Fruits & Veggies... a mix for a Thursday

Two posts in two consecutive days?! What the hell has gotten into me?! Suddenly I've got this urge to compile theme mixes and just like yesterday, following no rhyme or reason. Today I've got one devoted to produce. Yes, you've read that correct... produce; fruits and vegetables. There are a lot of Jamaican songs that deal with cooked food but I just have the intention of exploring the fresh food stalls here at the market.

We start off today's trip to the market with an intro from the late great Louise "Ms. Lou" Bennett and the classic "Linstead Market," from there... it's gonna be a flavorful excursion into Jamaican music just perfect for a Thursday afternoon. Come with an empty stomach because when you're done with this mix you're gonna be stuffed!

What you're gonna hear...

1. Tommy McCook & The Supersonics - Green Mango - Top Secret CD - Beatville
2. Dennis Brown - Little Green Apples - Stagecoach Showcase LP - Yvonne's
3. Junior Byles - Lorna Banana - Every Mouth Must Be Fed CD - Pressure Sounds
4. Clint Eastwood & General Saint - Banana Export - Two Bad DJ LP - Greensleeves
5. Horace Martin - Watermelon Man - Watermelon Man LP - Mister Tipsy
6. Willie Francis - Ripe Soursop - Little Willie Records 7"
7. ? - Juicy Fruit - ? - found this one on my harddrive don't know where it came from.
8. Peter Metro - Vegetable Dish - Want Some Money LP - Bebo's
9. G.G. Allstars - Peanut Baby - Man From Carolina LP - Trojan
10. J.J. Allstars - Mango Tree - Sir J.J. And Friends CD - Lagoon
11. Dennis Alcapone - Ripe Cherry - Guns Don't Argue CD - Trojan
12. Augustus Pablo - Cassava Piece - Original Rockers CD - Greensleeves
13. The Wailers - Guava Jelly - Songs Of Freedom CD - Island
14. Prince Jazzbo - Pepper Rock - Pepper Rock LP - Studio One
15. Roots Radics - Banana & Yam Skank - Dangerous Dub CD - Greensleeves
16. The Techniques - Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) - Queen Majesty CD - Trojan
17. Jah Lloyd - Piece A Banana - Final Judgement LP - Teem
18. Joe Gibbs - Lime Key Rock - African Dub All-Mighty LP - Joe Gibbs
19. Ringo - Coconut Woman - Volcano 7"
20. King Tubby - 91 Orange Street - Bring The Dub Come CD - Heartbeat

Enjoy!

Whole Heap A Sugar Down Deh!

I think Homer Simpson said it best in a sleep deprived stupor... "In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women." :)

Nothing too groundbreaking here today just a bunch of songs following a sugary theme... I don't even know what inspired me to put this one together... I think a lot of it has to do with wanting to put this new Virtual DJ program to use. Unlike Garageband where you have a chance to fiddle with the music and effects you actually mix in real time... Regardless of my motives, this turned out to be a pretty fun mix and I hope you'll give it a listen.

As far as the music goes... it's all over the place with no real rhyme or reason behind the order of the playlist. Some real bad-ass tunes in here... I hadn't played Michigan & Smiley's Sugar Daddy in years!

What you're gonna hear...

1. I Roy - Sugar Candy - Dubbing With The Royals - Pressure Sounds LP
2. Danny Dread - Reggae Music A Lemon Popsicle - Jwyanza 7"
3. Ranking Joe - Sugar - Round The World - Nationwide LP
4. Heptones - Sweet Talkin' - Nightfood - Mango CD
5. The Soul Brothers - Sugar Cane - Studio One LP
6. Roy Shirley - A Sugar - Music Is The Key - Trojan CD
7. Dandy Livingstone - Every Day Gets A Little Bit Sweeter - Conscious - Mooncrest LP
8. Winston Williams - Sweet Like Candy - Trojan Rare Grooves - Trojan CD Boxset
9. Ken Parker - Sugar Dumplin' - Groovin' In Style (Best Of) - Trojan CD
10. Michigan & Smiley - Sugar Daddy - Sugar Daddy - RAS Records LP
11. Leroy Smart - Sugar In My Coffee - Let Everyman Survive - Jamaica Gold CD
12. Johnny Osbourne - No Lollipop No Sweet So - Fally Lover - Greensleeves LP
13. Cocoa Tea - Sweet Coco Tea - Crystal 12"
14. Big Youth - Sugar Sugar - Natty Universal Dread - Blood & Fire CD
15. Prince Hammer - Whole Lot Of Sugar - Dubble Attack - Greensleeves LP
16. Michael Prophet - Sweet Loving - Michael Prophet - Greensleeves LP
17. Toyan - Ice Cream - Murder - Vista LP
18. Zap Pow - Sugar Pop - Jungle Beat - Lagoon CD
19. Well Pleased And Satisfied - Sweetie Come From America - Club Paradise - Columbia LP
20. I Roy - Hot Chocolate - Many Mood Of I Roy - Trojan LP

Grab yourself some sugar!!

Guarding Sugar - Watch more amazing videos here

A Tribute To Jacob Miller (1952-1980)

It was 31 years ago today this week (March 23rd) that Jacob Miller died tragically in an automobile accident and I thought now would be a good time to pay tribute to another reggae superstar who we lost much too soon.

Miller recorded his first tune "Love Is A Message" for Coxsone Dodd in 1968 at the age of 13 and a couple more as well... unfortunately the song didn't have much success so it wasn't until 1974, when Miller got into the studio with the legendary Augustus Pablo, that things began to improve. Tunes like "Who Say Jah No Dread," "False Rasta," and "Baby I Love You So" hit the market and he got some recognition. Interestingly enough, the original b-side dub version of "Baby I Love You So" was the massive "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown" and Island Records failed to give Miller credit for the vocals bouncing and echoing around inside Tubby's mix and even relegated the vocal version to the b-side in subsequent pressings.

