musicology #641
22 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Jamaica, Rock Steady, Studio1, Ska, Tribute T-Shirts, tUmp Tags: themusicologist, bob dylan, coxsone dodd, Rolling Stone, studio 1 mp3, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, rock steady mp3, Lee Perry, the wailers mp3, wailers t shirt, Jackie Mitoo, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject
tUmp #4
the Wailers – Rolling Stone
one of themusicologists favourite early Wailers cuts…a TOP ranking interpretation of Bob Dylan’s ‘Rolling Stone’ from the time when Ska was slowing down and making the transition into the Rocksteady (1965/66)….I’m getting bored of saying “yet another example of the Downbeat sound” but it is…
musicology #640
21 Feb 2012 9 Comments
in Reggae, Jamaica, Rock Steady, Studio1, Tribute T-Shirts, tUmp Tags: themusicologist, coxsone dodd, studio 1 mp3, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, rock steady mp3, Lee Perry, the wailers mp3, wailers t shirt, Ken Boothe mp3, Jackie Mitoo, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject
tUmp #3
Ken Boothe & the Wailers – The Train Is Coming
more Rocksteady from the Downbeat stable but this time featuring themusicologist’s #1 Jamaican vocalist Ken Boothe on lead and the Wailers on back up…DEFINITELY touched by the hand of Lee Perry and Jackie Mitoo….
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musicology #639
20 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Reggae, Jamaica, Rock Steady, Studio1, Tribute T-Shirts, tUmp Tags: themusicologist, coxsone dodd, studio 1 mp3, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, rock steady mp3, the wailers mp3, wailers t shirt, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject
tUmp #2
the Wailers – Let Him Go
Sticking with the Early Wailers selection with this piece of Rockin’ Steady social commentary on the Emerging Rude Boy who was beginning to make his presence felt in and around Kingston’s more notorious districts and parishes as the reality of Independence unfolded and the ‘hustle’ became the primary way of earning a living and even more importantly a reputation for the ghetto sufferers.
Yet another example of why Sir Coxsone Downbeat’s Studio 1 was establishing itself as the prime Studio for recording and releasing the authentic sound of independent Jamaica.
musicology #571
02 Sep 2010 2 Comments
in Jamaica, Rock Steady, themusicologist Tags: Jamaica, Justin Hinds mp3, rocksteady mp3, Say Me Say mp3, themusicologist
EssentialCuts #1
(Justin Hinds – Say Me Say)
Stop, start, start stop…themusicologist has writers block..you know it’s like that when the words don’t come easy but on the other hand it should come as no surprise to me as, (at least for the last few days/weeks/months), words are, (in my opinion), devoid of universal meaning so don’t really have much value? Where am I going with this? F**k knows so I’ll leave it there and just hitch a ride on the musicology train before I disappear into a semantic void.
First up is this Essential slice of the RockSteady pie from the Great Justin Hinds…
musicology #531
03 Apr 2010 3 Comments
in Jamaica, Reggae, Rock Steady, themusicologist Tags: Authenticity, Coming On The Scene mp3, Gayfeet, Johnny and the Attractions mp3, Reggae History, rock steady mp3, Sonia Pottinger, themusicologist
Jamaica #11
(Johnny & The Attractions – Coming On The Scene)
Penultimate cut of the Rocksteady excursion features a vocal group that go by the name of Johnny & The Attractions, (already featured on themusicologist), who waxed some of the most beautiful Rocksteady of the day. Amazingly, (or not so if you know a little about Jamaican music), next to nothing is known about these cats so I can’t fill you in on any personal details. All I do know is that the producer was Sonia Pottinger and the label it originally appeared on was ‘Gayfeet’ and the year was most likely 1968, an important year in themusicologist’s life as well as in the progression of Jamaican music as it was in this year that Reggae first emerged.
To be honest RockSteady was not a commercial success and is still to this day not well known, (outside of the community), which has always surprised me but then again if we look at what was going on at the time maybe it was too ‘simple’, slow or authentic to attract much interest in a world that was plunging headlong into complexity and inauthenticity but ever since being introduced to it in the early 80′s it never fails to reach out and touch my soul.
Anyway…enough of the sentimentality and on with the transcendental TOP RANKING musicology..
musicology #530
01 Apr 2010 2 Comments
in Jamaica, Reggae, Rock Steady, themusicologist Tags: Bobby Aitken, Bunny Lee mp3, duke reid, Gladstone Anderson, Jimmy Reilly, johnny moore, Lester Sterling, Lloyd Charmers, Love and Devotion mp3, Lynn Taitt, rocksteady mp3, Slim Smith, the Uniques mp3, themusicologist, Val Bennett, Vin Gordon, Winston Grennan
Jamaica #10
(The Uniques – Love & Devotion)
on the previous cut I mentioned one of Jamaican musicology’s prime movers and shakers Edward ‘Bunny’ Lee, (aka Striker/Sir One Strike), and his skills as a record plugger, (originally for Duke Reid). Today though it’s the man himself’s turn to deliver but this time as producer…So many top ranking slices of the Rocksteady and later the Reggae have the Striker stamp that they could easily fill a theme on themusicologist and maybe one day they will but right now It has to be just the one from that long list.
