Rhythmites - Stand Strong

Good news! A couple of months ago Rhythmites finally got around to releasing their second album 21 years after the debut "Integration" in 1989. The Somerset-based reggae band have been occasionally active on the festival scene over the last few years, so this new set comes a big surprise.

"Stand Strong" feature some new songs "Fill I Up", "Consciousness" and "Dreamsworld" with some re-recorded tracks that have appeared on EP's over the years like "Rootsy", "Paranormal Dub", and revisit to the classic "A True". The former lead singer Angus is now long gone, replaced with a throatier, gruffer and occasionally out-of-tune gent called Dennis. But they are still the same band with killer horns, with non-threatening guitar solos and the trademark didgeridoo.

Really, this isn't a patch on "Integration" but then I never expected it to be. But it will do, because it's so rare to hear such a competent reggae band with well crafted songs with tight arrangements in this age of computer rhythms. All hail Rhythmites!

Here is a raw clip of the band performing at the launch party in Bath earlier on this year.

Play Mr Music Play

So Overground sounds went very overground for a number of months, due to time constraints and not having a half decent PC. But it is back, albeit in a sporadic format for the time being.

Thanks to all of you who were concerned about my whereabouts. All one of you..

To kick proceedings back off we have a uplifting reggae tune from the little known Derrick Pitter with "Play Mr Music Play", produced by Roy Cousins and released on his Tamoki Wambesi label. Recorded in the early 1980's, I would imagine. Enjoy.

The Passing Of Yabby You

Some very sad news reached me yesterday that Vivian "Yabby You" Jackson had passed away at the age of 63.

For a lot of reggae fans like myself, Yabby You's music was the very embodiment of roots reggae, with his songs and rhythms yearning with soul, rawness and heaviness.

His output throughout the 1970's, as both singer and producer was some of the best reggae music ever recorded. Most of these recordings were mixed by dub master King Tubby who was more than partly responsible for the power and weight of Yabby's sound. For me Yabby You ranked alongside Augustus Pablo as one of my favourite reggae artists.

Tracks like "Love Thy Neighbour", "Conquering Lion", "Run Come Rally", Jah Vengeance", "Warn The Nation", "Walls Of Jerusalem", "Chant Down Babylon", "Deliver Me From My Enemy" and the stunning instrumental "Death Trap" have stood the test of time and I have never grown tired of them and doubt I ever will. His first two albums "Conquering Lion" and
"Chant Down Babylon Kingdom" [aka "King Tubby Meet Vivian Jackson") are perfect in every way.


Essential productions of other singers that come to mind are tracks like Michael Prophet's "Love and Unity", Tony Tuff's "No Warrior", Patrick Andy's "Living In Mount Zion", Charlie Morrison's "Selassie Memorial", Dicky Burton's "God Is Watching You", Wayne Wade's "Man Of The Living" and Errol Alphonso's "Chant Jah Victory". Really the list just goes on. He produced some fine work by the deejay's Big Youth and Trinity, but I have never been a huge fan of that style.

Jackson did resurface in the early 90s with a reissue programme and some new recordings appeared, which unsurprisingly never matched the higher heights of those early recordings.

Curiously, although visually a Rastaman, Jackson considered himself a Christian and by all accounts rejected Halie Selassie's divinity.

The man has left an amazing out-of-press back catalogue and I fear it won't be very long until it gets exploited for all the wrong reasons.

Note that nearly all of the tracks I listed above are available on Blood and Fire "Jesus Dread" 2CD set, if you can find it.

Some audio clips follow:

Jah Shaka Presents The Positive Message

In the world of reggae some things move slow while some things just don't move at all. This set, compiled by legendary roots reggae sound system operator and producer Jah Shaka falls into both categories. This was supposed to have surfaced in 2007 but only saw the light of day towards to end of last year. Some things are worth waiting for.

The concept behind this release is straight forward. Shaka selects his favourite tracks that have appeared on the Greensleeves label over the past 30 years and ones that are truly representative of the much championed Shaka sound.

