YAGGA YAGGA YO!

I misplaced a double Anthony B write up somewhere on my hard drive. Till I find where I filed it, my Black Star and Higher Meditation ravings will have to wait patiently. Instead I am gonna run down Street Knowledge and test myself. Yeah yeah, I know- you have heard that promise from me before and my lack of attention span immediately broke it. Even though I only succeeded half way, I never half assed it. So here it is... Track 01 two 7 clash-Anthony B sharing the spotlight with Joseph Hill and his trio Culture. Joseph reinvigorates life back into his tune about Bibical Prophecy. It is like the year 1976 all over again. When this Street Knowledge cd stops spinning, I am still singing along with this song. In fact I could spin a dozen different CDs after it and this song will still be in heavy rotation throughout my brain.


The Late Joseph Hill

Track 02 police- a song about police being above law. No protect and serve here. Only abuse of innoncents at the hands of "peace officers." Track 03 God above everything-okay, it is human nature to want comfort and earthly possessions. So keep 'em but only if your still faithful to Jah. Track 04 revelation-Anthony B is good at delivering these spirited songs of Rasta devotion. Track 05 laws for the rich-there are laws to protect the rich and laws to persecute the poor. New laws passed against Rasta artist because they are the ghetto kids (poor) that made good (rich) and now have the power to play the rich man game on his own terms. That makes Rasta artist dangerous to the white collar way of life! I mean how do you keep the 'filthy' Rasta off your front doorstep if he's moved in next door. Track 06 first start-a short name dropping history of Rasta and his push against the established oppression. Track 07 ghettoman do that- Why face yourself in the mirror. It is easier to pass the blame onto the poor man. He is hungry. He is desperate. His place is in the ghetto so by default he is a thug. Nobody will question his guilt. Track 08 world free-Anthony B once again shares the mic. This time with Bushman-Luciano sounding Doniki. I am halfway through Street Knowledge and every song is still pulling strong. Every riddim a class ride. This center is loaded with lyrical substance not artificial fillers.



Track 09 dancing mood- This is an interesting tune in Anthony B's arsenal. This tune is a Latin tinged up beat swinger about Anthony B feeling festive. It is a nice light hearted romp to let ya catch your breath after all those songs of Rasta righteousness. Track 10 key to your heart -If only more modern RnB falling in love songs were this good. Courtney Melody ironically sings the melody. He brings to mind, Barrington Levy. That is a good thing. I like Anthony B doing lovey-dovey. It is not weak in the knees mush. Odd this far along most of his records and we would of been treated to at least one love of burnin' herb tune not love of girl tune. Track 11 wine and roses- Should I start to worry, I mean another love song. Nah, another calm in the eye of the hurricane. I am sure the storm be will rolling ashore very soon devastating everything in it's path. Track 12 change of weather-I do believe it is about imposters hiding behind the face of Rasta faith. Hypocrites. Track 13 good cop and bad cop- this song bounces around. Beat and hook heavy. Catchy and clever. Track 14 don't buss your gun- this song reminds me of Johnny Cash's late 1950's country anthem, Don't Bring Your Guns to Town. Like Cash, he knows nothing good will come from it. Clouded judgement with a quick trigger finger spells badman trouble. Usually, all for an a arguement better settled by fists. Murder is a permanent mistake corrected by life behind bars. Wasted life times two. Track 15 gun powder- a ballad of sadness aimed at the epidemic of crime that infects ghetto blood. It is not a trait inherited from mom and pop passed thru the genes but a tactic spread from upper society rats. Track 15 pass the kutchie- Ahh...there is the ganga anthem! He saved it for last. The Mighty Diamonds harmonizing on their massive hit. To think, when Musical Youth covered it way back in the 80's, business suits figured if ya change the lyrics to Pass the Dutchie, it would be safe for white suburban consumption!


The Mighty Diamonds!

Note: the VP Records version of Street Knowledge has what looks like the same tunes but flips the order. On closer inspection the tunes Stop Di War In Music and Clean Your Heart on the VP disc replace Laws for the Rich and First Start on this release. True to the Jamrock music bizz, the home version changes up some tracks from the UK or American releases. Should come with a warning label that reads-May contain so many different tunes (or mixes) that you need all versions to have the complete album!

My First Taste -the second spoonful!

