King Stitt Performs Fire Corner

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.

First Cut: Caltone

http://youtu.be/Af2ZRfVmu0c

We all now know Ken Lack's Caltone label as one that is responsible for numerous rocksteady classics. It wasn't always so, as those who've been collecting for any number of years can attest.

First Cut: Coxsone

http://youtu.be/iegW2jGijVo

It's near impossible to measure how dramatic an impact someone like Clement "Coxsone" Dodd has had on the Jamaican music industry. Countless words have been both spoken and written about that impact but words can only do so much.

On The Bus

You're sat on the bus. Buzzing, absolutely buzzing. The feeling tends to be few and far between at times. Too many disappointed trips to record shops and clothes shops around town. It isn't easy to be pleased when you're so discerning, as you now know all too well. Everyone else can buy their mass produced music, clothes and beer if it makes them happy. That isn't you, it's never been.

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.

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.

"Baby Love" by the Sensations

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfkEaCpsqs4?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Absolute rocksteady classic from The Sensations with production by way of Winston Riley (RIP). These cats had no shortage of rocksteady gems. Jimmy Riley, Cornell Campbell, Aaron Davis and Buster Riley were the line-up at this point in time. As it turns out the Riley family had no shortage of talent in it, did it? Another group that recorded with all the big names of the day, Duke Reid had a number of big tunes with the. And of course, our man, Bunny Lee put out his share of classic cuts with these lads as well. “Baby Love” is probably their biggest track but you need to track down tunes like “Those Guys”, “Whup Whop Man” and “Right on Time”.

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.

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!

Rupie Edwards

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

Alright, we’ve got to admit too it. We’ve slept on Rupie Edwards productions for far too long. You know how it goes, you get wrapped up in Joe Gibbs and Bunny Lee and Lee Perry produced tunes. Soon you’ve completely lost sight of the fact there was a handful of other producers during the early/skinhead reggae period. But fret no more, we realize we’ve messed up. This is just one of Edwards fine productions. Producers were certainly spoilt with choice during this period as there seemed to be no shortage of absolutely incredible musicians available. Gladstone Anderson is on the keys for this tune, his piano playing being a highlight of the track. Rupie was another one of those cats who left the performing side of the business to begin producing his own tunes. Originally he recorded as a solo vocalist before moving onto a duo, The Ambassadors, which he formed with Junior Menz. Shortly after Dobby Dobson joined the group to become a trio, known as The Virtues. One particular piece of rocksteady magic we’d love to get our hands on is the Virtues track “Falling in Love”. Rupie happened to produce this track, an early sign of the talent he possessed in the studio. It was shortly after this track was produced that he started putting out some topic early reggae productions such as “Promoters Grouse”. Although not the best producer of the period, he’s certainly an underrated and oft forgotten one and we’re hoping this does a bit to remedy that situation.

Pat Kelly

How has it taken us this long to get around to speaking on the iconic Pat Kelly? That’s a question you’ve probably asked yourself and one we’ve certainly asked ourselves. The man is one of the greatest ever vocalists in Jamaican music. He had to be really. His first gig was stepping into the shoes of Slim Smith when Slim left The Techniques in 1967. There isn’t many who’ve had to fill a bigger role in music history. Sure there’s Dennis Edwards trying to replace David Ruffin in The Temptations. But Edwards had already been recording at Motown with The Contours for years. But that’s a story for another day. Not only did Kelly fill the shoes of Slim, he threw those fuckers out and decided he saw a nicer pair, ones which fit him perfectly. As good as The Techniques were during their Slim Smith led days, they reached their recording pinnacle while fronted by Pat Kelly. Guided by Duke Reid, and recording out of his Treasure Isle studio, The Techniques released such classics as “Run Come Celebrate”, “Queen Majesty” and “You Don’t Care” over the course of the next year. Most groups would be lucky to have that kind of output in their entire career. Kelly realized the affect his vocals were having on the success of the group so in ‘68 he decided to branch out and he needed a new producer, what with the infamous temper of Duke Reid to contend with after leaving The Techniques. Bunny Lee was that new producer. Now if you’ve read this website for a bit, you may know we’re sort of fans of Mr. Lee. If you didn’t happen to know that, you have some reading to do. Lee and Kelly had a special connection that led to some of the best tunes ever put out in the rocksteady and reggae eras. Much like Leslie Kong and Desmond Dekker, the two simply clicked with one another and produced some magic. The “Pat Kelly Sings” LP put out by Pama is in our top 3 greatest reggae LPs of all time. You’d do well to find many albums of vocal reggae that are any better. Let’s just put it in perspective: “How Long Will It Take” (if you haven’t heard it, what’s wrong with you?) was the biggest selling Jamaican single of 1969. Now think how many classics came out that year. Makes sense now?

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.

"Conquering Ruler" by Derrick Morgan

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx_kuZ2Su-Y?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Bought our tickets for the Derrick Morgan show in LA today. See ya there.

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!

Leslie Kong

This is the man responsible for some of the sweetest hits in the history of rocksteady and reggae, Leslie Kong. The whole Beverley’s legacy started out as a restaurant, ice cream shop and record shop and it wasn’t until a guy named Jimmy Cliff showed up looking for someone to record him that Kong went into the recording business. Jimmy Cliff was simply the start of the legendary roster which would go on to record for Beverley’s, with names like Desmond Dekker, Toots and the Maytals, the Pioneers, Derrick Morgan and Stranger Cole being just a few. Oh, and he produced Bob Marley’s first single. The biggest reggae hits of the 60’s came out of his label including “Israelites” by Dekker which went on to sell over 2 million copies and the Pioneers “Long Shot Kick The Bucket”. His productions could easily be attributed for the chart success of early reggae. Unfortunately Kong died in ‘71, only 38. Apparently Bunny Wailer put a curse on him.

A Little Bit of Everything

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpeHX4Rqpmg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

A little bit on Skinheads, Mods, Suedeheads and Soul Boys. Nothing most readers won’t know, but some classic clips from the dancehalls of the day. Professional twat, Robert Elms, makes an appearance.

"From Russia With Love" by King Stitt

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIf_UR4qv9s?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

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.