[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.
Showing posts with label first cut friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first cut friday. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 October 2012
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.
Saturday, 29 September 2012
First Cut: Escort
[youtube=http://youtu.be/IqVIHuzZEI0]
Jamaican music has a long history of "rudeness", songs which contain sexually suggestive if not explicit lyrics. And it's great. Pama subsidiary, Escort, decided to kick off their label with the Harry J produced "Hold The Pussy" by Kid Gungo. It certainly isn't up to the standards as such classics like 'Spread Your Bed" or "Wreck a Buddy" but it's a pretty decent cut nonetheless. The real gem here though is when you flip it over for "Whapen" by Karl Bryan under his King Cannon moniker. If you've followed this site for any length of time you're certainly acquainted with the fact we love everything Karl Bryan has done. This is him in the fine form which led to so many skinhead reggae monsters. Escort would go on to put out a number of good tunes, many produced by Harry J and featuring names like Marcia Griffiths, The Jamaicans, SS Binns and Tony Scotty. One of the Pama group of labels which just doesn't get enough credit.
Jamaican music has a long history of "rudeness", songs which contain sexually suggestive if not explicit lyrics. And it's great. Pama subsidiary, Escort, decided to kick off their label with the Harry J produced "Hold The Pussy" by Kid Gungo. It certainly isn't up to the standards as such classics like 'Spread Your Bed" or "Wreck a Buddy" but it's a pretty decent cut nonetheless. The real gem here though is when you flip it over for "Whapen" by Karl Bryan under his King Cannon moniker. If you've followed this site for any length of time you're certainly acquainted with the fact we love everything Karl Bryan has done. This is him in the fine form which led to so many skinhead reggae monsters. Escort would go on to put out a number of good tunes, many produced by Harry J and featuring names like Marcia Griffiths, The Jamaicans, SS Binns and Tony Scotty. One of the Pama group of labels which just doesn't get enough credit.
Friday, 31 August 2012
First Cut: Joe
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTdEWoQEM-4?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
First Cut Friday is back in full effect. One of our favorite producers is Joe “The Boss” Mansano. Although he was far from a prolific producer he generally only put out quality cuts. His Joe label is one of those labels that isn’t sought after simply for being a rarity to come across, the man put out some serious gold with regularity. And his Brixton Cat LP, which compiled a number of his finer productions, is a highly sought after prize for any collector. Although this particular track comes with a matrix stamp DU-24, as far as anyone has records this was the first 45 put out on the label. Indicative of what was to come. Mansano used Rico Rodriguez quite a bit so it’s only fitting the first record he puts out on his own label features the man doing his thing. Another fine start to a classic label.
First Cut Friday is back in full effect. One of our favorite producers is Joe “The Boss” Mansano. Although he was far from a prolific producer he generally only put out quality cuts. His Joe label is one of those labels that isn’t sought after simply for being a rarity to come across, the man put out some serious gold with regularity. And his Brixton Cat LP, which compiled a number of his finer productions, is a highly sought after prize for any collector. Although this particular track comes with a matrix stamp DU-24, as far as anyone has records this was the first 45 put out on the label. Indicative of what was to come. Mansano used Rico Rodriguez quite a bit so it’s only fitting the first record he puts out on his own label features the man doing his thing. Another fine start to a classic label.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)