Thursday, 9 December 2021

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!

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Thursday, 9 January 2020

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.

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
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Thursday, 22 November 2018

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...


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
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Sunday, 11 November 2018

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

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Thursday, 11 October 2018

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.



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
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Monday, 29 January 2018

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).


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.



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
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Thursday, 28 September 2017

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.

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.


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!
 

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. 




 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..."


 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!
 

 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?).

 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)

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!











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Saturday, 26 August 2017

Foo Manchu

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick one to get back in business after the summer pause.
I should be in London for carnival but for the first time in 8 years I won't be there.
So, in order to feel some of the vibes, here is a very nice "early reggae" tune.
This one is from the great Desmond Dekker, the man behind such hits as "Israelites", "007/Shanty town"and plenty others.

This tune is an illustration of the links between contemporary jamaican music and cinema.
Plenty LPs, artists aliases, illustrations link movies or TV shows to the music.
As an example you may know about the DJ's known as Al Capone, Clint Eastwood, Trinity, Dillinger, tunes such as China Gate by Guardian Angel, the LP "How the west was won", the saxophonist Richard Hall known as "Dirty Harry", all these are reference to Mafia, Western, Kung Fu or other genre films.

The title is taken from a series of books and movies about the Dr Fu Manchu, a fictious character being some kind of evil genius from chinese origins.

The tune starts with a very nice organ and groovy laidback riddim. Then Desmond Dekker enters with his unique high key voice and the Aces delivering sharp harmonies. Really a winner to me!
The sound on my copy is not optimal but please keep in mind this piece of plastic is almost 50 years old!

As usually you may download the tune by clicking on the blue link below the label.

Hope you enjoy it, plenty more to come!

Peace to one and all,
Ben

or
 http://www.mediafire.com/file/0wsbcng199bna9o/Desmond_Dekker_%26_The_Aces_-_Foo_Manchu_%28Pyramid_7_%29.mp3
or
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6pkd5shfpn3emks/Desmond%20Dekker%20%26%20The%20Aces%20-%20Foo%20Manchu%20%28Pyramid%207_%29.mp3?dl=0
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Sunday, 30 April 2017

Major roots 12", rastaman tune!

Hello people,

Quick one tonight as I had this digitalized some time ago, it makes it easier.
Tonights feature is an all time favourite piece by one legendary singer. At some point member of the Heptones, Naggo Morris is responsible for numerous first class hits such as "Su Su pan rasta", "Flour power", "False rasta", "A true dem no know",...
This one 12", titles Jah Guide came out on the Joe Gibbs Music labelon the crucial year 1980.
As the title suggests, this is a rasta anthem : "Jah guide us all the way..."

The riddim is tight, militant, almost minimal with very nice horns ornaments here and there that culminates in the sax and trumpet solos in the "extended" part.
This ones guarantees to mash the dance for the roots heads every time!

Hope you 'll like it as I do,

Peace to one and all,
Ben

 or
 http://www.mediafire.com/file/39yhj3sp5a928ps/Naggo_Morris_-_Jah_Guide_-_JGM_12_.mp3

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Tuesday, 25 April 2017

Some island stuff and a huge digi/rub a dub...

Hello you all,

Long time no post so you'll have three different vibes tonight.
First, as promised somewhere a time ago, here comes a tune I've been searching to ID for long.
It's what the title is, a funky calypso!
I loved this tune in a mix Frankie Francis from the Sofrito's crew did some years ago and could never find what it was... Untill recently, this LP was listed amongst other marvelous music by a big seller and the "soundclip" was this very tune. I love it when this happens so here it is to your musical pleasure (funny thing : the band accompanying band is called Frankie Francis & his Orchestra, is it where the alias comes from...) :



or
 http://www.mediafire.com/file/cfpcfwet62oakg5/Hot%2C_Cool%2C_Spice_-_Funky_Calypso.mp3