Jacob Miller hooked up with the band Inner Circle soon after; the band comprising brothers Ian and Roger Lewis and future members of the band Third World, Stephen 'Cat' Coore, Michael 'Ibo' Cooper and Ritchie Daley, and the hits began to flow. I've even heard that Jacob Miller and Inner Circle were so big in Jamaica in 1978 that Bob Marley and the Wailers received second billing at the One Love Peace Concert beneath them!

Quoting from the Guinness Who's Who of Reggae Music... "Miller's biggest hits would come as a member of Inner Circle. In 1976 they scored a couple of roots hits with "Tenement Yard" and "Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush" (both credited to Miller). These and Miller's explosive stage act made them the top act in Jamaica at the latter part of the 70s. Miller, an exuberant, amply proportioned man, possessed of a fine tenor which often employed a trademark stutter, went on to make a number of excellent records with Inner Circle..."

But Jacob Miller wasn't satisfied with just being a band's vocalist and continued his solo career as many reggae do by recording sides for producers like Joe Gibbs and Gussie Clarke. He also took up acting by making a cameo in Theodoros Bafaloukos' film Rockers. At the time of his death in 1980 Jacob Miller had been working with Chris Blackwell to arrange for a U.S. tour with Bob Marley to promote his second solo album Mixed Up Moods which had recently been completed.

What I have always liked about Jacob Miller aside from some absolutely killer music was what I've read about his personality over the years... Inner Circle's Roger Lewis said Jacob Miller was “always happy and jovial. He always made jokes. Everyone liked jokes.” He sounded like a real good guy and it's sad to think what he may have done for reggae music on an international level if he hadn't died so soon.

Here's what you're going to hear...

We're gonna start it off with "Bionic Skank" from Miller's 1978 LP on the Top Ranking label called Wanted. I've always love the introduction to this tune... Miller warming up his stuttering tenor like a car starting on a cold winter morning. It always gets a smile from me.

One of my all-time favorite Jacob Miller tunes is second and it comes from the 1979 album Mixed Up Moods... a plea for police to end their brutal treatment of Jamaican citizens called "Mr. Officer." The lines "Seam color red, seam color blue, be careful what you do, because the people, the people love you" says a lot about the turbulent times in which it was written and recorded and the quandary that people faced when needing protection from law enforcement... on one hand they are respected and revered for doing their job serving and protecting people but also feared for what they may do if their tempers get the better of them and they turn on the people they are supposed to protect.

"I've Got the Handle" is up next and aside from the rather misogynistic theme it's one helluva tune... this was originally written by Leroy Sibbles and performed by The Heptones but I think Miller does a nice cover. It too comes from the aforementioned Wanted LP.

The next tune is Jacob Miller's trademark call for marijuana legalization called "Healing of the Nation." Originally appearing on his Wanted LP - I borrowed the version we're using in this mix from the excellent Chapter A Day "Greatest Hits" double LP set released by VP Records in 1999.

"I'm A Natty" produced by the legendary Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson and taken from the 2008 VP various artists CD Scorchers From The Mighty Two. The coolest thing about this song? It has to be the bad-ass moogy intro! I wanted to do a rewind at that point in the mix but decided to keep rolling instead.

Next up is "Each One Teach One" lifted from the 1992 release by Greensleeves of material originally produced by Augustus Pablo circa 1974-75, titled Who Say Jah No Dread. A nice selection of songs originally only available as singles - it comes highly recommended!

Jacob gets all lovey-dovey for the next tune... this one is called "I'm In Love" and it comes from a 2004 Auralux various artists CD called Whip Them King Tubby. It too is a compilation of older releases not readily available in one clean package; productions by King Tubby, Bunny Lee and Linval Thompson.

With the sounds of war raging in its introduction we head back into reality... the tune is called "Ghetto On Fire" and comes from yet another various artists CD. The CD is called Life Goes In Circles (Sound From The Talent Corporation) and was released by Pressure Sounds in 2006. This is a fantastic CD and highlights the productions of Tommy Cowan and the top flight Talent Corporation, established in the mid 70's to give Jamaican artists the proper respect it was due in the local music market, and includes some of reggae's biggest names... Jacob Miller included.

Another of my favorite Jacob Miller tunes is up next! The song is called "Silver & Gold" and is also lifted off the Wanted LP. I have to admit this was the first Jacob Miller song I ever heard and Wanted was one of my first non-Marley purchases when I first started delving into Jamaican music as a 16 year old kid. "Silver & Gold" was played on a pretty heavy rotation back in those days and it still puts a smile on my face whenever I hear it!

"All Night Till Daylight" is up next in the mix! A wicked tune and probably one of his best known and originally released in 1976 on the Starapple LP Tenement Yard and produced by Inner Circle's Lewis Brothers, Ian and Roger. I have the original press but it is pretty ratty so I borrowed the tune from the Chapter A Day LP instead. Love this tune!

Another song lifted from yet another various artists compilation... this one is "Dread Ina Babylon" and it comes from the 2001 CD on the Charm label called King Tubby Meets The Reggae Masters. The minimalistic rhythm track complete with vibes makes for a bad ass tune!

Gotta go back to one of Miller's biggest hits, this is the classic "Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush" originally from Inner Circle's 1976's album Reggae Thing. Ours is borrowed from the Chapter A Day LP from VP. A true ganja anthem - if you like that sorta thing.

"Keep On Knocking" from the aforementioned CD Scorchers From The Mighty Two follows up "Tired Fe Lick Weed..." and it definitely fits the bill as a scorcher! Miller riding the Hypocrites riddim is absolutely killer!

We go next to Miller's rather autobiographical tune "Killer Miller" and it is lifted from the greatest hits compilation released by RAS Records in 1988 called Collectors Classics. Originally this was the title track to the 1977 LP released on the Top Ranking label called Jacob "Killer" Miller.

Getting back in a lover's groove with our next track... "Suzy Wong" is also from the RAS Records release Collectors Classics.

