Reggae/Dub/Dancehall Listening Club

Ken Boothe - Black, Gold & Green (Lloyd Charmers, Trojan, 1972

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/1322.jpg

Jacob Miller - Who Say Jah No Dread (Pablo/Tubby, 1974)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/326.jpg

Keith Hudson - Playing It Cool, Playing It Right (Hudson, 1971)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/2117.jpg

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Posting this thread now to get pfunkboy to chill the fuck out about the listening club. I would prefer this focussed on 1965-1983, since that's the era I like the best, but whatever. You can google the albums yourself to see who played on what.

can there be ska albums?

jacob miller Spotify link
Keith Hudson Spotify link

I hate ska, but if someone with no taste wants to discuss ska, go ahead. Thanks for the links.

I'll gladly choose ska one week then

great choices.
i'll take a week, please.

i'd like to suggest a few discs sometime, too.

i want to make a blood-and-fire week.

(rip BAF, obv.)

smh at OP of the reggae/dub/dancehall club saying ska=no taste

maybe he meant "third-wave" ska, or whatever that horrible 90s genre was called.

hope so..

that Keith Hudson is sick btw

eh ska is just kinda annoying. there's very little of it that i dig (DON DRUMMOND) and it makes perfect sense for a fan of the slower stoned out rocksteady/reggae/early dancehall eras to find it irksome.

no, he really does hate ska

some early ska is groovy. it drew from a lot of american r&b iirc.

anyway, of the first three discs to begin this thread, i only have the jacob miller. it's supposedly great, but i haven't spent much time with it. this thread gives me a reason to investigate it further.

So do we just listen to the records and reminisce about the first time we heard them or just shoot the shit about them generally? I'm new to this listening club thing.

Excluding ska and mento is pretty lame, but cutting off everything post-83 is basically insane.

65-83 is the best shit, I 2nd the motion. post ska, pre full digitalization.

So do we just listen to the records and reminisce about the first time we heard them or just shoot the shit about them generally? I'm new to this listening club thing.

think its the latter, e.g., try to figure out what a given disc is about; why one disc works for you but another doesn't; discuss influences and innovations; break down the elements, influences, yadda yadda.

yea, i'm no fan of digitalization.

I don't have the Miller record, but obv heard it a bunch (esp. the dub half). I'll be honest if not for "King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown" I'm not sure Jacob Miller would really be that big a deal (is he even a big deal?)

Not sure I've even heard the Booth (oh wait this is a comp and yeah I've heard most of it.) He's a great singer obv. One of those guys like maybe a whole record is kind of overkill (unless you really are really into lovers that day) but every time a track comes on it's like damn what a voice (Ellis, Wilson, Smith, Holt are other guys like this for me.)

Playing It Cool OTOH (and Hudson in general) is great. Some Hudson records kind of coast on his odd-ball reputation and their rarity, I guess (Flesh of My Skin I'm looking at you) and other things are just lousy (Too Expensive, ick) but this and Brand are nearly perfect distillations of what's great about Hudson's delivery (they might both work best because his voice is used so sparely and is so FX-laden.)

I guess I should track down the first two records and actually listen to them in full now.

i think the only hudson discs i have are the pure dub affairs (e.g., pick-a-dub).

"65-83 is the best shit, I 2nd the motion. post ska, pre full digitalization."

I couldn't disagree more and I am definitely picking post-83 records.

There are a couple of Hudson vocals on Pick A Dub too actually.

rising up briefly, then falling back into the mix, iirc.

also, isn't the material on pick-a-dub drawn exclusively from altered material taken from one of hudson's vocal albums? that's at least what i assumed, but i can't recall if i actually investigated it.

(not really "altered," but rather "dub versions of")

I forgot to mention one of my favorite things about Playing It Cool is the titles of the songs/dubs.

California (hmmn okay his voice is kind of annoying here)/By Night Dub
Be What You Want To Be/Be Good Dub
I Can't Do Without You/Still Need You Dub

Boothe is the greatest enunciator in all of Jamaican music. I haven't heard that comp (is it strictly singles he cut w/Chalmers in 71 & 72?). It's missing most of my favorites of his: Just Another Girl, Silver Words, Moving Away, Lonely Teardrops, Without Love, etc. Alex, you mean Ernie Smith, right? Hardly have heard anything by him, can you give some rec's?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyUq6RxhRls

It's dubs of various Hudson productions (some he voiced, so he didn't). So there are Big Youth vocals there. And Horace Andy maybe? It's been ages lemme pull out the disc.

Meant Slim Smith actually.

I really really wish I could get into post 83 JA stuff. Every time I do I run away screaming.

xp oh ok that makes more sense, don't know why I didn't think of Slim first as he's one of my favorites and fits in with Holt, Ellis, and Wilson.

Hmmn it doesn't specify in the Pick A Dub notes.

I'll pick some post-83 non-ragga stuff too. Plenty of great digital dub. Maybe Jah Shaka? Or Jah Warrior or Disciples?

As soon as Playing It Cool finishes I am going to watch the last ten minutes of the Laker game. This is actually reminding me how much more I love Keith Hudson dubs/productions than I do his "songs/singing".

Guitar on this record is awesome. Wonder who is playing on it? Roots-archives is no help.

Has anyone heard Jacob Miller Lives On? It got voted the third best reissue from last year by Roots-Archives or something and has outrageously bad cover art.

love love LOVE Hudson's penchant for slide guitar. I assumed it's Chinna?
Would def be interested in some digital dub. Only stuff I've got is a couple Mad Professor's.

http://www.dubdirectory.de/index.htm

^laughable incomplete, but still helpful on occasion

mad professor has some of the best album titles/covers i've seen.

laughablY

Alex, you're right re: Miller. This collection of his work with Pablo and mixes by Tubby is by far the best stuff he did. There aren't many reggae discs by a single artist where I love every song but this is one of them (maybe i skip A Girl Named Pat).

The Hudson is another. I was introduced to Keith Hudson via New Order's version of Turn The Heater On from their second Peel Session. I read it was Ian who was a fan of Hudson and that must have influenced their choice to cover it in 82. It's a great version and i'm curious to know when they decided to play that and how long they rehearsed it. One thing that fascinates me about Hudson is the variation in mood and atmosphere from version to version. I used to get annoyed by producers recycling rhythms but with Hudson you can really feel his creativity in the arrangements, delivery, amount of reverb/delay etc, and Playing it Cool features most of his best takes on his best rhythms. It's raw, sparse and over way too quick. I'm not sure if the Basic Channel folks are responsible for blending the vocals with the versions on my copy but the transitions are great and make for a perfect listen. This is one of the only reggae albums I own on CD and vinyl and I play it all the time. All time favorite. Keith Hudson is the pinnacle of reggae to me. I don't love all his work but I do appreciate his willingness to experiment. Cheaper than a sack of weed, but more potent.

I never heard much of Ken Boothe other than Ain't No Sunshine and Everything I Own on some comps, but this album (is it a comp?) is really great. You can hear the strong R&B influence in the songs but you can also hear the early roots sound coming through. It was either Black, Gold and Green or Alton Ellis' Arise Black Man comp for my third pick and this album got the call because every time one of the songs comes on random, i'll play the rest of the album and enjoy it in full.

I really love digidub/steppers stuff actually. Shaka, Disciples, Alpha Omega, Rootsman, Zion Train. Eager to hear what other folks like.

I love love love the windbreaker (?) that Boothe is wearing on that record. I WANT IT!

ok Playing It Cool doesn't have any slide guitar on it, does it?
this is what I'm talking bout:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FM6xU70W08&feature=related

Can I shamelessly use this thread to reiterate my belief that Janet Kay's "Silly Games" is one of the best reggae singles ever? I always feel more people need to hear it.

janet kay--"silly games" classic or dud?

