http://youtu.be/dqqEAH04qjg
File this one under "exciting finds". King Stitt doing his thing. From the narration all we gathered was "King of the DJs" and "King Stitt" so at least we know they got it right. The man left an indelible impression on the Jamaican music industry and was one of the finest at his craft, so it's a special treat to get to see him actually perform at the peak of his powers. Enjoy.
Showing posts with label reggae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reggae. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Sunday, 13 October 2013
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.
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.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Jandisc Makes A Splash
http://youtu.be/DNpTqWOJ54o
California based label, Jandisc, has recently put out what may be the finest slab of reggae vinyl in quite sometime. The label, originally started in 2007, boasts an extremely talented house band in The Black Emeralds and on the A side of this one they have Dennis "Scorcher" Williams doing one of the best intros this side of the sorely missed King Stitt.
California based label, Jandisc, has recently put out what may be the finest slab of reggae vinyl in quite sometime. The label, originally started in 2007, boasts an extremely talented house band in The Black Emeralds and on the A side of this one they have Dennis "Scorcher" Williams doing one of the best intros this side of the sorely missed King Stitt.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
First Cut: Prince Buster
http://youtu.be/4Ctu-X0Ivgw
You know Prince Buster. If you don't, and you're at this website, you missed some steps along the way. He's undoubtedly one of the foundation artists for the Jamaican music industry, releasing his first single in 1961 although he had been involved in the budding industries sound system wars for years before. A former boxer, Buster and his friends provided a special kind of service for Coxsone Dodd during his dances.
You know Prince Buster. If you don't, and you're at this website, you missed some steps along the way. He's undoubtedly one of the foundation artists for the Jamaican music industry, releasing his first single in 1961 although he had been involved in the budding industries sound system wars for years before. A former boxer, Buster and his friends provided a special kind of service for Coxsone Dodd during his dances.
Saturday, 29 December 2012
So Long, Mr. Charmers.
So here you are again, another Friday crammed into a sweaty club while the reggae beat pumps through speakers as big as mum and dads wardrobe. Bass so loud it is sending waves of sound threw your suit jacket. The smell of Brut and cigarette smoke and stale Red Stripe creating an intoxicating aroma. The three wouldn't seem as though they would be the sort of mixture that you'd happily wake up smelling of tomorrow morning, but that's exactly what you know will happen.
First Cut: Song Bird
[youtube=http://youtu.be/q-rAWtnu098]
We figured with the tragic passing of a Jamaican music legend, Lloyd Charmers, this week it was only right that our First Cut this week honored the man. Although Derrick Harriot would later go on to produce many of the most famous hits on the Song Bird label, it was Mr. Charmers that kicked it off right. A bit of a different take on the typical skinhead reggae track thanks to the addition of the steel pans, this one is a real smooth cut. The sort of thing Charmers was famous for. His loss is yet another massive one for the Jamaican music industry, one of it's most prolific producers and performers in it's early days. But his music will forever live on in sounds like this. A proper first cut if there ever was one.
We figured with the tragic passing of a Jamaican music legend, Lloyd Charmers, this week it was only right that our First Cut this week honored the man. Although Derrick Harriot would later go on to produce many of the most famous hits on the Song Bird label, it was Mr. Charmers that kicked it off right. A bit of a different take on the typical skinhead reggae track thanks to the addition of the steel pans, this one is a real smooth cut. The sort of thing Charmers was famous for. His loss is yet another massive one for the Jamaican music industry, one of it's most prolific producers and performers in it's early days. But his music will forever live on in sounds like this. A proper first cut if there ever was one.