"Tenement Yard" is up next and this is the quintessential stuttering tenor Jacob Miller at his best. This was also one of Jacob Miller's biggest hits and was originally the title track from his 1976 Inner Circle collaboration of the same name. I have this tune on a multitude of compilations and I decided to use the one from the 2007 Trojan release Down In A Tenement Yard (Sufferation And Love In The Ghetto) simply because it was the one that was easiest to find.

We follow it up with another title track... this is the title track from the Mixed Up Moods LP originally released on Starapple.

The next tune is an Augustus Pablo produced 7" called "Girl Name Pat" on the Rockers International label. Ironically I'm also in love with a girl named Patti but she would kill me if I ever reduced her name to just Pat. I think a lot of the negativity toward that name has a lot to do with the androgynous character created and performed by Julia Sweeney on Saturday Night Live in the 90's but, I have gone way out in left-field with this analysis so let's get back to the music. :)

We wrap up the mix with two excellent tunes both from the Chapter A Day LP. The first was originally released in 1980 after Miller's death on an album produced by Joe Gibbs called Lives On and it's called "Shakey Girl."

The final track is "Chapter A Day," and it is an absolutely beautiful and timeless tune. It's one of those tunes that gives me chills and usually elicits a few tears from my eyes.

R.I.P. Jacob Miller - You Are Never Forgotten!

Would The Real King Horror Please Stand Up!

A few years ago when I first started my Halloween mixes, I had read in the 2003 book "Young Gifted and Black - The Story of Trojan Records" by Michael de Koningh and Laurence Cane-Honeysett that King Horror "...was actually Laurel (Aitken) on some sides but not others (it largely depended on which company he was leasing the material to and who was around in the studio at the time." It sounded accurate and I had filed the information away in the back of my brain until a couple months ago...

I was flipping through some CDs and came across my copy of the Trojan various artists release Loch Ness Monster (originally released in 1970) and had some time to actually read the liner notes... needless to say I grew more confused on the subject of King Horror.

The liner notes, also written by Michael de Koningh, say and I quote... "King Horror was quite likely to be a relocated Calypsonian who worked under the name of Lord Davey. Laurel happened to hear Davey's extraordinary voice and immediately thought of the new Reggae sound he was producing, and what an impact his throaty growl would make. To confuse matters, another voice also snarled out as King Horror on rival discs, and this is considered to be Aitken standing in himself, presumably when Mr Davey was unavailable to lend his growl to the romping rhythm track."

So one day, not too long ago, I was doing a search for King Horror online and up pops this compilation, released this year, on the Pressure Drop label called Boss Reggae Sounds - Laurel Aitken Productions 1969-1971 and it included a King Horror tune that I never knew existed! The song is called "The Vampire" and I was worried about getting my hopes up about another schlock-horror King Horror tune but I bought the CD anyway. Turns out that "The Vampire" was the b-side of Horror's 1969 "Cutting Blade" single on the Grape label and sure enough it was everything I hoped it would be. But here's where things get confusing...

In the liner notes of the Boss Reggae Sounds CD we get more confused about the origins of the raucous voiced King Horror... Phil "Enthucol" Etgart also quotes from "Young Gifted and Black - The Story of Trojan Records" by Michael de Koningh and Laurence Cane-Honeysett but digs a little deeper. Etgart writes about "Cutting Blade" the first single on the compilation; "A quick listen to this track will make it quite clear what exactly the "Cutting Blade" in question actually refers to, but to contrast, the identity of the artist himself is shrouded in confusion. For some time many believed King Horror was Laurel Aitken under a 'nom de vinyl,' but play any of his handful of recordings and you will realize that this is not the case. According to Reggae writer, Michael De Koningh: "Horror was actually Laurel on some sides, but not others (it largely depended on which company was licensing the material to and who around the studio at the time). It is widely believed that the rest of the time, Horror was in fact Calypsonian, Young Growler (real name Errol Naphtah Davy), a Trinidadian who in 1961 came to settle in London, where he went on to record several Calypso tracks, the best known of which is probably 'V for Victory', a song celebrating the West Indies cricketing victory over England in June 1966. More recently, the not-so Young Growler was reported to have left for warmer climes, his present whereabouts apparently being Barbados." He continues... "Another who, according to producer, Joe Mansano adopted the moniker was 'a chap in the band called Lloydie, who was, shall we say, not very pretty, so we called him King Horror: He was one of my DJ's - Lloyd the Matador (not to be confused with Jamaican producer; Lloyd 'The Matador' Daley) was his name - Lloyd Campbell.' Just who exactly was responsible for the Laurel produced King Horror tracks may never be confirmed..."

Regardless of who he actually was, King Horror is one of my favorite "skinhead" reggae artists and his horror themed tunes are like gifts from heaven to me. I owe a lot of my year-long obsession of searching for "duppy tunes" to King Horror's "Loch Ness Monster." Now, here's where I'm asking for your help. There are two more King Horror tune that have yet to surface on a CD compilation and my obsession in trying to track them down is causing me to lose sleep at night. In 1970, 2 other tunes were released... one is called "Police" and was originally pressed on the Jackpot label and the other was called "Ghost Hour" and was pressed on the Reggae/Doctor Bird label but as far as I can discern, the record has never been seen with label art. Now, last year I posted something on the Blood & Fire message board pleading for anyone who owns the record to give me a taste of what I may or may not be missing. Thankfully someone responded and was kind enough to email me a 40 second needle-drop on the tune but unfortunately now it has ignited an obsession that I can't seem to shake. How does one find a 40 year old blank labeled reggae record? How does one search for that on ebay or in online record shops? I'm pleading for help on getting this tune!! At this point, I'm willing to settle for an MP3 of the tune because the odds that I'll ever come across this record are slim to none.

In the meantime, I've put together a little mix of King Horror tunes to get your feet movin'! I've left out "Wood In The Fire" because studies have shown that listeners can only take two veiled references to a man's "junk" in one mix. Enjoy!

What you're gonna hear...

