AND IN THE BEGINNING...

Turn your history books back to the first page. Mento is the current rage. Independence is still being celebrated. A band of like minded JAZZ musicians start jamming together.  A conscious effort to create a brand new musical language is being made. Mento was basically Calypso spoken through Jamaican accents. How do ya change things up? Start messing with the foundation, the bass and drums. For this we have Lloyd Brevett and Lloyd Knibb to thank. This band called themselves the Skatalites. Most of the band were Alpha Boys School graduates. Blame the school for getting these boys hooked on music. Similar story take place almost six decades earlier down in NAWLIN'S with the COLORED WAIFS HOME. Among that school's "juvenile delinquents" was the musical prodigy, jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong. 

The Skatalites were the house band for Coxson Dodd's Studio One. Jackie Mittoo was Studio One's resident musical arranger.

Problem is every member of this swinging SKA orchestra was the top boss of his instrument. Clashing egos and different directions splintered it's existence to the core in less than three measly years. Out of all this debris came the first bands to lay down the Riddims that still survive strong today. Bands like Soul Vendors or Tommy McCook and the Agrovators. 

Whether you actually enjoy the classic sounds of Reggae's golden past, or you just give that era big respect; once you develop a sweet spot for reggae music, you want to be in on all it's secrets. You want to know where this incredible music came from. Like every other art form that bubbled up out of the desperate underground to flow into ears of mass acceptance; Reggae has the most incredible cast of characters. Each with their own story on how Jamaica gave birth to this third world musical take-over. The contents of this record are valuable. Huge historical significance in these grooves. This music is steeped in soul. It's soaked in funky vibes and then run wild through the Jamaican music machine.

This record has that swinging sixties groove of peace, love and lets take the revolution to the streets man. Ya dig? 

There is some straight Jazz on this record that may scare the uninitiated. Remember..our beloved Reggae music began as a homegrown take on American big band swing jazz. So big horn sounds fill the empty spaces. Jackie plays inna way laid back heavy Hammond B organ groove. Witness his take on the Beatles Elenor Rigby. There is darkness to the tune. Gone is Ringo's conventional drums patterns. He gives it African roots. How? With NYAHBINGHI beats!

Jackie star rises somewhere between Jimmy "Back at the Chicken Shack" Smith and Billy Preston. And Jackie's musical contribution should be recognised way beyond that of just Reggae aficionados.

STUDIO 1

Smell that? 


Yeah...my post went rancid. I left this post out uncooked for over a month! 


Popped into the microwave and here it is...

I spent all day tearing down a stockade style fence that I installed over twenty-five years ago. My dad offered to paint and do the bodywork on my first car if I put up the fence. My dad led me to believe that it was an even deal. He picked at my car on and off for a few weeks till he was finished. No sweat. Me? I spent over two weeks just digging out the post-holes. The whole project took me the whole summer of that year. My dad taught me a very valuable lesson...never trust anyone! 

Speaking of not being able to trust someone...

Back in the day JAMAICA was spilt into two warring political factions. Still basically a two party system today. Bustamante's Jamaica Labour Party and Manley Senior’s People's National Party. Each boasted better life for all walks of folks. The usual rhetoric. So no matter who is in the drivers seat... the poor always end up walking. 

Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd

Back in the day JAMAICA had two studios that ruled the scene. Duke Reid's Treasure Isle Studio and Coxone Dodd's Studio One. Sworn enemies during their reign but they retired as friends. Unlike their political counter-parts who kept the poor down trodden, these guys put boogie in your shoes. These studio’s provided the soundtrack to the SUFFERAH’S cause. Hell, the music pouring out of these studios could put a smile on your face.

It's funny how many roots snobs snub the new stuff and accuse today’s young LIONS of ripping off the riffs and clipping the words or stealing the soul of their 1970’s heroes.

But even back then big studio groups like the Aggravators or The Revolutionaries were already pilfering the “old” riddims. So everything these folks hold dear to their heart were recycled! Most of these roots rockers riddims were already begged, borrowed and stolen from the golden Rocksteady era!

 If I was eavesdropping in on an argument between these two giants, I would pick Coxone’s side. So this post will defend STUDIO ONE. This record label’s legacy is well represented by several different record companies.

Heartbeat out of a cold and concrete Boston Massachusetts puts together some nice deluxe editions. They re-release actual albums and tie together all the loose singles and bonus b-sides. A history of what your holding in your hand is explained in the linear notes. Premium goods at a knock off price.

London's SOUL JAZZ is not a label run by businessmen pushing units. You know the type…it makes no difference if their selling hotdogs or Reggae music, as long as their supply meets a money demand.  SOUL JAZZ is a label produced by a group of fans with the means. They release records that they themselves wanna hear. Thankfully these folks also have top choice taste.

Sadly these labels are disappearing like drops of precious water inna drought. BLOOD and FIRE and MAKASOUND are drying up.

SOUL JAZZ has a great run going on different themed compilations like Studio One Rockers, Studio One Soul, Studio One Scorcher Instrumentals and Studio One...you get the idea. All necessary goodies to complete your selection. The best way to get these riddims stuck in your conscious is to stuff these sounds in your ear till ya head expands. It is like knowledge…the best place too store it is in your mind.

Okay, last but not least is the facsimile label itself. The re-releases they offer up, offer no new linear notes packed with new insights into the music. The CD booklet opens into what is essentially an advertisement for their other product releases. Not necessarily a bad thing tho, because it reminds me that I need, not want, but need two more JACKIE MITTOO discs to satisfy my collection. Remember JACKIE? You should!

 Okay a brief background biography usually a short paragraph long is tacked on last page.  Like an after thought.

Although limited frills meet the eyes; great music still greets the ears. In the end it is about the music anyway. I’m just thankful it's back in print. Their catalog boasts both Dennis Brown's and Horace Andy's debuts. Big stuff right there! 


Oh and my first car...

My 73 didn't have the cool hatch-back feature but it was orange. Concerning the ladies? Thank JAH I had great hair!