Album Review: Freddie McGregor - FM - High Times LP

    Freddie McGregor - FM - High Times LP (1979)*

Freddie has never been in my 'top' list of singers, as i've always felt that his voice was just to 'clean', to polished . On saying that, he's still a great singer, with a huge amount of great singles & albums and many many hits. Bobby Bobylon (Studio One 1979) is Freddies most famous album which includes the roots standards Rastaman Camp, I'm A Revolutionist, Bandulo, Wine Of Violence as well as the title track which was a big hit over the '60's riddim "One Step Beyond" .

FM is a compilation of tracks Freddie recorded for the High Times label during the late 70's & early 80's with 90 % of the album produced by famed guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith & one track produced by Mr McGregor himself. The players of instruments are the Soul Syndicate band & the album was recorded at Channel One studios Jamaica.

Side One of FM kicks of with a lovers tune "Love Ballad" which is an ok song in a soul style, but not really what we want to hear!

 Much better is track 2 which is an adaption of John Holts 'Strange Things', i say adaption because Freddie only uses the chorus & rhythm of Holt's song, using new lyrics to tell the story of the biblical end of the world - armagideon. "What the hell is going on?!" A nice vocal performance from Freddie & some wicked electric lead guitar soloing by Chinna "Melchizedek".

Strange Things was also issued on 7" on the High Music label (1982).

Track 3 'Natural Collie' has a beautiful almost Al Green vibe to it, with a trippy sounding keyboard floating under the vocals. Although it's the softest sounding tune on the LP it could very well be the albums highlight track. It's got a mesmerizing, dreamy quality to it that cry's out for an extended work out.

Sergeant Brown brings us to the end of the first side & is a fast up beat tune bemoaning the removal of the weedfields by one 'Sergeant Brown'.

"What's to be done about the crime?,

Sergeant Brown Sergeant Brown last night you raid the herb fields,

Sergeant Brown Sergeant Brown you stole a bag of collie weed.

Bring it back Sergeant Brown...

Told the court it's your evidence, but i just saw you sell it across the fence"

Sergeant Brown was also released on 7" on the Priest Hood label (1979)

Side Two, begins with the heavy "Leave Yah" which is the track on this album that Freddie produced himself, it's a cracker too, with nice use of keyboards & hand drums. Lyricly it calls for all evil doers to stop their fussing & fighting  & for the righteous to  'leave yah' and

 "go to a place where there is happiness , whole lotta love & some conciousness,
 teach the children so they will learn,
 na skin up na grin up, play no ease up we haffe leave yah"

Track 2 has Freddie updating his own  I'm A Revolutionist here called simply Revolution. He's done a fantastic job too, featuring some very polished playing by the band, with Chinna trading guitar licks with the horn players & once again some very nice keyboards over the rootsy but relaxed riddim.

"I'm a revolutionist I dread no deal with critisim
We are go repatriate

Track 3 Mark Of The Beast is a warning to beware of Satan & his evilous plans.

"Satan is a sly old fox if i catch him i'll lock him in a box"......

Track 4 brings us to the end of this 8 track LP & is Freddies rendition of the reggae standard "Mission Impossible".

To sum up, it's an excellent album, if a little on the short side, and apart from the lightweight 'Love Ballad' the other seven tracks are superb with some exemplary musicianship by the Soul Syndicate with a very 'roots but polished' production from Chinna Smith. Now for the bad part - & it is BAD! The pressing of this LP is atrocious, giving new meaning to the description "frying bacon"! What should be a highly polished roots album is marred by a terribly crackly pressing. By the middle of Mission Imposible when you should be enjoying a cool organ influenced groove your having the music drowned out by a noisy "Ssscrrrrch" on every revolution!
I haven't heard an 'original press' of this LP, my LP is more likely a repress from the 1990's & it, like several other LP's on the High Times label are ruined by the terrible sound quality. 'FM' definately needs to be reissued because underneath all that noise there is a great album, but until there is a clean pressing on CD or LP of this album i'd not be tempted to buy it unless i could listen first.

j j

Side 1                                            Side 2

1.Love Ballad          3.47                 1.Leave Yah                  4.12

2.Strange Things      3.00                 2.Revolution                  4.20

3.Natural Collie       3.48                 3.Mark Of The Beast     3.58

4.Sergeant Brown   5.02                  4.Mission Impossible     4.40

Musical Treasure for your Musical Pleasure.........

Here you will find reviews of a range of Original Press & Repress 7" (45rpm) records from the 1960's through to the 1980's.....

Lloyd Parks - Officially/Version - Parks 7" (1975 Original Press)                                           

Born in 1948 Lloyd Parkes started his musical career  back in 1960's when he played in the Invincibles band alongside Ranchie McLean Sly Dunbar & Ansell Collins, he then went on to form the vocal duo The Termites with fellow singer Wentworth Vernal, together they released their first single "Have Mercy Mr Percy" & the LP Do The Rock Steady (1967) for the legendary Studio One label.

Here we have the original self produced version of Lloyd's lovers rock classic "Officially" which he re-did for Joe Gibbs afew years later. In a very pleading soulful style Lloyd sings to his love "that if you wanna be my quee-ee-eeen you got to make it officialy & if you wanna be my bri-ii-iiide we got to be officially....officially" over a stop start riddim which seems about to come to a halt each time Lloyd coos "..I love ya"...then suddenly it's off again for another verse. A song with a great hook that almost defies the listener not to sing along with it, perfect to swing & sway too with the one you love.....So there you have it, a strong & oh so soulful vocal over an chugging extremely well played riddim - what more could you ask for...?

Lloyd Parks - Officially/Version - Joe Gibbs 7" (1978)

This second cut of Officially was done for Producer Joel Gibson better known as Joe Gibbs & backed by his studio band The Professionals three years after Lloyd's own Park's label release.The beat has been sped up a bit for this cut of the song & it has that sparkly clean Joe Gibbs mix that feature on so many of his productions, but don't get me wrong , theres nothing clinical or sterile about this records sound, in fact i'd be hard pressed to choose which version i like the best?

King (Watty) Burnett - Paul Bogle/Version - Clocktower Records 7" (c1974-75) 

Produced by Lee Perry this tune is abit of a mystery. Theres no mention of it in David Katz's People

Funny Boy & apparently no listing in Jeremy Collingwoods 'Kiss Me Neck" either. In fact it actually sounds more like Max Romeo than Watty Burnett???

Over a heavy sombre riddim Watty/Max asks the questions 

"Do you remember William Garden? Do you remember Paul Bogle?
 Who were they? Who were they?
They were freedom fighters, they were freedom fighters
They were beaten down til their back was black & blue oh yes
And how it grieve my soul & how it grieve your soul, they were heroes out there...."

Perhaps a sermon is a better description of this song? It's style certainly reminds me of a preacher asking his congregation to remember their black history & the people who were heroes in Jamaica's early struggle for equal rights for all it's people no matter the colour of their skin. Heavy lyrics to match a heavy version side which really does showcase the powerful bass riff & powerful it is......babylon walls come tumbling down me a tell yu!


Piki - Piki Rock - Rhythm Shack 7" (1987)

I'm astonished at just how authenticaly old this record sounds, released in '87 it sounds like it could of originated from the late 60's early 70's era. Unbelievably good it could easily stand it's ground with anything that came out of Treasure Isle or Studio One around the same time. Piki Rock is an instrumental featuring what sounds like a melodica dualing a harmonica over a lively rhythm with plenty of Lynn Tait style guitar frills throughout. Iirc Piki is a musician from Germany.
The B side - Teddy Irie  - Drum Pan Sound, which is an 80's ragga tune & is nothing to do with Piki Rock.

Bobby Sarkie - Better World/Life Is A Dream Dub - Rhythm Shack 7" (1976)

Bobby Sarkies career started in the 1960's where he was a member of the vocal group the Bellstars with Cedric Myton & Devon Russell. When the Bellstars ended Myton & Russell went on to form the Tartans vocal group with Prince Lincoln Thompson, while Sarkie went on to sing the tune Better World originally issued on the Third World label & credited to Bobby Sarkie & The Emortals.
Strangely on this repress the B side of Better World originally called  'Popeye' has been replaced with the dub version of another Bobby Sarkie record Life Is A Dream which was originally on the US issued Shashamarnie label.
I'm thinking that the vocal cut of Life Is A Dream was probably meant to be on the B side - & not the dub version, which would make more sense.
Better World deals in lyrics concerning

Tony Brevette - Need To Belong/Words Of Prophecy - Rhythm Shack 7" (1976)  

Tony Brevette Melodians

Junior Delgado - Every Natty/Version - Observer 7" (1975)

Produced by Niney the Observer aka George Boswell

Junior Delgado - Born To Be Wild/Version - Incredible Music 7" (c late 80's Original Press)
Prince Ranking - Cramp Babylon Plan/Version - Hungry Town 7" (1978 Original Press)

This is the DJ cut of Barrington Spences

Gregory Isaacs - Bumping & Boring/Version- African Museum 7" (Original Press)
Clint Eastwood - Jump & Pawn/Version - Ossie 7" (Original Press)

NZ connection to UK's African Head Charge/On - U Sounds

New Zealanders may have heard that well known kiwi musician Dave Dobbyn recorded an album with ON-U Sounds Adrian Sherwood in 2008.

