Distinctly Jamaican Christmas Mixes of Yesteryear

I have had numerous requests for mixes from specific previous years and I figured I'd make it easy for everyone but just re-uploading 'em all!  Enjoy!

The 2006 Jamaican Christmas Mix

1. Carlene Davis – Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto)
2. King Stitt – Christmas Tree
3. Johnny Osbourne – Christmas Stylee
4. The Joe Gibbs Family – We Three Kings
5. Gregory Isaacs – Christmas Behind The Bars
6. Yellowman – Where Is Santa Claus?
7. Eek A Mouse – Christmas A Come
8. Cocoa Tea - Christmas Is Coming
9. The Aggrovators – Santa Claus Dub
10. Ras Pidow – Winter Storm
11. The Wailers – White Christmas
12. Toots & The Maytals – Christmas Feeling Ska
13. Alton Ellis & The Lipsticks – Merry Merry Christmas
14. Jacob Miller – On The Twelve Days Of Ismas
15. Trinity – Video Christmas
16. Eek A Mouse – The Night Before Christmas
17. Michael Palmer – Happy Merry Christmas
18. The Granville Williams Orchestra – Santa Claus Is Ska-Ing To Town
19. Tiger – Tiger Claus
20. Freddie McGregor – O Come Let Us Adore Him
21. Dillinger – Hi Fashion Christmas
22. Jacob Miller – Deck The Halls
23. Trinity – All I Want For Christmas
24. The Ethiopians – Ding Dong Bell
25. Rico And His Boys – Silent Night

 The 2007 Jamaican Christmas Mix

1. Jacob Miller - All I Want For Ismas
2. Horace Andy - Christmas Time
3. The Aggrovators - Santa Claus And The Aggrovators Conquer The Martians Inna Holiday Rockers Style
4. Kingstonians - Merry Christmas
5. Cocoa Tea - Please Come For Christmas
6. Mutabaruka - Postpone Christmas
7. Brent Dowe - Christmas In Jamaica
8. Steve Golding - Strictly Rock Christmas
9. Kashief Lindo - Someday At Christmas
10. Frank Cosmo - Merry Christmas
11. Al & The Vibrators - Merry Christmas
12. Lovindeer - It's Christmas Time Again
13. Jackie Mittoo - Joy Joy
14. The Cimarons - Holy Christmas
15. Ringo - Christmas Time
16. Little Kirk - Gee Whiz
17. Half Pint - Christmas Vibes
18. Gregory Isaacs - White Christmas
19. John Holt - Winter World Of Love
20. Sugar Minott - Christmas Jamboree
21. Peter Broggs - Twelve Days Of Christmas
22. Barrington Levy - Christmas Day
23. The Wailers - Sound The Trumpet
24. Little John - Save A Little For Christmas
25. Ernest Wilson - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

The 2008 Jamaican Christmas Mix


1. Nigger Kojak - Christmas Style
2. Bunny & Skully - White Christmas
3. Lord Nelson - Party For Santa Claus
4. The Wailers - Go, Tell It On The Mountain
5. Frankie Paul - Merry Christmas
6. Alton Ellis - Christmas Coming
7. Glen Adams - Xmas Rock
8. Michigan & Smiley - Little Drummer Boy
9. Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Christmas Day
10. Iron Phoenix - Natty Dread Christmas
11. Gregory Isaacs - It's Christmas Time Again
12. Johnny Clarke - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
13. Winston Groovy - Merry Christmas
14. Jacob Miller - Silver Bells
15. Ray I - Natty No Santa Claus
16. Jah Walton - DJ Christmas
17. Toots & The Maytals - Happy Christmas
18. Horace Andy - Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
19. The Silvertones - Bling Bling Christmas
20. Freddie McGregor - Irie Christmas
21. Charley Fresh - Jam Down Christmas
22. Tippa Lee & Rappa Roberts - Christmas Is Coming
23. Hortense Ellis - Black Christmas
24. Trinity - African Christmas
25. Richard Ace - Joyful Reggae