Sunday, 23 December 2012
First Cut: Blue Cat
[youtube=http://youtu.be/jci-E-W9Sz4]
"Are you ready to rocksteady?" is the line that kick off this double sided slab of gold. The Pioneers, whether working with Leslie Kong or Joe Gibbs, were almost surefire hit makers from 1968 to 1970. On this Blue Cat outing it was Gibbs behind the controls once again and that means it is real hard to decide which is the better tune. "Shake It Up" is a lovely piece of late rocksteady magic while "Goodies Are The Greatest" is yet another one of those killer tracks taking on the topic of the rude boy phenomenon. It's a fitting start to the label, with many of the biggest tunes in its early days being Joe Gibbs productions. Oddly enough, for a Trojan imprint, it would also go on to feature some absolute stormers from Coxsone Dodd. Other producers popping up include Bunny Lee, Charles Ross and Enos McLeod amongst others. Biggest tune on the label? May just be "Dip It Up" by The Sparkers, a Rannie Williams production. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
"Are you ready to rocksteady?" is the line that kick off this double sided slab of gold. The Pioneers, whether working with Leslie Kong or Joe Gibbs, were almost surefire hit makers from 1968 to 1970. On this Blue Cat outing it was Gibbs behind the controls once again and that means it is real hard to decide which is the better tune. "Shake It Up" is a lovely piece of late rocksteady magic while "Goodies Are The Greatest" is yet another one of those killer tracks taking on the topic of the rude boy phenomenon. It's a fitting start to the label, with many of the biggest tunes in its early days being Joe Gibbs productions. Oddly enough, for a Trojan imprint, it would also go on to feature some absolute stormers from Coxsone Dodd. Other producers popping up include Bunny Lee, Charles Ross and Enos McLeod amongst others. Biggest tune on the label? May just be "Dip It Up" by The Sparkers, a Rannie Williams production. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
Friday, 19 October 2012
"Israelites" by Desmond Dekker
[youtube=http://youtu.be/r5JHGi0awgc]
Is there really a better way to kick off the weekend then a bit of Desmond? Well when he's wearing what looks to be a silk jumpsuit and a bullet belt, yes. Nice bit of television footage here, with Desmond lip synching "Israelites". Have a great weekend folks.
Is there really a better way to kick off the weekend then a bit of Desmond? Well when he's wearing what looks to be a silk jumpsuit and a bullet belt, yes. Nice bit of television footage here, with Desmond lip synching "Israelites". Have a great weekend folks.
Friday, 31 August 2012
"Savage Colt" by the El Dorados
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dehi5xemEeU?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 and Jamaicans share a lot of common interests. One of the biggest? Spaghetti Westerns. It may seem like a bit of stretch when you look at the logistics of it. How exactly did it come to pass that Italian produced Westerns became so popular all the way over in Jamaica? There’s likely been some sort of study done on it, but we haven’t seen it. Its easy to see the appeal with the rude boys of the day. It was common for them to get a little too excited during showings of “For a Fistful of Dollars” and “Death Rides a Horse” and other Spaghetti Western classics and start shooting at the screen in tandem with their big screen heroes. Regardless of how they got there they had a big impact on Jamaican society. Since music is oftentimes a reflection on society of the day it’s not surprising that reggae tracks inspired by the genre popped up en masse. This is one of our favorites: Savage Colt by The Eldorados. Really the genre was responsible for numerous huge instrumentals and DJ cuts, so while one of our favorites there still is a lot of gold one can search out. We suggest starting out with the Magnificent Fourteen compilation Trojan put out. Then if you’re lucky enough get a copy of the Big Gundown compilation put out by Earmark. You’re in for a treat.
We and Jamaicans share a lot of common interests. One of the biggest? Spaghetti Westerns. It may seem like a bit of stretch when you look at the logistics of it. How exactly did it come to pass that Italian produced Westerns became so popular all the way over in Jamaica? There’s likely been some sort of study done on it, but we haven’t seen it. Its easy to see the appeal with the rude boys of the day. It was common for them to get a little too excited during showings of “For a Fistful of Dollars” and “Death Rides a Horse” and other Spaghetti Western classics and start shooting at the screen in tandem with their big screen heroes. Regardless of how they got there they had a big impact on Jamaican society. Since music is oftentimes a reflection on society of the day it’s not surprising that reggae tracks inspired by the genre popped up en masse. This is one of our favorites: Savage Colt by The Eldorados. Really the genre was responsible for numerous huge instrumentals and DJ cuts, so while one of our favorites there still is a lot of gold one can search out. We suggest starting out with the Magnificent Fourteen compilation Trojan put out. Then if you’re lucky enough get a copy of the Big Gundown compilation put out by Earmark. You’re in for a treat.