I can not remember why but for some reason this cover caught my eye as youth! Peter's Legalize It is an anthem for all generations. Whether your listening to it with young or old ears, this record is so pungent in an irie vibe, that your eyes will get bloodshot! In fact, driving thru some of those "weed and seed communities" if you get caught with this record in your car, it is equal to possession of a dime bag.
Seriously, the tall thin man backed by the fat riddims of Sly and Robbie. Peter standing alone in defiance of Babylon. Like his old bandmate, Bob Marley, Peter would use the worlds stage as a pulpit to perform his teachings. This was easily the most notorious record of the time.



The soundtrack to the star making movie for Jimmy Cliff. Jimmy had been kicking around the local scene since 1964 but this 1972 release put Reggae on a lot foreign turntables for the first time. Jimmy was the leading man in the movie but he is a co-star on the soundtrack. The Slickers with Johnny Too Bad steal the show. Toots along with his Maytels deliver the devastating Pressure Drop. Desmond Dekker's 007 (Shanty town) gets things skanking. The Melodian's give us Rivers Of Babylon. Jimmy the star is only represented with four songs. His Many Rivers To Cross and Sitting In Limbo soften the pace. Jimmy's massive hits You Can Get It If You Really Want and The Harder They Come are included twice but that is okay because I never tire hearing those classics. This record is one part historical ducument and one part the greatest hits of early roots. Trojan recently released an even thicker version stuffed with extra hits from the same era. Sweeting the pot.



Jimmy as Ivan.



Maybe someday, some record company will press this in CD format and not just for profit because I doubt it will make one but for the simple fact that this is crucial listening. I do believe Greensleeves printed it last, so maybe there is hope. Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus are my first experiance with Nyabinghi. Although this is not a straight drum session. Robbie Shakespeare drops some bass down low into the mix. Peter Tosh and Earl Chinna Smith strum some high notes on gutairs. Ras Michael has an interesting way with words.



I remember picking both of these up out the record store bin. I could not wait to hear what the fuss was about. I slid an Andrew Jackson outta my wallet to cover the bill plus tax for Uncle Sam. Not since Paul Revere riding thru town calling out that "the British are coming" has a warning cry the split the silence as the Wailers announcing that Jah will be passing Judgement on Babylon.



While lyrically fighting the wrongs that Babylon inflict on the Sufferah, the pressures and business realities began to split up the strong individual personalities that made the Wailers. Burnin' would be the last studio ducument from the classic trio. This record and the next one never seem to be talked about with the same reverence as Catch A Fire or Bob's later recordings like Exodus. Old songs like Put it On, Duppy Conqueror and Small Axe are given new life by big budget ( Reggae standards) studio treatment. Burnin also introduced the Peter Tosh penned battle cry, "Get Up, Stand Up" and Bob Marley's world attention getter," I Shot The Sheriff." This record is the original Wailers going out while still on top. No weakness showing at all. This record is strength after strength.



The first record of Bob being positioned as sole leader was Natty Dread. Rastaman Vibration further confirms Robert Nesta Marley's solo authority. Long missing from the front line are veteran Jah soldiers Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The I-Threes with Bob's wife Rita continue to fill in the ranks. The tunes are still strategised in the studio war room by the Barrett brothers. They, Carlton (drums) and Aston Family Man (bass) Barrett, lay down the groove to which Marley builds his songs on. Rastaman Vibration may not have as many famous tunes on it as other Marley records but this record has some of his finest momments.

HERES JOHNNY....

A round of applause for Johnny Clarke ladies and gentleman. His voice is a gift from Jah. The righteous believer with the smooth vibes!



Yes-this all be true so why did he somehow got misplaced in the Lovers Rock catagory? This singer can summon from his heart a sermon of fire and brimstone. His voice is a cry out for humanity. Johnny Clarke's back catalog is always out of print and mistreated. I mean come on- You simply can not listen to a mid-seventies Dub or DeeJay record without hearing Johnny Clarke's voice weave in and out of your speakers. If you were a deejay of worth, you toasted over Johnny's gold. King Tubby mixed both of these 1976 Virgin Record releases and then Dubbed them in every musical language.



Soon!


I am restless so I am posting with no words. It is past midnight- so tomorrow I will write them.

PIRATES and BOOTLEGGARS!