On topic: that Keith Hudson record is a stone cold classic

Love raw, sparse Hudson but love even more the sonic overload Hudson like in that youtube I posted above and on From One Extreme to Another.

i don't get this thread. wth is a listening club

what's the password, nerd

genre-based listening clubs are the "hot" new thread idea on ilm, it seems.

Oh man, Ken Boothe impersonating a begging woman on "Second Chance" is hiLARIOUS! Loving these records, so far, especially the Keith Hudson.

I've uploaded a dj mix I made last year for a road trip to Vancouver, BC. These tracks were what I was listening to at the time. Maybe the people interested in this thread will be interested to listen to the mix.

http://www.biznotic.com/music/badcompany.mp3

i want to listen to that mix, but can't seem to access it via the link.

Link works for me, you should be able to right click and save as.

got it now. thank you.

Not familiar with any of the three records and this is one more reason to get more excited about this thread. Gonna pick the Keith Hudson one to begin with.

That Hudson is a masterpiece and would have been in my first 3 picks too. I'm generally a sucker for male singer/female chorus but God, the chorus on "California" melts my face. Like apparently a lot of you, Hudson is huge for me. I don't think there's a bad track on The Hudson Affair.

Glad to see the Miller, which manages to be both kind of overrated cause of its connection to Meets Rockers Uptown and underrated as an actual vocal album (though I skip "Pat" too).

Will need to check out the Boothe.

I don't understand why we have to stop at 1983. Is it just fear of third wave ska? I don't see anybody here willing to discuss Reel Big Fish

i dig this dj mix, BLD. i don't know much about the art of mixing/d.j.'ing, but i like the song selections.

not a whole lot of mixing on the disc. a few blends of dub/vocals, some reverb and delay, but mostly it's just crossfades and radio style.

Shin, you don't have to stop at 83, I was just stating my preference. I don't own the thread or make the rules. Post / discuss what you like. Discovery is the point. Maybe you'll open my ears up to something i'm missing by not exploring too much post 83.

I'm just saying this because I'm like you - more interested in this period 60s/early 80s - but I'd like to know more about other stuff in Jamaican music

But hey I am enjoying very much your DJ mix ;)

this is an unmixed comp i made in '08 (title not related to the record label, i just liked the name), i think the idea was just 70s roots w/ a few lovers trax and then i did a second comp of dubs/versions of most of the tracks on the first. i'd probably switch out some of it with less obvious choices if i was doing it now. wanted to do one for 80s dancehall but never got around to it

http://www.divshare.com/download/11239506-bf9
http://www.divshare.com/download/11239571-981

I'll do a ska week then after everyones had a go who knows more about reggae/dub/dancehall than i do. (aka most people)

ty amon, i lost the 2nd one of those @ some point

brotherlovesdub, I'm listening to your mix. Lovely. Could you let us have a tracklisting? The only track I've recognised so far is Keith Hudson's Turn The Heater On

seconding the request for a tracklist. i was pleasently surprised to see album-art come with this mix.

youthman 12" mix - augustus pablo & wayne jarrett
purify your heart - johnny osbourne
so cold without your love / turn the heater on - keith hudson
westbound train (extended) - dennis brown
solitary man version + vocal - skin, flesh, and bones
lambs bread international - welton irie
fever - junior byles
mafia version + vocal - lloyd parks
i don't want to be left outside (zion gate) 12" version - horace andy
bandulu (12" mix) - cornell campbell and ranking dread

bandulu's a killer track

Thanks

Okay this thread is slowing down a bit. Anyone heard the last couple of Pressure Sounds releases? I'm not sure I need another collection of Jammy dubs, but I could definitely be convinced that I really do.

Also very curious about the Delroy Wilson Dubplate album.

I really enjoyed the Sound System International Dub album. Didn't enjoy the listening to the Delroy Wilson as much as I enjoyed reading the liner notes.

Ernie B's comment on Jammy's Strictly Dub:

"Some dub versions from Hugh Mundell's "Jah Fire" album plus other albums from the same period. 100% crucial dubs here! Lots of exploding percussion."

KABOOM

What year(s) is the SSID album/comp from?

the delroy is gr8 imo

harder shade of black is pretty good but i don't know if i'd consider it ~essential~

Delroy combined w/ Jammy dubs sounds ace, I will admit.

Harder Shade of Black is old anyway, right? Just a repress.

The SSID is from the 60s. Sounds like very early Tubby dubs to me but I only have the mp3s, I haven't had a chance to buy the actual disc yet so haven't read the liner notes.

i think harder shade is remastered w/ more bonus cuts

def. get pleasure dub and once upon a time @ king tubbys if you havent already

btw, while i totally mourn the death of the blood & fire label, one interesting consequence has been that the rights to a lot of the songs on BAF comps seem to have reverted to the artists, who are -- in some cases -- reissuing their full original discs. at least that's the way it seems to me, from spotting old titles from, say, cornell campbell and others popping up on emusic.

17 north parade (vp) has gone kinda quiet too, only a couple things so far this year compared to like 30 reissues in '08

Got Once Upon A Time. It's great. I didn't even realize Pleasure Dub came out. Love Tommy McCook so I should look for that.

Those Joe Gibbs VP things are still going strong. Up to Vol 5 on those Disco Mixes.

I found those mostly disappointing. Maybe I haven't played them enough but there were too many duds for me to warrant repeat plays.

Yeah I didn't bother. I tend to prefer Vocal followed by Dub more than Vocal followed by Deejay anyway.

i haven't delved into the gibbs either. the junjo volcano comp is good tho even if i know most of it

who's picking the next round of albums?

What's the DVD like with that one?

I'll do it, if y'all want.

yes plz

This Friday, right? And it just stays on this thread? I don't create a new one.

yep, yep

Just a fair warning I am picking a post-2003 record, 1983 be damned. ;-)

What's the DVD like with that one?

didn't buy it.. but i intend to mostly for the tee

It comes with a t-shirt!

I actually lack a good Volcano collection (there was a three CD series on VP or Greensleeves from the 90s, I think, but I never found them cheap) so I should probably buy it.

ok only just seen this thread and this Jacob Miller is DOPE AS FUCK

i've got that jacob miller disc (it was available on emusic for, like, 2 days and then disappeared). for some reason i haven't been able to get into it. i promised myself i'd try again, because of this thread, but now we're about to move on to a new set of discs.

Well you still have two days. . . Plus you might really hate my picks. ;-)

Okay here they are:

The Upsetters - Super Ape (1976)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/266.jpg

King Tubby & The Soul Syndicate - Freedom Sounds In Dub (1976-1979)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/282.jpg

More Pressure Volume 1 - Straight To The Head (2006)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/5875.jpg

Grrr why pictures no work?

wasn't the super ape disc packaged with two similarly-themed lee perry/upsetter albums and released as a box-set? i think i have that version of it.

Yes, it's on Ape-O-Logy, but that version lacks the artwork!

DUB IT UP BLACKER THAN DREAD

i've got ape-ology, but i don't know which specific set of songs constitutes the super-ape disc.

Zion's Blood
Croaking Lizard
Black Vest
Underground
Curly Dub
Dread Lion
Three In One
Patience
Dub Along
Super Ape

thanks. got two out of these three (the king tubby disc is ace). i love the rubbery guitar sound that bounces over, then falls under, the mix throughout ethiopian version.

That's maybe my favorite Tubby disc. It's at least the B&F dub set I return to the most frequently. A huge art of it is how amazing the original Bertram Brown productions (Prince Alla and Rod Taylor are virtual forces of nature--both still going strong w/ Alla esp. great.)

it might be my favorite tubby comp on B&F, too. other contenders: termination dub and dub like dirt.

great stone is the alla song, right? i like tubby's dub version even better. you get the flavor of the bottom-heavy vocals, but the production gives it a mysterious, thick, bubbling -- almost sinister-sounding -- sheen.

I bought Prince Jammy Dubs on Pressure Sounds today. Love the dub of the Mundell tune. Looking forward to your thoughts on More Pressure Vol. 1. I've played it a few times but it's never stood out. Playing it again now and the wonderful guitar work on All For Free by Tafari Syndicate is fantastic. Maybe this time it will sink in.

