only two other singles would be released between 1960 and 1961 on the label before it was left to lay dormant. Then in 1968, with the popularity of the Trojan label starting to pick up steam in the UK, the label was revived as a showcase for the productions of the legendary Duke Reid. Hence Duke, get it? For the rest of 1968 the label would release some absolutely beautiful rocksteady cuts before going on in 1969 to release some skinhead reggae classics. We've stated it before in our Techniques and Pat Kelly profiles, but there really hasn't been anyone that better filled a spot like the one Slim Smith left open in the Techniques in quite the manner Pat Kelly did. The man has one of the most beautiful voices in the history of Jamaican music. Combine that with the harmonies provided by Winston Riley, Franklyn White and Frederick Waite and throw in the kind of top shelf muscianship Reid featured on all his products and we're back on a roll for the First Cut Friday series.
Friday, 9 November 2012
First Cut: Ackee
[youtube=http://youtu.be/HwepfNiwzEc]
Well we had to make up for last weeks disappointment, now didn't we. Ackee isn't the most sought after of skinhead reggae labels although a few tunes on it, namely "Skinheads Wrecking the Town", are prized pieces for any hardcore collector. Perhaps it's because the producers weren't quite the household names that other producers were, and it's limited output during the key years of 1969 and 1970 certainly didn't help. Either way the first tune put out on the label and produced by Junior Lincoln was an absolute stormer. Skinhead reggae at it's finest here folks. Lovely instrumental and a bit of toasting throughout all combine to make "Death In The Arena" by Rupie Martin's All Stars one to seek out.
Well we had to make up for last weeks disappointment, now didn't we. Ackee isn't the most sought after of skinhead reggae labels although a few tunes on it, namely "Skinheads Wrecking the Town", are prized pieces for any hardcore collector. Perhaps it's because the producers weren't quite the household names that other producers were, and it's limited output during the key years of 1969 and 1970 certainly didn't help. Either way the first tune put out on the label and produced by Junior Lincoln was an absolute stormer. Skinhead reggae at it's finest here folks. Lovely instrumental and a bit of toasting throughout all combine to make "Death In The Arena" by Rupie Martin's All Stars one to seek out.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
First Cut: Gas
[youtube=http://youtu.be/LJQQyQ7G6Bw]
Well they can't all have started with classics. While this instrumental cut to "Rhythm Hips" is far from terrible, it also doesn't quite stand out in the manner some of the other first cuts really stand out. Even the B side "Action Line" doesn't save this one. Both sides are credited to Eric Barnet but the B side is actually the Versalites. Lucky for us collectors, the label didn't take too long to make up for this lackluster release as pretty quickly solid cuts from the likes of The Melodians and Pat Kelly weren't long in coming. For sheer class nothing on the label beats Pat Kelly's "How Long Will It Take/If It Don't Work out" monster but The Slickers "Ba Ba" backed with Glen Adams "Power Cut" is a close second. The featured single, as well as the Pat Kelly one mentioned, can both be found on the cheap and in great condition for those interested.
Well they can't all have started with classics. While this instrumental cut to "Rhythm Hips" is far from terrible, it also doesn't quite stand out in the manner some of the other first cuts really stand out. Even the B side "Action Line" doesn't save this one. Both sides are credited to Eric Barnet but the B side is actually the Versalites. Lucky for us collectors, the label didn't take too long to make up for this lackluster release as pretty quickly solid cuts from the likes of The Melodians and Pat Kelly weren't long in coming. For sheer class nothing on the label beats Pat Kelly's "How Long Will It Take/If It Don't Work out" monster but The Slickers "Ba Ba" backed with Glen Adams "Power Cut" is a close second. The featured single, as well as the Pat Kelly one mentioned, can both be found on the cheap and in great condition for those interested.
Friday, 19 October 2012
First Cut: Punch
[youtube=http://youtu.be/c_c3MjN-f-Y]
"When lying asleep, don't wake him. I'm burning much hotter than scorcher". And with that we might have a contender for best ever first cut, courtesy of Vin Gordon and the Punch label. Chances are more than a few of you will recognize the tune from the Trojan Skinhead Reggae box set, or just the fact this tune is a massive skinhead classic. We're a bit biased, but we'd be willing to bet it's Karl Bryan doing the business on the saxophone here while performing in yet another group, this time The Dynamics. This tune has all the hallmarks of a top drawer tune: DJ intro, followed by a killer instrumental. The label is also one of the most eye catching and aesthetically pleasing of all the skinhead reggae labels. Maybe even the best. The B side on this is "Juckie Juckie", also by The Dynamics. But let's be honest how do you really top the energy of the A side? You don't. Punch went on to have many more classics on it, notably Harry and Radcliffe's "History", Winston Francis' "Too Experienced", the Upsetters "Dry Acid" and Dave Barker's "Shocks of Mighty". Put this label down for a soundmans favorite.
"When lying asleep, don't wake him. I'm burning much hotter than scorcher". And with that we might have a contender for best ever first cut, courtesy of Vin Gordon and the Punch label. Chances are more than a few of you will recognize the tune from the Trojan Skinhead Reggae box set, or just the fact this tune is a massive skinhead classic. We're a bit biased, but we'd be willing to bet it's Karl Bryan doing the business on the saxophone here while performing in yet another group, this time The Dynamics. This tune has all the hallmarks of a top drawer tune: DJ intro, followed by a killer instrumental. The label is also one of the most eye catching and aesthetically pleasing of all the skinhead reggae labels. Maybe even the best. The B side on this is "Juckie Juckie", also by The Dynamics. But let's be honest how do you really top the energy of the A side? You don't. Punch went on to have many more classics on it, notably Harry and Radcliffe's "History", Winston Francis' "Too Experienced", the Upsetters "Dry Acid" and Dave Barker's "Shocks of Mighty". Put this label down for a soundmans favorite.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
"Moonwalk" by Winston Wright
[youtube=http://youtu.be/qcHqpHdeKYQ]
Was there a more talented organ player during the skinhead reggae era than Winston Wright? Jackie Mittoo is certainly the darling of the reggae scene in regards to the ridicolous number of tunes he managed to pump out through membership in The Skatalites, Soul Vendors, Soul Brothers and Sound Dimension and his later solo releases. But Winston kind of took over in the early days of the reggae sound, with Glen Adams of Upsetters and Hippy Boys fame being his main competition. This tune right here is Winston at his finest, killing it on his Hammond A100 to any listeners delight. If you can track down a copy of The Dynamites "Fire Corner' LP you can listen to Winston do his thing over the course of a number of tracks. The man was talented.
Was there a more talented organ player during the skinhead reggae era than Winston Wright? Jackie Mittoo is certainly the darling of the reggae scene in regards to the ridicolous number of tunes he managed to pump out through membership in The Skatalites, Soul Vendors, Soul Brothers and Sound Dimension and his later solo releases. But Winston kind of took over in the early days of the reggae sound, with Glen Adams of Upsetters and Hippy Boys fame being his main competition. This tune right here is Winston at his finest, killing it on his Hammond A100 to any listeners delight. If you can track down a copy of The Dynamites "Fire Corner' LP you can listen to Winston do his thing over the course of a number of tracks. The man was talented.
Friday, 5 October 2012
First Cut: Success
[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.
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.
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