I threw this question out to the great minds that read the reviews posted on that musical wasteland known as Amazon. My question was something like "what Reggae/Dancehall DVDs are actually what the box claim they are" Lets face facts here, some concert DVDs are filmed on some drunken fool's cell phone with constant distractions of "hot" chick sitting at the bar. How do you slur a camera? I have thrown money away on few of those. Not my meaning of being burnt! Achis tossed his valueable two cents in but I still ended up a dollar short. So I sailed to illegal internet waters and clicked on download links. One descarga, two descarga, then three descarga till I had my answers. I threw back the stinkers, most I had to hold my nose shut, but I kept a few pearls and my lunch down. Those are the ones that I then used my hard cash to buy outright.



First up is Sizzla's Blazing The Fire. Buy it. See it. Support all involved. Nothing is as good as being front row center, but since I was states away while this concert went down, this is the next best thing.
Sizzla, Anthony B, Yami Bolo, Ras Shiloh and a few others! I can feel the build up of anticpation. I can feel the crowd. The inbetween performance cracks are filled in with face to face interviews, warm ups and general backstage mayhem. Ahh, those performances are the real reason to pickup this release out of sea of imposters. After seeing this, I need to see Anthony B live! The bright clear sound quality sometimes gets overwhelmed but the camera knows where to be. I can easily forgive the PA system. Oh, and Sizzla? He screams, he rants and raves, he sermons and pours his heart and soul into Black Woman and Child. Even the end credits catch fyah! The best Reggae / Dancehall concert DVD I have seen yet. Find yourself a copy. You will not feel ripped off.

BUJU BANTON-WHA GWAAN?

I read this some time back in a Westindian Times newspaper- Buju crossed paths with the legendary Jr. Reid in a press tent at some festival. Buju outstretched his hand to shake Jr. Reids, who was entering as Buju was leaving. Jr. Reid snubbed Buju and then called him a batty boy. A stunned Buju asked WHA? Then punches were thrown around before the press jumped in. They shuffled Buju out to break up the fight. What the f--k? Did anybody else read this "credible" news or is it some strange gossip nonsense to meant to slander Buju? I bookmarked the article but it has since disappeared as an invalid search. Smell that? Low tide fishy.
Speaking of Buju, is he getting any love now that America's finest-the Federal blue meanies want to pin this big drug rap on his chest. Babylon trying to take our heros down. Say it aint true....



Junior "One Blood" Reid

BIG YOUTH!

Depending on what Reggae historian you read, either Big Youth or Dillinger were the prototype for the American Rap model. Hipster Jazz critics claim New York City's The Last Poets as the likely architects. Certainly Gil-Scott Heron and his "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" were an early blueprint. Maybe it was all the above. I do not know, I am here to review Big Youth's record Natty Cultural Dread, not to take Rap's illegitimate daddy to court. Although, here are a few truths that are not disputed- Big Youth coined the phrase, "Natty Dread" and was the first Rasta to flash his locks up on stage.



If the picture was in color you would see Big Youth smiling a very Ital grill with red, gold and green teeth.



Big youth has released many fine selections for our listening pleasure but this one gets extra spin time on my stereo. And here is why...

DREADFUL?

Nah, just not necessarily Ital, only the beginning of modern dancehall is all. I remember when the hour struck the new millinium, (man...ten years have already slipped by!)-that in my infinite wisdom I and I preached that the previous decade was a bleak era for righteous reggae. (the 1985 to 1995 bad man years). A few bright stars were still shining over Jamrock but they were growing dimmer with each passing year. During those dark ages, I falsely believed that talent had become an option because gimmicks were the standard. It was a music machine stamping out the same tune over the same riddim over and over. And then some. Yeah, I was dead wrong.
Was I not listening? Actually I was, I just would not admit it. I blew that snot attitude clear outta my head. Freshly focused and informed that the roots rockers were still marching on Babylon. The Deejays were still reporting from the ghetto yards. Dub infiltrated into mainstream music thanks to London clubs. So what was my generations gripe about? Nothing really. To old school stoned to dig our minds under me sleng teng. I was guilty as charged!
Now looking back, there has never been a bleak era in all things reggae. Never. Every stride REGGAE has taken since its birth is a step towards new golden years. It seems to grow younger with every new decade. That dark aged decade I was mentioning brought us the Tenor Saws, the Johnny Osbournes and the Cocoa Teas. It brought us the Sugar Minotts and Barrington Levys. A fistful of years later, Shabba Ranks would bring reggae back to the world's doorstep. Shaggy wiped his feet on the welcome mat. Maybe the Hip-Hop crossover was sacrilegious. Maybe we thought reggae was no longer our secret. What foolishness! I even remember thinking all those Michael Rose solo albums weren' t that choice only because it was not his Black Uhuru best. Absolute nonsense. Junior Reid dropped the immortal One Blood. Chaka Demus and Pliers blew up all over TV video channels with Murder She Wrote. Then again, you can never go wrong with a Sly and Robbie production. I remember changing my daughters nappies to it. I would not admit it but at the time, I knew all the words to the "sell out" Shabba Ranks's Mr. Loverman.
The Revenge of KING JAMMY'S Super Power Allstars volume 2 is proof that many stars burned bright in Jamrock's late 80's night skies. This set list from the pioneering digital age is pure smokin' Sensi. Side one of disc one starts off with the choice cut Budy Bye from Johnny Osbourne. Wayne Smith's massive classic Under Me Sleng Teng is tune number two. Features a handful of Tenor Saw tunes as well as a handful from his sparring partner, Nitty Gritty. Pumpkin Belly being the big tune from Tenor Saw is third up. Get the picture? I am talking about two discs worth of these classics! For under ten dollars and featuring early hits by Cocoa Tea and even a later hit by Dennis Brown. My ears had been deprived of hearing False Alarm, Nitty's answer to Tenor's Ring the Alarm. This massive collection fixes problems. Get it.