1. Loch Ness Monster
2. The Hole
3. Dracula Prince Of Darkness
4. Frankenstein
5. Cutting Blade
6. The Vampire
7. Loch Ness Monster (Take 2) - from the 2004 Trojan records CD release of the same name!

Also... I couldn't resist adding a little wind and thunder at the intro... I have a hard time thinking of King Horror without it! :)

Enjoy!!

Rub-A-Dub Dub, Two Rub-A-Dub Mixes Are Re-Upped

I put these two mixes together in 2007 and over the course of time I lost them... don't ask me how. I think I burned them as MP3s on a CD, which I can't locate and the Garageband data was lost when my Mac decided to die last year. Anyway, after doing a little searching online I was able to download the first mix again... it was kinda weird downloading my own handiwork but when I discovered they were gone, it left an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I hadn't realized that the link for the second mix was still active but I wanted to put them back up for anyone who might have never heard them... I was quite proud of these.

In related news... as of this morning, Strictly Rub-A-Dub Mix #3 is in the works.

Here's what you're gonna hear...

Strictly Rub-A-Dub Mix #1

1. Don Carlos - Laser Beam
2. Papa Tullo - Nuff Stylee
3. Toyan - Over Me
4. Alton Ellis - Skateland Girl
5. Sugar Minott - Jah Is On My Mind
6. Charlie Chaplin - Diet Rock
7. Yellowman - Me A Don
8. Michael Palmer - Mixing And Blending
9. Josey Wales - Undercover Lover
10. Buro - Jolly Bus
11. Yellowman & Fathead - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
12. John Holt - Police In Helicopter
13. Cultural Roots - Love Feelings
14. Sister Nancy - Bam Bam
15. Yami Bolo - When A Man In Love
16. Admiral Tibet - Trouble To A Man
17. General Echo - Arleen
18. Little John - Look What You Have Done
19. Brigadier Jerry - What Kind Of World
20. Technique All Stars - Stalag 17
21. Johnny Osbourne - Love Is Universal
22. Little John - Janet Sinclair
23. Little John & Billy Boyo - Janet Sinclair
24. Scientist - Dangerous Match 1
25. Leroy Smart - All Of My Love
26. Michigan & Smiley - What Type Of World
27. Al Campbell - Chant Rub A Dub
28. Yellowman & Fathead - Come We A Come
29. Lone Ranger - Gunshot Mek Daughter Drop
30. Toyan - Tribute To Entertainers
31. Barry Brown - Sweet 16
32. Peter Ranking & General Lucky - Island In The Sun
33. Ranking Dread - Love A Dub
34. Barrington Levy - Collie Weed
35. Blackskin - Hey Mr. Babylon
36. Lone Ranger - Barnabas Collins
37. Toyan - Please Mi Barister
38. Barrington Levy - Please Jah Jah
39. Yellowman - 2 To 6 Supermix
40. Yellowman - Why You Bad So

Strictly Rub-A-Dub Mix #2

1. Morwells – Keep It In The Family
2. Nicodemus – Keep It In Your Family
3. Frankie Paul – Baby Come Home
4. Peter Metro – Better She Gwan
5. Charlie Chaplin – Unfair
6. Yellowman – Better She Ga Lang
7. Frankie Paul – Worries In The Dance
8. Nicodemus – Bubble Nicodemus Bubble
9. Yellowman – I’m Getting Married
10. Yellowman – Getting Divorced
11. Don Carlos – I’m Not Crazy
12. Toyan – Spar With Me
13. Clarence Parks - Gun Man
14. Welton Irie – Put It Down
15. Al Campbell – Bad Boy
16. Simple Simon – Revolution Fighters
17. Sugar Minott – Have You Ever Found A Love
18. Barry Brown – Shoot Up
19. Don Carlos – Mr. Big Man
20. Wailing Souls – Things & Time
21. Charlie Chaplin – Tribute To Marvin Gaye
22. Captain Sinbad – Construction Plan
23. Jimmy Riley – Love & Devotion
24. General Echo – Drunken Master
25. Wayne Jarrett – Chip In
26. Michigan & Smiley – Downpression
27. Peter Metro – Water Jelly
28. Lee Van Cleef – Bam Salute
29. Yellowman – Bam Bam
30. Leroy Smart – She Love It In The Morning
31. Half Pint – Winsome
32. Lone Ranger – Tom Drunk
33. Yellowman & Peter Metro – The Girl Is Mine
34. Little John – Spin You Roll
35. Sister Nancy – Chalice
36. Josey Wales – It A Fi Burn
37. Yellowman – Jah Mek Us Fe A Purpose
38. Toyan – It Have Fi Light
39. Charlie Chaplin – Chalice
40. Yellowman - Sensemilla

The Anti-Valentine's Day Love Mix

This post in no way reflects my current romantic situation, it's just my way of protesting against this stupid-ass Hallmark holiday and all the fools who spend their hard earned money on candy, inflated priced flowers and sappy cards! Do we need a card company to dictate when to tell someone we love them? Tell them often whenever the mood hits you, just don't tell them today! ;)

I started the anti-Valentine's mix a couple years back with a "Lost Love" theme... this year I've decided to go all out with an anti-love song theme. Now, this mix doesn't involve any trickery or outrageous Garageband stunts, it's just a mix of 18 songs following today's appointed "bad love" theme.

Here's what you're gonna hear...

We start it off with the man Rod Taylor and his tune "Lonely Lonely Lonely" from his 1980 Greensleeves LP Where Is Your Love Mankind. A tune expressing a symptom all of heartbreak that the heart broken know all too well.

Delton Screechie is up next with his song "Evil Woman" and comes from a 7" on the Nigger Kojak label. This one is kinda mean spirited in its approach to a key component to this relationship in which Screechie sings, but it fits the theme we got goin' on here today!

Cornell Campbell tells his woman the way it's going to be with a wicked tune called "Love Trap." This one is an early 80's Bunny Lee production on the UK based Shuttle label. I can't tell you how much I love this song!