‘Anotherland’, his 2008 release, was produced by legendary dub-reggae maestro Adrian Sherwood and Skip ‘Little Axe’ McDonald. Recorded in London with New Zealand musicians Ross Burge (drums), Marcus Lawson (bass, harmonica, bvs) and Mark Vanilau (piano, bvs), Sherwood said “The album was a new departure for all of us; a healthy, fruitful creative journey”.
I noticed the track 'Dobbyn Joins The Head Charge' on the new album below. I haven't heard either Voodoo Of The Godsent or Dobbyns album.......‘Anotherland’ though.

African Head Charge
Voodoo Of The Godsent      
ON U SOUND

In I Head / The Best Way / Take Heed… And Smoke Up Your Collyweed / Stoned Age Man / African Bredda / Mysterious Happenings / This And That And The Other / Undulating / Timpanya / Badman Plan / Dobbyn Joins The Head Charge / God Willing 

Reissue Updates: The Latest & Greatest 2010

Sometimes it can be hard keeping up with all the different reissues being......Reissued! so heres a list of some of the best.

With the closure of so many of the great reissue labels over the last few years like Blood & Fire, Makasound, Greensleeves, Motion, Tabou, Hot Pot etc it seems that only Pressure Sounds is left to continue releasing music in the album format along with some recent CD/LP reissues on the Dug Out label.
Heartbeat seems to be dead or dormant, Soul Jazz seem to have stopped releasing reggae albums & Trojan seem happy to reissue the same tracks over & over again.

Luckily it seems that since the demise of the CD/LP releases,  a plethora of 7" 10" 12" repress's have sprung up to take there place.
2010

High Power
Mr Spaulding - What's The Name Of The Sound/Version 7*
Bunny Lie Lie - Love Me A Deal With/Version 7*
Bunny Lie Lie - Somethings Gonna Happen/Version 7*
Al Campbell - Jah Love/Version 12*

Observer 7's
Heptones - Mt.Zion/Version*
Earth & Stone as Officials - Babylonians/Version*
Junior Delgado - Every Natty/Version *
Johnny Clarke - Give Yourself A Try/Version*
Naggo Morris - Jah Guide/Version*
Freddie McGregor - Rasta Have Faith
Heptones - Through The Fire/Version
Rockstones - Burn Me Out/Version*
Rockstones - Oh Jah Man/Version*
Iron Phoenix - Natty Dread Xmas/Version*

Channel One/Deeper Knowledge 7
Midnight Riders - Posse Form A Line/Version*
Stephanie Samuels - Africa We Want To Go/Version
Carlton Livingston - Tale Of Two Cities/Version*

Digikiller
Dizzy Fleming/M Jarrett - Resurrection/Starvation - 14 Karet/DKR 12"*
Thriller/W Jarrett - Nice & Easy/ 14 Karet/DKR 12"
Jewels - Slave Trade - Leggo 7*
Jewels - Love & Livity - Leggo 7*
Aksumites/Nigger Charley - Ark Of The Covenant - Thebes Sound/Deeper Knowledge 12*
Mankind - These Three Girls/Country Life - Mankind 12*
King Kong - He Was A Friend - Concious Music/Digikiller 12*
Phillip Myers - Ghetto Struggle - Junior Militant/Version 7*
Freddie McKay - Take My Hand Oh Jah b/w Naggo Morris - You Want To Get I Out (Yah Congo)12*


Dug Out
Naphtali - Hold Up Your Hand/Version - Vibes Sound/Dug Out 10"*
Little John - What You Want To Be/Little John & Billy Boyo - Disc Jockey - Rusty Intl/Dug Out 12"
Michael Rose - Observe Life/Version - Upsetter/Dug Out 7*

Witty's 7"
Al Campbell - Leave the herbsman business (Witty)
Echo Minott - Follow me (Witty)*
Nicodemus - Earth & moon (Witty)*
Tony Tuff - Cool it (Witty)*
Little John - Cork up dancehall (Witty)
Little Kirk - I don't know (Witty)*

Eclipse 7"
Major Danger - Know fi move (Eclipse)*
Nicodemus - Dollars fi spend (Eclipse)
Sammy Levi - Come off the road (Eclipse)*

Sluggy Ranks - Sodom & gomorrah (Part II)
Icho Candy - Jah Calling All Over The World (Creation) [pressing not that good]
Dixie Peach - Pure Worries (Jah Tubbys)
Dixie Peach - Slaughter (Jah Tubbys)
Dixie Peach - Tonight Is The Night (Jah Tubbys)
King Kong - Ninja (Sunset)*
Culture Paul - Mini Van Man (Music House 12")
Frankie Wilmott - I Won't Give Up (Music House 7"* and 12")
Nitty Gritty- Rising Star- Firehouse 7" ( officially)
Manchez - Struggler - Ujama 7"
Jah Bible- Hugh Griffiths - Ujama/Deadly Dragon 7"
Jah Roots- Gone A Foreign Duke 7"
Horace Martin - King Fe Dem (Fire House)
Barrington Levy - Run Come Ya Man (Puff)
Barrington Levy - I'm Not In Love (Puff)
Tenor Saw - Jah Guide And Protect Me (Tenor Saw)

Ossie/Gold Shop 7"s
Roland Burrell - Rip Off/Gunslinger*
Tony Tuff - Heat In The Place*
King Kong - Dollars Strong
J Osbourne - I'm Moving Up
Lionel Craig - Under Mi Nose - Ossie/Gold Shop 7"

Park Heights/Deadly Dragon 7's
Sluggy Ranks - Prejudice & Black Man Struggle - Park Heights 7"s
Roland Burrell - Don't Think About Tomorrow - Park Heights/DDS 7"
Lilly Melody - Give Me Some More/Version - Park Heights/Deadly Dragon 7*

Life/Jah Life 7"
Carlton Livingston - Wicked Can't Run Away
Skelly Vibes - Natural Mystic
Scion Success - Petty Petty Murderer
T Smith & Cassette & Tape - V.I.B  Life 7"
Scion Success - Young Africans - Jah Life 12"*

Conrad Crystal - Hackle Dem - Jhuggernaut 7
King Kong - Mi Have A Likkle Sound - Sip A Cup 7" (1991)
Trevor Jr - Run Around/Dub - Black Roots UK 7"
S Minott - Worries & Problems/Dub - Jammys 7"


ROOTS:

Fat Man 7"
A Pablo - In Moonlight City*
B Brown - No Wicked Shall Enter...
D Wilson - Live Good*
D Carlos - Nice Time
Earl Zero - Please Officer
H Mundell - Jah Fire Will Be Burning
H Mundell - King Of Israel
J Clarke - Jah Jah We Are Waiting
Jr Reid - Jail House*
L Castell - What A Great Day*
Mike Brooks - Money Is Not All Fatman 7"*
Brothers Killing Brothers - Cornell Campbell - Fatman 7"
Johnny Clarke - The Creator/Version - Fatman 7
Frankie Jones - Took Us Away/Version - Fatman 7*

Silvertones/Johnny Osbourne - Let Us Give Jah Praise/Jah Jah Live Forever - Iroko 12
David Jahson - People Bawling/Well Pleased & Satisfyed - Zion Train - KIM 12
Tyrone Taylor - Sufferation - Observer 12"
Mighty Threes - Rasta Business/Satta - ? 12" (limited pressing)
Leroy Brown - Colour Barrier/Gone Gone - Makasound 12?
Kiddus I - Crying Wolf - Shepard 7" Japan
Toots/Maytals - Hold On - Pyramid 7"*
Don Drummond - Dragon Weapon - Pyramid 7"*
Kenny Knots - Watch How The People Dancing / version / dubplate b/w Mikey Murka - We Try / Version (Unity)
Carol Kalphat - African Land b/w Doctor Pablo & The Cry Tuff All Stars - African Medley (Hit Run)12*
Ranking Dread - Africa - Freedom Sounds 7*
Audie Murphy - In A Me - Freedom Sounds
Stranger & Gladdy - Conqueror - Wizzdom