Although all the tracks are bonafide roots classics, some of which are predictable but I felt that was to be inevitable, so there are no real surprises, but it's great to hear the full length versions of Johnny Clarke's "Jah Love Is With I" and "Bad Days Are Going". Tracks like Black Uhuru's "I Love King Selassie" and Ras Michael's "None A Jah Jah Children No Cry", I have heard so many times I could frankly live without ever hearing them again. Some tracks I never tire of: Norris Reid "Protect Them". Barrington Levy's "Look Youthman", Wailing Souls' "Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall", Johnny Osbourne's "Never Stop Fighting" and Dennis Brown's do-over of the Marley classic "Slave Driver".

Topped off with classics by Keith Hudson. Earl Sixteen, Eek-a-Mouse. Fred Locks and more, this is a crucial selection, even if you have these tracks, it's nice to have them all on one CD.

Twelve tracks are also available as a 7" box set, but I fear that it might already be difficult to get hold off.

Here are some clips of choice tracks culled from youtube:

Manasseh Back In Fine Style

Top UK reggae producer Nick Manasseh returns in mighty fine style with four killer cuts of the "People" rhythm on the Roots Garden label.

The three vocal cuts come from new talent Dark Angel with "People Come To", from veteran soundman Kenny Knots we have "Unbreakable" and from the little-recorded Bob Skeng, a message to all rip-off producers with "Tek Caution". Topped off with a dub cut from Manasseh himself, the rhythm has a mid-80s digital feel to it in the tradition of labels such as Unity and Jah Tubbys.

The four cuts can be picked up on two 7" 45s or you can do what I did and download all four from Boomkat for £2.95. Click here to purchase and for sound samples.

On the subject of Manasseh, Emiliana Torrini's new single "Me and Armini" has got the Nick treatment and it sounds good to me. This isn't the first time the pair have worked together. Who can forget the remix of "Sunny Road" from a couple of years ago. In case you don't know what I am talking about, I have posted an udio clip below along with "Me and Armini"

Back With Jah Vengeance

Well it's been a while since I last "blogged", what with moving house and just general happening's preventing me from doing so. What with so much upheaval, it's been difficult to settle and listen to any music. And when I do get around to it I'm not really feeling it, what with trying to fend off thoughts about DIY.

In the meantime, enjoy one of many killer tunes by roots reggae legend Yabby You. This one features Trinity and is entitled "Jah Vengeance"

The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2009

This is one of two fairly representative compilations on Greensleeves Records of the current reggae music trends currently popular in Jamaica. That is, good, bad and very ugly. The other compilation is "Biggest Reggae Dancehall Anthems 2009". But more about that in few days.

A few years ago the term "One Drop" seemed to refer to the more cultural end of the reggae spectrum. Nowadays it the term is bit looser, seemingly describing everything that is not "dancehall". Although you could describe some of these tracks as "dancehall". Confused? Good. Bear in mind these guys just make music and it's only the record labels that insist on having to lump everything into a genre to help sell records, which is understandable I suppose.

So to "The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2009". To start off on a positive note, the tracks here that tick some of the right boxes are: Mr. Wiliamz - "No Cigarette", which follows a recent trend by Alborosie of re-licking 80s dancehall rhythms. The tune on this occasion is Triston Palma's "Joker Smoker". Nice vibes on this one, but the subject matter is as old as dinosaurs, while Peetah (Ex Morgan Heritage) & Assassin's "Hot A Road" is a big tune for sure. I haven't heard any new Capleton for yonks so it was enjoyable to hear "Acres". But guess what it is about? Ganja! There's a surprise. Queen Ifrica with "Dem Nah Lear" holds its own. Lukie D could read out a menu and it would still sound good. Even his reading of Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown's "No Air" would be acceptable, if it hadn't been spoiled by the one called M'lonie, who sounds like a drunk teenager on karaoke for the first time. Beres just does what he does best with "Can't Say I Never Tried", while Luciano, Junior Kelly and Lutan Fyah go through the motions.