Second tune featured tonight was also part of that great listing. This one I did not know at all but this LP is great, full of different caribean vibes, from calypso to reggae and more, with a brass flavour.
The band originated from the island of Antigua and began their carrier in 1964. They even won the Brassorama Champion title in 1975 says the back cover.
Obviously, I'll go for the reggae tune but the whole LP deserves attention. It is a nostalgic piece titled "Tighter", sung by the guitar player of the band and it goes like this :
"We must look for one another
And stop this fighting between brothers, brother
That is what Jah Jah wants for all of us
If you look in the book that is what he say
And time is getting tighter and tighter me tell you...tighter
We must be loving and trusting each other for ever"



 or 
http://www.mediafire.com/file/pn5sbwc106seltu/Saints_brothers_of_Antigua_-_Tighter.mp3

Last but not least tune for tonight takes us to the 80's or even later. Do not know about the date of issue of this but it has this typical late 80's sound...very different vibe but I can't wait to share it with you.
Tune is from Moses E. Henriques, which is pretty unknown to me. It seems he did a tune for Wackie's in 1982 according to discogs (https://www.discogs.com/Moses-Itopia-Band-When-The-Vampire-Come-To-Your-Neighborhood/release/4733134).
This 12" comes on the Mokin original label and if you have a proper sound system to drop it, the riddim is masive. Straight forward lyrics, the singer claims that he's "ready, willing and able to put bread on the table" and support the family.
Rare and enjoyable piece of digi/rub a dub in my book.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mq8c6db94tr8uu8/Moses_E._Henriques_and_The_Revealers_-_Ready_willing_and_able_-_Mokin_original_12_.mp3

That's all for tonight but stay tuned as more is coming, hopefully soon!
Peace to one and all!
Ben

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Tuesday, 28 March 2017

In these times

Hello people,

Quite some time since last post, sorry to be so elusive...
A quick one tonight while digitalizing some of the latest additions to the vaults.
This one is re-take of extra classic "summertime" theme from the great George Gershwin.
Errol Walker did a first re-lick of it with Lee Perry, that you can find here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkMRXQygxTI
A repress of this tune has been done on 7" recently, that I do not know if it's legit or bootleg business.
On the 7" cut, the lyrics are quite the same as on original song and the tune benefits from Perry dubbing expertise.

Well, here is the later 12" cut on Solid Gold, second 12" release on that label, as B side to All my love to give.
I did not know much about Errol Walker but it appears is lead vocalist to the band The In Crowd, who did the massive hit "Mango Walk" that you will find on the superb Darker than blue comp' (PK label for the vinyl release and Blood and Fire for the CD).

The year of release of the 12" is unknown to me but it sounds like 1979 or 1980 release with that typical drumming that reminds of Sly Dumbar, super tight on the snare drum; repetitive and hypnotic bassline, just balanced by some organ. Just add the smooth as sugar voice (made deeper by constant echo effect) and that timeless theme and you get a hell of tune.

This is to be played loud when summertime comes, but while waiting the nice days to come, it warms my heart nice!


Share Errol Walker - In these times - Solid Gold 12_.mp3 - 12 MB

or
http://www.mediafire.com/file/mlz6y3silz8c5bi/Errol_Walker_-_In_these_times_-_Solid_Gold_12_.mp3

I hope you like this as much as I do, just click on the blue link to download the tune in nice quality.
Feel free to comment or leave a hello while listening,
More soon,
Peace!
Posted by at 4 comments:

Saturday, 4 March 2017

Best ever roots instrumental!!!!! (at least for me...)

Hello Ladies and Gents, 

Today's feature is nothing less than what I consider the best ever instrumental roots reggae tune of all times. Obviously this is a subjective opinion and if you want to champion this, you are very welcome to submit your own favourite!

