Next up in our fright-fest is a little tune by Rupie Martin & The Hippy Boys called "Death In The Arena" which was recorded at Dynamic Studios in 1969 and released as a 7" on Martin's Modified label in Jamaica and in the UK on Punch and Ackee months later. Luckily the copy I've got was a lot easier to locate thanks to a relatively recent repress on the Drum Beat/Reggae Fever label.
There is something about the early upbeat reggae that lends itself so perfectly to Spooktaculars... in the 10 years I've been doing this mix I've always had a lot of fun mixing them with horror movie trailers and other wacky audio. I can't exactly explain why that is but when I sit down and mix these behemoth projects the early/skinhead reggae tracks usually come together quickest and always elicit the biggest smiles when my bleary eyes are staring at a computer screen at 3:30 in the morning during a late-night editing session.
Also, Roger outdid himself on this cover! This may be my favorite from this years batch!
Rupie Martin & The Hippy Boys - Death In The Arena - 2015 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular Track Ten
Double masterpiece, y'all; totally agree with your notes re early reggae tunes working especially well - and love the Mikey Dread duppies I can hear in the background. And Roger really has surpassed himself this time. Be sure to pass on my appreciation; his art for this and the John Crow Skank are just superb. Huge props to you both!!
ReplyDelete