Goin' a little "older school" with the next tune... Dave Barker gives us the tune "Your Love Is A Game" and it was borrowed from the Pressure Sounds release highlighting producer Winston Riley's roots music. The CD is called Roots Technique and it comes highly recommended!

Anthony Johnson throws us back in a rub-a-dub groove with his song "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." It's a nice broken-hearted love song on a well-known and well-loved riddim and it is from a 12" on the Rusty International label.

One of my favorite anti-love tunes comes from my favorite DJ... Winston "Yellowman" Foster gives us "Wrong Girl To Play With," and it's one of those tunes that I've always wanted to sneak into a mix somewhere but couldn't find the right place... this spot will work just fine! This comes from a fantastic album on the Greensleeves label from 1984 called Two Giants Clash - Yellowman Versus Josey Wales.

Taking it 21st century with the next track... Junior Kelly gives us a veritable break-up anthem of epic proportions... the song is called "Love So Nice" and comes from the 2001 album of the same name released on VP Records. I know this song was real popular but hearing Kelly chatting "don't let the door hit ya, where the good lord split ya" while riding Bob Marley's Stir It Up riddim is just hilarious and classic at the same time!

Falling back quite a few years for the next one... circa 1970. The man Rudy Mills gives us "I'm Trapped" and it comes from the Jamaican Gold CD called From Chariot's Vault Vol. 1... the CD features 16 late rocksteady/early reggae productions from Derrick Harriott and it's a good compilation.

Lone Ranger is up next with "Love Affair Problem" and gives props to Janet Sinclair, a love advice columnist, who I can't determine was real or not but is mentioned in this song as well as a tune by Little John and Billy Boyo from the same era. This one comes from Ranger's 1982 LP, also on Greensleeves, called Hi Yo Silver Away.

Getting a little wacky with the next tune... Wackies that is. Next tune is by Jezreel and it's called "Cheating Girl" and it's taken from a 12" on the Wackies label, of course. This is a bad-ass tune!

Hittin' up the Studio One vaults for the next four... we start it with Dawn Penn's classic "No, No, No" and it comes from the Soul Jazz compilation called Studio One Rockers. We continue the Coxsone stylee with Johnny Osbourne and the tune "Can't Buy Love" from his album Truth and Rights... we go right into Ken Boothe's "You Don't Like Me" and it comes from Boothe's 1978 Coxsone Dodd produced LP, Live Good, released on the United Artists label. And we wrap up the little Studio One excursion with Horace Andy and the tune "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" from his classic album Mr Bassie! A wicked group of tunes if I say so myself!

Goin' older school again... the late great Musical High Priest Roy Shirley and the Uniques give us the tune called "Evil Love" and it's lifted from the 2004 Westside CD compilation called Your Musical Priest, showcasing Shirley's talents.

"Please Don't Take Your Love Away" begs Owen Gray and all we can do is listen and enjoy. This tune comes from the 2004 Owen Gray CD anthology Shook, Shimmy and Shake on the Trojan Records label. A nice tune!

Linval Thompson is up next with a word of advise... the song is called "Sure Of The One You Love" and it is lifted from his 1982 LP Look How Me Sexy on the Greensleeves record label. Words of wisdom to those looking for love!

And we wrap it up with one of my all-time favorite smooth love tunes, "To Be A Lover (Have Some Mercy)" by the late great George Faith. This tune is from the Lee Perry box-set Arkology and is without a doubt one of the slickest songs on the entire compilation. This tune builds slow but once it gets going I don't want it to stop; Faith's smooth delivery mixed with Perry and the Upsetters' near hypnotic groove makes this a killer "troubled love" song.

Enjoy... oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Dub Along 2011 - Part 1

A couple years back I started this thing called Version Excursion where I took the b-sides from Volcano/Jah Guidance or Arrival 45's and put them together in a mix... I've decided to take the project one step further. A few weeks back I was going through a stack of records that I bought this summer and was going through the effort of ripping the flip-side versions into MP3s so that I could listen to them in the car on my ipod. I threw on the version of an awesome tune by the "sing-jay" Simple Simon and got inspired to do what it available below...

A little incorporation of vocals and a lot of effects and trickery on the Garageband program and I came up with something that sounded pretty damn sweet, if I do say so myself. Here is what you're going to hear, if you should choose to download this little mix...

1. Ranking Dread- Poor Man Story - Live & Love 12"
2. Barry Brown - Not So Lucky - Black Roots 7"
3. Simple Simon - Foreign Mind - Rosie Uprising 7"
4. Anthony Johnson - Strictly Rub-a-Dub - Midnight Rock 7"
5. Jah Mikes - Jacket & Tie - Jah Mikes 7"
6. Cornell Campbell - Devil In Bed - Lee's Gold 10"

...now these aren't the vocal version, they're the instrumental versions. They have been spiced-up to include some of the vocals but I think the music speaks for itself.

This is the first in a series, that I promise to keep up with this time. Junjo productions will also make their appearances but I'm mixing it up and digging deep into the stacks to come up with some really bad-ass stuff. Hope you enjoy it!

Leave me a message about what you think... is this project worth continuing or is this a colossal waste of time?

Dub Along 2011 - Part 1

Ghosts of Christmases Past...

Here are the Jamaican Christmas Mix from previous years... 100 songs in total and with a combined running time of around 6 hours, there's enough here to keep you reggae-ing around the Christmas tree all month long!

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

Enjoy and don't say I never gave you nothin'!
And the least you could say is thank you!

No It's Not The Major Award You See Pictured Below, It's The Jamaican Christmas Mix 2010!

Ho, ho, ho and all that stuff... I know I am way ahead of schedule this year but I figured it makes more sense to share early so everyone can enjoy the mix throughout the Christmas season instead of towards the end... and for one thing, it was nice not procrastinating until the last minute!

We start off the 2010 Christmas Mix with a little tune by the man Barrington Levy called "Once A Year" from a 1980 12" on the G.G. Hit label. It is followed by the absolutely killer DJ riff on the same riddim by Jah Thomas which we will call "Christmas Shopping" since it isn't given credit on the record's label.

