[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.
Showing posts with label first cut fridays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first cut fridays. Show all posts
Friday, 9 November 2012
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.
Friday, 24 August 2012
First Cut: Upsetter
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWyZaIXye5w?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
We like to keep it new and interesting here. And our weekends kind of get away from us. So we’re introducing another Friday feature. This one we’re gonna call First Cut Fridays. It’s real simple, when we put up the Errol Dunkley track “Please Stop Your Lying” and realized it was the first tune released on Amalgamated we got an idea. So every Friday til we run out of labels we’re gonna put up the first track ever released on skinhead reggae labels. Simple right? We went for an obvious one to kick this off. The Upsetter subsidiary of the legendary Trojan label is considered by many to be one of the best labels for skinhead reggae. It helps they kicked it off with “Eight for Eight” by The Upsetters b/w “You Know What I Mean” by The Inspirations. It was a pretty solid indication for what would come for the label. Creepy introduction of the track courtesy of Lee Perry himself followed by a massive organ led instrumental, very much the sort of sound the genre would become known for. Then you flip the thing over and BAM! Completely different but still incredible, a top vocal cut. The single would have been worth every penny. And the quality continued throughout the rest of 1969. Pretty good way to start wouldn’t you say?
We like to keep it new and interesting here. And our weekends kind of get away from us. So we’re introducing another Friday feature. This one we’re gonna call First Cut Fridays. It’s real simple, when we put up the Errol Dunkley track “Please Stop Your Lying” and realized it was the first tune released on Amalgamated we got an idea. So every Friday til we run out of labels we’re gonna put up the first track ever released on skinhead reggae labels. Simple right? We went for an obvious one to kick this off. The Upsetter subsidiary of the legendary Trojan label is considered by many to be one of the best labels for skinhead reggae. It helps they kicked it off with “Eight for Eight” by The Upsetters b/w “You Know What I Mean” by The Inspirations. It was a pretty solid indication for what would come for the label. Creepy introduction of the track courtesy of Lee Perry himself followed by a massive organ led instrumental, very much the sort of sound the genre would become known for. Then you flip the thing over and BAM! Completely different but still incredible, a top vocal cut. The single would have been worth every penny. And the quality continued throughout the rest of 1969. Pretty good way to start wouldn’t you say?
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
FCF: Amalgamated
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLuGGj_mwmo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=299]
This cut right here was the first ever release on the UK Amalgamated label, home to a number of crucial productions by Joe Gibbs and engineered by the likes of Niney and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Errol Dunkley, the vocalist on this impassioned plea for honesty, was only 16 when the track was released. It’d be a big deal except he started his career at 14 and by the time he got to this track he had already worked with some of the biggest producers in Jamaica at the time such as Sonia Pottinger (whom he recorded his first track for) and Prince Buster. Pretty decent way to kick off a label we’d say.
This cut right here was the first ever release on the UK Amalgamated label, home to a number of crucial productions by Joe Gibbs and engineered by the likes of Niney and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Errol Dunkley, the vocalist on this impassioned plea for honesty, was only 16 when the track was released. It’d be a big deal except he started his career at 14 and by the time he got to this track he had already worked with some of the biggest producers in Jamaica at the time such as Sonia Pottinger (whom he recorded his first track for) and Prince Buster. Pretty decent way to kick off a label we’d say.
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