Black Solidarity 7"s
Ezekiel Parchment - West Beirut - Black Solidarity 7*
King Kong - I Nuh Cry /Version - Black Solidarity 7*
King Kong - Kill Them Wid Riddim - Black Solidarity 7*
Robert Ffrench - Mother In Law - Black Solidarity 7

Carol Cole/Zap Pow - Settle Down/River Stone - Kingston Connexion 12"*
Icho Candy as Daddy Culture - Slavemaster -Virgo Stomach 12"*
Bobby Soul - Message From The Congo/Version - Roots Man 7*
Bobby Soul - God Is Love/Version - Roots Man 7*
King Burnett - Paul Bogle/Version - Clock Tower 7*
Natural Roots - Children Of Jah/Version - OnlyRoots 7*
David Jahson - Clean Rasta Dread/Version - Black Spider 7*
Dean Stone - Youth In The Ghetto - Black & White 7*
Anthony Madden - A Mad Experience - Sunflower 7*
Viceroys - Shaddai Children/Version - Victorius Steppers 7
Desi Roots - Weed Fields (Hawkeye)7*
Sharon Little-Mash Up Creation - Shaka 12"*

Justice/Pressure Sounds 7's
Cornel Campbell - Mr Cop/Version
Delroy Wilson - Ease Up/Version*
Vin Gordon/Tony Asha - Roots Of Zion/Lion Of Zion*

Tasha/Digikiller 7's
Michael Palmer - Different Strokes/Version*
Midnight Riders - Wanted/Version*
Steve Knight - Love Me Entertainment/Version*

Solomonic/Dub Store 7"s
Bunny Wailer - Arabs Oil Weapon/Version *
Bunny Wailer/Big Youth - Life Line/Black On Black*
Bunny Wailer - Pass It On/Trod On
Wailers - This Train/Reincarnated Souls

Chopper/Gold Shop
Lionel 'Ganja' Barrett - Rasta Cowboy/Version - Chopper 7
Courtney Melody - No Darkness/Version - Chopper 7*
Bobby Melody - Original Melody
Don Hickey - Cooperate

Archive
Bingy Bunny - Coming Home To Zion/Version - Archive 7"*
Sowell Radics - Wheel O Matilda/Version - Archive 7*
Bob Skeng - African Children/Jack The Ripper - Archive 7*


Simple Simon - Hey Bad Boy/Christopher Columbus - Striker Lee/Deadly Dragon 7*
Willie Joseph - Bringle Me Bringle/Version - Striker Lee/Deadly Dragon 7*
Max Romeo - If Them Ever - Impact 7"*
Ras Ronald & Sister Taliba - It's Me Mama/Dub Plate - Forward Roots 10"*
Al Campbell - Foot Stool/Version - Channan Jah 7"*

Pressure Sounds 7"s
Attaras - Brimstone & Fire/Version - Elevation/Pressure Sounds 7*
Freddy McKay - Rock A Bye Woman/Version - Hot Rod/Pressure Sounds 7*
Pat Francis - Guys Get A Blow/Version*
Big Youth - Town Without Pity/Youth In The Garden*
Upsetters - Dub Plate Pressure & Chim Cherie
Paul Whiteman - I Don't Want To Lose You/Version - Pressure Sounds 7
George Dekker - Foey Man b/w Delroy Wilson - This Life Makes Me Wonder (Carib Disco)*

Keith Poppin - Hold Not Thy Peace/Version - Taurus Music 7*
Tristan Palmer - Bad Boys/Version - She Get Up & Skank 7*
Bobby Sarkie - Better World/Life Is A Dream Version - Rhythm Shack 7*
Tony Brevette - Need To Belong/Words Of Prophecy - Rhythm Shack 7*
Eric Morris - Eyrie Feeling/Version - Sure Shot 7*
Invaders/Trinity - Hell & Heaven/Dj - Roots International 7*
Junior Dan - House Is Not A Home/Version - Danites 7*
Prince Hammer - King Of Kings - Island Gold 7*
Alton Ellis - Rhodesia/Red Sea Dub - Joint 7*

Solomonic/Dub Store 7"s
Bunny Wailer - Searching For  Love/Version*
Peter Tosh - Anti Apartheid/Version*
Bunny Wailer - Rise & Shine/Version 12"*
Bunny Wailer - Rule Dance Hall/Version
Bunny Wailer - Armageddon/Version

Reissue Updates: The Latest & Greatest 2011

My picks from May-Aug 2011

AUGUSTUS PABLO - Message Music - Pressure Sounds CD (Pablo's Digital Productions 1986-94.16 tracks)
MIGHTY DIAMONDS - Get Ready - Rohit CD (Gussie Clark 1988 10 tracks.also issued on the Greensleeves label)
ROD TAYLOR/U ROY - Love Grows/Dub//Acting Funny/Dub - Tu Shung Peng/Patate/Bellville 10" (2007)
EARL 16/U BROWN - Years Of Slavery/Tired Of Slavery/Dub//Freedom/World Want Freedom/Dub - Merge 10" (1975-77)

BARRY BROWN - No No No/Version - DKR/Channel One 10" (1981 dubplate cut of Dandy Lion's "Vives")
BARRY BROWN/ANGELA PRINCE - Over Me/Joker Lover - DKR/Channel One 10" (1983)
WAYNE SMITH/PATRICK ANDY - Rain From The Sky/Ain't No Me - DKR/Tasha 12" (1984)
PATRICK ANDY - Leave The Door/Don't Worry Yourself - DKR/Channel One 12" (1982)
DAVID JAHSON w/WELL PLEASED & SATISFIED - People Bawling/Zion Train - Kim 12" (197?)
NAPHTALI - The 22nd Book/Dub//Verse 2/Verse 3 - Jah Warrior 12" (1995)

LUCIANO - Gunman/Version - Stingray 7"
DON HICKEY (aka DONIKI) - Dancehall Rock/Version - DKR/Harmodio 7" (Wicked minimalist digital 1985 prod by Conrod Green)
JOLLY BROTHERS/ANSEL COLLINS - Concious Man/Special - Collins 7" (1977 Prod.A Collins)
I WAYNE - Real & Clean/Version - Greensleeves 7"
RUPERT DEEBLE & THE EBONAIRES - Tribulation/Version - Only Roots/Amanda (Prod. L Marshall 197?)
TILLY & LARRY - Jah Gave Us Everything/Version - Only Roots/Marshall 7" (Prod.L Marshall 197?)
RICO - Repatriation Remedy/Version - Aggro 7" (197? B Lee)
ROBERT FFRENCH - Mother In Law/Version - Black Solidarity 7"
EEK A MOUSE - Peeni Walli/Version - Gorgon Records 7" (1981)
STEPHEN MARLEY (JR GONG/BUJU BANTON) - Jah Army/Version - Ghetto Youths Int'l 7" (2011)
PHILLIP FRAZER - Siren/Version - Life Music 7" (1990 Riddim: Marleys "Natural Mystic")
RAY DARWIN - False Alarm/Version - Joe Fraser 7" (2011 Riddim:?)
BARRY HEPTONES LLEWELLYN - Rudeboy/Version - Sir Runnin 7" (2011 EU)
TRINITY - Gambler/Gambla Dub - Heavyweight Station 7" (2011 Riddim: Max Romeo "Norman")
SISTER PAM - Teardrops Keep Falling/Dub - Negus Roots 7" (1981)
CONRAD CRYSTAL - Hackle Dem/Version - Jhuggernaut 7" (1987)
FREDDY MCKAY/BUNNY & RUDDY - So Long Farewell/On The Town - Beverlys 7" (1967 Riddim: J Holt "Strange Things")
ROBERT LEE - Battlefield/Version - Tuff Scout 7" (2011)
HEPTONES - Drifting Away/Version - Teem 7" (1974)
JAH LLOYD/VIN GORDON - Zion Rock/Rebel Rock - Teem 7" (1973 Riddim: Heptones "Drifting Away")





JAN/FEB 2011

Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Sugar Minott - Slice Of The Cake/Version
Cultural Roots - Devil Ites/Version*
Cultural Roots - Ghetto People/Version*
Cultural Roots - Mr Liar Man/Version*
Cultural Roots - Jah No Partial/Version*

