musicology #644
27 Feb 2012 4 Comments
in Jamaica, Studio1, Ska, Tribute T-Shirts, Lee Perry, tUmp, bloOdsweatandtees Tags: themusicologist, coxsone dodd, jackie mittoo, the skatalites, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, Lee Perry, the wailers mp3, the wailing wailers t shirt, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject, vocal groups, Freedom Time
tUmp #6
the Wailers – Freedom Time
More Ska from the Wailers, who were first introduced to Studio 1 by percussionist Alvin ‘Seeco’ Patterson and went by the name ‘the Teenagers’. Bob had already recorded a tune for Leslie Kong before arriving at Coxsone’s Brentford Road gate but as a (5 piece), group they were yet to record. Lee Perry was assigned the task of making the ‘Wailers’ the islands #1 group and encouraged them to work at their original material rather than the covers that Coxsone, (who was a fan of the group), was forwarding. This SUPERB piece is one of those original compositions..Jackie Mittoo on the keys leading the Studio 1 band, (formerly known as the Skatalites)
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musicology #643
25 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Reggae, Jamaica, Studio1, Ska, Tribute T-Shirts, tUmp, bloOdsweatandtees Tags: themusicologist, reggae mp3, coxsone dodd, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, Lee Perry, the wailers mp3, the wailing wailers t shirt, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject, vocal groups, Bend Down Low
tUmp #6
the Wailers – Bend Down Low
Original Studio 1 version of Bend Down Low..later revisted by Bob Marley in 1974 for his first solo album ‘Natty Dread’.
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 #638
19 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Reggae, Jamaica, Studio1, Tribute T-Shirts, Accoustic, tUmp Tags: themusicologist, coxsone dodd, studio 1 mp3, bob marley, peter tosh, bunny wailer, the wailers mp3, wailers t shirt, bloOdsweatandteeS, tUmp, theUrbanMusicologyProject
tUmp #1
the Wailers – Where is my mother
been busy…(still am), as I continue crossing the border into the ‘brave new world’ where the ‘immaterial’ is overtaking the ‘material’ and hegemony reigns…
but for me themusicologist has always been the space where I come to let off, connect and communicate with music that speaks so today sees the beginning of a new theme….tUmp (theUrbanMusicologyProject), of which there are, (already), material and immaterial parts.
The first step I took over the brave new threshold was here with themusicologist almost 5 years ago but the actual journey was already well under way. I’m a traveller, (it’s my nature), and I’m always ‘on the road’ with music as my only consistent companion along the way. theUrbanMusicologyProject is who, what and why I am and the next few weeks is the latest movement in the(Urban)musicologist’s symphony.
First up is a cut from the Wailers whose Urbanmusicology I was originally introduced to by my family in the early 1970′s, (‘Catch a Fire’ with the zippo style album cover), and it was there that my Jamaican music lesson began and the ‘SouL RebeL’ sound has remained a BIG part of my narrative ever since.
Today’s unreleased? accoustic cut is from the mid 60′s features the mighty trio at the place where their combined journey began, Sir Coxsone’s mighty Brentford Road musical power-house…Studio 1.
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musicology #0634
22 Nov 2011 3 Comments
in Jamaica, Lee Perry, Reggae, Social Commentary, themusicologist, Tribute T-Shirts Tags: 1972, bloOdsweatandteeS, coxsone dodd, Ken Khouri, Lee Perry, Leroy Wallace, Lloyd Parks, Randy's Studio, reggae mp3, reggae t-shirt, Shenley Duffus, themusicologist, To Be A Lover mp3, tommy mccook, William Bell
Shenley Duffus – To Be A Lover
Part #7 of the Upsetter tribute….
Slowing the tempo down with the original, (Reggae), cut of a William Bell soul tune sung by foundation Jamaican vocalist and LONG time Lee Perry friend and collaborator Chenley Duffus whose career begun at the age of 12 in 1950. First recording in 1958 at Federal and then with Coxson in the early 60′s which is where he met and formed a lasting bond with the Upsetter.