LEGAL THEIVERY

Right now this two disc 39 tune total masterpiece of 70's decade Deejays is only $3.99 from ebreggae. Any cheaper and the authorities call it a five finger discount. The names listed are a who's who of the roots era's best. Only big star missing is Big Youth. Attack records out of Merry Ole England put together this compilation. Apparently what they saved on packaging they put back into the music licencing. A good sound with a great choice of tracks. A few obvious hits might be delinquent but this is pure word slinging from the likes of Dennis Alcapone, Dillinger, Clint Eastwood, Trinity, Jah Stitch and Prince Jazzbo with both I Roy and U Roy plus U Brown and Hugh Brown. Confused? For the mere investment of $3.99 you even get the lyrically loaded throw down between I Roy and Prince Jazzbo. That complete showdown is now showcased on the Pressure Sounds release, Once Upon a Time at King Tubby's. Some fans insist Jazzbo was the last Deejay standing, but I place my bets with I Roy. Either way-Original Foundation Deejays is no gamble.

A SMART ANSWER TO A STUPID QUESTION!

Okay-after three days of letting my stupid question leak deep into my thinking parts, my brain spit out the answer. Maybe take my top one HUNDRED choice, but not a mere DOZEN, not possible. I mean Johnny Clarke and Horace Andy are only two of my favorite roots crooners and no room for them to be listed? How about Mr. Robert Nesta Marley's amazing African Herbsman? Speaking of Mr. Marley, how about his sons Stephen and Damian? Both need be list included. So on and so on. The concept of the desert isle dozen is broken. I failed in reducing more than thirty years of Jamrock musical history to a handfull of crucial releases. REGGAE and all it's little musical brothers/sistren are just too big for that.

If I am gonna get stuck on a desert island-



Weathering the tropical Natalie Storm!

I ASK STUPID QUESTIONS part1

Alright I brought up the cliche about the desert isle dozen. If I only could listen to the same twelve CDs for rest of my life what would they be? I am going to give this serious thought. What would you pack and why? Without thinking I would reach for a CAPLETON. Definetly some BIG YOUTH. Absolutely need BLACK UHURU. Which DUB records? AUGUSTUS PABLO and LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY are a must for me. I can not forget about KING TUBBY. I would need to hear a ladys voice, but which singer? LADY SAW or something sweet like ALAINE? Or both? SIZZLA has million releases so which one or two of his do I narrow it down to? I would haffa toss a coin to decide between BUJU's Til Shiloh and Inna Heights. Both were important to me. CULTURE and BURNING SPEAR are essential for Sunday mornings. Man, that is already the limit. REGGAE/DUB/DANCEHALL is created by hundreds of incredible talents who over these many years have in turn released thousands of necessary records. So back to my original stupid question-which CDs and Why? Drop it in my comment box. It is not an easy choice is it.....



NICO deep in thought while listening to JOHNNY CLARKE'S roots rockers classic King in the Arena. Ya can see why the ladies like me, a strong chin and discerning taste in music!

Working Methods

A few things you might of noticed.