Nitty Gritty - General Penitentiary - Dug Out/Black Victory CD
V/A - Tempo Explosion - Dug Out/Black Victory CD
Barry Brown - Physical Fitness - Flabba Sounds/Deeper Knowledge 12"*
Barry Brown - Them Hafi Get A Beaten/Dub - Flabba Sounds/Deeper Knowledge 12"*
Barry Brown - War Monger/ Version - Flabba Sounds/Deeper Knowledge 12"

General Plough - One More River - Black Originator/Rock A Shaka 7*
Carl Dawkins - Fire Burning/Version - Clock Tower 7*
Itals/I Roy - Ba Da Doo Ba Day/Tiger From Bengalie - Success 7*
Errol Carter - Manish Water/Version - Success 7*

FEB/MAR 2011

Cry Tuff 7"s
Prince Far I - Armageddon/Version*
Prince Far I - I & I A The Chosen One/Version*
Prince Far I & Culture - Message From The King/Version *
Rod Taylor - No One Can Tell I About Jah/Version *
Jah Brown - Freedom Fighter/Version *

Solid State
Chester Coke - African Race/Race 7"*

Goldage
Boom & the Voltsong - Stepping Up To Zion/Version 7"*

Springhill
Naggo Morris - False Rasta 10"*

Livity Reggae
Trevor Junior - I & I Time/Version 7"*

Don 1
Immortals - Babylon/Version 7" (noisey pressing)

Dug Out/Black Victory

Sugar Minott - Sheriff John Brown/Dub/Dub 12"
Willi Williams - Sweet Home/ 12"

Al Campbell - Every Man Say - Terminal 7
4th Street Orchestra - Hawaii 5-0/Dubber (1977) - Rama 10"
4th St Orchestra - None A Jah Children/Skatter Skatter - Rama 7" (1977)
Ever Red - Dem Nuh Ruff Like We/Dub - Gem Star/DDS 7's
Danny Coxsone - Hustling/Dub
Danny Coxsone - President Botha/Dub
Little John & Popsie - 51 Storm/Ram Jam - Youth In Progress 7" Japan
Roman Stewart - Black Mi Black/Modellers - Park Heights/DDS 7"
Sleepy Wonder - 88 Champion/Sluggy Ranks - Style - Park Heights/DDS 7"
Sleepy Wonder - Big In Body/Mega Man - Park Heights/Deadly Dragon 7

April 2011

Channel One/Deeper Knowledge
McWoner - Nuh Fire It/Higher Region 10"*
Barry Brown/Angela Prince - Over Me/Joker Lover 10"
Horace Andy - Why Oh Why/Satisfy Me 10"
Unknown Artist - Rocks & Mountains/Version 10"*

Pressure Sounds
Upsetters - Lama Lava mix1/2 - Upsetter Disco Cork/Pressure Sounds 7"
Upsetters - Strong Drink/Strong Dub - Upsetter Disco Cork/Pressure Sounds 7"
Lee Perry/Upsetters - The Return Of Sound System Scratch - Pressure Sounds CD/2LP

Earth Disciples - Peace Love & Harmony/Version - Kingston Connexion 7"
Tenor Saw - Victory Train - Black Victory/Dug Out 12"
Barrington Levy - The Vibes Is Right/Black Roses - Profile 12"
Don Carlos - Give Thanks/Version - Black Roots 7"*
Mighty Diamonds - Leaders Of Black Countries - Kingston Sounds CD/LP
Keith Hudson - Felt The Strain/Dub/Dubplate Mix - Joint 12"
Horace Ferguson - Nah Run/Version - Razor Sound 7"
Earl Cunningham - Vanity Woman /Version - Freedom Sounds 7"
Don Carlos - I Love Jah/I Don't Care - Negus Roots 10"
Lee Perry - Cloak & Dagger - Orchid CD*/LP
Prince Jammy - Crucial Dub - Greensleeves LP
Johnny Osbourne - Johnny Murderer/Version - Jah Life 7"*
I Roy - Presenting - Sunspot LP
Big Youth - Screaming Target - Sunspot LP
Mighty Diamonds - Leaders Of Black Countries - Kingston Sounds CDLP
Maytones/DJ - Who Can't Hear Must Feel - Commanda Music 7"*
Danny Ranks - Stepping On Strong - Iroko 12"

Spotlight on CARLTON LIVINGSTON

I've been really appreciating the voice of Carlton Livingston lately so here i shine the spotlight on some of his history & highlight some of his killers tunes, all in my opinion of course!

Carlton Livingston born in 1962 in the parish of St. Mary in Jamaica. As a child he sang in church. He moved to Kingston with his family, where he started a little sound system with his friend Anthony Waldron who is better known as DJ Lone Ranger. In 1978 Carlton was taken to Channel One studio by Tony Walcott where he cut the roots favourite "Tale Of Two Cities" which is his first recording.
From there he made a short stop at Studio One.
He then recorded for Leon & Chester Symoie Thrillseekers label  & then with Clive Jarrett & Bebo Phillips he cut an LP called "Soweto" in 1981.

Apparently Carlton also recorded an albums worth of material for Studo One at Coxsone's Brooklyn studio not long before the producers death.

In the 1980's he had hit tunes for U Brown (Mr DJ & Don't Cuss Rasta) Sly & Robbie (Those Tricks,100lbs Of Collie Weed & Trodding With Chalice In Hand) & Clive Jarrett's Dynamite Records label  (Rumours, Marie & Confusion).

Selected Discography:

Carlton Livingston - Defend It - Black Legacy 7"                                           

Carlton Livingston - Once Was A Man - Heartical 7"

Carlton Livingston - Rocking Steady Vol.1 - Gadd 59 10"                             

Carlton Livingston - Trod On - Tree Of Life 10"

Carlton Livingston - Who Dem A Fool - Cookie Jar 12"

Carlton Livingston - Are You Afraid? - Cookie Jar 7"

Carlton Livingston - Tale Of Two Cities - Channel One/Deeper Knowledge 7"

Carlton Livingston - Mix Up Maggie - Uniteam 7"

Carlton Livingston - Soweto - Ffrench 7"

Carlton Livingston - Rumours - Tabou1 CD (1984)

              

Leave It Behind - Carlton Livingston - Rumours CD -Tabou1

Oh yeah i got to get there

Oh yeah

Some men want to be millionaires, but i just want to live for a million years

Some men put their trust, in horses & chariots

Some men will sell their soul for gold, but don't they know it can't go there

Oh Lord

"Can't go to Zion with your limousine , your limousine will need gasoline
 Can't go to Zion with your carnal mind, your carnal mind you got to leave behind
 Can't go to Zion with your millions man , your millions don't have no value there."

"You've got to leave it behind

You've got to leave it behind"

Reggae R.I.P (updated 2014)