Well, it's either wonderful or fantastic...

About half the tunes are Alla dubs. "Salty Dub" is a version of "Lot's Wife", "Seaview Corner Dub" is "Come Away", "Great Stone" is "Stone", etc.

More Pressure is one of those comps that makes you think that like there might be a limitless amount of great music released in Jamaica.

Yeah "Termination Dub" is amazing. As are all of the Bunny Lee collections (which are really only like 1/3 Tubby but whatever) and the Yabby U collection. Okay like I said maybe it's my favorite lol.

dude I didn't think your post '83 record was gonna be a Pressure Sounds comp! :(

i thought its was gonna be like cham or something

it

lol I decided to give the people what they want.

But yeah I thought about Cham's Wow. . . A Story or Sizzla's Soul Deep or TOK's My Crew, My Dawgs, but I figured well if you don't like dancehall none of those records is going to change your mind and it's not going to spawn much discussion or anything anyway.

I have the super ape cd. Great stuff.

Super Ape was like the second or third reggae/dub album I ever bought (1st was Pick A Dub which I loved loved). Initially I remember I found it kind of over-produced esp. compared to the Hudson record (lol hi missing the point) but continued listening to Super Ape (and Heart of the Congos which I bought like a week later) completely changed how I heard music.

need to spin more pressure, only heard it a couple times

I've loaded all 3 of these onto the portable and will play them in sequence today.

I think it was the first Perry I bought after Arkology, which I, apart from a couple tracks, just did. not. get. Initially. The "over-producedness" of Super Ape probably is what made it easier for me to digest back then. Favorite track is probably Dread Lion, hypnotically heavyweight stuff. That flute!

Arkology is kind of overkill for a first Perry purchase, definitely.

I actually like Build The Ark and Open The Gate a little more even now, shitty sound and all.

the flute here as well, love this track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPwsfdqDbgs

Kind of surprised people thought More Pressure forgettable, since it starts with such a bang "Diverse Doctrine" and "The Way It Is" are both incredible.

There is so much going on in that track.

Yep, me too, on the whole. Though if you condensed Arkology down to 1 disc...
yeah Freedom Sounds in Dub is def one of the best Tubby comps. Haven't listened to it for awhile, will put it on now. Anyone who likes it but hasn't heard the Prince Alla Blood & Fire comp (Only Love Can Conquer, right?) needs to check for it.
xps

The other Alla B&F (b/w the Junior Spear album) I Can Hear The Children Singing is also amazing.

Junior Ross that is, lol he should have been called Junior Spear.

Kind of surprised people thought More Pressure forgettable

i only recently got the pressure sounds discog motherlode. kinda slept on them for awhile so still catching up on a lot of it

Spotify links
The Upsetters - Super Ape (1976)
King Tubby & The Soul Syndicate - Freedom Sounds In Dub (1976-1979)
More Pressure Volume 1 - Straight To The Head (2006)

Another thing I'll say about both B&F and Pressure Sounds (and Auralux and Motion and Hot Pot and. . .) is that they really reward owning these records on CD. The package/notes are almost always stellar and informative sometimes almost like having a little book about the label/producers/artists. That mp3 age will miss that kind of obsessiveness.

More Pressure hasn't stuck with me as much because I have bits of it on other things. I actually have "Free for All" on three different CDs! And I have the album that "Way It Is" is on, though that might not be the same version as on More Pressure. Nonetheless, the final track is bonkers and I've always hoped PS would do another volume like this.

Your other choices are impeccable, I don't even know what to say about them. Except I played "Great Stone" a lot a few weeks ago for my Catholic friends.

Another thing I'll say about both B&F and Pressure Sounds (and Auralux and Motion and Hot Pot and. . .) is that they really reward owning these records on CD. The package/notes are almost always stellar and informative sometimes almost like having a little book about the label/producers/artists. That mp3 age will miss that kind of obsessiveness.

that's why i'm an annual subscriber to the numero group. but i've got to make some choices (won't spend what it takes to get all physical discs from all these amazing reissue labels). fwiw, b&f used to post its liner notes online.

I don't have the cd handy. Alex do you know who's credited with guitar on Freedom Sounds? I assume Chinna? Whoever is playing on "Leaving Babylon Dub" deserves a medal.

"The Way It Is" is the version from 1972 (the album is from '79 I think). The dubs are worth it for anything anthologized elsewhere.

Pretty sure it is Chinna since the Soul Syndicate is the credited band on the CD.

"The Way It Is" is the version from 1972 (the album is from '79 I think)

Oh that's right. When I get home I'm going to put More Pressure and The Way It Is on.

And Alex when you get another turn, I for one would love it if you put up some more recent stuff. It's probably wise to avoid it for now, but I've struggled to find my way past the early 90s with JA music.

^2nd that motion.

Hey thanks a lot Freedom Sounds in Dub for laying bare the inadequacies of my fancy Shure earphones.

(tho i'm sure the ipod itself is partly to blame as well)

what is East Avenue Skank a dub of?

Son Son / Sylvan White

Here are the sleeve notes btw:

http://www.bloodandfire.co.uk/cds/sleeves/bafcd011.pdf

I wish someone would reissue the Earl Zero with the discomixes and original production. The copy I have has been glossed up.

A nice comp of Bertram Brown productions would be def. appreciated. The out of print Freedom Sounds LPs on Ernies look great.

Whoever is playing on "Leaving Babylon Dub" deserves a medal.

^yes. wah wah wahwahwah WAH

You know, if I removed the Michael Rose tune on More Pressure, I'd listen to this album a lot more. Really enjoying it today, especially the Dillinger + Version.

The dub of "Nuh Chuck It" is great. No idea who mixed it either.

I am listening to No Bones For Dogs and maybe wishing I'd picked that now. . .

it is an awesome awesome comp. the dub of "I'm Not Ashamed" is ridiculous.

ok that's not the track I was thinking of, which is a dub of "Two 7's Clash". Must be on one of the African Dub Almightys?

ipod has totally exacerbated my inability to keep straight what songs are on what albums/comps.

I was all ready to get out my challops and disrespect Scratch. In large doses, his productions start to annoy me and I feel like the sound is a bit gimmicky, but hot damn, Super Ape is hitting all the right spots. That opening track may be one of the best openers in all of reggae.

It may be gimmicky in spots, but what a gimmick.

ah! Underground Root. That opening 'da da da da' bit I find myself singing at random times but never really attached a name to the lyric. Lots of snippets from Lee Perry tunes float in and out of my head.

"In large doses, his productions start to annoy me and I feel like the sound is a bit gimmick"

I find this to be more problematic on Perry compilations (where often times it feels like tracks have been selected more for gimmick than the strength of the riddim/singer/deejay). I feel like the albums are all pretty strong though.

that may be true. part of my problem is having one huge Perry playlist that I tend to put on shuffle.

Except for Blackboard Jungle Dub and Super Ape there really aren't any Scratch dub records that I listen to.

I'll rep for Black Ark in Dub, but that's about it.

http://www.discogs.com/Lee-Perry-Black-Ark-In-Dub/release/2028871

but I'd rep for anything with a dub of "How Deep is Your Love" heh

So do we change the title to Week #2 now and put the titles in the thread?

yup

listening to freedom sounds in dub

We should have the title ALL IN CAPS too. For emphasis!

that wouldnt be laidback enough!

Then we should have the title all in lower case really spaced out.

reggae. . . dub . . .dancehall. . . . . listening club . . . week i can't remember uh . . . . anyway we're listening to. . . something by scratch. . . something on pressure sounds and something on blood and fire

haha that's more like it

if pfunk had his choice the thread would be titled "Any sound recorded in Jamaica throughout history LISTENING CLUB"

like, why don't we just lump every sound to come out of England in one listening club? if you try hard enough you can connect the dots from skiffle to gabba

LEE SCRATCH PERRY'S CURRIED GOAT FART PLUS RAGGA DANCEHALL GOODNESS LISTENING CLUB WEEK #89 - RED RAT, SUSAN CADOGAN, THE UNIQUES

The thread from ska to dancehall is much clearer than the one from skiffle to gabba.

