It is acknowledged that SCIENTIST'S (real name Overton or Hopeton Brown depending on the source) best work was released on the GREENSLEEVES record label all throughout the 1980's. After a quick Internet search, all these albums/discs are long gone. Out of print and fetching hefty sums. Even the MP3 format has been lost in circulation. How can you sell out of a digital copy? Are GREENSLEEVES waiting to remaster them again and then box 'em up affordable like they did with their essential 5 box sets of the EVOLUTION of DUB series (20 discs total!)
Or could it be because of a more human trait...the deadly sin of greed. SCIENTIST had some lawsuit trouble with some tunes used in Grand Theft Auto. Mostly...he didn't receive one royalty penny for his work. SCIENTIST went before an American Court and pleaded his case to a Judge and Jury of deaf ears. Nobody could understand how he had claim to the cash if he didn't play any instruments or sing any vocals on the records. Or that he didn't pay for the sessions that produced the tunes or spot the funds for the records release. What he did explain is... what cunning genius it takes to cut a DUB album. The manipulation of backing tracks. The remixing or in most cases the removing of vocals. He explained how all the recorded sounds channel through his mixing console and how he has complete creative control over the finished tracks. He explained how the studio is really his musical laboratory. Nope, nobody got it. He argued that for nothing else, these tunes were sold and marketed under SCIENTIST'S good name and reputation. The album covers have his name printed in big bold letters. SCIENTIST lost.
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| Used on Amazon starting at $62 |
The court ruled...that a record engineer/mixer is not the author of a musical work. Producer Henry Junjo Lawes as the copyright holder gets all the proceeds. And I'm sure a few pennies get pinched by the record label.
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| 2 used copies starting at $49 on Amazon |
I'm seriously hoping that the bad blood is washed away and everybody concerned is getting down to re-releasing these tunes to a new generation.
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| Amazon has the disc selling for $99 |
Four releases just begging to be boxed up in one convenient set. Is anybody listening? Hey you in the accounting office...make the numbers happen.
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| Amazon has it listed new for $151.58!!! |
Umm...sadly JUNJO LAWES is no longer around to defend his side of the story. On June 13th 1999 in London he was gunned down in the street.
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