But before throwing down I would just like to add that MANY of the great Jamaican artists have yet to be featured on the theme but what can a man do? I’m sure that over the years they will all be HEAVILY represented, (as some already have), all I can say is that, (at least in my book), every cut laid down on here is a gem so that will have to do.
So who’s up? has to be this one from the Uniques with a personal favourite that I first heard way back in the mid 80′s and has been etched into my consciousness ever since. Featuring the Sublime vocals of first Jimmy Riley then Slim Smith and finally Lloyd Charmers..each blessed with a voice that could ‘charm the monkeys from out of the trees’ On rhythm duty are Cats we are already more than familiar with (Lynn Taitt, Winston Grennan, Gladstone Anderson, Bobby Aitken, Val Bennett, Lester Sterling, Vin Gordon, Johnny Moore)…..MAJESTIC
musicology #529
31 Mar 2010 3 Comments
in Jamaica, Reggae, Rock Steady, themusicologist Tags: Arkland Parks, Bunny Lee, Caltone, Clifton Jackson, derrick harriott, Gladstone Anderson, horace andy, Hugh Malcolm, Jon Tom mp3, Ken Lack, Larry Marshall mp3, Lynn Taitt, Money Girl mp3, phil pratt, rocksteady mp3, studio 1, The Heptones, themusicologist, Winston Grennan, Winston Wright
Jamaica #9
(Larry Marshall – Money Girl)
Moving out of the Derrick Harriott and into yet another fine piece but this time it’s courtesy of producer George Phillips better known as Phil Pratt..a name bestowed on him by Caltone founder Blondel Keith Calneck, (Ken Lack).
You may have noticed that one of the things about Jamaican music is the significance of the producer in musical proceedings and Phil Pratt is certainly one of them. Horace ‘Andy’ Hinds, (cousin of Justin), The Heptones and Bunny Lee all begun their journey beside the Cat at Caltone so its, (and his), importance in the development of Reggae deserves wider recognition.
The cut today is courtesy of singer Larry Marshall, (who would go on to find a place at Coxsone’s Studio 1), and features the talents of Rocksteady’s core protagonists that include Lynn Taitt, Gladstone Anderson, Winston Wright, Clifton Jackson, and one from Winston Grennan, Hugh Malcolm or Arkland Parks. From the sounds of it I would hazard a guess that it’s a 1967 recording but I could easily be mistaken and if so it would be early 1968. Whatever the year it was arranged by a name we have become familiar with over this week…Lynn Taitt.
Finally just like to praise the label Pressure Sounds for releasing the CD, (Safe Travel), from which today’s cut emerged. ESSENTIAL purchase…FULL of TOP Ranking Rocksteady that were you to try and buy the 45′s featured would cost you a small fortune, (if you were lucky enough to find them)
LISTEN TUNE…
musicology #528
30 Mar 2010 7 Comments
in Reggae, Jamaica, Rock Steady Tags: themusicologist, rocksteady mp3, tommy mccook, the supersonics, jackie mittoo, Bobby Aitken, Johnny Spencer, Gladstone Anderson, The Soul Brothers, Lynn Taitt, Hugh Malcolm, Winston Grennan, One Drop, Derrick Harriott mp3, Do I Worry mp3
Jamaica #8
(Derrick Harriott – Do I Worry)
So what is it about Rocksteady that is different? Musically Rocksteady is built on the ‘One Drop’, (3rd Beat), whereas Ska was built around the ‘after beat’. That and the pronounced Bass evident on the Rocksteady combined to deliver a rhythm that the dancers could sway and ‘Rock Steady’ to while holding up a beer, maybe a spliff and even a girl. While Rocking Steady a man could look nonchalant and slick whereas the ‘Ska’ was all about the wild swinging of arms…not slick and certainly no chance of winding, grinding, smoking and drinking.
In fact to make it clear..Hold this quote from the drummer who many credit with originating the ‘one drop’, Winston Grennan
‘I give a hard blow on the third..that would be a hard one drop and it would cut the beat in half”
Of course there were other key players involved such as the afore mentioned Lynn Taitt, Hugh Malcolm, Bobby Aitken, Gladstone Anderson as well as legends such as Jackie Mittoo, Roland Alphonso and the Soul Brothers and of course Tommy McCook and the Supersonics. Apologies If I have missed some…hopefullly some of you musicologists out there can ‘pipe up’ and let us know?