• Alex Sadkin - d. 25 Jul 1987 (Producer) car acc 38yo.
• Alric Forbes - d. 1998 (Prophets).
• Alton Black Died in Car Accident d. 1990's.
• Alton Ellis  - b. 1 Sept 1938 - 11 Oct 2008 cancer UK (Jamaican Order of Distinction)
• Alton Irie - ? shot (in his car NYC)
• Alva Reggie Lewis - d. 4 Feb 2013 rhythm guitarist Hippy Boys/Upsetters
• Anthony Doyley - b. 1955 - 26 Feb 2011 (Classics/ Knowledge - lead vocal)
• Ari Up aka Baby Whitey aka Medusa d. 2010 (Slits)
• Aubrey Adams - d. 1990
• Augustus Pablo aka Horace Swaby b. 21 Jun 1954 - 18 May 1999 nerve disease Myasthenia gravis
• Baba Brooks aka Oswald Brooks aka Baba Leslie - ? (Trumpet)
• Baby Wayne - (DJ) d. 29 Oct 2005 Pneumonia
• Banana Man - d. 2002
• Barry Brown - b. 1962 - 29 May 2004 collapsed & hit head in studio
• Barry Llewellyn -(Heptones)b. 24 Dec 1947 - d. 23 Nov 2011 (complained not feeling well,admitted to Kingston Hospital where he died of pneumonia)
• Basil 'Visonaire' Gayle - d. Sun 8 June 2014 (member of The Visionaires & The 12 Tribes Of Israel)
• Bertram Brown - d. 8 Sep 2008 (Producer - Freedom Sounds label)
• Bertram 'Ranchie' McLean - b. c1948 - d. 14 Nov 2012 Kingston Hosp. postrate cancer - guitarist/bass - Skin Flesh & Bones/Revolutionaires
• Billy Boyo - (Billy Theophilus Rowe) b. 1970 - 290Oct 2000 (DJ) brain tumour .
• Bim Sherman aka Jarrett Tomlinson - b. 1952 - 17 Nov 2000 cancer
• Bingy Bunny aka Eric Lamont - b. 23 Sep 1955 - 31 Dec 1993 (Roots Radics/Morwells singer/guitarist) cancer
• Bionic Steve - d. 17 Jan 1997 stabbed (in Kingston)
• Blacka Morwell aka Maurice Wellington - b. 1950 - 3 Oct/12 Nov? 2000 (Morwells) cancer NY.
• Blues Busters (Phillip "Boasy" James) b. 31 Dec 1941 - 1989 NY (Lloyd "Lloydie" Campbell) 3 Sep 1944 - Jan 1992 NY.
• Bobby Melody aka Bobby Powell ?/ George Vincent Hanson? - b. 28/2/51 Trelawny Ja. d. 26 Apr 2010 Nottingham UK. (Ralph Brothers/Prophets) cancer
• Brent Dowe - b. 29 Jun 1946 or 49 - 29 Jan 2006 (Melodians) heart failure
• 'Bunny' Rugs, William Clarke (Third World) d.Sun 2 Feb 2014 cancer
• Busty Brown aka BB James (Clive Smith) - originally from Montego Bay He released records on   the Tramp label & approx 1971 started his own Mo-Bay label.Later he became lead singer in for the group The Chosen Few. d. Jan 2012.
• Byron Lee - b. 27 Jun 1935 - 4 Nov 2008.
• Candy McKenzie -  b. 1953- d. 2003.
• Captain Barkey (Joslyn Hamilton) DJ b. 4 Nov 1951 - d. 13 Oct 2012 shot in Bronx USA
• Carl Johnson (aka Sir JJ) Producer shot in a Kingston record store d. 1971.
• Carlton "Carly" Barrett aka "Field Marshall" b. 17 Dec 1950 - 17 Apr 1987 (Drummer Wailers) shot outside his home Ja.
• Cedella Booker -  d. aged 81.
• Charles Keymist - (Bass Guitar in the Cool Notes) d. early 1980's.
• Charlie Ace - Valden Dixon  (DJ) d. shot early 1980's Kingston Ja.
• Cherry "Smith" Green - d. 4 Sep 2008 (Wailers) heart failure 65 yo
• Chester Synmoie - (Owner of Thrillseekers label) d. Brazil Oct 2011
• Clancy Eccles - 9 Dec 1940 - 30 Jun 2005 (Singer/Producer) heart failure/stroke (64yo)
• Claudius "Kingman" Linton - 1942 - 16 Jul 2010 (Hoffner Brothers)
• Clement Dodd see under Coxsone
• Clinton "Tennessee" Brown - 17 Mar 1999 (Silvertones) heart failure
• Clive Jarrett - 31 Jan 2008 shot (in his home Vineyard Town Kingston) co-owner Dynamite label.
• Cluett Johnson - 2000
• Copper Cat (Demar Graham) - d Jan 2011 shot in robbery outside Richie Stephens house Kingston Ja.
• Count Matchukie (Winston Cooper) - (DJ)  1939 - 1995 Kingston.
• Count Ossie aka Oswald Williams - 1926 - 18 Oct 1976 car acc.
• Coxsone Dodd aka Downbeat aka Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd - 26 Jan 1932 - 5 May 2004 (Producer - Studio One) heart failure. (Jamaican Order of Distinction).
• Creation Rebel aka Willie Stepper - Basil Thompson D.Mon 17 Nov 2009 London hospital.
• David Isaacs aka Bruce Bennett (Itals) - 23 Dec 2009 63yo heart failure
• Deborah Glasgow - 25 Jan 1994 cancer
• Delroy Wilson 1948 - 6 Mar 1995 liver failure
• Dennis Brown - 1 Feb 1957 - 1 Jul 1999 illness
• Dennis Sinclair - (singer in the Dominoes) d. 1994.
• Denzil Laing - d. 4 Aug 1989
• Desmond Dekker - b. 17 Jul 1941 - 25 May 2006 heart failure
• Desmond Miles - Bassist - Desmond Miles Seven/Mighty Vikings d. Tuesday 11 Dec 2012 heart attack
• Devon Russell - b. 1940 - d. June 1997 cancer
• Dhaima aka Sandra Mathews - b. Apr 1949 - d. 9 May 2000 drowned
• Dirtsman aka Patrick Thompson - (DJ) b. 1967 - robbed & shot 21 Dec 1993 in Spanish Town.
• Dizzy Flemming - d. c1980's shot in NYC
• DJ Village - (Horace Pinnock bbc radio 1 dj)  d. 20 Nov 2001 age 24. shot in gang fight Wembley.
• Don Drummond - d. 6 May 969 (Trombonist) (Died In Bellevue Hosp)
• Don Taylor - 1 Nov 1999 (Manager/Promoter) heart failure
• Drumbago aka Arkland Parks - 1970?
• Duke Reid aka Arthur Reid - 1915 - 1974 (Producer)
• Duke Vin aka Vincent Forbes - Jamaican born UK soundman , built first UK Sound System "The Tickler" Died Nov 2012 aged 84.
• Early B "The Doctor" aka Earlando Neil - 11 Sept 1994 acc shot at Windsor Cricket Club Dorchester Massachusetts.
• Egbert Evans - (Sax,Flute) 2 Jul 2009 56 yo.
• Errol "ET" Thompson - (Engineer) 29 Dec 1948 - 14 Nov 2004 stroke/heart failure.
• Errol Scorcher - (DJ) Errol Archer Died after headache 19 Jan 2012.
• Errol Shorter -DJ  Murdered Kingston 1982.
• Everton DaSilva - d. 1979 (Producer - Hungry Town label) Born 18 Oct 1954 - Died 9 May 1989 shot in NYC
• Exuma (Tony McKay) - d. 22 Jan 1997 Nassau Ba.
• Ezz Reco - Ska artist d?
• Fabian Miranda (Faybiene Miranda) d. 21-Dec-2013 UK
• Fathead - (DJ) aka Vernon Rainford  b. 1960 - 19 Aug 1988 multiple gunshot wounds in crack house ( Ft Lauderdale Florida USA)
• Fazel Prendergast - d. 2005 drowned (trying to rescue his guitar from vehicle in river)
• Frankie Jones aka Jah Frankie Jones - shot by police NYC d. 1990's
• Freddy McKay - b. 1947 - 19 Nov 1986  (Died in his sleep after complaining of headache)
• Garnett Silk - b. 2 apr 1966 d 9Dec 1994 (Died rescuing his mother from house fire)
• Geoffry Chung - b. 1950 - Nov 1995 (Guitar/Engineer/Producer) liver failure
• General Echo (DJ) aka Errol Robinson - d. 22 Nov 1980 (DJ) shot (by police w/Big John & Flux of Echo Tone HiFi)
• Gene Rondo aka Winston Lara - b. 1943- 12 Jun 1994 cancer
• George Faith - d. April 2003
• Girlie - d. 1990's in UK
• Glen Adams - d. 20 Dec 2010 (Keyboards/Upsetters)
• Grace Nelson - d. mid 90's (Ja roots singer)
• Gregory Anthony Isaacs - b. 15 Jul 1954 Kingston d. 25 Oct 2010
• Gregory Peck aka Gregory Williamson - (DJ) ?
• Harry 'J' Johnson (Producer) d.4/Apr/2013 aged 68 (diabetes)
• Henry "Junjo" Lawes (Producer) - d. 13 Jun 1999 shot (in Harlsden London UK)
• Hortense Ellis - b. 18 Apr 1941 - 18 Oct 2000 resp failure
• Hugh Mundell aka Jah Levi - b. 1962 - 1983 shot (in Kingston Ja while in car with Jr Reid)
• I Roy aka Roy Samuel Reid  - (DJ) b. 28 Jun 1944 - 27 Nov 1999  heart failure 55yo
• Jackie Edwards aka Wilfred Gerald Edwards - b. 1938 - 15 Aug 1992 heart failure.
• Jackie Mittoo aka Donat Roy Mittoo - b. 3 Mar 1948 - 16 Dec 1990 (Keyboards) cancer (in Toronto)
• Jackie Opal aka Dalton Sinclair-Bishop - b. 1940's - 196? car acc (in Barbados)
• Jack Ruby aka Lawrence Lindo - (Producer - Fox Wolf labels) d. 1989 heart failure
• Jacob Miller - b. 1955- 23 Mar 1980 car acc Ja.
• Jah Bull (DJ) aka Woolton Harrison - b. 1950-8 May 2005 Ja.
• Jah Jerry aka "Ska" aka Jerome Hines - (Skatalites Guitarist) b. 11 Aug 1921 - 13 Aug 2007 Ja.
• Jah Lloyd aka Jah Lion aka Patrick Francis - (DJ/Singer/Producer) b. 1950 - 2 Jun 1999 shot Kingston Ja. OR died of respiratory illness 5 Jun 1999.
• Jah Woosh (DJ/Producer)aka Neville Beckford?  - d. 21 Feb 2011 UK.
• Jean Adebambo - d. 15 Jan 2009
• Jennifer Lara - d. 11 June 2005 stroke Ja.
• Jim Kelly - (DJ Killamanjaro Sound) d. 1983 murdered (Spanish Town Rd Ja.)
• Joe Gibbs aka Joel Augustus Gibson - (Producer) b. 1943-21 Feb 2008 heart failure (Ja Order of Distinction)
• Joe Higgs - b. 13 Jun 1940 - 18 Dec 1999 59yo cancer (in LA. USA)
• Joel Chin (VP Records) ?
• Johnny "Dizzy" Moore aka John Arlington Moore (Trumpet) - b. 5 Oct 1938 - 16/17 Aug 2008 colon cancer
• John Wayne (DJ) d. Jan 2014
• Joseph Hill - (Culture) b. 22 Jan 1949 - 19 Aug 2006 liver failure.
• Judge Dread Alexander Minto Hughes b. 2 May 1945 d 13 Mar 2008.
• Junior Braithwaite - (Wailers) b. 1949 - shot 2 June or 12 June 1999 in his home in Kingston by three armed men.
• Junior Delgado aka Oscar Hibbert - b. 25 Aug 1958 - 10 Apr 2005 (died in sleep London UK)
• Junior Murvin (Murvin Junior Smith) b. 1949 - Dec 2 2013 Port Antonio Ja. diabetes.