The 2009 Jamaican Christmas Mix

1. Tristan Palmer - Christmas Jamboree
2. Roman Stewart - Christmas Affair
3. Frank Cosmo - Greetings From Beverley's
4. General Trees - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
5. Jackie Edwards - White Christmas
6. Shorty The President - Christmas Fair
7. Norman T. Washington - It's Christmas Time Again
8. Colin Roach & Anthony Malvo - Merry Christmas
9. J.C. Lodge - Joy To The World
10. Lloyd Seivright - Mary's Boy Child
11. Lui Lepke - Christmas Season
12. Winston Francis - Here Comes Santa
13. Verna Lee Powell - He Is My Santa Claus
14. Sandra Robinson & Lee Scratch Perry - Merry Christmas, Happy New Year
15. Ringo - Never Forget Christmas
16. Sonny Bradshaw - Peace And Love
17. Barry Brown - Christmas Christmas
18. Anthony Selassie - Rub A Dub Christmas
19. Hopeton & Primo - Peace On Earth
20. Tennessee Brown & The Silvertones - Jingle Bells
21. Don Cornell & The Eternals - Christmas Joy
22. Gable School Choir - Reggae Christmas
23. Neville Willoughby - Christmas In JA
24. Rupie Edwards - Christmas Rush
25. Go Home Productions - Karen Meets Roots Radics Uptown

The 2010 Jamaican Christmas Mix

1. Barrington Levy - Once A Year
2. Jah Thomas - Christmas Shopping
3. Tennessee Brown & The Silvertones - Little Drummer Boy
4. Gregory Isaacs - The Christmas Song
5. Sachmoore - Wuh You Got To Gimme For Christmas
6. Leon Danger & Mr. Culture - This Christmas
7. Chris Wayne - Silver Bells
8. Cedric Bravo w/Rico & The Five Stars - Merry Christmas
9. Norman T. Washington - Happy Christmas
10. Norman T. Washington - Happy Christmas Version
11. The Silent Choir - Silent Night
12. Alton Ellis - Praise Jah It's Christmas
13. Trinity - Santa Claus Comes Once A Year
14. Shinehead - Reggae Christmas Medley
15. Tyrone Taylor - Winter Wonderland
16. Admiral Bailey - Christmas Style
17. Ruddy Thomas - Reggae Happy Christmas
18. Tony Tuff - Christmas Irie
19. Little John - It's Christmas Time
20. Triston Palmer - Oh Holy Night
21. Arcanians - Christmas In Jamaica
22. Alton Ellis - Joy To The World
23. Delroy Melody - Christmas Time
24. King Everald - Santa Claus
25. Cimarons - Silent Night/White Christmas

 The 2011 Jamaican Christmas Mix

1. Dean Fraser - Deck The Halls
2. John C - We Three Kings
3. Ken Boothe - This Christmas
4. Glen Adams - Joyful Tidings
5. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Winter Wonderland Reggae
6. Don Drummond - Snowboy
7. Barrington Levy - Flash Your Dread
8. Trinity - Flash Your Dread (DJ Version)
9. Johnny Osbourne & Jennifer Lara - Christmas Medley
10. Horace Andy - Hark The Herald
11. D.D. Dennis - Christmas Message
12. Wain Nelson - Santa Claus
13. Lord Beginner - Christmas Morning The Rum Had Me Yawning
14. Raymond Harper - White Christmas
15. Jimpy - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
16. Eek A Mouse - Have A Merry Little Xmas
17. Niyah & The Sunflakes - Merry Christmas
18. Lovindeer - Christmas Feeling
19. Don Carlos - Jingle Bells
20. Tippa Lee, Nardo Ranks, Half Pint & David Brevett - Dedicated To Santa
21. Silvertones - Merry Merry Christmas
22. Dennis Brown - Ding Dong Merrily On High
23. Gregory Isaacs - Ding Dong Bell
24. Junior Roots - Christmas Time Again
25. Owen Gray - Collins Greetings

The 2012 Jamaican Christmas Mix - Seven Inches Of Christmas Joy

1.  Little John - Save A Little For Christmas
2.  Roman Stewart - Christmas Affair
3.  Jah Walton - DJ Christmas
4.  Don Cornel & The Eternals - Christmas Joy
5.  Barry Brown - Christmas Christmas
6.  Cocoa Tea - Christmas Is Coming
7.  Johnny Clarke - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
8.  Verna Lee Powell - He Is My Santa Claus
9.  Glen Adams - Xmas Rock
10.  Trinity - Video Christmas
11.  Silent Choir - Silent Night
12.  Niyah & The Sunflakes - Merry Christmas
13.  Glen Adams - Joyful Tidings
14.  Mutabaruka - Postpone Christmas
15.  Tippa Lee, Nardo Ranks, Half Pint & David Brevett - Dedicated To Santa
16.  Nigger Kojak - Christmas Style
17.  Norman T. Washington - It's Christmas Time Again
18.  Owen Gray - Collins Greetings
19.  Cedric Bravo w/Rico & The Four Stars - Merry Christmas
20.  Leon Danger & Mr. Culture - This Christmas  

A Very 2013 Christmas Mix AKA The Jamaican Christmas Mix

Yes my friends, it is time for another Yuletide Season and that means only one thing around here... the Jamaican Christmas Mix!  And here it is, ready for your downloading and listening pleasure!  As I proclaimed two years ago, the days of the 25 track extravaganzas has long since passed but I've got an hours worth of Jamaican Christmas cheer for you to mix in with the eggnog!  Amazingly, I was also able to dredge a few gems out of the stripped mine of reggae Christmas music and mixed them in with the time-honored and beloved classics from years gone by.  So without further ado... let's get to the music!