Todays cut was recorded a decade later at Randy’s Studio in 1972. Backed by his brother Kenneth and cousin Keith and a trio consisting of Tommy Mc Cook on Keyboards, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, (with his trademark attacking, military style), on drums and the man Lloyd Parks on Bass, (vocalist in his own right). A BIG hit, (the biggest of Chenley’s career), which according to Lee Perry caused tension between himself, Coxsone and Ken Khouri..Such is the nature of the intense rivalry between producers in Jamaica Coxsone wanted to fight them both !!
t available at bloOdsweatandtees
musicology #0628
02 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Jamaica, Lee Perry, Reggae, themusicologist, Tribute T-Shirts Tags: Ansel Collins, Benbow Creary, black ark, bloOdsweatandteeS, Bring It On Home To Me, coxsone dodd, Delroy Denton, duke reid, Gilmore Grant, Hux Brown, Keith Coley, King Tubby, Lee Scratch Perry, Ranchie McClean, Reggae, reggae t-shirt, sam cooke, studio 1, the Silvertones, the Upsetter, the upsetter t shirt, themusicologist
The Silvertones – Bring It On Home
For the next couple of weeks themusicologist is focusing on Lee Perry, The Upsetter, Chicken Scratch, Little Lee. A man whose impact on Jamaica’s, (and the world’s), soundtrack is, (almost), as big as Coxsone Dodd’s.
No surprise that the Upsetter began his career beside Dodd and even less of a surprise that they parted due to, (as far as Lee Perry is concerned), Downbeat’s failure to reward his creative endeavours….a common Jamaican tale which I am not in a position to pass judgement on, (and nor would I no matter what I knew)
Anyway, the(urBan)musicologist ain’t about hearsay and rumour….STRICTLY music and Lee Perry and Coxsone Dodd helped shape Jamaican music into what we know and love.
Studio 1 carried the swing throughout the 1960′s and early 1970′s but Lee Perry emerged with the ‘Soul Rebel’ sound in the late 60′s and wrestled the (recording) Crown from Sir Coxsone between 1972-1977..Channel 1 was there as where a whole host of producers during the period but, (as with Coxsone Dodd), Lee Perry changed the game.
It was Lee Perry who insisted that Bob Marley reform the Wailers rather than go it alone after returning from abroad in 1968 and history went on to be made. It was Lee Perry whose ‘Black Ark’ RULED from late 1973 until 1978 recording a HEAP of classic, KILLER material with many of the great Jamaican musicologists and whenever we reflect on Jamaican musical history Lee Perry’s name is right up there with the Champions.
Today’s cut is courtesy of The Silvertones Gilmore Grant, Keith Coley and Delroy Denton who first recorded for Duke Reid in 1965? with the magnificent Ska tune ‘True Confession’, (buried somewhere on themusicologist !!) following up with some quality Rock Steady and early Reggae for various producers, (including Lee Perry).
Before I drown in a sea of monologue and information please allow me to cut this short..
According to David Katz’s excellent book ‘People Funny Boy’ the rhythms for this piece were recorded at the, (almost completed), Black Ark and the vocals at King Tubby’s Studio at the dawning of 1973? and the musicians consisted of Hux Brown, Ansel Collins, Ranchie McLean and Anthony ‘Benbow’ Creary…
Finally I just want to add that I rate this tune and the Silvertones HIGHLY…oh yeah….It’s a cover of Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It On Home To Me’
theUpsetter triButetee available in various colours @
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musicology #0627
28 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in themusicologist, Reggae, Jamaica, Studio1, Tribute T-Shirts Tags: themusicologist, studio 1, coxsone dodd, horace andy, jackie mittoo, leroy sibbles, Sound Dimension, bloOdsweatandteeS, Mellow Sounds and System Dub
Sound Dimension – Tricky (Just Say Who)
round 2 of the(urban)musicologist’s audio/video combos highlights a tune from the ‘Mellow Sounds & System Dub’ LP.
Dubwise to Horace Andy’s KILLER ‘Just Say Who’. One of my FAVOURITE pieces that drifts like the scent of honeysuckle on a summer breeze and never fails to move me.
The eagle eyed amongst you may notice my blatant product placement of the mellow sounds tee on the video…but if a man can’t mix, blend and share theUrbanMusicologyProject (tUMp) on here then where else !
