A little revive of the blog - Scars of (Covid) war

Hello ya'll

 

Once again it's been a very long time since I haven't posted something on this space. I even checked tonight to upload the tue to be featured and did not find my Mediafire space, I guess they have deleted it so please feel free to contact me here if you want me to upload again one of the tunes featured in the past and the link does not work.

 As all of us these two last years have been kind of hectic with this shitty disease spreading all over, some space for hope that maybe some mindset would evolve towards more respect for mother nature, many of us being or feeling alone or abandoned, the poorest among us not even able to access basic healthcare,... I count my blessings in this time as I am healthy, I have a roof over my head and a job to provide bred and more, all of my closest parents are still with me and healthy, so everything good here while I am aware it's not the same for everyone.

So I guess now is the time to share some of the vibes I have gathered in the mentime!

Tune featured tonight is a early 80's tune that I have liked for quite a while, still pretty obscure, from Delroy Williams. Delroy Williams is a singer mostly known for his collaborations with Augustus Pablo with many roots hits such as Think Twice, Idrens Feels Nice and the beautiful I stand black LP, which has been reissued back in the days on the ever great Makasound reissue label.

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9kukhgwj5dzdla/Delroy%20Williams%20-%20Scars%20Of%20War%20%28Vin%20Hur%207%29.zip?dl=0

The tune selected tonight has been also reissued in 2020 under the Prosperity imprint from France (an Onlyroots subsidiary?) so if you want this pon plastic you still can grab a copy for cheap.

It was originally issued in 1983, in an era when Jamaica has been suffering for long and continued to suffer from political and gang violence, both being wildly intricated. So the scars of war mentionned in the lyrics refer clearly to that kind of violence and the song itself is a call for cease fire. Many a tune has had the same topic since the mid 70's and you will find plenty examples of these so called "tribal wars", such as Enos McLeod "Tel-a-viv", Little Roy "Tribal war", Bob Andy "war in the city" and plenty more. The few moments of calm in between being also celebrated in tunes such as Jacob Mille's "Peace treaty special", Abdulkareem's "Peace in the city" and so on.

To pay tribute to my friend James Danino and his work on his blog Wisdom Knowledge Understanding I will try to provide with the lyrics (for a translation to French, we'll see).

Song goes like this :

Heya heya, scars we no want ouuuuuuu

Kill them all and come back alive, you'll only get to hero

Kill them all and come back alive, you'll only get to hero, woyoy

Scars of war we no want, no no

Scars of war we no want, no no

When I&I born seh we no have no scars

When I&I born seh we no have no scars

But now we mature we have a lot for sure

In a time like this one and one get wild

All they try to do is take each other's life

They won't look into themselves and see they are wrong 

Scars of war we no want, no no

Scars of war Jah Jah no want, no no

In a time like this even iron can melt

And I&I, I&I are flesh and blood

See the truth : we are one, although the fight is strong

Scars of war we no want, no no (2x)

Heya Heya...seen

Kill them all and come back alive, you'll only get to hero

Kill them all and come back alive, you'll only get to hero, woyoy

Scars of war we no want, no no

Scars of war we no want, no no

When I&I born seh we no have no scars

When I&I born seh we no have no scars

But now we mature we have a lot for sure

In a time like this one and one get wild

All they try to do is take each other's life

They won't look into themselves and see they are wrong 

Scars of war Jah Jah no want

 

The tune is quite slow tempo, with heavy bass and beautiful sax arrangements and solo, which come strong again on the version side, provided by the High Times All Star band.

 

As in the past, feel free to download both sides by following the link in blue below the tune label, high quality rip from my personal copy.

I will now leave you and get some rest, wishing Peace and tranquility to earth as Roudoudou once said.

More love, more life, Guy Danse!

Obeah book

Long time since the last post again; family, job, works are keeping me away from the keyboard, sorry for the lazyness.

I got this record a year ago or so and it is one of these "likle" 7' I wanted for a long time. But this one copy came to me without effort in the end, in the form of a random guy contacting me on the web asking "do you buy records?". Easy question, easy answer and that's how i began to buy job lots from the guy for what looked to be a beautiful business collaboration beginning an ended in a mess a few months and 3 or 4 lots of records after, what a shame!

Still, this one and a few others I kept and so I want to share it with you tonight.

The tune is initially from a famous 70's band, the Ethiopians, whose lead singer, Leonard Dillon, has a very distinctive voice. This tune, titled Obeah Book can be found on their classic Slave Call LP produced by Winston "Niney The Observer" Holmes. The LP cut comes with serious horns section underlying the "countryside" kind of riddim.