We start things off with Inner Circle and the Fatman Riddim Section with a tune that may seem familiar but is actually the dub version of Jacob Miller's "Deck The Halls."  This one comes from a CD on the Blood & Fire label from 1999 called Heavyweight Dub/Killer Dub and unfortunately for many the title may hit a little close to home for some, it's called "Unemployment Rock."

Next up is the DJ take on Carlene Davis' "Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto" by Trinity and since it doesn't technically have a title, I'm giving it my own... let's call this "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."  It was lifted from the 1981 various artists LP on the Mic label called Yard Style Christmas.

Jackie Mittoo is up next with a smooth tune that everyone knows and loves, presumably.  This is Jingle Bells and it comes from the Studio One LP called Christmas In Jamaica.  Not really much reggae going on here but Mittoo can make anything sound cool and to keep it from being lumped in its spelled "Gingle Bells" - but that may just be a typo.

Next up is DJ legend, King Stitt with a tune that I shared way back in 2006 and I felt was ready for another appearance.  The song is called "Christmas Tree" and it rocks just as much as it did when it was recorded way back in 1970!

Horace Andy follows it up with "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" from the VP Records CD reissue of the 1979 Joe Gibbs production Wish You A Merry Rockers Xmas.  Let me tell ya, this song gets better to me every year and I proudly proclaim that this is my favorite recorded rendition of this classic Christmas Carol, bar none!

Next up is a mash-up of sorts... haven't done one since the Aggrovators met Santa Claus Conquers The Martians years ago.  This one I'm gonna call "Scientist & The Roots Radics Meet Aretha Franklin On The Night Before Christmas Inna Winter Dub Stylee"  Yes, the Radics and Scientist are providing the backdrop for The Queen of Soul's modern interpretation of the classic story.  It is a good one, if I do say so myself.  

We follow that up with a set of ska Christmas classics!  The Wailers give us "Sound The Trumpet," The Granville Williams Orchestra provides "Santa Claus Is Ska-Ing To Town" and we wrap it up with The Maytals' "Christmas Feeling Ska."

Now excuse me while I bite my tongue for a second because next up is a.... wait for it... John Holt Christmas song.  I had badmouthed Mr. Holt's Christmas album for many years but I bit the bullet and threw one in the mix.  Its a cover version of John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" and though it isn't my favorite track in the mix, it's pretty listenable.  I know that doesn't sound like a glowing recommendation but believe me, it works.

Freddie McGregor follows up Happy Christmas with a pretty nice tune called "Reggae Christmas" which comes from a album called Reggae Christmas from the early 90's I think, on the Famous Records label.

We're going early 90's with the next two... this comes from an album also called Reggae Christmas... are you seeing a trend here when it comes to naming these albums?  This album is from 1991 on the Profile Records label and the song is by Trevor Sparks and its called "Christmas Time."

We segue into the next tune on the same riddim, and off the same album and its by Bobo General and called "Christmas Daya."  I know this is beyond the scope of my usual coverage but when it comes to Christmas mixes, anything remotely enjoyable will make the cut.  That's not to belittle Bobo General's track because it is a good one.

Lloyd Lovindeer is back with a number he calls "Christmas Breeze" and it was lifted from his Christmas album called Caribbean Christmas Cheer on the TSOJ label.  A nice tune I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Let's take another run at Jingle Bells!  This time we're taking another ride with our old pal "Tennessee Brown" and it comes from the Reggae Christmas From Studio One CD.  It has more of a calypso flair but it is a lot of fun and I'm sure you'll remember it from a previous playlist.

One of the events that heralded the end of the 25 track Christmas extravaganzas was when I had used every track off Jacob Miller's classic Natty Christmas and with the ability to rehash previous favorites it makes the mix that much better.  One of my all-time reggae Christmas favorites "On The Twelve Days of Ismas," it's like visiting an old friend!

Kashief Lindo brings tears to my eyes again with "Someday At Christmas."  This song originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967 never ceases to please - a beautiful rendition of an absolutely beautiful song that always makes me a little teary eyed.