On the bottom of the pile is Gappy Ranks - "Heaven In Her Eyes". Da'ville - "Missing You Right Now", Marcia Griffiths & Busy Signal - "Automatic (Keeping It Real)" and Glen Washington - "Vibes". All of which are so lightweight they could induce sea sickness and acute nausea even if one was miles away from sea. Romain Virgo's self explanatory "Alton's Medley" is quite frankly just pointless. There are also tracks by Alborose and Sizzla, who have tracks lifted off recent albums.

So enter at your peril. One for the download massive methinks, choice your tracks and then job done. If there is anyone could could sit through this compilation more than once, I salute you and recommend you seek medical advice.

Saturday Night Jamboree

Saturday night reggae vibrations with three killer and classic tunes: Dennis Brown & Big Youth - "In Their Own Way", Mutumbi - "Music In The Air" and Jimmy Riley - "Give Thanks & Praise", all dating from circa late 1970s and are all favourites of mine.

Nothing else to be said. Run it!

Augustus Pablo - Three The Hard Way

This is one of the heaviest reggae rhythms of all time from one of my favourite producers - Augustus Pablo. Recorded in the mid 70s, below are audio clips of three versions of this killer and classic rhythm. First up, a vocal cut by Jacob Miller - "Baby I Love You So", followed by the awesome dub cut mixed by King Tubby - "King Tubbys Meet The Rockers Uptown" and then the instrumental cut "Cassava Piece" featuring Pablo himself on the melodica.

Augustus Pablo, Jacob Miller and King Tubby are all no longer with us. All three died somewhat prematurely. A common theme with many artists and producers in the reggae world.

Strictly rockers style. Enjoy!

Johnny Osbourne - Trickster

Gussie Clarke was one of the most prolific reggae producers during the 1980s, pioneering a heavy digital sound during the latter part of that decade. With Johnny Osbourne - one of the finest voices and one of the most consistent in the genre, they made "Trickster" penned by Hopeton Lindo. This is one serious slab of "hard riddim" With Steven Stanley on the mixing desk at Anchor Studios, Kingston, Jamaica, the end result in 12inch form is no less than crucial.

Rhythmites - Trowbridge Folk Festival 2009

Most of you won't care much for this clip. The quality is so-so and the sound isn't all that great. But for those who know, this is a very rare clip of the Rhythm-ites, one of my favourite reggae bands, performing at the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival during the summer. I have written here before about the classic "Integration" album which I'm been informed there is a possibility of getting a release on CD for the first time in the near future and on top of that, a brand new album from a great underrated group that have been together in some shape or form for over 20 years.

Delroy Wilson - Dub Plate Style

Criminally, I have never had much Delroy Wilson material in my collection due to my leaning towards more roots orientated reggae over the years, with Delroy's songs being a bit too light or standard for me, but the tunes on this set are excellent and now I know what I was missing. Of course I already know "Better Must Come" and "I'm Still Waiting". Also, I had previously heard both "Find Yourself Another Girl" and "Joe Ligea" as dub versions from the album "King Tubby's Special 1973-1976" on Trojan.

The tracks on this album are dubplate mixes by Prince Jammy of what were Bunny Lee-produced material dating from the 1970s. Not having the originals myself, this is lost on me, but I imagine that the original cuts are more straight mixes than some of the tracks here that boast quite dubby and are harsher mixes than you would expect. Maybe that's why they appeal to me so much.

Full marks to Pressure Sounds for this. One of the few labels left releasing quality reggae reissues.

Not very interesting I know, but I worked with the late Delroy Wilson's cousin, an ex-Jamaican police officer at an oriental rug warehouse in north west London during the latter half of the 1990's. Now you know.

Anyway, for sound clips click here.

Junior Byles and Rupert Reid - Remember Me

One of the heaviest roots reggae records ever made. This is a typically dread affair with great vocals from Junior "Fade Away" Byles and the lesser spotted Rupert Reid.

Produced by Dudley "Swaby" Manzie and originally released on the Ja-Man label in Jamaica in the late 1970s, this is the full length "discomix" cut with apocalyptic dub version in full effect.

Available on the Blood and Fire label on the album "129 Beat Street: Ja-Man Special 1975-1978".