Mixing it up inna Studio One style for the next tune... Tennessee Brown & The Silvertones give us their distinctively Jamaican take on "Little Drummer Boy." Many may mistakenly give credit to "Little Drummer Boy" or "Carol Of The Drum" to the angelic voiced Harry Simeone Chorale but it was originally written in 1941 by Katherine K. Davis. Harry and his posse just helped to popularize the tune when it was released in 1957. The Harry Simeone free version you're going to hear is taken from the 1992 Heartbeat CD Reggae Christmas From Studio One.

It pains me to say this... the late great, Gregory Isaacs is up with his version of "The Christmas Song" originally penned by Mel Torme and Bob Wells. One of my favorite traditional Christmas songs and Gregory makes it just a little smoother with his trademark Cool Ruler style... that will forever be missed. This was lifted from the 1990 CD Sonic Sounds Presents A Vintage Christmas obviously on the Sonic Sounds label.

Pearl Bailey tosses it to the next track and it's a fun one... it's called "Wuh You Got To Gimme For Christmas" by an artist by the name of Sachmoore and is taken from a 7" on the Canadian Pebble Grove label. In a nice calypso style, Sachmoore recounts the story of Vera a pushy woman who lives down the street who won't let any man pass her yard without asking him, "Wuh you got to gimme for Christmas." The thing is, Vera expects a gift for Christmas and is more than willing to reciprocate the kind gesture but Sachmoore doesn't want anything to do with the "gift" she's offering in return, if you know what I mean - wink wink, nudge nudge.

Leon Danger and Mr. Culture are up next with the a hopeful plea for peace from 2006 called "This Christmas." It comes from a 7" on the Hillsman label and it is really one of those tunes that makes you pause and think about the wrongs of the world and makes you hopeful for a time when man can live at peace. A beautiful song.

Up next is Chris Wayne with his version of the 1951 classic "Silver Bells." This one comes from the 1989 compilation LP Youth Promotion Christmas Jamboree on the Youth Promotion label and it was produced by another one of this year's late greats; Sugar Minott. It definitely has a distinctive late 80's digital feel that works real well with the the lyrics.

Going back quite a few years, to 1965 to be exact, for the next track in our Christmas Mix... The mix takes a decidedly turn for the ska with this tune appropriately titled "Merry Christmas" by Cedric Bravo with Rico and The Five Stars and from a 7" on the Ska Beat label. I love this song; nice mellow ska with a festive theme and even further accentuated by the fantastic trombone riffs of the legendary Rico Rodriguez. Push aside the Christmas tree and clear some space on the floor when you get up and groove to these yuletide vibes!

Norman T. Washington is up next in the mix... I took his song "Happy Christmas" which was originally released in 1975 as a 7" on the Jama label and mixed it up with its b-side version to create a dubby tune complete with echo and reverb. I was going to buy the single but came across a CD on Ernie B's called Music Specialist Christmas Sampler also on the Jama label for $.99! In this economy I gotta save where I can save! I was quite pleased with the end result and I hope you are too!

With an appropriately extravagant intro stolen from Dean Martin's Christmas album we roll into one of the baddest versions of "Silent Night" you've ever heard. This one is by a group that was labeled as the Silent Choir and it comes from a 1973 7" on the UK based Magnet label. They even toss in a couple verses of "Jingle Bells" to keep it lively! One of this year's favorites!

The late great Alton Ellis gives us the joyous "Praise Jah It's Christmas." This track was borrowed from Heartbeat Records' 2002 various artists CD release, Christmas Greetings From Studio One. Nice sentiments from Mr. Ellis and a nice tune!

The man Wade Brammer, better known as DJ Trinity, follows up Alton with a smooth love song called "Santa Claus Comes Once A Year." The message is simple, Santa Claus only comes once a year but his love, for one lucky lady, is continually there... not necessarily a straight forward Christmas song but enough sweet vibes to keep it in the yuletide vein. This one comes from a 2003 CD on the Burning Bush imprint called Ghetto Deejay Style: The Best Of Trinity.

Speaking of aliases... Edmund Carl Aiken, better known as Shinehead, is up next with the smooth "Reggae Christmas Medley" riding the M-16 riddim and taken from a 1989 7" on the Elektra label.

Also from 1989... the late, Tyrone Taylor, of "Cottage In Negril" fame, gives us a nice upbeat digital take on the 1934 Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith composition "Winter Wonderland." This comes from the Blue Mountain Christmas Party LP on the Blue Mountain label.

The self-titled Big Belly Man, Admiral Bailey keeps us in the digital stylee with his 1985 7" on the Jammy's label called "Christmas Style."

Man, this is starting to look like a memorial mix instead of a Christmas mix! The late singer, musician and producer, Ruddy Thomas is up next with a nice little song called "Reggae Happy Christmas." Some good vibes in this tune, which comes from a 7" on Ruddy's own Ruddy T label.

Mixing it up inna rub-a-dub style is Tony Tuff with the tune "Christmas Irie" from my copy of the problematic Merry Christmas From Black Roots LP (see last years griping) on the Black Roots label.

I've been hesitant on posting the next two tunes because of their scratchiness but decided to bite the bullet and do it anyway. These two come from the Rub A Dub Christmas album on the Black Solidarity label. Little John starts it off with "It's Christmas Time" followed immediately with Triston Palmer's "Oh Holy Night." Both appearing here after a 3 year wait and in all of their nakedly noisy Jamaican pressed glory.

The group called the Arcanians are up next with the song "Christmas In Jamaica." This is a nice mid-80's era tune taken from a 12" on the Jama label and I find the chorus so catchy that I find myself humming it to myself long after the record has been put back on the shelf.

A swingin' version of "Joy To The World" by Alton Ellis and taken from the 1990 CD Sonic Sounds Presents A Vintage Christmas comes in next. I've heard this Christmas carol all my life by countless performers but Alton Ellis' is the only version that will make you want to get up and skank along.

