First Cut: Escort

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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.

"Fire Ball" by Karl "King Cannon" Bryan

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Karl Bryan is probably one of the most impressive saxophonist's in any genre of music, ever. We're just lucky he was born in Jamaica and recorded so many killer rocksteady and early reggae sides. Unfortunately not much is known about Karl, and there has never been a compilation of all his work put together. I've also heard he is currently living in New York City and playing saxophone in the subway. All three are tragic in their own right, but the fact someone as talented as King Cannon could be making his living playing for spare change is a goddamned outrage.