Tarrus Riley - Contagious

What is with reggae artists having to see their face on the front of sleeve? Usually in some kind of righteous pose with fingers glued together, or sitting on a throne? I personally think it's 50% vanity and 50% laziness on both the artist and the record label's part. I mean, how tedious and predictable.

Tedious and predictable are words that can be used to describe most of the content of `Contagious' . If I hear another female backing singer going "ooh ooh" I won't be responsible for my actions. Is it always the same female singers? Do they keep them in the studio in a cupboard along with the triangles and the tambourines? In fact a lot of these songs would sound by far, so much better without any backing singer.

OK, so maybe I am exaggerating a bit. `Stop Watch' is a killer roots tune, but that's the best it gets. `Young Heart' rides a vintage Treasure Isle rhythm and is more than acceptable, the cover of MJ's `Human Nature' is curiously satisfying. A handful of other tunes are OK, but just go through the motions, including combinations with Vybes Kartel, Demarco and Duane Stephenson. But it's the Etana tune with Tarrus `Let Peace Reign' that had me reaching for the sick bucket. Just think of `We Are The World' meets and aforementioned Michael Jackson's `Heal The World'. Nice sentiments but please, no.

Maybe I am just looking for something within the current reggae scene that isn't there, like something to actually get excited about. But it sll seems to have gone a bit static and stale and anything but "Contagious".

Also, 18 tracks is way too much. I know record labels have to make a product worth buying and more appealing to the consumer, but I miss the days of 10 track albums weighing in at under 45 minutes.

Here is some audio from the album out now on VP Records.

The Royals - Facts Of Life

One of my favourite reggae tunes of all time, and featuring some of the most miserable lyrics ever to grace vinyl. But in a good way.

Taken from Roy Cousins and The Royals classic 1977 album "Pick Up The Pieces", this is killer roots of the highest order and almost enough to make a grown man cry.

"When you see a big man cry, then you know something is wrong"

Here is an audio clip. Kleenex at the ready.

Bim Sherman at Southern Studios

This is a classic clip of Bim Sherman, Bonjo Nyabinghi (African Head Charge) and Skip McDonald at Southern Studios in 1990 with a stunning acoustic reading of Bim's classic `Tribulation'.

The late Bim Sherman is one of my favourite reggae singers, and this is a rare clip of the man in action performing live.

Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Pleasure Dub

Another worthwhile release from Pressure Sounds, one of the last remaining decent reggae reissue labels. This is a dub set dating from the early 70's, consisting of mostly early reggae and rock steady hits out of Duke Reid's Treasure Isle stable. With dub cuts of big tunes such as The Paragons' `Riding High On a Windy Day' and`The Tide Is High', `Cry Tuff' by Alton Ellis abd Phyllis Dylan's `Woman Of The Ghetto', as well as some tracks that are unfamiliar to my ears.

Originally released without an artist credit, but with Tommy McCook's horn work being in the forefront of most of these tracks, the late hornsman gets his name on the sleeve for this re-release.

Mixed by Errol Brown, the dub techniques are quite primitive and are based around lots of echoed vocals, occasional reverb on the drums and a small dash of phaser here and there. So, the main attraction here are the rhythms, all of which are excellent. And as a bonus on the CD Pressure Sounds have culled an extra seven cuts more that were featured on the original LP release, including two killer cuts on the `Ali Baba' rhythm.

For soundclips clikc here.

The AK47's - Don't Call Me Vanilla

The AK47's, also known as the Tottenham AK47's, were one of the bands were involved in the squat or so-called crusty scene in London in the early 1990's, along with bands like Back To The Planet, Radical Dance Faction, Community Charge (from Manchester), Ruff Ruff `n' Ready, Citizen Fish, The Sea, Senser, Credit To The Nation and countless others. The AK47's played, what could be best described as punk-fused reggae, using anarcho political, and even Irish Republican messages over dubby rhythms. For me they had a raw edge and were great live and evoke some great memories.