King Everald is up with his King Tubby produced digital cut "Santa Claus" and it's lifted from a 12" on the Firehouse label. Not one of my favorites but I hope you like it nonetheless.

The man Delroy Melody, who I can't find any background information on, follows up King Everald with a nice little tune called "Christmas Time" from a 7" on the Acadia label. Nice vibes in this tune.

Finally... The Cimarons wrap up the 2010 Jamaican Christmas Mix with their 1971 takes on the timeless Christmas carol and the Irving Berlin standard... the song is awkwardly called "Silent Night White Christmas" and was originally pressed as a 7" on the Downtown label... we're going to hear the same tune but it comes from the 2005 CD The Reggae Christmas Collection on the Pulse label.

Well that wraps it up... I hope everyone has a great holiday season and to quote the legendary Don Cornelius... "I wish you peace, love and sooooooul!" Lots of love everyone!

The Complete 2010 Jamaican Christmas Mix 2010

The Jamaican Christmas Mix 2010 - Coming Soon!

I'm putting the final touches of the 2010 Jamaican Christmas Mix and will be posting it extremely early this year... tomorrow in fact! That way you'll be able to enjoy the music throughout the holiday season without having to have it in pieces or worrying about missing it. It's my gift to all those who have supported this blog since I started it 6 years ago and who have really embraced and appreciated these holiday mixes. 25 tracks in total that'll keep you rockin' and swing during this yuletide season!

Stay tuned!

The Complete Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010!

Here it is! All 21 tracks wrapped up in a neat MP3! Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

I will be spinning some of the tunes featured throughout the last 5 Spooktacular years tonight in Washington DC at DC Soundclash at the Marx Cafe (3203 Mount Pleasant St NW, the monthly event takes place from 10PM until 3AM) amongst the multitude of well deserved Gregory Isaacs tributes... so if you happen to be in the area, stop by and have a listen!

The Complete Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010
Download Here

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Twenty One - Things In The Dark

Here it is! The final track in the 2010 Spooktacular! It has been a fun month and I hope that this years mix didn't disappoint... I will be posting the complete 2010 mix a little later this afternoon for those who weren't able to keep up with the daily downloads. But, let's get to the final track...

I wanted to finish things up this year with a positive message so I decided on Delroy Wilson's "Things In The Dark" from his 1976 7" on the Impact label... aside from the scary title it is basically a warning to the wrong-doers in our societies that evil things done in the dark will come out in the light. So let this serve as a warning to those who plan on going out on Halloween to do wrong, yeah I'm talking to you punk-ass teenagers out there, intent on soaping windows, toilet papering trees, smashing pumpkins or hijacking trick-or-treaters and stealing their hard-earned sugary haul.

And on that note I'm gonna wrap it up... but not without leaving you with a final thought. This is the poem by Marnie Pomeroy that started our mix this year and I'm going to use it again as my closing... Happy Halloween my friends!

Who raps at my window?
Who in a white sheet
Runs across the midnight lawn
Without the sound of feet?

What moon grows in the East
So huge and dusky red?
Who howls from the chill within the hill
Where the farmer's hound lies dead?

The dry leaves twist and rattle
Alive in an evil spell.
Down by the pond the man who drowned
Tolls a wavering bell.

The wind has hardly wakened,
Yet flapping through the air
Fly shapes with wings and bony things
And forms with jagged hair.

Who blows at my candle?
Whose fiery grin and eyes
Behind me pass in the looking glass
And make my gooseflesh rise?

Who moved in that shadow?
Who rustles unseen?
With the dark so deep I dare not sleep
All night on Halloween.

"Things In The Dark" by Delroy Wilson
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Twenty One

The Non-Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010!

Here it is! With the untimely passing of Gregory Isaacs I wasn't sure I'd have enough time to put this one together this year but here it is...

1. The Ghastly Ones - Grave Dig Her
2. The Gore-Gons - Ghoul Bash
3. The Moon-Rays - Blues For Vampires
4. Round Robin - I'm The Wolfman
5. The Munsters - Down In The Basement
6. The Metrolites - The Blob
7. Misfits - Halloween
8. Tino - Zombies Walk Dub
9. Satan's Pilgrims - Peter Lorre
10. Milton Delugg - Frankenstein
11. Gein & The Graverobbers - The Crypt Keeper's Holiday
12. Bomboras - Stormy
13. Bobby "Boris" Pickett - Graveyard Shift
14. Meteors - Halloween Scream
15. Zombina & The Skeletones - Dracula Blood
16. The Creepniks - Surfin' With Satan
17. Frankie Stein & His Ghouls - In A Groovy Grave
18. Phantom Creeps - The Creature Walks Among Us
19. Sonny Terry - Bad Luck
20. Torquays - Ghost Rider
21. Vincent Price - Don't

Happy Halloween - Enjoy!
The Non-Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Twenty - Duppy Bye Bye

Track twenty is upon us and it's called "Duppy Bye Bye" by the man Lloyd Lovindeer. Lovindeer is well known for his humorous tunes, especially "Wild Gilbert" released in the aftermath of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and selling over 50,000 copies and is therefore considered the highest selling single in Jamaican history.

With "Duppy Bye Bye" we get to hear Lovindeer explore the supernatural side with his trademark wit and humor intact. Just to let everyone know, some may find the fact that the chorus in the tune bears a resemblance to Buju Banton's much ballyhooed and equally reviled homophobic "Boom Bye Bye" off-putting, but Lovindeer isn't going there. This song is about fighting off the undead not attacking people for their sexual preference. But I'm not here to discuss that... I'm here to get you in a Halloween mood!

"Duppy Bye Bye" mentions a lot of superstitious customs to avoid contact with duppies; turning your clothes inside out, carrying garlic, obeah and its multitude of powders, potions and oils are all mentioned. But, Lovindeer proudly proclaims his protection comes from his spiritual beliefs and that all the superstitions serve no purpose.

This one comes to us from a 1992 7" on the TSOJ label.