First- I do not have the patience to finish my posts perfect in Microsoft Word and then paste 'em up here all spell-checked and shiny. I like to go back in and rearrange stuff till I think it makes complete sense.

Secondly- The eighties have been haunting me lately. Lol. So lots of Dub, DeeJay and Dancehall from the "ME DECADE".

Third-I wish to uncover the foul smelling politics and cover the social injustice that shapes the Rastaman's gospel music.

Change is happning

I am going to try something new. I am going to actually WRITE about the CD I review. You know- break it down song by song. I will toss in talk about the riddims, the players and the producers. Maybe I will even throw in a little bio about the performer. Maybe even cut and paste up some photographs to dress it professional. Hmm? What record is a good start for something new?

Something old! BLACK UHURU'S RED



MICHAEL ROSE on lead voice. He sort of has this AFRICAN/ARABIC tribal JAZZ thing happening.Nobody sounds like MICHAEL ROSE then or now. PUMA adds just the right extra touches. What I mean by that is- I would not call PUMA a traditional back-up singer. She just wails or moans out the words. Original founder "DUCKIE" SIMPSON fills in what empty spots are left. The two other original members; DON CARLOS and GARTH DENNIS split early on to find fame as a solo star (DON) and a stand in with WAILING SOULS (GARTH). Oh yeah, the band that powered this trio was vintage 80's SLY and ROBBIE.



SLY beat the skins and syndrums while ROBBIE filled the bottom in with four strings. Lots of thick fat fingered steppers riffs. Individually or twinned together, it is believed they played on some outrageous number like 300,000 classic sessions. They are the RIDDIM called REGGAE!



This stunner was released on Island Records using their big company muscle to smash through to the international market. Mr. Marley made sure Reggae was no longer just a Jamaican secret. Reggae belonged to the world. England's disenchanted youth were hooked on this Soul Rebel music and needed more to fuel their fight. SLY and ROBBIE had their ears tuned to the post punk and new wave that was all the rage then. They took their own sound and that English sound and come up with something completely different!

Song break down:

1.) Youth of Eglington- The album Red jump starts with SLY and ROBBIE knocking on your frontal lobes. So open your mind because BLACK UHURU is coming in. This group is always welcome in my subconscious! Truth is I catch myself humming that bass walk all the time.

2.) Sponji Reggae- BLACK UHURU began life as old fashioned roots rockers but with SLY and ROBBIE sitting behind the control desk as producers, they took the group's sound for a tour of exotic places. Most of them you can not find on a map because these places only exist in SLY and ROBBIES herb superb induced imagination.

3.) Sistren- ROBBIE slapping and popping bass notes like he's jammin' in some funked out fusion band! ROBBIE does not just explore possible music, he goes deep into what the bass guitar is capable doing. Of course, SLY is pounding out some syndrum beats like he is a Nyahbinghi warrior from the future. This gives the trio a riddim to ride their magic on.

4.) Journey- When MR. ROSE chose to part ways with the band, his shoes were filled with the young JUNIOR REID'S feet. I would never call JUNIOR a carbon copy but his vocal stlye definetly overlapped MICHAEL'S. Interesting thing is YAMI BOLO sorta has both a MICHAEL ROSE and a JUNIOR REID thing going on! But more about the song....

5.) Utterance-

6.) Puff She Puff-

7.) Rockstone-

8.) Carbine-

9.) Sponji Reggae-

10.) Trodding-

I have a sneaky suspicion that when I am done breaking RED down song by song, I still will not have told you shit about it, other than this record would be packed in my luggage if I were to crash on a deserted isle. Yeah, why pack communcation devices when you can bring your top dozen favorites CDs!

Teaching Mavado for Dummies?

I wish crime really did pay, cause livin' this clean straight life is keeping me poor! My toilet of a day job is cloggged with industrial toxins and hazardous waste. Now a-ways back I fell victim to one of those "turn your sad little life around by going to college" commercials. Lol . I enrolled myself into an associates degree program for applied science. That is short hand for X-ray tech. Yeah, I know all this talk of toxic waste and now I am willing to expose myself to doses of radiation; but I figure I ate enough lead paint as a youth to keep me safe.



Once I get that diploma in my hand both respect and good pay will come my way. Only problem I can't solve is my last semester of Physics. My brain stopped after one too many solutions. Point of all this? You do not need to be mathematically minded to know that these 25 songs add up too 1 brillant CD. So sit back and let Mavado lecture you on life as a gangsta.