Unless Lenny D was explicitly versioning old Lonnie Donegan songs and I'm not aware of it or something.

ok brotherlovesdub, i get it, you hate ska!

It was a bit of a stretch, but I said it anyway.

One of the things that resonates with me in Reggae is the lyrical them of being oppressed. The 'sufferation', wanting to 'mash down' babylon and the downpressors. I relate to the struggle, sadness and hope under duress common in reggae lyrics. I don't find that same connection in Ska.

Yeah but that's really not so present in rocksteady either. . . you have to wait almost until the end of the 60s for those sentiments to become widespread in Jamaican music. And even then a not insignificant portion of tunes remain lovers oriented basically all through the 70s.

I mean I get that you like what you like, but limiting the club to just roots seems overly restrictive in my opinion.

Stop using logic and reason!

I agree it's overly restrictive. Maybe i'll come out of this liking Ska or 90s Dancehall.

I've been thinking of picking records from the roots era that aren't roots records

Just walked to the store and heard the Barrington Levy track on More Pressure. I wonder if there's a Scientist dub of this. I haven't paid attention to this song before but I love it. I really enjoy those albums he did with Radics/Junjo/Scientist and I assume this is from that same era. I checked Roots Archive and it doesn't seem like that song appears on any other album.

Okay so according to the notes "The Winner" is a Channel One Hookim production. It doesn't say who did the dub, but apparently the 12" was only released in the US.

But in all likelihood it's Radics and Scientist given the era.

I agree it's overly restrictive. Maybe i'll come out of this liking Ska or 90s Dancehall.

for me, old ska, yes!; dancehall, no!

i'm sticking to roots and dub when i select.

I'd be happy to do a ska week. Strictly old skool though

I like ska, but I feel like if you've got three or four ska records you've got enough ska records--so pick the right records, pfunkboy ;-)

OTOH I literally can't get enough ragga compilations/albums, but unfortunately a lot of them are wildly uneven. One nice thing about trainspotter interest in a genre is that it tends to result in a very small amount of chaff on comps. Comps put together in the moment tend to be a lot more uneven.

Were Dodd + Reid the big names in Ska production or did they come after Ska?

Bosstones, Inventors of Ska

xp

Dodd (the Skatalites were at Studio One) & Reid definitely. Also Prince Buster.

Who's doing this week?

I was wondering. Been playing The King Tubby Freedom Sounds Dub this evening. I like it all except the Marley cover. Really dig the dub of Jah Fire on the Prince Jammy Strictly Dub set.

Well someone needs to step up. Otherwise I am going to pick all Red Rat albums!

Just kidding. I only own one Red Rat album.

i'll do it

Larry Marshall - Presenting Larry Marshall (1968-71)

http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/70.jpg#

Twinkle Brothers - Countrymen (1980)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/108.jpg

Aswad - New Chapter (1981)

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/258.jpg

shit. rogue # sign in there.

http://www.roots-archives.com/artwork/albums/70.jpg

I like this thread. I've loved everything so far. Keith Hudson and Super Ape are both in my favorites. Ken Boothe was nice. I need more Lovers rock. Which album of Jacob Miller's is Healing of the Nation on? The songs on the album above aren't nearly as good as that song. I don't know why I never picked up Pressure Sounds. I'll have to search for the next 3.

btw, I made a compilation of early digi dub/dancehall for a friend. If anyone's interested.
http://www.mediafire.com/?mdyoazmjumy

Maybe it you guys who don't like post 83 reggae will find somethings you like...

I'd like to do a week too

I've not heard the Twinkle Bros or Aswad records so excited and other than Warrior Charge and uh Sting I'm not super familiar with the latter.

lol modest note on the Twink's CD:

The TWINKLE BROTHERS "COUNTRYMEN" ALBUM has proved to be one of the best Albums ever made; by any REGGAE GROUP in or out of Jamaica.

Count me in for a week

I need more Lovers rock.

I wouldn't classify any of them as lovers rock albums, but all 3 of my picks have outstanding love songs. Favorite from each: Together Now (Larry Marshall), Bite Me (Twinkle Bros), I Will Keep On Loving You (Aswad).

I can take a week though not until after June 4.

ah what the hell i'll do one

i only have the dub album of 'i admire you', need to seek out the larry marshall stuff. don't know anything about the other two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9damUF1A-I

Damn, I have three albums by Twinkle Brothers but not that one. I've never really liked them so maybe I just didn't have the right album.

here's the track list for that mix I made, most of these songs are well know. And I don't really know current dancehall as well as 80's and 90's.
"Replay Version" by Prince Jazzbo
"Tempo" by Anthony Red Rose
"Arleen" by General Echo
"Gwan A School" by SIster Nancy
"Back Weh" by Prince Far I
"True Love" by Junie Ranks
"Tell Dem Already" by Steve Knight
"Chalice To Chalice" by Lady Ann
"Fade Away" by Little John
"Raggamuffin Fowl" by Cornel Campbell
"Original Sound" by Conroy Smith
"Step By Step" by White Mice
"Ghetto Life" by Boom Back
"Jah Give I the Vibes" by Steve Harper
"Under Mi Version" by Noel Davy
"Burial Tonight" by Tenastelin
"Ride the Rhythm" by Mikey Murka
"Pot Cover" by General Degree
"Leave The Glamity" by Sister Charmaine
"Champagne Body" by General Levy
"Get That Money" by Ms Thing
"International Roots" by Earl Sixteen
"Little Shatta" by Serial Kid
"Billie Jean" by Shinehead

Burial Tonight is killer!

i'll take a week, but can't do it for a few weeks. in the meantime, please everyone don't pick any of the 20 albums i'm considering for my week. thank you in advance. best regards.

How had I never heard that Twinkle Brothers album before? Wonderful. (Touches forelock to Granny Dainger)

I still can't get over the blurb on the back of the CD.

If it's been proved I guess it's ok to claim it though.

Okay so I listened to the Twinkle Bros album this weekend and it's good. . . but doesn't exceptional (in a world with the Congos, Chantells, Gladiators, Culture, etc, I'm surprised it's quite so lauded--PROVEN). That said there are a bunch of harmony albums that you could say that about so its probably one of those records where if I hear a song at the right time I will go woah and fall in love with it (this happened with the Mighty Diamonds Right Time a couple of years ago actually lol.)

Still need to find time for the Aswad.

Heard the Larry Marshall hits ("Throw Me Corn" and "Nanny Goat" and I guess the other two that are Six The Hard Way--"Telma" and "How Can I Go On") from that record a bunch so I'm pretty familiar with him (if not that collection). Anyone got some other picks from it that'll blow me away on first listen?

I guess Heartbeat stopped their Studio 1 Deluxe Reissue program after the Johnny Osbourne record (which I should probably upgrade to. . .) which is really too bad.

I figured, given the group that checks this thread, people would be familar with those other harmony groups you listed. Though I'd put this Twinkle Bros album ahead of any by Chantells or Culture (not a big fan of Joseph Hill's voice). Gladiators may be my all-time favorite Jamaiacan group; anyone who doesn't have at least 2 albums by them should rectify that.

Jamaiaiaiaiacan I meant

nuts, I only have the Studio One Singles comp from that Heartbeat series that Alex just mentioned.

To be fair my impression of the Chantell's is heavily colored by the fact that their stuff is pair on that CD w/ Lopez Walkers. That might be my favorite Blood & Fire CD.

You don't like Burning Spear either, right?

No, I do, actually. Probably due to Marcus Garvey being the 1st reggae I got after Marley. It's not that I flat out dislike Hill's voice (or Spear's, cause yeah, they're very similar), it's just that I tend to prefer the sweeter singing styles (Pat Kelly & Cornell Campbell are top of the list). Or Gregory Isaacs' style ha.

