Jah Screw at Greensleeves
May 12, 2008 – 9:26 pmThere is a great biography of Jah Screw, written by Harry Hawke, on the Greensleeves website.
Champion Sound
May 12, 2008 – 9:54 am
Champion Sound, a new documentary film about the history of Sound Systems in Coventry has it’s first screening on Tuesday 13 May at the Herbert Museum in Coventry. This looks like it should be a superb insight into the development of Sound Systems in the UK and a must see.
Check the Champion Sound website.
There was a short BBC report about the exhibition organised to launch the film.
The Coventry Telegraph had a good feature recently.
Sir Coxsone remembered
May 12, 2008 – 9:30 amThe Jamaica Observer features the memorial for Coxsone Dodd held in Kingston recently.
Cutty on VP
May 10, 2008 – 7:16 pm
VP have been releasing a number of solid anthologies in recent months. One that is definitely worth a mention is a retrospective of one of the greatest deejays of the 80’s/90’s, Cutty Ranks.
Titled Limb By Limb the anthology is spread over two CD’s. Most of his big tunes are there including his debut for Techniques, Gunman Lyrics, the classics for Fashion, Limb By Limb and The Stopper, and perhaps his biggest tune of all Who Seh Mi Dun. The biggest ommission is probably Danger Commit.
Limb By Limb - The Anthology is released on the 9 June.
Skacast #3
May 8, 2008 – 10:16 pm
39 years and 2 days after the death of Don Drummond seems like as good a time as any to mention that a Jamaican radio show apparently from 1969 and titled Don Drummond Requiem is doing the rounds on the internet.
Incase you cant find it; here it is:
This is a heavyweight bit of nostalgia…amazing stuff.
Respect to danielisaac over at the Chatty Mouth forum for the heads up on this.
Skacast Part 2
May 7, 2008 – 11:12 pmAfter listening to Ska-Nick’s Duke Reid Ska selection recently (see below) I was inspired to dig out a few old Ska tunes, the result was the first Dancecrasher podcast in a long time.
You can check it here:
or stick it on your itunes by clicking here.
Track list:
This Is Thunder - Baba Brooks (Gay Feet)
The Cat - Roland Alphonso (Pyramid UK)
Too Young To Love - Freddie McGregor (Island UK)
A Little Bit Of Heaven - Tommy McCook (Dutchess)
Song Of Love - Roland Alphonso (Doctor Bird UK)
Rules Of Life - Clarendonians (Island UK)
Mr Flint - Soul Brothers (Island UK)
Our Man Flint - Baba Brooks (High Note)
Exclusively - Beverleys All Stars (Beverleys pre)
Spread Satin - Roland Alphonso (Studio One pre)
Ska Lite - Baba Brooks (Gay Feet pre)
Musical Sermon - Baba Brooks (Gay Feet)
Good Good Rudie - Wailers (Doctor Bird UK)
Green Callie - Roy Richards (Coxsone)
I Love You - Soulettes (Doctor Bird)
007 - Soul Brothers (Soul Jazz CD)
James Bond - Roland Alphonso (Island UK)
James Bond Girl - Soul Brothers (Ska Beat UK)
From Russia With Love - Roland Alphonso (Doctor Bird UK)
Buster In Mojo
May 7, 2008 – 9:36 pmTop reggae journalist David Katz has a nice four page feature on Prince Buster in the latest (June) issue of Mojo magazine. There is nothing new in this rundown of his life to date but it’s a good article all the same and worth checking out.
Skacast
May 6, 2008 – 10:55 pmI can’t say I check for Ska too much these days but a recent podcast by Ska-Nick from Southend has inspired me to listen once again. Focussing on the productions of Duke Reid, with plenty of rare (but good!) stuff for the chin scratchers out there as well as the casual listener. The first tune Mad World by Baba Brooks sets it up nicely but it only gets better.
Listen here:
or do the podcast thing here.
Downloads gone legal
May 2, 2008 – 12:43 pm
While there has never been a justification for people giving away tunes that you can readily go out and buy, the situation with brand new rhythms has been a difficult one. Many of these don’t see release on 7″ anymore and it was extremely difficult to get hold of legitimate copies as a result.
It’s been something of an open secret that the web was crying out for a reasonable download service dedicated to Reggae that could provide new rhythms, hot off the press, along side the more obvious downloads of release CD’s. This would obviously take good links, technical know how and resources to start up. No surprises then that the best hope in this direction so far comes from an established web shop from Germany.
mp3.soundquake look like they are definitely heading in the right direction and we hope that this venture is a success. The alternative is more bootlegging meaning less money in the Reggae business meaning less music being made. If you want it you’ve got to pay for it!
Hopefully the industry will support this venture.
Tighten Up this Friday
April 30, 2008 – 10:20 amThe toughest mix of Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady, Old-School-Dancehall, Roots, Dub & beyond…
Tighten Up is back on the 2nd May with the mighty Gladdy Wax joining us on the decks.
Gladdy Wax has consistently been one of our favourite guest DJ’s at Tighten Up and when you hear his selection you’ll know why! Gladdy runs the www.reggaeunlimited.co.uk website and of course the legendary Gladdy Wax Sound System having learnt the ropes with Quaker City Sound System in Birmingham in the 70’s.
We’re glad to report that after some real problems with the sound in March everything was fine last month so a great night is guaranteed - DON’T MISS!
Tighten Up takes place at Rhum Jungle 70 Exmouth Market, Islington, London EC1.
The venue is just off Roseberry Avenue and is roughly 10 minutes walk from Angel, Farringdon or Kings Cross tube stations.
9pm till 2am
FREE ENTRY ALL NITE!!
Dress code: No hoodies.
Tighten Up is sponsored by the mighty Greensleeves Records