The LP `Don't Call Me Vanilla' was released on the Rugger Bugger label in 1991, and I have just listened to it for the first time in a few years. Some songs on the album to were and still are, lyric-wise a tad naive, what with the promotion of "food for nothing" on `Downward Spiral', some curiously insightful lyrics on the troubles in Northern Ireland for a band from England on `Spirit Of Resistance'/`Tiocfaidh Ar La', and advice for us not to trust the middle classes, vicars and MP's from left wing parties on `Cop Cars'.

The album kind of annoyed me at the time, and one of the reasons is mentioned above. However, there are some very good songs on here including `One Hand' (about women left at home with the kids ironing while daddy's off fighting a revolution..) and `Chillin' - an instrumental.

Back in 1990 I preferred the intelligent meanderings of Chris Bowsher's poems with Radical Dance Faction, or Citizen Fish and Dick Lucas's ceaseless energy and positive lyrics, which were so clever that anything else at the time from bands of a similar ilk, such as the AK47's just sounded banal and irrelevant in comparison. But at the time, it was all about where the next party in a timber yard in New Cross was happening.

No clips available for this one. Happy hunting!

Roots Garden Showcase Part 1 & 2

This is how contemporary roots reggae should sound. And it's made in the UK, fancy that. Brighton-based Roots Garden label have been behind some of the more interesting reggae 45's over the past two years or so. With Nick Manasseh in the production chair, that's no real surprise.

All the tracks here are great, but from `Volume 1', I lean towards Bob Skeng `The Lion' with its wicked vocal and simple but effective horns riff and Dark Angel - `Free Da Minds' with its hard 80's style digital rhythm and from `Volume 2' - Freddie McGregor's `Rally', a re-cut of his Studio One classic `Rastaman Camp' and Earl Sixteen with `Gold Dust', coming like an 1980's Channel One production.

`Roots Garden Showcase Parts 1' and `2' - with 4 vocal tracks and four dub cuts on each 12" slate have been out for a while but should still quite easy to pick up. They can also be bought digitally from here or here along with other productions from the same stable. Check the same source for sound clips too.

Here are some audio clips from Part 1.

Alborosie - Escape From Babylon

If you're looking for those big Alborosie tunes from over the past three years or so like:`Kingston Town', `Rastafari Anthem', `Herbalist', `Sound Killa' and `Waan The Herb' you're in the wrong place. Alborosie's first album `Soul Pirate' came out quietly last year when his management had a huge price tag on his head, and no record label rose to the bait - or so I've heard, and they ended up having to release it themselves in limited quantities

So most reggae folk know the story by now. Alborosie, a Sicilian-born reggae artist who moved to Jamaica to be close the roots of his beloved reggae music and the vibes of rastafari. This makes him an easy target to ridicule but he carries it off well and has a lot more credence that some of his Jamaican-born peers. Some have called him a one trick pony, sounding like he is stuck in a 1980's Black Uhuru time warp, with lots of comparisons to Michael Rose, the former front-man of Black Uhuru. Alborosie can put those criticisms to rest now, as they don't really apply to many of the songs on `Escape From Babylon'. However, our man does borrow styles left right and centre. There is something very Bob Marley about the sound of `America' and something very Eek-a-Mouse about `Real Story'. Saying that, he has created his own style and it's that he have to concentrate on.

With a lot of these songs the delivery, melody and phrasing are good enough even if the lyrics are somewhat uninspiring or lacking. For instance on the chorus of `No Cocaine' Alborosie recycles lyrics we have heard a hundred times before. But maybe I am just nit-picking? If people like that style, then more power to him. Gramps Morgan from the now defunkt Morgan Heritage pops up on `One Sound', which sounds like a hit, but is it just me or we have heard this song a few times before? The late Dennis Brown is resurrected on `Can't Stand It', originally a vintage Joe Gibbs production, whilst Horace Andy's vocals are borrowed on `Money' which is of course a revamp of Andy's classic `Money Money'. You also get the obligatory `"girl tune" in the shape of `Good Woman' and customary "binghi" tune `Likkle Africa'.

There are some very good tunes on here and my personal pick of the bunch, I have included audio youtube links below.

Like Sizzla's latest release on Greensleeves, Tony McDermott has had his pencils out once more, which makes this album a more attractive proposition.