That might be my favorite Blood & Fire CD.

Children of Jah is awesome and I think I actually prefer the Lopez Walker and, especially, the Terrors songs to the Chantells stuff. But that whole comp is amazing. Strangely I never really got into Motion's Phase One comp.

welp there goes one of my choices (chantells)

the b+f comp i mean

"Strangely I never really got into Motion's Phase One comp."

Really? I love that comp.

Hmm. One of my problems is that I feel like I shouldn't talk about other records in case someone is planning on picking them later, but that's kind of impossible. Anyway, am0n, I would be happy to talk about Children of Jah again/more!

xp

yeah, I should give it another listen. For some reason it just didn't hit me like the CoJ one, which I know doesn't make much sense.

CoJ is definitely better yeah.

ya coj is always worth discussing even if you already know it, its just that good. i got backup choices tho

I should break out CofJ again. Only remember 1 track making much of an impression.

"Strangely I never really got into Motion's Phase One comp."

Okay, happy to say that I was totally wrong on We Are Getting Bad. At least based on the first four tracks which I just listened to. The hand drums on Sister Fay Version are amazing! I wonder if I decided this was inferior to CofJ when I was less into DJs than I now am?

Whose turn is it this week?

Children of Jah: The Chantells & Friends 1977-79

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417FTFVX60L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Scientist and Jammy Strike Back

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7v8CSr9_K3Q/S1jAQoVtccI/AAAAAAAACLc/HiuT7dica9o/s400/Scientist+and+Jammy,+front.jpg

Dennis Brown - Wolf & Leopards

http://www.oct.zaq.ne.jp/koolroots/wolfandleopards.jpg

btw twinkle brothers 'since i threw the comb' is a great tune

those are all great choices, firing them up on the ipod now

ok wtf there's only 2 tracks from the Scientist/Jammy on my ipod. hope they just got unchecked and didn't disappear for good somehow.

i'm surprised the only one i'm familiar with on this thread is Super Ape (first reggae album I bought, and I'm glad I did). I've been interested in that Roots Radics album, I'm sure a friend has it. I love those stupidly themed dub albums by scientist and lee perry:

http://k-punk.abstractdynamics.org/archives/1981-Scientist_rids_the_world_of_the_evil_curse_of_the_vampires.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2M5dT2yzPiA/SdD2mNnLHsI/AAAAAAAABBQ/3cjM9BZAkD4/s400/Scientist+Wins+the+World+Cup+%281982%29.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z279/Rastafari666/heavyweight.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hh9bKVpZGKU/SLyzIMAoRMI/AAAAAAAAATs/d84djpYWPxQ/s320/LeePerry-KungFuMeetsTheDragon.jpg

...especially since the music has little more to do with the theme than a bunch of wacky sound effects and intros.

Scientist & Roots Radics made an enormous amount of great music in a very short period of time.

i never really noticed it before, but man so many JA singers who followed came from the Dennis Brown mold huh. the perfect blend of a smooth soul style with that harsh fire-n-brimstone Burning Spear/Joseph Hill style.

have to say that tho that I prefer Delroy Wilson's version of "Rain from the Skies"

whoops that sounds like a sentence fragment. have to say tho that I prefer...

all those scientist albums are quality but on 'strike back' they go over the top with the delay and reverb and mixing

think my favorite is the space invaders one

and the dub of 'big ship' by freddie mcgregor (track 1) is excellent

oh man have been looking for a copy of Scientist and Jammy strike back for some time now - love everything I have from them and the Radics from that period. never heard of Children of Jah, will get... don't know this particular Dennis Brown album either.

The production on Here I Come sounds like Lee Perry.

Looking at the credits, i'm reminded that reggae musicians have the best names. Bo Peep on guitar!

Bo Peep vs Bingy Bungy

Sticky vs. Barnabas

Couple of 'steppers' on the Dennis Brown. I know that's been attributed to Sly & Robbie (though Lloyd Parks is playing bass on the Dennis Brown), but when did the steppers rhythms become popular? Was it before 76?

Found this on wikipedia

"In Steppers, the bass drum plays four solid beats to the bar, giving the beat an insistent drive. An example is "Exodus" by Bob Marley and the Wailers. Another common name for the Steppers beat is the "four on the floor." Burning Spear's 1975 song "Red, Gold, and Green" (with Leroy Wallace on drums) is one of the earliest examples. The Steppers beat was adopted (at a much higher tempo) by some 2 Tone ska revival bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s."

Yeah I always thought Sly was the main man behind steppers.
CofJ is better than I remember! Every track so far has been memorable.

its worth it just for the lopez walker tracks but i really love the title track and 'desperate time'. i really wish there was a reissue of the chantells album, the rip i have is pretty crappy

"but what will their answer be-EEE" <-------love that

i need to get that phase one comp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4Xp4ZuzzI

Love all three of these records.

That Phase One comp was one of those Ernie B's specials for like a zillion years but they finally seem to have sold out of it.

You don't like Burning Spear either, right?

this comment wasn't directed at me, but i just got -- as part of a frenzied buying spree on lala -- burning spear's man in the hills, social living and hail h.i.m.. i love them. i'm really impressed with the range of styles, too, sometimes even within one of his discs.

i already had marcus garvey, which will probably always be my favorite, but these other discs are nearly as good.

Def. get the Pre-Garvey Studio One stuff as well.

you mean studio one presents burning spear?

hm. not on lala. def. not on emusic.

Yes also Rocking Time. They are mostly collected on the Heartbeat and Soul Jazz collections.

my fav. Burning Spear =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Vv0Y8K2KY

http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/pictures/burning_spear/creation_rebel.jpg

Yeah that's the Heartbeat collection. The Soul Jazz one is virtually the same with maybe less alternate takes. If you have not heard "Door Peeper" (which was originally recorded in 1968? 69?) rectify immediately.

yeah, i've got the creation rebel disc. the others mentioned seem hard to find.

Dare I say it, I prefer the 1970s version of Door Peep:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEb8jQTstJY

You can dare say it, but I think it's crazy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OLyhAm2Uak

I don't remember if am0n was the one who said that he really liked Mavado's first album, but I finally got it last week from Ernie B's for $5 (I think I had some mp3s of it when it came out and was experiencing autotune gun opera burnout or something) and it is great, a million times better than I recalled. Also listening to this Sizzla album, Good Ways (one of about 60 Sizzla albums that I'd only heard two or three tracks from), is also great. Top notch Bobby Digital productions throughout.

This thread has kind of died. . . .

Who was supposed to pick the last set of albums?

you need to have a rota so you know when its your turn to pick and get ready

I don't think we ever got a "rota" in place. Reggae fans are not the most organized people in the world.

from reading the thread it would seem it was granny daingers turn then jacob sanders.

More people need to volunteer for after them

and a rota can be made

I'm willing to go again. Also willing to mutter to myself about how great this Ras Michael (Dadawah) re-ish is (glad I didn't buy this though since the entirety of the record is on the Trojan Nyabinghi boxed set!)

This is the re-ish I'm talking about btw:

http://www.discogs.com/Dadawah-Peace-And-Love-Wadadasow/release/2270636

i'm happy to step up to the plate, too. i can turn to it later this evening (tho i don't mean to rudely jump in front of anyone).

okay, so . . .

