musicology #534

Jamaica #14

(Pat Kelly – Dark End Of The Street)

Reggae…who were it’s early protaganists? First, as was always the case in Jamaica, there were the producers. Arguably the most influential were Lee Perry, Bunny Lee and Coxsone Dodd. Then came the musicians; Brothers Aston ‘Family Man’ and Carlton ‘Carly’ Barrett, Glen Adams, Lloyd Charmers, Alva Lewis and Ronny Bop recording both for Bunny Lee, (as The Bunny Lee All Stars), and Lee Perry, (as The Upsetters).

The Studio 1 sound was created by the Sound Dimension, (Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Cedric “Im’ Brooks, Vin Gordon, Ernest Ranglin and Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace). Of course there were other producers and musicians who are responsible for delivering seminal work but the above mentioned stand out consistently.

So…enough chat and on with the music..Todays cut is a Lee Perry production featuring the vocals of one of my favourite singers of the period Pat Kelly backed by the afore mentioned Upsetters.

musicology #530

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 #132

instrumentalsweek #5

(Rupie Edwards All Stars – Your New Love)

penultimate cut on the players selection and it’s another pearl from Jamaica. a Winston Wright organ led version of one of themusicologists favourite pieces of early Reggae, singer Dobby Dobson’s top ranking song ‘Your New Love’

although a singer of some fine songs Rupie Edwards was and is better known for his skills as a producer, having worked with such luminaries as Johnny Clarke, The Heptones, Gregory Issacs, the great Joe Higgs and foundation DJ’s U Roy and I Roy, (to name a few), and his contribution to the development of ‘Dub’ is sometimes overlooked. before the ‘version’ became the standard B-Side to every Jamaican 45, Rupie Edwards was experimenting with the instrumental and this one is an example of his capabilities.

(Probable Session Line Up)

Saxophone – Tommy McCook
Trombone – Vin Gordon
Drums – Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis
Guitar – Hux Brown
Piano – Gladstone ‘Gladdy’ Anderson
Bass – Clifton ‘Jackie’ Jackson
Organ – Winston Wright