• Justin Hinds - b.1942 - 17 Mar 2005 lung cancer
• Justin Yap - (Producer - Top Deck label) b. 23 May 1944 - d. Jul or Dec 1999.
• Keith Hudson - b.1946/47 - 14 Nov 1984 (Singer/Producer) lung cancer.
• Kenneth Hookim - b.  3 Oct 2013 aged 66 of Lung Cancer (Producer - Channel One)
• Kennith Khouri - (Owner - Federal Records) d. 20 Sep 2003
• Kenny Culture aka Government d Jan 2010
• King Stitt aka the Ugly One - (Winston Sparkes) d. 31? Jan 2012
• King Tubby aka Osbourne Ruddock - b. 28 Jan 1941- 6 Feb 1989 shot (outside his home in Tower Hill Kingston or Duhaney Park?)
• Lacksley Castell - d.1983 (from TB)
• Larry Lawrence aka Clifton Lawrence - (Owner - Ethnic Fight label) b. 1947- Aug 2008 cancer London.
• Laurel Aitken aka Oliver Stevens b. 1927 Cuba - 17 July 2005 stroke Leicester UK.
• Lee Copthall - (Owner - Trojan Records) b. 1939 Constant Spring - 29 May 1997
• Lee Van Cleef - d. 1987? (DJ) shot NYC? (aka Devon Perkins?)
• Lennie Hibbert - b.1928 - 1980's?
• Leonard Santic Chin (Producer)b. 1953 -  D Thu 8 Aug 2013 Ja. cancer
• Leonard Dillon - (Ethiopians) d. 28 Sept 2011
• Leslie Kong - b. 1933 - 9 Aug 1971 (Producer - Beverlys) heart failure Aged 38.
• Lil Joe (aka J.O.E - Alty Georges Nunes) - culture singer Ja. d.7 Feb 2011 aneurysm age 24.
• Lloyd Brevett - d. 3?-May-2012 St. Andrews Hospital Aged 80 (Order Of Distinction/Silver Musgrave Medal)
• Lloyd ''Lloydie" Campbell - b. 3/9/41 - d.? Jan 1992
• Lloyd Charmers - Producer/Singer d. Wed 26th Dec 2012 London (heart failure)
• Lloyd George Ricketts - (Itals) b. 23 Sept 1947 - Died 22 Jul 2011
• Lloyd "Tinleg" Adams - ?
• Lloyd Knibb - Drummer Skatalites b. 8 March 1931 - 12 May 2011 Ja. 80yo (Order of Distinction)
• Lloyd Robinson - d. Tues 5-Nov-2013 aged 69. (singer of Cuss Cuss)
• Louisa Marks - b. 11 Jan 1960 UK - d. 17 Oct 2009 Gambia - food poisoning/stomach ulcer
• Lucky Phillip Dube - d. 18 Oct 2007/08? shot (Jo'berg Sth Africa)
• Lui Lepke - 12 Aug 1957 - 1987? (DJ) shot? (NYC?)
• Lynn Tait - d. 21 Jan 2010 (Guitar)
• Major Worries - (DJ) Wayne Jones - d. Aug 1987 shot in Spanish Town Kingston by security guard.
• Marguirita Mahfood - d. 2 Jan 1965 murdered by Don Drummond Ja.
• Massive Dread - (Dennis James) b. 1960 - 1994 Shot Ja.
• Matthew McAnuff - d 22 Aug 2012 neighbours chopped him to death Ja.
• Michael "Mikey Dread" Campbell - d. 15 Mar 2008 (DJ/Singer/Producer) brain tumour
• Michael  "Zap Pow" Williams - b. 1944 - 9 Aug 2005 (Zap Pow) 61yo
• Mikey Simpson -  d Dec 1993/ or early 1994 d murdered in argument Ochio Rios Ja.
• Michael Smith - b. 1954 - 17 Aug 1983 (Dub Poet) murdered Stoney Hill Ja.
• Mikey Wallace (Third World) shot near his home  Kingston d.1999.
• Nicky Cecil Thomas - b. 1949 - 1989/90? heart failure Ja.
• Nicodemus b. 1957 - 26 Aug 1996 (DJ) diabetes
• Nitty Gritty (Glen Augustus Holness) - 1957 - 24 Jun 1991 shot (Brooklyn NYC outside Super Power Records store)
• Olive "Senya" Grant - d. 2001
• Oneil Edwards - d. 2010? (Voicemail)
• Ossie Hibbert - d. Sunday 1-Jul-2012 keyboards etc - Died suddenly after concert.
• Pamela Maynard - b Guyana d 25 Nov 2012 Toronto 58yo breast cancer.
• Panhead - (DJ) (Anthony Johnson) b. 1966 - Oct 1993 robbed & shot outside his home in Maverly Ja after leaving a dance in Spanish Town.
• Patrick Waite - Musical Youth d. 24 Feb 1993 heart failure.
• Paul Hookim (Channel One Studio) Murdered Greenwich Farm d. 1977.
• Paul "Pablo" Stewart - b. 1960 - July 2002 stomach cancer.
• Peter Tosh (Winston Hubert McIntosh) - b. 1944 - 11 Sep 1987 shot (murdered at his home w/ radio dj Free I  others? by Dennis Loban?)
• Philip "Fatis" Burrell - (Producer Xterminator label) d. 2 Dec 2011 Stroke.
• Phillip Linton - owner Arrows Rec Studio 57c Windward Rd, East Kingston shot d.4 Mar 2004.
• Phillip Smart - (Producer HC&F Studios) b. 9 Apr 1960 d. 25 Feb 2014. Age 53 pancreatic Cancer
• Phyllis Dillon - b. 1945 - 15 Apr 2004 cancer NY
• Prince Far I (Michael Williams) - b. 1944 - 15 Sept 1983 shot (during robbery at his home)
• Prince Jazzbo (Linval Carter) - b 3 Sep 1951 Clarendon - d 11 Sept 2013 Ja. cancer
• Prince Lincoln Thompson (Royal Rasses) - d. Jan 1999 liver cancer UK.
• Propally - Dancehall DJ d.26 Jul 2014 hit by motorcycle at Half Way Tree.
• Ranking Dread (Winston Brown?) - ? Died in Ja prison?
• Ranking Toyan aka Byron Letts - d. 1991 murdered
• Ranking Trevor (Maxwell Grant) - d. Tues 7-Aug-2012 Killed by vehicle while riding his bike home from a dance in Ja.
• Ras Pidow b. 1931 - Mar 2001
• "Releigh" Gordon aka Henry Gordon - d. 1994 (Maytals)
• Richard "Dirty Harry" Hall - ? robbed & murdered in empty building Manhatten NYC.
• Ringo - (DJ) aka Johnny Ringo aka (Bradley Miller) - d. Jul 2005 pnuemonia Ja.
• Rising Son - d. 2001 Kingston.
• Risto Benji aka Michael Benjamin - Shot at his home in St. Catherine Ja. by unknown assailant 16 May 2011
• Robert Nesta Marley - 6 Feb 1945 - 11 May 1981 cancer (Jamaican Order of Merit)
• Roland Alphonso - (Saxophone) b.1936 - 20 Nov 1999 heart failure LA Cal.
• Roman Stewart - b. 1957 - 25 Jan 2004 heart failure NYC.
• Roy Richards - b. 1944 - 25 May 2007 (66yo) St Ann's Bay Ja.
• Roy Shirley - b. 1944? - 17 Jul 2008 heart failure
• Roy "Soft" Palmer - d. 2001 (Palmers Brothers) murdered Kingston.
• Roy Wilson - (of Higgs & Wilson) d. 26-May-2012 aged 72.
• Ruddy Thomas  - b. 12 Jul 1951 - 10 Jun 2006 (on stage during Loving Pauper Portland Ja.
• Sam Bramwell - d. 1986 (Chantells) shot (by police during robbery at bauxite plant )
• Sandra "Puma" Jones - b. 1953 - 1990 (Black Uhuru) cancer NYC.
• Scooby Santino - d Mar 2009 UK Dancehall singer in 90's murdered.
• Scotty (David Scott) - 1951 - 27 Feb 2003 prostate cancer
• Shenley Duffus - 2001/02?
• Sid Bucknor - 12 May 2010 (Engineer)
• Sidney Wolf (Sons Of Negus?) - 1946 - 27 Jun 1998 lung cancer
• Simple Simon - 1956 - 6 Feb 2004 cancer
• Simpleton? - 2004
• Sir Harry aka The Boss - (DJ) - Jul 1999 murdered Kingston
• "Sir J J" aka Carl Johnson - (Producer) - 1972 shot (in his record store Ja.)
• Skitter - ? (Of Bunny & )
• Slim Keith Smith - b. 1948 - 1973 (Bled to death after cutting arm while attempting to gain access to his? home)
• Sluggy Ranks - (Andrew Phillip Gregory) d. 29-Jul-2012 Car accident in Ja.
• Smiley Culture - (David Victor Emmanuel) (DJ)b. 10 Feb 1963 - 15 Mar 2011 stabbed while in police custody UK.
• Sonia Eloise Pottinger OD b. 21 Jun 1931 d 3 Nov 2010 alzheimers
• Sonia McLean - (of lovers rock trio Me & You)
• Stanley Beckford - (Turbines) 1942 - 30 Mar 2007 throat cancer
• Stephen Taylor - (Ethiopians) 1944 - 1975 car acc
• Steve Collins - (son of Sir Collins UK) DJ d 1981.
•  
• Stix Dan - (Samuel Reid) b. 4 Oct 1956 - 1 Jul 2009.
• Sugar Belly - (William Walker) d. c1990
• Sugar Minott - b. 25 May 1956 - 10 Jul 2010 heart failure
• Sydney Wolfe (Black Uhuru) b. 1946- d. 27 June 1988 lung cancer.
• Tenor Saw - (Clive Bright) 966 - Aug 1988 (found beside road in Houston Texas)
• Theophilus "Easy Snappin" Beckford - b. 1935 - Feb 2001 murdered (in Kingston with machete in dispute with neighbour)
• Tommy McCook - (Saxophone)b. 1933 - 4 May 1998 heart failure USA
• Tony Brevett  (Melodians) d. 26 Oct 2013 Cancer Died Miami Hospital
• Tony Rich - gospel reggae singer d? 5 Jun 2012 organ failure.
• Trevor Bow - d. 24 Apr 1993 murdered Kingston.
• Trevor Roper - (singer in Chalice) d. 4- Jan-2013 Cancer in Chicago
• Trevor Sparks - (Trevor Chambers) b. 1965 UK d. 23 Mar 2004 Chicago diabetes
• Tubby T - UK Dancehall artist d. 2008 stroke.
•  
• Turbo Belly - d. 2004 shot (in Spanish Town Ja.)
• Tyrone "Don" Evans - (Paragons) d. Oct/Nov? 2000
• Tyrone Taylor - b. 1954 - d. Nov/Dec? 2007 prostate cancer
• U Roy Junior aka Froggy - d. 1973/74? shot (while attempting robbery Kingston)
• Val Bennett - d. 1991 (Saxophone) diabetes (Died in the almshouse)
• Vic Taylor - b.1946 - 25 Jun 2003 heart failure
• Victor Cross - b. 21 June 1960 d. 9 Sep 2000 (Singer & Multi Instrumentalist - Lovers Rock/Ariwa/Twinkle Bros) Road Acc France.
• Vincent Chin - (Owner - Randy's) b. 1938 - d. Feb 2003 heart failure
• Vyris Edgehill-Nunes - b.18 Jun 1954 Ja. - d. 12 July 2002 heart problem. Singer - Akabu/etc Backing Singer.
• Wayne Smith (Sleng Teng) d.17/Feb/2014 Heart Failure
• Winston Grennan - (Drummer) 1944 - 27 Oct 2000 cancer Mass USA.
• Winston Riley - (Producer Techniques label) Shot in Kingston Nov 2011 d. 19 Jan 2012 (65 yo).
• Winston Wright - b. 1944 - 1993 (Keyboards/Bass) heart failure Ja.
• Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson - d. 1 Sep 2009 heart/kidney failure NYC.
• Yabby You (Vivian Jackson) - b. 14 Aug 1946 - 12 Jan 2010 63yo stroke