I. CORNELL CAMPBELL -- NATTY DREAD IN A GREENWICH FARM and I SHALL NOT REMOVE (1975 -- 1980).

lumping two discs here is cheating, but (a) one is a compilation, so i'm not sure if it's a good choice and (b) the other is an obscure re-issue (at least that's the way it seems to me), so i'm not sure if it's a good choice. between the two, i think we're safe.

http://dreadinababylon.com/images/Cornell%20Campbell%20-%201975%20-%20Natty%20Dread%20In%20A%20Greenwich%20Farm.jpg

engineer -- king tubby; producer -- bunny lee; studio -- king tubby's

Cornell Campbell's sweet falsetto carries the listener through this light, enjoyable -- although perhaps a tad overrated -- album, generally considered the singer's best. While I wouldn't call it a classic, Natty Dread in a Greenwich Farm provides some very nice moments, particularly the rock steady/early reggae sounds and old-fashioned R&B melodies of his covers of "Duke of Earl," "I Am Just a Country Boy," and "Why Did You Leave Me To Cry." Perhaps the best track here, however, is the supple, whispered classic "The Sun," which Frankie Paul would remake into a hit some two decades later (see Strictly the Best Volume 10). "Lost in a Dream" and "Girl of My Dreams" further showcase Campbell's subtle yet solid songwriting talents. Although the two "Greenwich Farm" songs were both hits, I didn't find either as appealing as the tender love songs that dominate this album.

-- reggae reviews

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__y8Kn1RaTsw/Sq0bnLLPlYI/AAAAAAAAAtM/i4la3EdAABU/s320/CCampbell.jpg

producer -- w. thompson, bunny lee and ranking joe; studio -- king tubby's

Most Blood & Fire releases should be considered essential purchases for any fan of golden-era reggae, but this one is even better than most. Cornel Campbell is one of the best reggae singers ever recorded — a sweet-toned falsettist with effortless intonation and a cool, assured delivery that is incredibly easy on the ear. The centerpiece of this collection is the three-part "Gorgon" series of singles produced by the legendary Bunny "Striker" Lee, all featuring the "flying cymbals" style of drumming popular at the time. "The Gorgon" having been a huge hit, it was followed quickly by "The Gorgon Speaks" and "The Conquering Gorgon," all three of which are presented here (the first two in extended versions, the second in its original version and then again in a Rastafarian variation titled "Lion of Judah"). Almost equally important, though, are "Natty Dread in a Greenwich Town" (an answer record to Bob Marley's "Natty Dread") and "Dance in a Greenwich Town," the latter in a megamix format that incorporates a deejay version by Dr. Alimantado and a dub version mixed by King Tubby. But really, just about every track reaches the same standard — there is not a single weak cut or boring moment on this spectacular album.

-- amg

II. JOE HIGGS -- LIFE OF CONTRADICTION.

http://www.thegoldbrick.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/joe_higgs-life_of_contradiction_b.jpg

producer -- mike johnston and joe higgs

Plenty of die hard reggae fans will never have heard of Joe Higgs but he taught the original Wailers some moves and arguably influenced the course of reggae music. This 1972 album originally belonged to Island Records, but Chris Blackwell deemed it not right for UK release and it took three years for him to give the rights to Higgs. Maybe Blackwell was right (his detractors should read Joe Boyd’s fabulous book White Bicycles) because this re-mastered album sounds incredibly good in the cluttered, flashy landscape of 2008. The powerful melodies, bone-dry arrangements, and absence of any guitar solos, synthesized sounds, dubs or studio effects, all create a feel as natural as wood. Clear echoes of gospel, blues, and soul music are audible but nothing is overcooked.

From the opening bars of “Come on Home” this music conveys weariness tinged with bliss. Higgs’ voice sounds ancient and soulful, yet skips lightly across precise rhythms with the grace of a hopscotch champion dancing between the lines. The lyrics are in the realm of the personal and universal while the bass, drums, organ, and guitar are seamlessly squeezed together. Tracks fade rapidly and although the vinyl reissue of the original album clocks in at just over 30 minutes, not a moment is wasted. The CD version adds “Let Us Do Something” and its dub mirror-image “Freedom Journey”, both of which seem a little more like social remedy anthems, yet Higgs carries them effortlessly.

While “Got to Make a Way” and “Wake Up and Live” fall on the side of optimism, truth be told, this whole album balances positive vibrations and heartbreak as few others do. There are many high points but the stunning title track and also “She Was the One” are goose-bump inducing pieces that can stand with the cream of US soul ballads. “There’s a Reward for Me” is also glorious, (referencing the traditional blues of “Motherless Child”). On “Hard Times Don’t Bother Me” Higgs gives a tangible credibility to the line “He’s neither going backward or forward/ He’s a man of stagnation”, and the moment when he sings “Hard times don’t bother me/Life is so glorious” is nothing short of transcendent.

Last year Pressure Sounds unearthed the occasionally brilliant Rockstone: Native’s Adventures with Lee Perry at the Black Ark September 1977 but they have outdone themselves with Life of Contradiction. This consistently stellar album very subtly defines quality in reggae even as it brings into question the usefulness of musical genres.

-- popmatters

III. MAX ROMEO -- WAR INA BABYLON.

a heavyweight

http://www.crestock.com/uploads/blog/2009/reggaecoverart/1976-Max_Romeo_&_The_Upsetters_-_War_ina_Babylon.jpg

engineer and producer -- lee perry; studio -- black ark

Like the epochal Police & Thieves by Junior Murvin, which also originated at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studio and thus shares with this album Perry's trademark dark, swampy ambience, War ina Babylon is something of a mountain on the reggae landscape. But what makes it so remarkable is not just the consistently high quality of the music — indeed, by 1976 one had come to expect nothing but the finest and heaviest grooves from Perry and his studio band, the Upsetters — rather, it's the fact that Max Romeo had proved to be such a convincing singer of cultural (or "conscious") reggae after several years of raking it in as a purveyor of the most abject slackness. (His "Wet Dream" had been a huge hit in England several years earlier, and had been followed by such other delicacies as "Wine Her Goosie" and "Pussy Watch Man.") But there's no denying the authority of his admonishing voice here, and the title track (which describes the violent mood during Jamaica's 1972 general election) has remained a standard for decades. Other highlights include "One Step Forward" and "Smile Out a Style." Essential to any reggae collection.

amg

This will finally get me to not just put There's A Reward on repeat and neglect the rest of the album.

i have trouble getting past the lead track, come on home.

such a beautiful song. cannot find a youtube clip for it, sadly.

Love the Cornell Campbell comp so much.

It's a beaut.

"Bandulu" soooo great.

Anyway I haven't heard that Higgs album. I heard samples of it when it came out and I wasn't generally that interested, but the Higgs' track "Wages of Crime" from Every Mouth Must Be Fed is so awesome that I have reconsidered.

Max Romeo record a stone cold classic. I bought Ape-ology this weekend (once I realized the version of Return of the Super Ape and Roast Fish were much cleaned up from the crappily mastered previous versions I'd heard) and after years of near constant praise it's easy to get oh Perry's no big deal, but man o man are his Black Ark records incredible sounding.

there's something so sad but hopeful about come on home, and it varies the reggae template a bit, i think, with a gospel-like vibe (at least in the tenor of the vocals). it's special; one of my favorite songs, across any genre. very sad i couldn't find a youtube clip of it.

cornell campbell's voice is really remarkable. it can be so sweet and soulful, but it can also be sly and edgy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RskJZOoY34

other things about cornell campbell seem fascinating and mysterious to me. this album, for instance

http://dreadinababylon.com/images/Cornell%20Campbell%20-%201976%20-%20The%20Gorgon.jpg

it's a real album, and i had my doubts when it recently appeared on emusic. it appeared just when certain blood & fire titles began disappearing at emusic, replaced sometimes by shoddy-looking compilations or albums from questionable labels. what had me wondering about this disc's legitimacy was the total lack of material written about it on the web (aside from a few sites confirming it was a real disc). anyway, the non-singles are, i guess, a little inconsequential, but his voice saves otherwise unremarkable material.

Campbell is one of my favorites, probably second only to Gregory Isaacs. Also recommend 3 comps of him: Natty Dread Anthology, Original Blue Recordings, and The Minstrel.

How did you decide to sing as the Gorgon over Derrick Morgan's old hit The Conqueror?

