Big Audio Dynamite

When `This Is Big Audio Dynamite',was released in 1985, I instantly became a fan of the band known as BAD. for no other reason, that `Medicine Show' and `E=MC2' were fantastic singles. I had no real interest in either Mick Jones or the Clash, and didn't know what Don Letts who or was, and frankly still don't.

The albums `No. 10, Upping St' (1986) and `Tighten Up, Vol. 88' (1988) followed and had some great tracks as well, but from that point, I lost interest.

Here are a selection of some of my favourite Big Audio Dynamite tracks from various video and live performances of varying quality from youtube.

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.