Just to let you know that I won’t be making themusicologist an advert for bloOdsweatandteeS…it’s just how I’m rolling right now and the ‘project’ is what it is.
musicology #0621
23 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Christmas, Jamaica, Reggae, Studio1, themusicologist Tags: coxsone dodd, Doreen Schaffer mp3, Reggae Christmas, Studio 1 christmas mp3, themusicologist, Wishing You A Merry Christmas mp3
ChristmasComing #14
Doreen Schaffer – Wishing You A Merry Christmas
Sticking with the Jamaican festivities and rolling with this cut courtesy of Doreen Schaffer and the Downbeat crew voiced over a classic Studio 1 rhythm..
musicology #0581
17 Sep 2010 2 Comments
in instrumental, Jamaica, Reggae, Studio1 Tags: Cedric Im Brooks mp3, coxsone dodd, Jamaica, Mun Dun Gu mp3, reggae mp3, studio 1 mp3, themusicologist
mOareEssentials #4
(Cedric Im Brooks – Mun Dun Gu)
Been a long time coming but I feel the fog is clearing. Troubled mind can be a living hell. In my world change happens, isn’t forced so I find myself riding the downs same way as the ups…for all their worth. Too often over the past few years I’ve been hanging on by my shredded and torn fingertips, knuckles white as winter snow. Bwoyyyyyy it’s been a long dance but the music’s changed and it’s time to step to a new beat.
Hold this next entry courtesy of the MAJESTIC Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks. Studio 1 in all it’s glory..Second time round on themusicologist having featured it when I laid it down on the BBC back in the day. Slipped it into my set at the weekend..to me it communicates a message of a new day dawning..
musicology #574
06 Sep 2010 Leave a Comment
in Jamaica, Reggae, Studio1 Tags: coxsone dodd, Nina Soul mp3, reggae mp3, Sleeping Trees mp3, studio 1 mp3, themusicologist
Essential Cuts #4
(Nina Soul – Sleeping Trees)
Sticking with the Sir Coxsone selection with an ESSENTIAL cut by Nina Soul.
musicology #553
23 Jun 2010 2 Comments
in instrumental, Jamaica, Reggae, Studio1, themusicologist Tags: coxsone dodd, reggae mp3, Soulful Strut mp3, Sound Dimension mp3, studio 1 mp3, themusicologist, Young Holt Unlimited
Times #5
(Sound Dimension – Soulful Strut)
Wicked piece of instrumentalism, (Cover of the Young Holt Unlimited Soul Classic), from the Studio 1 house band of the period, (late 60′s – Early 70′s), known collectively as the ‘Sound Dimension’. (Cover of the Young Holt Unlimited Soul Classic)
musicology #535
07 Apr 2010 3 Comments
in Reggae, Jamaica, Studio1 Tags: themusicologist, coxsone dodd, 1969, jackie mittoo, studio 1 mp3, Early Reggae mp3, Sound Dimension, Jamaican Music History, Baby Face mp3, Bamboo Label
Jamaica #15
(Sound Dimension – Baby Face)
As far as the music of Jamaica is concerned for themusicologist there is only one studio that stands above all others..Coxsone Dodd’s legendary Studio 1. Almost every singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger has at one time passed through the Brentford Road gates. Far too many to list or even mention so I won’t even try, suffice to say that if you pick a name he will have a connection. Coxsone was a visionary…and as such allowed others far more suited to the creative process to express themselves. He opened the doors for Jamaican music to carve itself a unique sound that finally arrived during the period now in question…(late 60′s early 70′s), known globally as Reggae. To wax a tune at Studio 1 meant that, as an artist, you had made it to the top. Not financially but artistically. No matter how much the sound was crafted by others, (and it most certainly was), it was Coxsone who drove it. His greatest skill was in his ability to see the wider picture and create a platform to realise it. Ideas are the lifeblood of innovation but on their own they are no more than talk….when you check it no one person did more than Coxsone to establish Jamaican music as a global force and the music stands as witness to such a claim.
So with that in mind hold this wicked instrumental cut from the previously mentioned Studio 1 house band..Sound Dimension. One listen, (for those who don’t know it), should be enough to realise why Studio 1 is the Don Sound. 1969 Release, (in the UK), on the English Bamboo label. BIG Tune.
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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