It was through Johnny Clarke. He came with Enter Into His Gates and some other hits and I said "I'm the Gorgon in this yah dance. Me no care what him a gwaan with, I'm the Gorgon in this yah dance". I didn't think it was going to be a hit. The guitarist Jah Jerry he played that guitar on it (imitates the intro) "Bring bring bring bring". I just sang it ordinary and asked Bunny Lee, "What you think of this song?" and he said, "This song BAD man!" but I never believed him. I never believed Bunny until several days after he pressed the record and started playing it in record shops. I went to hear it and heard people responding to it. When school children were passing they'd dance to it. That's how I know I have a good song - when it's played in the record shop and you see people dancing to it. And when I hear my song and nobody moves I get really nervous and think, "Maybe it nah gwaan wid nuttin here!" but when you see school children pass and stop and start dancing I know this is a hit!

But where did the Gorgon idea come from?

There was this movie named Gorgon. Some woman who had snakes on her head. Medusa.

Was it your hairstyle that lead to the name?

No, no! Gorgon was a challenging name! It was an aggravating name. It means you stand up. You're strong. You're powerful. Nobody can beat you. You are the Gorgon means you are the baddest. The toughest.

Daniel, I'm loving that Rhythm and Sound track.

yeah, it's a great disc. there's a companion song, queen in my empire, with jennifer lara. as the description under this youtube clip says, it's a brilliant mix of reggae and dub techno.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaROjQLZ7_0

i'm curious about how significant this "flying cymbals" drum-style was in roots reggae. the liner notes to the campbell compilation suggest it was a distinctive sound, used to its best effect on campbell's songs.

Alex in SF, seconding that Dadawah reissue but the drums sound deeper on the vinyl pressing. and in much the same way that i trusted Basic Replay on whatever they decided to reissue, that Dug Out series (curated by Mark Ernestus) has been eclectic yet heavy in only a handful of releases (Dadawah, King Kong).

Very significant. I don't know if it was used to its best effect on Campbell songs, but Bunny Lee was definitely the king of that style.

xp I'm sure they do (the drums that is.) The Dadawah record is probably the best Ras Michael record btw (even though some swear by Live & Learn, the Black Ark one). Drawing out his songs to 10 minutes makes it seem like time is slowing down.

I have that Nyabinghi box set too, and frankly spent most of the time listening to the Dadawah tracks. Hope I can find the vinyl, judging by what beta blog says.

Jennifer Lara - wow. I must invest in the Rhythm and Sound record.

everything Rhythm & Sound have done is super relaxed and amazing. When See Mi Ya first came out, I played it everynight at my work for weeks. I'm still not tired of it, and it's four riddims. Thanks for recommending that Cornell Campbell album. I've wanted to listen to more Jennifer Lara, but haven't found anything.

my pleasure! unfortunately both it and the rhythm & sound disc disappeared from emusic.

Do I have next week?

make with the choices already somebody plz

cries a little @ our listening club.

who was supposed to go next?

i'm happy to go again, but it makes more sense for someone else to get up to bat.

Not sure what the rules are for listening clubs, but perhaps we could chat about this masterpiece:

http://www.roots-archives.com/display_artwork/63.jpg

Oh my image hyperlink thingy didn't work.

bah!

Anyway, Johnny Clarke - Rockers Time Now: http://www.roots-archives.com/release/65

i'd like to hear assessments of that album! i just downloaded it as part of a reggae-buying frenzy in the final hours of lala's operation. i haven't had much time to listen to it yet, but making it a listening-club selection will prompt me to.

btw, many of my last-minute lala purchases were choses based on the ''greatest reggae albums'' list of ilx poster, fastnbulbous.

very interesting list imo.

that's a good album, I liked it a lot when I first got it (was my introduction to "flying cymbals", remembering reading about that in the liner notes, had never heard that term before), but I don't go back to it much these days.

definitely a good album. I was already familiar with a couple of tracks that are also on the Blood and Fire comp (Dreader Dread), so when I came to it the real standouts for me were the covers, "Ites Green and Gold", "Satta" and "Declaration of Rights" are all really excellent.

amg:

One of the crucial albums of the 1970s, Johnny Clarke delivers up a masterpiece in a mere 12 tracks. Produced by Bunny Lee, at the height of his "flying cymbals" work, Rockers Time Now, contrary to its title, doesn't so much rock as find the perfect lackadaisical groove, and slides along it into nirvana. If the Jamaican term "irae" had a musical personification, Rockers would be it. Clarke's own laid back, unruffled delivery dovetails perfectly, and Lee's equally easy going houseband The Aggrovators were the perfect music complement. Several of the songs are covers that on paper seem to be recipes for disaster, like The Abyssinians' militant "Declaration Of Rights." But miraculously it works brilliantly, as if the revolution had come without bloodshed, with Babylon brought to ruins by a haze of ganja smoke. That haze swirls around "Satta Massa Gana" as well, conjuring up a dream world Africa, an exquisite paradise far removed from the real world. However, Rockers isn't all wrapped in mists, "Ites Green And Gold" is actually pretty punchy, while "African Roots" bounces across the grooves, buoyed by the bubbly guitar riffs. Airiest of all is the title track, which almost floats off the record entirely. The rest of the record is rootsier, with just enough simmering guitar slithering through to justify the rockers title. The stand-out is arguably a cover of the Mighty Diamonds "Them Never Love Poor Marcus," the most passionate track on the record, although "Let's Give Jah Jah Praise" runs a very close second. The album remains a contradiction in terms, rockers without the rock, roots without the fire, but Clarke's silky delivery, and the Aggrovators' subtle performance had classic written all over it. The Front Line label dropped the singer after this record's release, philistines blind to the rare gem in their hands, time has only increased its value.

hm.

I'm staggered to read that Clarke was dropped by Front Line after this record came out. Especially at that time, when roots rock reggae was at its peak.

I love almost every track on Rockers Time Now, and I myself do go back it frequently, quite surprising given that mid-70s "conscious" roots is hardly my favourite type of reggae. The key - as the amg article above says - is the understated production. It's all so sweet and bouncy, but it's never anodyne, except perhaps for that ballady one on the second side, what's it called, I Wish It Could Go On. Very in keeping with the times, I suppose, that you had to stick a love song in there at some point.

I knew quite a few of these tracks from dubs on compilations, so when I bought the album it was like, Oh this one! and these feel now like the definitive versions.

One track (among several) that lifts this above your average album of its genre is Natty Dreadlocks Stand Up Right. Lilting, sweet, catchy and yet defiant and hard as nails at the same time.

The other thing is what you might call pop sensibility - these are (almost) all fine songs you can hum along to. And that's intended as a compliment.

yesterday i listened, side-by-side, to the song african roots, first on rockers now, where it originally appeared, and then on the blood & fire compilation, dreader dread. same song, but it sounded so different! i'm not sure if that's the result of context or remastering. on rockers now, it did sound "sweet and bouncy." on dreader dread, it sounded more bottom-heavy and brooding.

is this still going on???

it's languished lately. I want it to keep going!

brotherlovesdub is a bit busy now what with having nappies to change n stuff.. but im sure he wont mind if one of you keeps things ticking over, just pick some albums! (Hint: do some ska while he's not here!)

I don't know enough about ska, but here are three placeholder albums for your perusal, just to keep things at the top of the threads page:

Heavy Heavy Monster Sounds of Dave and Ansel Collins

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/juicyfrt/dave-and-ansel-collins.jpg

Junior Byles - Curly Locks: The Best of Junior Byles and the Upsetters 1970-1976

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/juicyfrt/junior-byles.jpg

Big Youth - Dreadlocks Dread

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/juicyfrt/big-youth.jpg

sorry I don't really know what I'm doing...just trying to keep things going...

no worries! i'm glad you did.

Love Big Youth, so exuberant and forceful.

nice, will check these out. glad to see the clubs still going.

Love that Junior Byles comp! That bizarre, minimal (like hollowed-out) second version of "Curly Locks", Scratch's kids singing on "Thanks We Get", lots of good stuff on that.