We wrap up A Very 2013 Christmas Mix with a mento tune... this one is by the Jolly Boys and it comes from a single they released in 2011 called Jamaican Christmas on the Funzalo Records label.  The song is called "Long Time Ago In Bethlehem" and it is yet another beautiful rendition of a classic song and the perfect way to put the 2013 mix to bed.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy what you hear!  I want to wish everyone a merry, happy, healthy, peaceful, relaxing and joyous Christmas!  Lots of love my friends - see you again soon and God bless!

A VERY 2013 CHRISTMAS MIX

Coming Soon... the 2013 Jamaican Christmas Mix!

No need to wait in line!  No need for pushing, shoving, or fisticuffs!  You can avoid the crowds at your local Distinctly Jamaican Sounds retail outlet* and be in the know, like these two well-heeled gentlemen, who went online and downloaded it for free right here!  

Sorry... this image, again by my pal Roger Wilkerson, was too good not to give it an extravagant and overblown write-up... but I've got some good news for those of you out there who have been waiting for the latest installment of the Jamaican Christmas Mix anthology.  I have my latest holiday offering, which I've entitled, "A Very 2013 Christmas Mix," in the can as of this afternoon and after I put the final touches on the write-up and playlist it will be ready for your downloading and listening pleasure!  

And here's even more good news!  The 2013 Jamaican Christmas Mix includes a handful of "new" songs to go with the tried and true classics from years gone by.  Stay tuned!

*The Distinctly Jamaican Sounds Retail Store is completely fictitious, Any resemblance to real retail stores, open or closed, is purely coincidental. 

Junior Murvin Tribute

Putting together this mix brought tears to my eyes... it had been a while since I really listened to Junior Murvin's music, sure I would hear a few of his tunes scattered in throughout the week on the ipod in the car but this time I really listened.  Junior Murvin had amazing songwriting skills and the power and conviction in his lyrics, mostly delivered in that soothing trademark falsetto, really exemplify why reggae is so beautiful.  You can feel the genuine, heartfelt, true soul of the man in his music and it is a wonderful thing because Junior Murvin had things to say and they were all from the heart.  God bless Junior Murvin and may he rest in peace, he was a true legend.

This is what you're going to hear...

1.  Cool Out Son - Heavy Duty 7"
2.  Roots Train w/Dillinger - Arkology CD Set - Island
3.  Cross Over - Build The Ark LP Set - Trojan
4.  Solomon - Police And Thieves CD - Island
5.  Closer Together - Arkology CD Set - Island
6.  Strikes And Demonstrations - Muggers In The Street LP - Greensleeves
7.  Man Is The Fire - Bad Man Posse LP - Dread At The Controls
8.  Jah Took Six Days - Apartheid LP - Greensleeves
9.  Police And Thieves - Volcano Super Hits CD - Sonic Sounds
10.  Give Me Your Love - Darker Than Blue CD - Blood & Fire
11.  I Was Appointed - Police And Thieves CD - Island
12.  Magic Touch - Dawning of a New Era CD - Trojan
13.  Bad Weed - Upsetters 12"
14.  Rescue Jah Children - Police And Thieves CD - Island
15.  False Teachings - Produced And Directed By The Upsetter CD - Pressure Sounds

RIP Junior Murvin

Junior Murvin (1949 - 2013)

I just heard the sad news that Junior Murvin has died.  I will be putting together a tribute mix and posting it tomorrow morning! 

Here is the write-up that appeared on the Gleaner's website this morning...

"Legendary Jamaican reggae Musician, Junior Murvin, best known for the single 'Police and Thieves' is dead. 

The Portland-based singer reportedly died peacefully at his home at Summers Town Road in Port Antonio early this morning.

Murvin, whose real name is Murvin Junior Smith was born in Saint James in 1949, but following the death of his father, relocated to Port Antonio with his mother and other siblings. 

Murvin would later achieve fame as the falsetto singer of 'Police and Thieves', which was an international hit in 1976, produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry. 

The legendary singer, who also sang with one of Jamaica’s leading bands in the 1990’s, 'Jah Postles', toured extensively several countries in Europe including Germany, England, and France, while blazing a trail in vintage reggae music. 

Murvin has scored with several other hits including: the ultra easy skank of 'Miss Kushie', the seminal 'Cool out Son', and others like 'I'm In Love', 'Bad Man Posse' and 'Muggers in the Street'.

At the time of his death, Junior Murvin was reportedly suffering from an advance stage of diabetes."

 RIP Junior Murvin