The cut featured tonight is the 7' issue credited toe The Ethiopian (without "s" at the end) as it seems the two other members of the vocal trio, Stephen Taylor and Aston Morris, did not participate in this production.
This cut, sounds more "dry" without the horns and the harmonies, which matches the topic in a better way to my hears, emphasizing on the guitar, piano and hand drums. For those who are not familiar with Jamaican culture, obeah is a local form of "black magic", a bit like pocomania or Haitian vaudou. Many rasta refuse to be associated with that magic as they only deal with life and not dead. But still some well known rasta singers are said to deal with obeah.

Share Ethiopian - Obeah Book - Observer 7.mp3 - 7 MB
or check :  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6kax62vk6nyvgel/AABGBlz6mVjWNAcDGsyb1roGa?dl=0

Here the singer clearly refuses this kind of doing.

The lyrics go like this :

I'm not an obeah man
I am a rastaman
I am a righteous one (2x)
Do not study iniquity
Jah Jah know ya
Put not heart we can leave, I say (?)
Jah Jah know yah
So I say back weh with your obeah book
No no no I man na dwell deh
Back weh with you obeah book
No no no rasta no dwell deh
Going around making disturbancies
Persecuting Jah Jah children, yo
Talking this, talking that
Cold dead on hot spot (?)
But I say back weh with you obeah book
No no no I man na dwell deh
Back weh with you obeah book
No no no rasta no dwell deh (a true)
 
The record comes complete with a decent dubbing excursion on B-side titles Back weh, with echo explosions and drum&bass mixing alternating with the piano/guitar skank core of the riddim.

Share Observer - Back Weh.mp3 - 8 MB

As usual you can DL the tunes by clicking on blue link below the labels (feel free to contact me if anything does not work proper).

I hope to be able to share a few more tunes soon, this one post goes livicated to Greg who introduced me to the tune, Litelet who plays it regularly in the dance and to Heala on Mixcloud who inspired me to share again some vibes with his great mixes, big up yourself guys!

I'm gona have some rest, peace to the world,
Ben

Socialism is the solution to injustice some reggae singer say, and injustice is when some have all and some have none

Hello people,

Just a quick but important one tonight.
This tune here is quite rare but the lyrics are full of meaning and well worth applicable today.

And so it goes :

Some a hala, some a bawl
Some a jump, a jump for joy (x2)

The holly Bible show I man
Jah world was created for everyone
And that man should be free
And live in one harmony!

When I man check it out
Some thing seem to be going wrong
Some is having all
While others are having none

Some a them a walk with them hungry belly
While some a them have it plenty yeah
Jah Jah know that's no right
Every mouth should a get a bite!

I'm saying that...

Some a hala...

Share Jerry Adams - Some a hala - Jah B records 7.zip - 14 MB

Well crucial tune, this one deserves to be available to everyone.

Any info about Jerry Adams is most welcome as very few is know about the man.

Great tune indeed, enjoy it as I do, this one goes livicated to all them that have none, in hope that soon enough everyone can get a bite!

Peace,

Ben

Killer nyabinghi cut!

Hello you all,

Today feature is a beautiful Nyabinghi cut by the great Light of Saba. 

I am not usually a big fan of Nyabibghi tunes as they are more "meditation" tunes than dance or social/political tunes and they often are played without bass or horns (pure drumming and voice).

This one is no exception but  like it since I was a teen and it features a bit of horns in the introduction and some bass and guitar and effects afterwards. As a result, for me,you can play this at Roots dances without problem and the pace is somehow quick enough to make you move your feet. 

The singing is about black liberation and sufferation on A-side, sounding as a lamentation, truly conscious stuff asking fro freedom for black man all over the world.

The real thriller here is on B-side, titled Outcry, opening on a loud shout and then riding the same riddim with spoken word by Rasta Son (I think I read somewhere him could be Micahel Ras Starr but really not sure). This "signature" shouting will be coming again and again during all the tune.

Theme is the same, talking about freedom but this time more towards Rastas, concluding that "Rasta Man must be free from Cape to Cairo" (hereby considering that Africa is populated by rastas...).

Sadly this copy has seen better days (quite some crakle, specially on B-side) but considering you do not see this every day  I'm already quite appy to be able to share it with you.

As usual, click on blue text below the labels to download the tunes. Feel free to let me know what you think about it and hopefully I'll be back soon for more.