Right enough of the words and on with the music. I was going to drop cuts chronologically but on reflection I’ll just do my best to throw down cuts that for me define the genres. If I had planned it differently I would probably thrown down a week of Rude Boy cuts that were so prevalent in 1966 but I didn’t so I’ll just continue !!
Today’s piece is from one of Jamaica’s greatest talents the pioneering vanguard Derrick ‘One Stop’ Harriott, a Cat who was there at the birth of the Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae delivering sublime musicology. Have to say that this is one of my all time faves.
Finally…Just like to add that I continually get lost for hours, days and weeks in what I consider to be one of the most original, informative and all round TOP RANKING sites out there
musicology #527
29 Mar 2010 1 Comment
in Jamaica, Rock Steady, Treasure Isle Tags: alton ellis, Don Drummond, duke reid, Franklyn White, Hopeton Lewis, Jamaican Musical History, junior menz, Love Is A Gamble mp3, Lynn Taitt, pat kelly, rederick Waite, rocksteady mp3, roland alphonso, Slim Smith, studio 1, the impressions, The Soul Brothers, the supersonics, The Techniques mp3, themusicologist, tommy mccook, treasure isle mp3, winston riley
Jamaica #7
(The Techniques – Love Is A Gamble)
So what could have happened in 1966 to change the beat from the frenetic Ska to the laid back sound of the Rocksteady? Rumour and word has it that it was a combination of things that conspired..First of all popular information/knowledge has it that a heatwave swept the island forcing the dancers and musicians to slow the tempo..secondly as is often, (if not always), the case the time had come for the islands musicologists to evolve and in my experience slow follows quick. Thirdly, (and I’m guessing here), the Ganja may have influenced proceedings…
By 1966 many of the protaganists of the Ska were ‘Beardmen’ and were likely to have been ‘licking chalice’ Up Warika Hills with the legendary Count Ossie. I’m not suggesting that the Ganja was the chief reason for the shift..only one of many.
As for outside influences we only have to consider how Soul and the Vocal Group sound became dominant in America around this time and how much influence the likes of the Impressions subsequently had in Jamaica.
Finally and perhaps of most significance was the Skatalites splitting into two groups after the incarceration of Don Drummond in 1965…The Soul Brothers led by Roland Alphonso, (at Studio 1), and the Supersonics led by Tommy McCook, (resident at Treasure Isle). Notably Lynn Taitt is widely recognised as ‘Inventing’ the Rocksteady with the Hopeton Lewis cut ‘Take It Easy’ but other early pieces included Alton Ellis’s ‘Girl I’ve Got A Date’ and Derrick Morgan’s ‘Rougher Than Rough’, (all of which featured Lynn Taitt’s guitar). Whatever the reasons for the emergence of Rocksteady it was at this junction that ‘Reggae’ began to take shape with the Bass rising to prominence and it must be said, (at least from my perspective), that Duke Reid wore the Rocksteady Crown.
So with that in mind the first cut has to go to the Duke and the Majestic Vocal Group known as the Techniques whose fluctuating line up included some of the great Jamaican vocalists; Slim Smith, Pat Kelly and Winston Riley as well as Junior Menz and original members Frederick Waite and Franklyn White. Clearly influenced by The Impressions this one epitomises Jamaican Vocal Group Harmony. 1967? recording on the Treasure Isle label.
musicology #515
12 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
in Jamaica, Rock Steady, Studio1 Tags: coxsone dodd, Dudley Sibley, Hole In Your Soul mp3, Jamaican Music mp3, Peter Austin, rock steady mp3, studio 1, themusicologist
Duets2 #5
(Dudley Sibley and Peter Austin – Hole In Your Soul)
Today’s cut is yet another RockSteady scorcher but this time courtesy of Sir Coxsone ‘ Downbeat The Ruler’ Dodd’s Brentford Road powerhouse…Studio 1. Regulars on themusicologist should know by now of my ongoing ‘affair’ with the sounds of Sir Coxsone..for me the premier recording studio and Jamaica’s most important sound. Not to say that there aren’t many other producers and studios that deserve recognition and undying support but Downbeat will always wear the crown as far as I’m concerned.
musicology #457
15 Dec 2009 3 Comments
in Christmas, Jamaica, Reggae, Rock Steady Tags: Bushwacka, Clae, Fila BJ, jamaican christmasmp3, Jumbo Cords, Kingstonians mp3, Merry Christmas mp3, Modernist T-Shirt, Nitty Gritty Sasha, rocksteady mp3, themusicologist
TheManWithTheBag #7
(The Kingstonians – Merry Christmas)
After a day’s sabbatical yesterday, (big night out Sunday !!), time to climb back into the musicology saddle. Also that last piece by Nitty Gritty deserved more exposure than just one evening so it all worked out for the best !! hahahahahahaha that’s the story I’m sticking to anyway.Just like to add that it was a top night had. Spent with two of the best friends a person could ever wish to know..entertained on the night by some fantastic sounds courtesy of my favourite House DJ John ‘Le Plage’, supported by a cast that included Sasha and Bushwacka. The music was quite literally top ranking as was the company I kept.
