Derrick Morgan, Jack of All Trades

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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.

Skinhead Revolt

This may be one of our favorite skinhead reggae albums of all time. Sure there has been better skinhead reggae compilations done since, but personally this was the first skinhead reggae LP we ever purchased and an introduction to many of our favorites to this very day. Pat Kelly is probably the star of this, but we are certainly biased towards vocalists so it might be different for you. But if you can’t love tracks like “Dark End of the Street” and “If It Don’t Work Out” you likely suffered brain damage at some point. Other classics include the title track by Joe The Boss and “Reggae Girl” by the Tennors. If you don’t have this yet, buy it. You won’t regret it.

Lloyd Daley on his Matador Label

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Nice piece here with Lloyd Daley discussing some of the history of his Matador record label, conveniently also the label the Creations “Bad Name” tune we posted yesterday was released on. Jackie Bernard, the immensely talented lead vocalist for skinhead reggae favorites The Kingstonians also makes an appearance. Slice of history right here, straight from the man responsible.

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?

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

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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.

Bunny Lee

Bunny Lee ladies and gentlemen. You just may have gathered by now we’re fans. Can’t think of any other producer in Jamaican music history responsible for so many classics. Suppose it helps he worked for Duke Reid, Ken Lack and Leslie Kong prior to striking out on his own. Pretty good pedigree we’d say. When you factor in the talent he was working with it isn’t surprising he managed to put out so many essential cuts. The Sensations, Techniques, Uniques, Slim Smith, Pat Kelly, Derrick Morgan and Stranger Cole are but a few. Immensely talented in their own right, Mr. Lee seemed to have a knack for taking anyone he worked with too the next level and we’re all the better for it.

Jumping With Mr. Lee

Let’s just make this clear: get your hands on anything Bunny Lee ever produced. Especially between 1967 and 1970. This LP is essential.

"From Russia With Love" by King Stitt

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What better way to honor the man than showing him doing what he does best over the “From Russia With Love” rhythm supplied by Jackie Mittoo and the Soul Vendors. The old boy’s still got it. Wishing ya a full recovery Mr Sparks.

Football Special Split

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Go to eBay and buy this. You won’t be disappointed.

Otis Redding

Otis Redding, nuff said.