"Duppy Bye Bye" by Lovindeer
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Twenty

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Nineteen - Duppy Story

Nineteen down, two to go! The next tune in the Spooktacular is by the DJ Daddy Meeky called "Duppy Story," a nice ghost story inna early dancehall stylee! "Duppy Story" tells about Meeky's late night encounter with a few different duppies on his way back from seeing a scary movie. Also, Daddy Meeky's tune comes complete with the trailer to William Castle's 1960 haunted house classic "13 Ghosts"... but unlike 13 Ghosts you don't need to use your Illusion-O Ghost Viewer glasses to witness the action.

This one comes from a 7" on the Dennis Star label produced and arranged by Clive Kennedy circa 1986.

Speaking of ghost stories... I finally attended the Ghost Walk in the small town of Havre de Grace last Saturday and it was pretty entertaining! And though I didn't see any actual ghosts or really get the hell scared out of me like I'd been hoping, it was well worth the effort. I took some pictures of the old houses that supposedly harbor ghosts and I have yet to have them analyzed by any team of paranormal investigators but I'll let you know if anything of the supernatural variety pops-up.

"Duppy Story" by Daddy Meeky
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Nineteen

The Halloween Spooktacular in the Washington Post Express!

I am really psyched that the Halloween Spooktacular got mentioned in the Washington Post Express! Read the column online - here! Thanks Christopher!

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Eighteen - Barnabas Collins

For the love of god, will this guy ever stay dead?! Here I am into the fifth year of creating these Halloween mixes and along comes Barnabas Collins poking his fangs into yet another Spooktacular! Judging by the plethora of tunes paying tribute to Ol' Barnie and or Dark Shadows, it's quite obvious that this guy must have achieved folk hero status in Jamaica back in the 70's!

This one is by a group called Del, Owen & Newts and is taken from a 7" on the Hatchet label from the mid 70's. I never even knew this song existed until I discovered the tune mentioned online this spring and thankfully got ahold of a copy in September and I gotta say, it's a good one!

I don't know why, but the Barnabas Collins thing has gotten to be such a integral part of the Spooktaculars that I don't know if I'm going to be able to continue each year without at least one mention of the schlocky TV soap opera bloodsucker. As far as the namesake goes, we've had three versions of Lone Ranger's "Barnabas Collins," Yellowman's answer "Mi Kill Barnie", Dillinger's version "I Thirst," Charles Hannah & The Graduates "Dark Shadows," and there are still 4-5 more that I have up my sleeve... but I'll tuck it away in the coffin until next year. Maybe when the Dark Shadows and Barnabas tunes dry up, it may be the perfect indicator of an appropriate time to discontinue the Spooktacular... we'll see!

"Barnabas Collins" by Del, Owen & Newts
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Eighteen

Gregory Isaacs - 1951-2010

I am devastated to hear the news that Gregory Isaacs has died... one of my all-time favorite singers and performers and it's with tears in my eyes that I face the prospect of creating a Gregory Isaacs tribute long before it should be due... I am so thankful that I had the chance to see Gregory on countless occasions and he is a voice in reggae that will sadly be missed. Rest in peace Gregory, we'll miss you.

Gregory Isaacs Tribute Mix

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Seventeen - Satan Side

I know the image on the left there is a little ghastly for a mild-mannered Jamaican music blog but every October the Spooktacular gives me the chance to showcase imagery best reserved for a heavy or death metal blog. It's the odd juxtaposition that makes this so much fun to begin with... and some would say you can't get an odder juxtaposition than reggae music and Halloween to begin with. But this is what I've been doing for the last 5 years and I hope people understand my motives... sharing my passion for reggae music and my love for Halloween all at the same time.

Keith Hudson and the Chuckles are up next with the absolute killer "Satan Side" - a bass heavy, wicked tune that goes great with the spooky thing we got goin' on here this month! It's from a 7" on the Mafia label.

"Satan Side" by Keith Hudson
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Seventeen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Sixteen - Vampire

Up next in the 2010 Spooktacular... the song is called "Vampire" and comes a group that I have absolutely no background information on called Positive. With a very Peter Tosh-esque delivery and refrain, this 1983 tune should probably sound somewhat familiar to those who have been around these parts before. I would say that Positive's "Vampire" serves as an expansion on the ideas Tosh explored on the "Vampire" 7" he released on his Intel Diplo label in 1976 and again on his Grammy Award winning "No Nuclear War" album in 1987. Regardless, Positive does a decent version that fits in well with our theme here... though, it should remain very obvious to even those with untrained "reggae ears" that the vampire in the tune is really an analogy for those who fight to oppress those who are perceived to be beneath them.

See you next week for the last five tunes!

"Vampire" by Positive
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Sixteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Fifteen - Bad Beast

The Vampire Beast Craves Blood or The Blood Beast Terror is a 1967 film starring Peter Cushing about a scientist who creates a creature that is capable of changing from a gigantic moth to a beautiful woman. The problem is, when the beautiful woman takes the form of the winged insect she has a propensity for human blood. And as you'd imagine, terror ensues. Such a bad movie but so enjoyable... I don't know what that says for my taste in film but I digress.

The Vampire Beast Craves Blood is the basis for the next tune in our mix called "Bad Beast" performed by the group Skin, Flesh & Bones, a group whose name alone makes them fodder for the Spooktacular treatment. The group was formed by bass player Lloyd Parks and featured Sly Dunbar on drums, Ansel Collins on keyboard and Radcliffe "Dougie" Bryan on guitar. Skin, Flesh & Bones featured many of the guys that would later become known as Channel One's infamous studio band The Revolutionaries where the Riddim Twins, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, would form their partnership that has lasted some 30 years and counting.

"Bad Beast" is the B-side from a mid-7o's 7" on the Upset label... I'd give ya the information on the A-side but the label on the copy I have isn't legible. I've added some trailer audio and a clip from the film into the mix to keep you on the edge of your seat! Enjoy!


"Bad Beast" by Skin, Flesh & Bones
Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2010 - Track Fifteen