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.

Derrick Morgan, Jack of All Trades

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3MIY1Jg3ic?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Did you happen to know Derrick Morgan wasn’t just an incredibly talented vocalist? The man responsible for a dozen or so absolutely legendary ska, rocksteady and reggae tracks also happened to have a bit of a knack for producing as well. It certainly had to help that he had Lyn Tait and the Jets backing all his vocals as well as putting out some classic instrumentals on the way. Here we have The Black Brothers with “Give Me Loving” (a tune Derrick himself later recorded for his Moon Hop LP on Pama), a great rocksteady cut. Listen to the vocals first and then go back and pay attention to the instrumental work on it. Class all around. Perfect for a Sunday.

Admiral Ken

One of our favorite photos. Admiral Ken unloading his sound. Can’t remember his name now but word has it the lad of the left, in the back of the truck, was a pretty talented boxer. Not hard to imagine. If you happen to know who he is, let us know. Not the worst dressed bunch either are they? Pretty much everything we’re into in one picture.

Celebrate Jamaica's Independence

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ultgqJIhv0M?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

It’s kind of a big day in Jamaica and the many expatriate Jamaican communities spread around the globe. August 6th, 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican independence. We’ll let Lord Creator break the story of Jamaican independence down to you though. Put on your favorite Jamaican record and have a Red Stripe, it’s the least you can do to celebrate the Independence of a country responsible for so many wonderful things from rocksteady to curry goat.

Duke Reid

Duke Reid spinning a platter that, most likely, mattered. A foundation man of the Jamaican music scene, with the exception of Coxsone Dodd you won’t find a man who had a more profound affect on the birth and growth of the Jamaican music industry. A one time police officer, Reid decided there was better money to be made in the sound system industry. It wasn’t long before he took over the Tom the Great Sebastian’s sound, likely with a little bit of help from the “dancecrashers” Reid became familiar with during his time wearing the badge. One the desired sound of R&B started drying up in the States Reid decided to move on and produce his own tunes, working out of the now legendary Bond Street studio with the tunes being released on the legendary Treasure Isle label (amongst others). Although Studio One certainly ruled the day during the ska period, he hit his stride during the rocksteady era which can likely be attributed too Reid never developing a real appreciation for the ska sound. His Trojan Sound System was legendary in Jamaica and once he started putting out his tunes in the UK on the Trojan label created for his productions the rest was history. As you know by now, they were kind of a big deal.

The Claredonians

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQI-DFXgS8?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Although certainly better known for their output during the rocksteady and ska era’s, The Clarendonians did put out a few early reggae tracks. And this one was certainly on par with their best tunes during the two previous era’s. By the time this tune came out, in 1969, they had a bit of practice at the old performing thing seeing as they’d been a group since 1963, formed in (you guessed it) Clarendon, Jamaica. Originally a duo featuring Peter Austin and Fitzroy “Ernest” Wilson by 1969 the duo had been fleshed out into a trio at the suggestion of Coxsone Dodd. Freddie McGregor, a name you’ve likely heard if you follow reggae at all, was the third man having first performed with the group at the age of seven. Yes, seven. He had to stand on a milk crate to record.

Caltone Coolness

Currently going through a load of Caltone rocksteady tunes. Phil Pratt was a rather underrated producer during the rocksteady era, although we’re starting believe it may not have been possible for any producer to release any number of bad tunes given the vocal and instrumental talent present on the island at the time. How great is that sleeve?

"Taking Over Orange Street" by Glen Adams

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWIV73icUIg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Nice little tune for Sunday evening. Glen Adams doing a bit of a DJ vocal on this Bunny Lee produced track.

It's a Rocksteady Party

It’s been over a month since we’ve last had a working turntable set-up. The experience has been, to say the least, absolutely tortuous. Thankfully the issue has been resolved and we just happened to come across this fabulous LP in a local record store this afternoon. That’s the meaning of the word “destiny”, correct?

Bunny Lee and Count Machuki

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alc0Jv-Jubo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Bunny Lee production, Count Machuki DJing and it doesn’t get much better. Boss tune.

Joe Gibbs

It’s somewhat odd that in a music industry noted for it’s long standing rivalries and feuds between artists, producers and label owners that the community, however short lived, developed between the same parties has created one of the most vibrant and celebrated music industries. Joe Gibbs, and his entire fanbase, can thank those links for some of the greatest rocksteady and early reggae tunes ever created. Gibbs received his start in the music industry with a loan from friend, and For The Suits favorite, Bunny Lee. Mr. Lee helped out with some of the cash to get Amalgamated up and running and then the recording expertise of a young Lee “Scratch” Perry led to a musical education for Gibbs. It also led to Gibbs’ first hit “Hold Them” by Roy Shirley. Some even credit the Shirley track as one of the first rocksteady tunes ever. This is where the feud part starts: after a falling out between Perry and Gibbs, Gibbs had to find a new recording engineer. Lucky for all Gibbs found Winston “Niney” Holness. Coupled with only the best backing bands, either the Hippy Boys or Lyn Taitt and the Jets, and talented vocalists and trios like Ken Parker and the Pioneers, the Amalgamated label went on to put out some of their top tunes. Not bad for a cat who stumbled into the music business and built his own recording studio thanks to an Electronics Engineer degree.

Glen Adams and Bunny Lee.

Continuing on with the theme of things I'm into. Bunny Lee and Glen Adams are definetly two of them. Adams is more well known for his organ grinding sessions that get skinheads around the world moving, but he also put out some quality rocksteady sides. This tune in particular was produced by the incredibly talented Bunny Lee. The man could seemingly do no wrong during the rocksteady era and produced a lot of top notch skinhead reggae on the Unity label. If you don't have the cash to track down some of the singles I would highly recommend picking up the 2LP "Bunny Lee Rocksteady Years" album put out by Moss Selekta. Crucial cuts throughout.

A Legend Lost

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evuYPUFNQ_E?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=299]

Winston Sparks. King Stitt. The Ugly One. It really doesn’t matter what name you call him, they’re all alias for one of the greatest contributors to Jamaican music history and a man who was a musical innovator. We were hoping the reports were simply more speculation and terrible rumors but having it confirmed by the Jamaica Observer sadly made true something that seemed inevitable after reports of Stitt being hospitalized begun surfacing. But Mr. Sparks will forever live on in his music and that’s something we’ll get to enjoy for eternity.

Winston Riley RIP

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_7Kx2FlFQY?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

With so many big tunes to choose from, dating back to his days as a performer in The Techniques, it was a no brainer in all honesty as to which tune we’d put up in his honor. Tune!