The 123 Reggae 'discomix' was an invention of the mid 70s. Until then dubs or versions had been released (largely) as the B-sides of 73 singles. Then someone noticed that Disco tracks were being released in the USA and UK on a 123 vinyl format, creating a louder sound and potentually longer track lengths. Suddenly there was room for the original and a dub/version on the same side. And it didn't take long to work out that the two could be combined to form a joined-up, continuous 'discomix'. Which effectively offered the best of both worlds - vocalised song and dance work-out - without the bother [...]
"My face is so pretty you can´t see a scar, that makes me the king in the ring by far..." Some killer reggae from the days when boxing was still fun and the rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier held the world spellbound. Big title bouts like the Thrilla in Manilla captured the imagination on the island of Jamaica too apparently, as many a knockout reggae song paid tribute to the legendary heavyweights. Note that toasters Big Youth and Dennis Alcapone both use Burning Spear´s legendary riddim to salute Smokin´ Joe. "With the [...]
Several months ago, I did post about Rosco Gordon and his unlikely influence on early Ska and Rock Steady music in Jamaica. Apparently, all kinds of records from Tennessee made it down there, and were listened to, appropriated and transformed into something totally different. I know next to nothing about Jimmy Beck, except that he recorded for Champion Records, which was partially owned and operated by Ted Jarrett, who wrote songs and produced records at Excello and a handful of other independents in Nashville. I first heard "Pipe Dreams" on the Night Train to Nashville [...]
I was obliged to make a " lovers rock " selection after big Alton Ellis has left the building. These are some romantic reggae and rocksteady hits a la John Holt's, yet purists might say Ken Boothe 's phenomenal "Is it because I'm black" or Tommy Mc Cook's instrumental has nothing to do with this genre. Well you may be right but still! John Holt & The Paragons - Darling, I Need your Loving Alton Ellis - I am still in love with you Horace [...]
Tommy McCook / Syd Jones & The Troubedours - Moon Invader / Cardova label: Doctor Bird jaar: 1968/2006 kant a: Tommy McCook - Moon Invader kant b: Syd Jones & The Troubedours - Cardova Tommy McCook was een van de oprichters van de legendarische band The Skatalites , die ook de begeleidingsband zijn op dit nummer. Vreemd genoeg klinkt op zijn "Moon Invader" nergens 's mans sax. Van [...]
Play it: "Reggae Merengue" by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics Hey kiddies... there's a brand new Lily Allen video for "LDN" (second version): The opening sequence takes place in Rough Trade Records (which I visited whilst I was in London earlier this summer.) Notice the change to 'Tough Grade' to avoid any MTV censorship on brands. Some folks are already griping that they like the [...]
at a point in time when, even though gas prices are a daily feature on the news, most of us receive our info about nuclear power from homer simposon , the article in the lastest nyt magazine was interesting. basically, the piece detailed the possible resurgence of nuclear energy, as it becomes a pawn in both the foreign oil and greenhouse gas debates. what really stuck out for me, though, was the following: One great challenge in designing nuclear power plants is that making something safer and making something cheaper are often conflicting [...]
A Barrel Of Nails
For The Sake Of The Song
Boogie Woogie Flu
undomondo
chezlubacov
thus spake drake
disco-not-disco
Azealia Banks - '1991' [Listen]
New Music Tuesday
Check Out: The Vaccines – “No Hope”