Version To Version

Like the rhythm behind a certain song & want to hear more?


Al Brown - Here I Am Baby = Jah Woosh - Midnight Version
Alton Ellis - All We Need Is Love = Big Youth - S90Skank
Alton Ellis - I'll Be Waiting = Prince Mohammed - Don't Keep Natty Waiting
Barrington Spence - The Message = U Roy - African Message
Carlton Livingston - Don't Follow Rumours = Lone Ranger - Solomon
Carlton Livingston - Don't You Remember = Lone Ranger - Lone Ranger & Tonto
Clarence Parks - Things Come Up To Bump = Trevor Junior - I & I Time
Cornel Campbell - The Gorgon = U Roy - Gorgon Wise
Dave Robinson - Chaga Chaga Warrior - Bod Gong 7" = Ranking Joe - Natty BMW - VP 7"
Delano Stewart - Don't Believe In Him = U Roy - King Tubby's Special = Gregory Isaacs - Don't Believe In Him
Desmond Young - Warning = Big Youth - Wolf In Sheeps Clothing
Donovan Adams - Who Is The One = Prince Mohammed - Stop Mock Jah = I Roy - Who Is The Man
Earl Cunningham - Never Give Up = Prince Far I - ?
Errol Dunkley - Black Cinderella = I Roy - Sound Education
Flames - Zion = Dr Alimantado - Just The Other Day
Freddy McKay - I Love You = U Roy - Water Boot
Gladiators - Pocket Money = U Roy - Evil Doers
Half Pint - Jah Don't Love That = Barrington Levy -
Horace Andy - You Are My Angel = I Roy - ?
Hugh Griffiths - Lovers Rock = Freddy McKay - Pussy Cat = Al Campbell - Jah Love
Johnny Clarke - Crazy Baldhead = Sammy Dread - Sweetest Thing = King Tubby - Acadamy Award Version
Johnny Clarke - Put It On = U Roy - Feel Jah Spirit
Johnny Clarke - Rock With Me Baby = U Roy - Rock With I
Johnny Clarke - I'm The Toughest = Higher Ranking Dub
Johnny Clarke
Junior Byles - Poor Chubby = Upsetters - Long Sentence
Lambert Douglas - Woman I Love You = Jah Woosh - Shimmy Skank
Larry Marshall - Oh Jah = Prince Jazzbo - Kick Boy Face
Leon Hyatt - Forty Days & Forty Nights = Jah Devon - Move Out Of Babylon
Linval Thompson - Black Princess = Tappa - Rush You Some Dub
Linval Thompson - Cool Down Your Temper = Tappa - Cool This Dub
Linval Thompson - Don't Cut Off Your Dreadlocks = U Roy - Joyful Locks
Lloyd Parks - Travelling Man = U Roy - Travelling Man
Mighty Diamonds - Right Time = I Roy - I Man Time
Mighty Diamonds - Have Mercy = Trinity - All Gone
Mighty Diamonds - Jah Jah Bless The Dreadlocks = Jah Stitch - Jah Help The Dread
Naggo Morris - False Rasta = Sowell Radics - Caution
Owen Gray - Turning Point = U Roy - Babylon Burning
Owen Gray - Do You Remember = U Roy - Do You Remember
Rod Taylor - His Imperial Majesty = Mikey Dread - Saturday Night Style
Rod Taylor - No One Can Tell I About Jah = Prince Far I - ?
Stingers - Give Me Power = Upsetters - Double Power
Sugar Minott - She Stays On My Mind = Wackies - Promotion Rock

Revival Time aka "Stars on 45" The Best of The Repress.