Peace to one and all,

Ben

Share Les Clarke - Free Up Blackman - Total Sounds 7.zip - 18 MB

Holy grail comes in the form of a blank 7"!!!!!!!

Too much time without sharing some vibes, please pardon me.

Tonight feature is the best way to break the silence : this tune i've been searching for a decade long!

This tune is "perfect in every aspect" : topic, riddim, singer and harmonies. A mighty skank (sharp rythmn guitar and round bass) with organ arrangements  and here appears Tony Tuff as leader for this tune of the African Brothers. Perfect harmonies by Sugar Minott and Derrick Bubbles come as response to each verse.
Here is what I understand from the lyrics, which are simple and plain anti-war indictment :

How many men
Have died in war
Without knowing what they are fighting for?

How many men
In war do fall
With guns and bombs
Their foes destroy them all!

In combat raid
They give no room
One mistake on your part 
could mean your doom

They stalk and prey
On each other
Weasely soul, fatty men
Like scavengers
Run for your life
Or stand and fight
You're trying to be brave
You'll learn on earn your grave

How many men
Have died in war
Without knowing what they are fighting for?

How many men
In war do fall
With guns and bombs
Their force destroys them all!


How many men
In war do fall (ad lib)

If you think of a correction to the lyrics get in touch with me (Sir James, this is a call!).

This tune only came as a blank (ulabelled record) as far as I know so here is what bare beauty looks like.

Share African Brothers - Run For Your Life.zip - 13 MB

Hope you appreciate it as much as I do (you may get both sides of the tune by clicking on blue link below the labels pictures).

Will try to post more treasures soon,

Peace to earth and one and all!

Ben

Some Father Richard Ho Lung productions

Hello,

Today's features are representative of the many influences that nourishes reggae. Those records were produced by one of the many colourful men that shaped this music we love.
Father Richard Ho Lung is a catholic priest, born in Jamaica in 1939 of Chinese immigrants parents.
Highly educated person, he founded in the early eighties the Brothers of the Poor to try to reach and help the neediest people of Kingston's ghettoes. For more information about this order, you may have a look here : https://missionariesofthepoor.org/about-mop/founder/

The interesting part for me is that he wrote Reggae songs and recorded them in a group called Father Richard Ho Lung & Friends.

Here are two of this songs that may appeal to roots fans that were pressed to 7" format :
Both tunes are "gospel inspired " but this first record, Unless the Lord builds the house, could be sung in church easily. You may find a live recording of LP : https://www.discogs.com/Father-Richard-Ho-Lung-Friends-Celebration-Recorded-Live-In-Toronto/release/8112153 But the 7" issue sounds more roots to my ears and may be played in session more easily. Pity there is no "version" on the b-side but a true gospel tune (which I am not fond of).

Share Jonathan Burke - Unless the Lord builds the house.mp3 - 8 MB

The second tune is taken from the LP Brother Soul (https://www.discogs.com/Father-Richard-Ho-Lung-Friends-Brother-Soul/release/6450617). 

The back sleeve of that LP mentions some well known names in the reggae scene such as Harold Butler, Ernest Wilson and even the Twelve Tribes of Israel vocal group The Visionaires!). The LP label also helps to determine the vocalist on this tune refered to as "The Mighty Victim" on the 7" who appears to be Richard Kirkwood. This release benefits of a dub version on the B-side which gives a little bit more of this nice uptempo funky riddim to the happy listener.

Share The mighty victim with Fr. Richard HoLung's - God and Caesar.zip - 11 MB

As always, click on the blue link below the label to download the full quality rip of the tune, enjoy the music and feel free to comment if you like it!

Have a happy day one and all,

Peace,

Ben

Ladies roots tonight! hotta dan lava...

Hello,

Long time I wanna do this one post and cultivate the idea of it.
It always surprised me that on reggae records sales listings, roots sung by women was refered to as "female roots" while tuns performed by male singers is just called..."roots". Maybe something related to mysoginy or phalocracy in general and in reggae music also... Women are refered to as "queen" or "empress" in this culture but as in many other places few of them reached recognition while many of them managed the family business, and still do.
Well, the purpose of this post is obviously not to be a feminist call but rather to highlight some of my favourite roots tune performed by women artists. So without further labba labba, here is the first tune and to open this series let's use a stone cold killer...