Monday, 27 August 2012
"Neil Armstrong" by the Hippy Boys
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWe3s4VSPmk?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 wanted to honor Neil Armstrong, but we were unsure how to do it in our way. A dig through a record box with a faint recollection of possibly owning a track by the Hippy Boys that was titled after the American astronaut and first man to step foot on the moon brought us to this track. Although the impact of the moon landing on society as a whole cannot be understated, we’ve always found it interesting just how excited many Jamaican recording artists seemed to be about it. Just look at the number of skinhead reggae tunes with “Moon” in the title. It’s also been said certain stylistic traits of the astronauts casual wear had an influence on skinhead style. Neil Armstrong is bigger than all that though. Icon is a oft misused phrase nowadays. Mr. Armstrong was one man the word icon was never misused when describing him. Rest in peace.
We wanted to honor Neil Armstrong, but we were unsure how to do it in our way. A dig through a record box with a faint recollection of possibly owning a track by the Hippy Boys that was titled after the American astronaut and first man to step foot on the moon brought us to this track. Although the impact of the moon landing on society as a whole cannot be understated, we’ve always found it interesting just how excited many Jamaican recording artists seemed to be about it. Just look at the number of skinhead reggae tunes with “Moon” in the title. It’s also been said certain stylistic traits of the astronauts casual wear had an influence on skinhead style. Neil Armstrong is bigger than all that though. Icon is a oft misused phrase nowadays. Mr. Armstrong was one man the word icon was never misused when describing him. Rest in peace.
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, 22 August 2012
Sounds and Pressure
Why yes that is a wall full of speakers. Meet the Sounds and Pressure Sound System probably the best vintage sound system anywhere in the world. They have the annual 1970 Bank Holiday Revival at the IOW rally this weekend. If you can make it out and don’t there is likely something wrong with you. We were going to do a write up on them but figured we’d let them describe themselves:
Sounds and Pressure Sound System specializes in serving up the choicest cuts of hard 60s reggae, rocksteady, ska and soul to tingle the tastebuds of any 60s freak. Our business is massive, heavyweight sound systems, in the original Jamaican style and designed to level buildings. We work alongside and support regular clubs all around the UK, such as Scorcher, Blue Cat and Liquidator and promote regular shows by some of the great names in Jamaican music, such as Derrick Morgan, Pat Kelly, Dave Barker and George Dekkar.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
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.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
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.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Inna Bristol Dancehall
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJyEnha_e2M?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
Great clip of some of Bristol’s West Indian population dancing the rocksteady in 1968. Classic stuff!
Great clip of some of Bristol’s West Indian population dancing the rocksteady in 1968. Classic stuff!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Kingstonians on Caltone
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGwvVn2Y9BA?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
To get you a little more excited for that Caltone compilation, here’s one of our favorite tracks on it. Been a top tune for us for awhile now, as is most of the Kingstonians output to be honest. Lovely Jackie Bernard lead vocal accompanied with the great harmony provided by brother Lloyd Bernard and Radcliffe Bryan. Too sweet.
To get you a little more excited for that Caltone compilation, here’s one of our favorite tracks on it. Been a top tune for us for awhile now, as is most of the Kingstonians output to be honest. Lovely Jackie Bernard lead vocal accompanied with the great harmony provided by brother Lloyd Bernard and Radcliffe Bryan. Too sweet.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Lloyd Daley on his Matador Label
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw5ulXqndWM?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 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.
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.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
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.
Bunny Lee production, Count Machuki DJing and it doesn’t get much better. Boss tune.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Lyn Tait on Amalgamated
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvGf8GW9rnc?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]
One of Joe Gibbs finer productions, and the incredible Lyn Tait and the Jets provide the instrumental on it. We’ve got a Joe Gibbs profile coming up as soon as some technical difficulties are resolved.
One of Joe Gibbs finer productions, and the incredible Lyn Tait and the Jets provide the instrumental on it. We’ve got a Joe Gibbs profile coming up as soon as some technical difficulties are resolved.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
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 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.
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