Some excellent revive music was made available again in the late half of 2010 & it looks as though 2011 is going to be a bumper year for repress vinyl. Here are some of my choice picks....



Cultural Roots - Ghetto People/Version - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Jah No Partial/ - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Devil Ites - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Mr Liar Man/ - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Mr Boss Man/ - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Drift Away From Evil/Version - Germain Revolutionary Sounds 7"
Cultural Roots - Devil Ites/Version - Penthouse 7"

Puddy Roots - When I Release -

Bingy Bunny - Coming Home To Zion - Archive Pre 7 (1976)

An absolutely stunning roots tune with a ceaseless ghostly wailing behind Bingy Bunny's plaintive yearning of repatriation.The riddim is made up of a heavy plodding bassline with much clattering of hand drums in the mix, which are then brought to the fore on the version side.A truly hypnotic piece of music that carries the listener back to some kind of  ancient smokey tribal gathering........

"How could you say, that this is my country                         

When there are nothing like a future plan

We work so hard in snow & hail

1956 - 1993

That prison jail is a weekly tale                                                                   

Come home, come on home to Zion High                                       

Come home,come on home to Zion High

How could you say that this love is real
After all the pain i feel
You try to put me, in war & strife
You think i don't care about my life

Come home, come on home to Zion High come on come on
Come home, come on home to Zion High"

Now to find a clean copy of DJ Jah Lloyds cut on the riddim 'African Culture' on his Teems label.

Al Campbell - Foot Stool - Chanan Jah 7" (1978)   

                                                                        

                                              

                                                                        

"Don't be no man foot stool, brothers

 Don't be no man foot stool , sisters

 Get up & stand up on your own two feet

 Stop laying down on the sidewalks of the street

 Don't let them walk on you....."

intones the honey voiced Al Campbell in this 1978 Phil Pratt production.This track is also to be found on Al's album from the same year "No More Running" on Pratt's Terminal label.
A plea for unity amongst the ghetto sufferer's , begins with a strong organ swirl that resurfaces later in the tune. Most likely backed by The Revolutionaires, the version is propelled along by the insistant rim shots of drummer extrordinare, Sly Dunbar.
An excellent pressing & here's hoping we see many more gem's from Mr.Pratt in the coming year.

Black Slate - Wiser Than Before - Sir George 7" (1980)

Plenty of stabbing horns & a beautifully languorous delivery make this a real winner from the criminally hard to find Black Slate. Recorded in 1980 & reissued here on original keyboardist George Brightly's "Sir George" label it is quite difficult to find any info on this release.

Although lyrically it's a song of  'love gone wrong' it has a very rootsy backing that's just made for 'smooove' skanking in the dancehall.

At the same time this 7" was reissued we also got  a Sir George 12" - Black Slate's cover of Little Anthony & The Imperials hit 'Tears On My Pillow' , although this is in no way in the same league as Wiser Than Before.
Dub version on the B side.

Jewels - Love & Livity - Leggo Sounds 7" (1979)

Jewels - Slave Trade - Leggo Sounds 7" (1979)
     

Having loved the tunes Mr Big Man & Prophecy Call from Heartbeats 1990 various artists release 'Observer Station' , i've always kept an eye open for more by this artist & now many years later, thanks to the USA's Digikiller/Deeper Knowledge outfit along with Leggo Sounds we are treated to these two excellent represses at once.

The Jewels were a vocal trio consisting of lead singer Glasford Manning (aka Porti) & harmony vocalists Benjamin Daley & Lynford Newland.

Originally released in 1979, Love & Livity is a heavyweight floor-shaker, made for that special time ,say around 3am when your brain is at it's most susceptible to these dark n heavy roots tunes,so favoured in the UK sound system dances.A pounding bass & drum extravaganza made to vanquish all weakheart babylonians.......

"Love & livity a so Jah say, love & livity a so Jah say...."

Slave Trade, also released in 1979 & again featuring the same etherial harmonies & heavy steppers beat that is just made for late night sound system play.
As you may have guessed from the title,this song deals with tribulations of  African people stolen from their homeland,robbed of their religion & culture - taken away on a ship named S.S. Jesus.......

"Children of the slave trade owwe, we are captives
They treated us, with brutality & they treated us, with no humanity"

Both titles are extremely well pressed with dub version on the B sides, so no excuses!

Natural Roots - Children Of Jah - Only Roots 7"                 

Strangely this tune had never been released 'pon 7"...that is until now! Taken from the groups debut self-titled 1984 LP, it's in a rootsy laid back vein, the singer reminding me a little of Steel Pulse's David Hinds with delightful lead guitar weaving throughout, as a gentle keyboard bubbles underneath......one for thoughtful meditation. Dub version on the B side.




Bunny Wailer - Life Line/Big Youth - Black On Black - Solomonic/Dub Store 7"

                  

With the second wave of Solomonic reissues from Japans Dub Store Records we are treated to Bunny's exquisite Life Line from 1972, which i first had the joy of hearing on the now sadly defunct Nighthawks Records compilation LP 'Wiser Dread'.
Bunny has a gentle dove-like singing voice which can soar into an achingly beautiful falsetto... "Like a bird on a mountain or a fish in a fountain..." which send shivers up your spine & is a direct opposite to his speaking voice, which is a deep baritone, & would be well suited for a cover of 'Ole Man River'!

Here he's backed by the Wailers band with harmonies by Bob & Peter  "Throw out your life line & let your live light shine"  lyrics to live by?...........perhaps.

Jah Youth

On to the 'B' side & we get a dubbed up & fantasticly funky DJ cut by the one Manley Augustus Buchanan better known as the great Big Youth.

Over a stripped down rhythm with a chopping echoed rhythm guitar & jabs of piano,Youth expounds the virtue that every black man is a brother as well as sticking it to 'The Man'...

"See they talking about who is gonna die next, say the white man has got a god complex..."

all done in his relaxed jive talking, scat singing style. A truly wicked piece of music which has become a firm favourite to me in the large & diverse Big Youth catalog.

Maytones/Blacka Cool - Who Can't Hear Must Feel/ DJ Version - Commanda Music 7"

Not sure where this has originated from but thank Jah it has! 

Over Horace Andy's rumbling "Problems" riddim we get a beautiful vocal from Vern Buckley of the singing duo The Maytones in a biblical lyrical stylee. 

The other side is a DJ cut over the same Problems riddim by the mysterious Blacka Cool , heavy roots style, wicked & wild. Perfectly pressed too!
These cuts were originally released on the US or Canadian Commanda label titled "Judgement Day/Positive Loving" & was also issued on Commanda 12". Produced by Vern Buckley.

Nitty Gritty - Got To Make It/Version - (1991) Progressive 7"

Wicked Mr Gritty voiced & mixed around 1985 at Channel One just before sleng teng erupted . Produced by veteran African Brothers member Eric Bubbles

 

Prince Far I & Black Skin - Armageddeon/Version - Cry Tuff 7" (1976)

Prince Far I - I & I A The Chosen One/Version - Cry Tuff 7" (1979)
Prince Far I & Culture - Message From The King/Version - Cry Tuff 7" (1978)

It's was with great excitement that i waited for this latest batch of Cry Tuff repess to arrive, as i've been a huge fan of the Prince since my teenage years & you would have to be a very rich man to pick up original press 7's on this or the Hit Run label, that's if you could find 'em!
Two of these 7"s are off  Far I's 1978 Virgin Front Line album 'Message From The King' so it's being able to finally hear the dub versions that is the thrilling part for me.

Message From The King features the vocals of the group Culture's front man Joseph Hill over a heavy rocker's beat, while Far I chants out his message in a deep thundering voice that sounds as old as creation.....
"Black Reggae Music Is A Message From The King" indeed!

 . Joseph & the Prince trade lines

Prince Far I aka "The Voice Of Thunder" aka King Cry Cry real name Michael Williams

Jah Brown - Freedom Fighter - Cry Tuff 7" (1979)

Rod Taylor - No One Can Tell I About Jah - Cry Tuff 7" (1979)