OBSCURE BUT NOT LOST IN TIME

There is a core group of artists that remain in heavy rotation. Along with these constants I will go on “new” artists kicks. Last week in-between the Big Youths and I-Roys it was Barry Brown. This week in-between the Lone Rangers and the Shabbas it is Triston Palma.

BARRY BROWN



This label outta Merry Ole England specialises in classic dub. Lord have mercy. I do things backwards...I am the artist but I found myself playing patron.



I found a little buying power in my pocket. Maybe pick out something completely unexpected. Every once in a blue moon the name Barry Brown would surface. Curiosity usually grabbed me but not enough to kill me so I would mosey along. My expectations for this record were humble but it is not a gamble, if it is priced as a give away, so I spent. Turns out quite wisely.
Not only did I recognize most of these songs-I love these songs. Maybe not heard in this form. Usually there is a deejay chanting over these grooves. with a catchy call and response. Or his voice is playing hide and go seek in a heavily revamped King Tubby dub. The best dubs are when the engineer takes the songs schematic and completely rewires the tune. Right?
Barry Brown’s voice can quiver with the vulnerability of Horace Andy. His voice can also calmly sail across ruff rocker riddims like Johnny Clarke. I always assumed the mystery voice belonged to either of those two Rasta gentlemen. I mean maybe because Barry takes his turn voicing their respective hits.
I cannot believe that after 30 years of intense Reggae listening I finally find out about Barry Brown.



A sonically pleasing release from Clocktower. Gotta be wary with a few of their back catalog releases.



TRISTON PALMA

With the older more experienced Horace Andy away and enjoying international attention, the Kingston scene needed a down-home dancehall version to call their own. Not that Triston's style is an exact mirror image of Mr. Andy's. Sure they both have that wobbly warble but where Mr. Andy works the emotion of vulnerability harder, Triston pushes more youth and determination across the themes. No big news stories, only the little day-to-day stuff of hang out with deadbeat friends and hoping to win the young ladies hearts. Wait a minute that sound like the Mr. Andy from a decade previous! Sure… years may have gotten torn off the calendar but the times really don’t change. Triston Palma along with Barrington Levy and Sugar Minott would be this era’s biggest singing stars to big up the dancehall sound. Okay, Sugar was already an industry veteran but this age was his peak. For some reason, the new fans that want to dig into dancehalls past overlook Triston who has never stopped dropping fresh records. Joker Smoker and Entertainment were unstoppable dance floor fillers.



An essential Clocktower release. This company presses only no frills, no extra photos, or even a booklet of explaination. Just great music. Usually.



This CD release may not contain any of his massive cuts but this is no less important. It sorta has a softer groove going on than
the Friday night vibe of Joker Smoker. Spin this one Saturday afternoon.



A typical Greensleeves remastered reissued release. They got some serious goods and this is their way of sharing it.



It should be duly noted that the flesh and blood that laid these riddims down are the Roots Radics. This band would be listed in the credits for so many of the new riddims. No matter who the producer was, who the singer could be, these guys were becoming first choice. Freshest sounds usual come from new blood. Not to say that Sly and Robbie's Taxi Gang were run outta town. Thats one Taxi that'll never run outta gas. By the way, the producer for this session was former DeeJay Jah Thomas. You can always raise your expections. Get this before it disappears!