I've been hunting this for a long time and am very happy to finally be able to share this with you all.
So, not much information about the band The Righteous Foundation. According to Discogs, some of the tunes are credited to Hopeton Thaxter, Maurice Roberts, Randall Thaxter.
More or less, these are non other than original members of the much more known Gaylads band!
Another interesting link is that they also are credited as composers of the other deep roots favourite tune "Wolf in sheep clothing" by...The Upright Foundation (on the Wisdom label, featured on the excellent Wanted compilation on Makasound).
Many interesting links here!
Production duties are done by Delroy Hinds who vocalised, wrote or arranged some nice Burning Spear and Horace Andy tunes.

What to say about the tune itself? 
It's a stormer steppers piece with a prominent trombone (anyone who knows who plays it?) and very nice horns section arrangements. The melody reminds me of some of the best Rico pieces form the man from Wareika period. The trombone solo form 1:34 to 2:02 is a masterpiece, the little "birds" sounds and other percussive additions, all here is rich and well done!
Icing on the cake, the B-side is blessed by a very delicate, still heavy dub mix of the tune. By stripping the piece to the bone it gives the drumming/guitar more presence and, as a steppers piece, it guarantees every massive to go mad dancing!

So here it is, just click on blue link below the labels to access this beautiful tune! 

Peace to one and all and to the world!
 
 

Share The Righteous Foundation - The second comming - Cosmic label 7.zip - 16 MB

http://www.mediafire.com/file/xuwvoi4xu9dqaju/The_Righteous_Foundation_-_The_second_comming_-_Cosmic_label_7.zip

PS : I received two comments by on person today (a first in this blog's history!). So this post goes livicated to David, whoever and wherever you are.
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Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Gully bank...

Hello people,

In these times when the US and many European countries are trying to close their borders and bring new boundaries to culture, people and thinking it is time to share more and more!

And what I can share is some music :-)

So here is a new 7" ina me boxes, from early 80's (1982 to be precise).
Roots music from that era tends to be more crude than the golden 70's (less horns, more organ, heavier mixes, and eventually crude in the lyrics also).

This one is heavy in the mix and serious in the lyrics.
Devon Russell (half of the Lloyd and Devon combo) sings about these tuff times when violence was rising in the island : "you gotta be a tuff hombre to stay in town, you gotta be a tuff tuff hombre to move 'round and r'ound, You gotta be real cool if you want to keep your crown" and then warning the bad boys "ranking a burried 'pon gully bank in these times". Literally "the high end killers ("ranking") will end up in the sewer..."
The riddim is tuff also and will most certainly make you move your feet, fe sure!
So here are both sides for you to enjoy and heat a bit this winter.
Peace to you all,
Ben

Posted by at 4 comments:

Monday, 30 January 2017

Rub a dub fever

Hello y'all!
Just a quick one this evening.

I received a LP today, not one you see so much in the Fatman Ridim Section series.
It's titled Dub in South Africa and its a Dub/DJ combination style LP with Brigadier Hulk as DJ (absolute unknown to me, any info welcome).
It's not the whole LP that's good and the toasting is quite basic stuff (even if he does not stop to rest!) but the opening title of B-Side "African Rub a dub" is so heavy when played loud that I listened to it all afternoon and so I must share it with you!

That bass (somehow it reminds me od natural mystic...) and the elusive horns section in the back, plus tipically echoed keyboard drives me mad (and I am usually not fond of these rud a dub riddims).
I kinda fantasize of playing this on a proper sound system to feel the ground tremble on a nice open air venue under summer sun, hummm!

So here is the ugly but funny cover and the label design, and the link to the tune itself below.
Hope you like it, as I said and as the cover suggets, this is heavy weapon so play it LOUD with bass boosted and get the "Rub a dub fever"!
NB : I have to re-record it 5 times, don't know why Audacity kept cutting parts of the tune as if it was skipping (the record is as new...) so I had to listen to it many times and...it's getting better every time :-)

Hey nice, it seems my browser is generating direct links again (so you don't have to cut/paste this time but simply click on the link above, nice and easy!
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Sunday, 8 January 2017

Some version excursion

Hello there, how are you people?
Wish you all the best for this new year, may nothing but peace, love and happiness come your way in 2017, and may the same apply to the earth!