I don't know that Big Youth album, but if I had to pick a favorite roots-era DJ it would definitely be him.

who is volunteering for next week & so on?

i'll volunteer, but i will humbly defer if someone else wants to go first (i picked three discs a few weeks ago).

that Dave and Ansel Collins is pretty hard to find :(

hey Daniel Esq, are you out there?

I am! I'll select three discs later today.

F it, I'm just gonna leap in, mostly to make sure this thread doesn't die on the vine... apologies in advance of i'm an usurper (or unable to make the images come out right...

http://991.com/newgallery/Mad-Professor-Who-Knows-The-Sec-441043.jpg
Mad Professor: Dub Me Crazy Part Five
Picked it up as it has the track The Orb sampled and then forgot about for a few years, being too quirky, not roots enough. Going back to it now, the aural delights and humor hold up surprisingly well.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4KjiXr1ScXA/TCuXyUnJdXI/AAAAAAAACgw/BnMsi6oPaGQ/s1600/frSufferation22.jpg
Niney the Observer: Sufferation
Every comp of the man I've come across has been a winner, this one perhaps edging out the B&F one, as well as the Trojan one I just picked up. His cuts are generally of the same caliber of Scratch and Tubbys, but he doesn't get as much attention.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DfnfWl8on4I/SdVasazuZ3I/AAAAAAAABFI/-RWxa8t4WmI/s320/dread.jpg
Ranking Dread: In Dub
Simply put, one of the greatest dub albums ever. Up there with Prince Far I's Cry Tuff 3 and the usual suspects. Monstrous.

not at all! i've been swamped all week, so i'm glad someone else stepped into the batter's box.

wow I can't wait to check these out!

Sufferation is maybe a bit better than the B&F Microphone Attack comp, but anyone who doesn't have the latter: it's $4 on Ernie B's right now and you should totally get it!

Anyone heard this? http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1987. I was under the impression Jamaican Recordings wasn't to be trusted, but a friend says that comp is great.

the CD is $4 I should clarify

Niney the Observer: Sufferation
Every comp of the man I've come across has been a winner

there's a relatively new one -- called blood & fire (but not from the BAF label) -- that's top-to-bottom killer.

This one Daniel? Trojan has two with the same name.

no, it's this one. sorry, i had the name confused (the song blood & fire is on this disc).

reggae reviews, a now-dormant site i like a lot, really dug this sufferation disc:

*GUEST REVIEW*
Frankly, I wasn't expecting much from this collection, but it turned out to be very pleasant surprise. You may expect great songs from renowned stalwarts like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, or Horace Andy (and indeed, their songs are good), but relatively less-know artists like Tyrone Taylor and Leroy Smart contribute with similarly enjoyable cuts and obscure artists like The Jewels and George B add some downright gems. Many of these songs are presented in extended mix with dub or DJ companions, making Sufferation even more efficient. Highlights are too many to mention, but (apart from previously mentioned) I find the Rock Tone Band's "Burn Me Out," Christine's "Saturday," and Dennis Brown's "Blessed Are the Men" absolutely delightful. Sufferation is the album that any seasoned reggae fan would eat up. Everything is in balance: wise selection of artists and songs, massive liner notes, and perfect sound quality. It's definitely a better showcase for Niney than Heartbeat's Observer Station.

nuts, that VP comp does look good, unfortunately I have just enough of it already to be kind of annoyed at it rather than excited :/

And yeah, Sufferation is very good, like everything I've heard from Auralux the sounds is excellent. And Beta is right about the Ranking Dread too: "monstrous" is exactly OTM.

Have never heard the Mad Professor. Actually I think the only MP I've heard is his massive attack remix album, always meant to explore him further.

If iirc "Blessed Are the Men" is an anti-birth control song! though not very effectively or anything

i love the covers of mad professor albums. i'm less enthusiastic about the music therein.

this disc, also from the auralux label, seems interesting. anyone know anything about it?

sorry to be off-topic.

That is the single Auralux disc I do not own, but I'm sure it's great.

Niney is super-underrated and Sufferation is awesome. I don't have the VP collection, but instead have the 3 HeartBeat collections, two or three dub albums and B&F deejays collection and they are all stellar as well.

That Ranking Dread record is on Silver Kamel, a label I have been curious about for a while but never picked anything up on. They have a couple of sweet looking collections of discomixes IIRC.

i've never heard of the auralux label before this most recent set of listening-club selections (either that or i never paid attention to it).

this is another reason i love this thread. there are a lot of questionable, seemingly shady labels churning out roots reggae music. you have to have guidance about who to trust (especially in the post BAF world (rip)). in that regard, this thread helps me tremendously.

and now, off to emusic to explore the auralux catalog.

This Ranking Dread record really is something else!

Got the Ranking Dread in Dub on this morning. Enjoying it with my morning coffee. Roots Radics, Scientist, Tubby. So good. Haven't played this more than once so I really appreciate it getting called to attention this week.

If Austin Powers ever went to Jamaica, his theme song would most likely be 'Yes Yes Yes Dub'. I know that rhythm and melody but need to find other songs that use it.

"No No No" Dawn Penn.

Haha I should have guessed that even before listening to it.

any of the auralux stuff is good

trying to hit this tonight, hopefully they'll have tix at the door

http://dccaribbeanconnection.com/Upload/images/cables.bmp

also gonna see yellowman for free next weekend

I should have known that too but the horns on the Ranking Dread cut just sound so uplifting and I associate No No No with a slower, more sombre mood.

Whip Them King Tubby! is indeed great, just picked it up a couple of days ago; it's Linval Thompson productions plus their Tubby dubs. It's not quite as, uh, lacerating as the title makes it sound but like others have said, you can't go wrong with auralux though I think I just slightly prefer their other Thompson reissue, Roots of Dancehall.

really, really enjoying sufferation. there's an edgy, menacing vibe to some of these tracks (e.g., gregory issacs' sly, slack delivery on rock on).

this here listening club thread is deader than dead but return of summer heat (cue "City's Too Hot") means reggae return:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DbAWRuR6Ilc/S30WasmBF9I/AAAAAAAABPE/UAC-vqfwXU8/s400/FRONT.jpg
Lovejoys: Lovers Rock
Actually wanted to post this one when last I listed my favorite reggae discs. My favorite Bullwackies production, something i also spin with Grace Jones and other dark electro reggae cuts. the lovers rock cuts are pretty cool too. "Long Lost Lover" still devastates me years later.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ffK-z668P14/TCY6RemsU8I/AAAAAAAAAVE/l_YJHyjMeDQ/s400/2vkxk7l.jpg
VA: Mrs. Pottinger's High Note and Gay Feet Label Musical Feast
Back in the early 90s, when i worked at a college radio station, i stole this disc on a whim, and still return to it, over a decade on. my favorite rocksteady comp by a longshot. it was slightly awesome when Vice Magazine wrote about Mrs. Pottinger a few years back.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQtuh1Q_luQ/SGmglJDHeuI/AAAAAAAACl4/3IpWCiHaxEI/s400/Andy,+Horace+-+In+The+Light+%2B+Dub+-.jpg
Horace Andy: In the Light Dub
weird to not have any Horace Andy albums up for discussion here so far, but this one is so sweet, with effervescent Prince Jammy dubs. also love the Bullwackies one, and hell, dig almost everyone i've ever heard.

i love, love, love horace andy's voice. i don't have that disc, tho. will solve that ASAP, in honor of its selection on this thread.

Those are three great albums.

oh, wow -- that horace andy album is gone from emusic!

Lovers Rock is a personal favorite. How is Reggae Vibes?

here's the vocal version of In the Light. no dub tho.
that said, tons of sweet Horace Andy albums there. I can vouch for the sublimity of this one, this one, this one, and this one.

dance hall style may be the greatest record ever, so yeah.

I love Reggae Vibes.

funny, i never got around to hearing Reggae Vibes.

How do people feel about the guitar on Andy's "Do You Love My Music?"