Don't mash up creation, by Sharon Little is a huge roots tune that guarantees the crowd to shout PUUUUUUULLLLLLUP! Slow riddim, tight horns and percussion, plus concious lyrics, total classic and most wanted... Rinsed by Jah Shaka, a relick of this tune came out a few years ago on his own label that it's more available but with lesser raw mix. Here is the original in all its glory, with version included.

Share Sharon Little - Don't mash up creation - One love records 12.zip - 20 MB

Hard to follow this one but let's try this...
This is a next cut to Gregory Isaacs Rock on tune on the same Observer label but the ladie's cut is as good or even better. Tune called On a saturday night by the artist Christine. The dub of this is tremendous, so much bass it saturated my digital capture.

Share Christine - On a saturday night - Observer 7.zip - 12 MB

Next tune is a masterpiece from Judy Mowatt, Black Woman, followed by a "dub poetry" piece on the same riddim by Joy Tulloch (is is an alias for Judy, the voice sounds quite the same...). A live rendering of this tune can be seen on the excellent Heartland reggae movie about one love peace concert, such a feeling. Purest skank, nice guitar ornaments, great horns and flute and above all the voice of that great lady (part of Bob Marley's harmonie's group the I-Threes for thos who don't know). Beautiful music indeed...
The DJ piece is about black women's pride compared to the image of a black rose. For those who understand, pay attention to the lyrics!

 

Share Judy Mowatt - Black woman - Ashandan 7.zip - 17 MB

Next feature is a tune from the woman trio known as Roots and titled Evil that you do. This is the original JA pressing on the Don One label. From a repress it seems the vocal band is backed by the Wailers but really I do not know much about that one except that I like it a lot...and I need a better copy. As you'll see sound and label condition are not that good but still...enjoy this great piece of reggae music. 

Share Roots - Evil that you do - Don One 7.zip - 14 MB

 Next one is also a super classic, wanted piece by Yvonne Sterling, called Oh Jah on the very nice S&S Records label. Rasta lyrics, groovy bassline, again great guitar and percussion work. Singer calling for Jah mercy, heavy roots at its best (plus the dub as bonus...).
"Show us some mercy Jah Jah and protect those that follow your footsteps..."

Share Yvonne Sterling - Oh Jah - S

 Next tune is the most suitable for the dance as it is a very nice "steper" tune, meaning militant drumming and round and stomping bass. It is also a classic, by Beverley Williams on the Shaka label, tune called Sufferation. The organ, the drum and the bass are here laying a speedy riddim. The vocalist talent is not my favourite but does the job. The real treasure from my point of view lies on the b-side as the version is a MURDEROUS dub piece. Ting called Jam Tone dub, killaaaaaaa!

 

Share Beverley Williams - Sufferation - Shaka 7.zip - 16 MB

 Another singer who did some great and respected pieces such as Prophecy or Destiny, here is a bit less known tune by sister Faybiene (or Fabienne, or Fabian...) Miranda on the Jaguar imprint. This tune is from the same year as me, 1979, andis titled Fire. The very recognizable voice of Faybiene on a mellow riddim with some (for the occasion) well used synth plus nice guitar ornaments. Very deep stuff. No dub on this piece and B-side suits not my taste so it won't be featured here.

Nice lyrics also if someone has the courage to write them down (are you there Sir James?).

Share Faybiene Miranda - Fire - Jaguar 7_.mp3 - 10 MB

 Ok a little last one before I go to bed, without label picture as it is taken from a LP. This one is my very favourite one song (in my collection at least....) in reggae by a woman vocalist and it's the superb song Peace and Unity by the Sonya Spence. Taken from her first LP In the dark, on the High Note label (interesting it is a woman also that ran this label, the great Mrs Sonia Pottinger). This song is great for this time we're living and goes like this :
"Tell me why can't we stop the killing,
Why can't we stop the fighting and live and live in unity
Everyday we're fighting, taking our brother's life
It's time for peace Yeah it's time for peace.
Look at the beautiful world the father has given us to live in
and all we do s make war, yeah war.
You know it's time we start to live as human beings...."
Top notch riddim, great lyrics, BIM!
(If you like it as I do, you may grab a copy on 7" format as Frech reissue label Onlyroots, see here :  https://www.discogs.com/Sonya-Spence-Peace-Unity/release/4353936)

Share Sonya Spence - Peace and unity - In the dark LP High Note.mp3 - 9 MB

Ok, it's time for me to rest a bit.

Hope you enjoyed the ride, don't hesitate to spread the word about this likkle page, Peace to one and all and more to follow soon!