So, a good way to start the year is to go on a little version excursion.
As you probably know if you have love for reggae music, a tune or a riddim may be used several times by different artists.
A same producer could make more money on a riddim by making many artists or groups vocalising it. And then producers used to copy the others best tunes my having their in-house band recording it. The very best riddims or tunes may be found in many versions and dubs and would be re-recorded even long time after they first appear (somehow like jazz "standards").
Have a look at Blood and Fire compilation "Tree os Satta"and you'll have a good illustration of what I'm talking about.

So tonight feature is a small example of that with a riddim I like very much from reggae golden era.
It's one of early Dennis Brown output (the crowned prince was only sixteen at that time).
Here is a link to the lyrics : http://www.jah-lyrics.com/song/dennis-brown-foot-of-the-mountain
I love that laid back groove, the flute and guitar ornaments, wicked stuff!

Share Dennis Brown - At the foot of the mountain - Downtown 7.zip - 14 MB

 http://www.mediafire.com/file/15y1ekl5lypo7tp/Dennis_Brown_-_At_the_foot_of_the_mountain_-_Downtown_7.zip

And here is another tune on same riddim, the DJ lick by scotty over Tony Aiken "Holy father, one year later in 1974. Great toasting and some little birds added to the mix.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/2p0jrejl0jujd66/Scotty_-_Holy_father_from_the_roots_-_Tobin_7.zip 

I know there are many more versions of that same riddim but do not own them so if you're blessed with one, just let me know!

Hope you like this, peace to one and all,

Ben 
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Thursday, 8 December 2016

Upbeat calypso time!

Hello people,

Let's switch of pace for this time and fly out to Trinidad, home of wonderful calypso music.

First feature tonight is this elusive 12" from the band Itation on MG Records. Two very different sides that you'll find following the link below the labels. For me it's all about side B, the super 70's upbeat calypso. The tune is a stormer, no intro you're thrown directly into pure tropical madness. The riddim section is tight, the bassist kills it and the singer adds the special touch "calypso music is tempo, reggae music is feeling, cadence music is rythm'n". Social lyrics also, quite pessimist "we're all born in thisland; progressively you feel this country getting nowhere..."
Funny fact this side was recorded in Trinidad and the other in Martinique and the postal code mentioned is in St Lucia (Virgin Islands) on one side and St Croik (sic.) on the other side.
Won't say much about the other side. By the title one could have hope for a nice reggae tune but it is in fact some kind of mento type piece wih some steel drum in the mix. Not a bad one, sung in creole, but not my dope...
 

Share Itation - Calypso fever - MG records 12.zip - 24 MB

http://www.mediafire.com/file/7n8jnl2h1a5z8h8/Itation_-_Calypso_fever_-_MG_records_12.zip

Second feature is from way more known Lord Shorty, prolific and legendary Calypso artist.
First side is a disco flavoured song about the new vibration in that music, titled Endless vibrations as the LP from which it is extracted.
But once again it's all about B-side (which I was too stupid to notice untill I sold it...). Lucily enough I numerize alost everything I sell so you'll can enjoy it also. So this B-side is a more roots calypso piece with nice piano and hand drums rythm'n. I do love the chorus parts and the conclusion : drum spirit is from Africa! Some low key parts give it a bluesy feeling that contrasts with the rather speedy beat.
This side, as well as the Calypso side from Itation make me move my head in time and wish for a roots dancefloor somewhere on a tropical beach to dance all night. As winter is settling, t's good to have these vibes to warm up a bit!
http://www.mediafire.com/file/g0ytqpfm99k01tm/Lord_Shorty_-_Endless_vibrations_-_Island_series_7.zip

I do hope you'll enjoy this, feel free to comment or say hi, peace to one and all in these troubled times!
Ben 
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