Wore my cherished red and cream Fila BJ, (original of course), vintage pair of deadstock Lee Cooper Camel coloured Jumbo Cords, Navy blue Modernist T-shirt and a Primary Blue pair of Cousteau’s courtesy of my favourite shoe company…Clae…Cats were complimenting me all night and one in particular came up and said I was the best dressed man in the house….I had to reign my ego in, (which wasn’t too hard), and I replied that I genuinely appreciated such a lovely comment.
Anyway…enough of that nd on with the music….today’s cut is another slice of the ‘Jamdown but this time it’s a slice of Rocksteady from the Kingstonians’.
musicology #360
24 Apr 2009 5 Comments
in Jamaica, Reggae, Rock Steady, Studio1, themusicologist Tags: Aristotle, coxsone dodd, David Roochnik, Delroy Denton, Dialectic, Early Reggae mp3, Gilmore Grant, Greek Philosophy, Ideology, Keith Coley, Plato, Socrates, Studio 1 vinyl mp3, The Silvertones mp3, themusicologist
Ideology&Philosophy #1
(The Silvertones – Smile)
So as one theme ends another begins…Didn’t have a clue what it might involve until last night when it came to me while soaking in some ‘spoken word’, (a daily occurence in the home of themusicologist). So to keep it fresh in my heart and mind I would like to share and combine two of my passsions with the crew, music…and the ‘love of wisdom’ or what’s better known as Philosophy.
My intention is to keep the dialogue going and start each slice of musicology with a bit of spoken word followed by what I believe is a piece of musical wisdom. Not sure how it will unfold but as with all the themes on themusicologist I feel compelled by something other than logic or reason so I’ll continue to let intuition be the guide.
Day one features an introduction to the Western Worlds first and still prevalent Ideology, Greek Philosophy. Borrowed from a ‘top ranking’ lecture on the subject by a lecturer called David Roochnik who, for me does a perfect job in explaining the meaning of ‘Dialectic’. A word that I have heard and read many times but until this Cat laid out this definition was never satisfied with my understanding of it. A very important concept that continues to have a major impact on all our lives
The musicology is a fine piece of wisdom from Jamaican vocal group, the Silvertones featuring the talents of Gilmore Grant, Keith Coley and Delroy Denton. Yet another piece of ‘Coxsone’ magic, (first press 45), from the back end of the sixties…
musicology #645
01 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
by themusicologist in Social Commentary, Reggae, Jamaica, Rock Steady, Studio1, Ska, Tribute T-Shirts, Lee Perry, tUmp, bloOdsweatandtees, theUrbanMusicologist Tags: themusicologist, duke reid, coxsone dodd, jackie mittoo, the skatalites, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, king edwards, Prince Buster, Lee Perry, the wailers mp3, the wailing wailers t shirt, Justin Yap, Leslie Kong, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject, vocal groups, theUrbanMusicologist
tUmp #7
the Wailers – Sinner Man
what more can I say about the ‘Wailing Wailers’…the trio who went on to internationalise the music of Jamaica that has since had such a BIG impact on contemporary music especially ‘Hip Hop’ and ‘House’ both of which owe a great debt to the artists, producers and engineers who were always innovating and showing what was possible with limited technology. EVERY 21st ‘bedroom producer’, whether consciously or unconsciously, takes inspiration from Jamaican Urbanmusicology.
From the early 1950′s the Sound System pioneers helped to blaze the trail for what was to follow, chatting on the mic, selecting in the dance etc but it was in the 1960′s and particularly with Sir Coxsone Downbeat’s Brentford Road powerhouse, appropriately named ‘Studio 1′ that the music really took shape. Of course there were other BIG and influential producers at the time notably Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Justin Yap, King Edwards, Prince Buster but Coxsone was the one who truly moved the focus out of the dance and into the Studio with artists such as the Wailers. Coxsone was a businessman but also a vanguard AND music lover who knew how to pick a winner and without him the musical landscape of not only Jamaica but, (in my opinion) the world would be a different place.
DOWNBEAT THE RULER will ALWAYS be the CHAMPION sound for me.
Wailing Wailers TributeTees designed and produced by themusicologist available EXCLUSIVELY at
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