Day 52 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - The Wailers - Sound The Trumpet

Keeping up the mood with some more ska!  The 52nd track in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge is by the Wailers; Bob, Peter and Bunny and it is a scorcher!  "Sound The Trumpet" AKA "Christmas Is Here" was recorded at Studio One with the immortal Skatalites doing the backing and released in December of 1964 on Coxsone Dodd's Muzik City label.  This is definitely one of those great Jamaican tunes that can easily transcend anyone's self-imposed genre limitations on Christmas music, it has been in my playlist for over 20 years!  Guaranteed to get your feet moving!

Day 51 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Granville Williams Orchestra - Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town

Day 51 of 365... and today we're going ska!  If you can listen to today's tune without having a smile on your face you may want to check your pulse or consult a doctor because it's a good chance that you may no longer be among the living.  The Granville Williams Orchestra gives us "Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town" originally released in the mid-60s on their own G.W.O. label and now available on a multitude of Jamaican Christmas compilations, this one is the epitome of a good time. 

Day 50 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Barrington Levy & Jah Thomas - Once A Year

Kicking off the 8th week with a lot more Jamaican Christmas vibes!  As you can imagine, this week is gonna be jam packed with "tunes of the season" and if you'll excuse my language for a moment, this one kicks ass!  Barrington Levy and Jah Thomas give us "Once A Year/Christmas Shopping" and it has been lifted off a 1980 12" on GG's Hit label produced by Alvin Ranglin and backed by the GG All Stars.  A festive tune that always puts a smile on my face!

The 7th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

What you're gonna hear in this seventh installment…

1.  Yellowman - Body Move

2.  Charlie Chaplin - We Hot

3.  Badoo & Toyan - Reaching To Be Free

4.  Ranking Joe - Ask Me No Question

5.  Errol Scorcher - Dance All Style

6.  Little John - United We Stand, Divided We Fall

7.  Cocoa Tea - Christmas Is Coming

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the start of week 8!

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Day 49 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Cocoa Tea - Christmas Is Coming

Okay, okay... I can't ignore the fact that we're just less than a week away from Christmas and today's tune will help put us all in the holiday spirit!  This is one of my favorite reggae Christmas tunes and much like yesterday's Little John offering it has the great Junjo at the helm... a spirited Yuletide take on the Three Blind Mice riddim that will have you skanking around the Christmas tree!  It's called "Christmas Is Coming" by Cocoa Tea and it is taken from a 1984 7" on the Arrival label and it is definitely festive!

The complete Week 7 Mix will be up shortly!

Day 48 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Little John - United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Track 48 of 365 in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge is called "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" by John McMorris AKA Little John and it comes to us from a sweet slice of early 80s 12" vinyl.  Produced by the great Junjo Lawes and released on the Jah Guidance label in 1982, this has always been my favorite Little John tune!  It was also one of the first Junjo productions I ever bought, at Daddy Kool Records in London while on vacation many years ago.  This record along with a stack of other vinyl treasures I had accumulated were lugged from London to Ireland to France and back to the States in a heavy flat cardboard box that never left my hands or my lap.  It also started my near-obsession with Junjo's productions... an obsession that still has an effect on my vintage vinyl buying habits.  Riding a bass heavy Roots Radics take on the Silhouettes riddim, this record is a thing of beauty!  

Day 47 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Errol Scorcher - Dance All Style

The late Errol Archer AKA Errol Scorcher got into the music business by deejaying with several sound systems in the 1970s.  His first single "Leggo Mi Hand Babylon" was not a huge success but subsequent singles were met with some acclaim.  Scorcher's 1978 tune "Peace Truce," which celebrated the coming-together of rival warring political factions which culminated in the One Love Peace Concert in April of that year.  His biggest success came a year later with "Roach In The Corner" and around that time he started his Scorcher record label.  Sadly Errol Scorcher died in 2012 at the age of 55 from a ruptured blood vessel in his head.  But enough of the background, let's get to today's track... the 47th in our yearlong track-a-day extravaganza!  This one is called "Dance All Style" on the Bobby Babylon riddim; produced and arranged by Scorcher himself and released on his Scorch label in 1980.  Dig it!

Day 46 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Ranking Joe - Ask Me No Question

Track 46 of 365... A little Ranking Joe for a Wednesday!  This tune is called "Ask Me No Question," was produced by Joe Gibbs and released on the Town & Country label circa 1978.  This tune is basically a conglomeration of proverbs telling people to respect one other... I'm particularly fond of, "spit in the sky and it'll fall into your eye," which basically means what you do or what bad you wish for others will eventually be the cause of your own downfall.  A bit of wisdom over a nice horn-heavy riddim!

Day 45 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Badoo & Toyan - Reaching To Be Free

Track 45 of 365... if you're like me, by this point in December you're about ready to rip off your own ears if you have to hear another lousy Christmas song by Mariah Carey or the most dreaded of all holiday tunes Wham's "Last Christmas."  I went on a rant on Facebook last week about how that song is dredged up every year to assault our ears but I won't get into it here... to combat the onslaught of bad Christmas music I have decided for the rest of the week to just go all-out rub-a-dub to give you a short respite from this all-consuming holiday.  Today track is by Badoo & Toyan and it's called "Reaching To Be Free" from 1980 and comes from a 12" on the KG Imperial label... riding the Storm riddim, this tune is wicked!

Day 44 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Charlie Chaplin - We Hot

Today's tune is by Charlie Chaplin, and no I'm not talking about the silent film comedian with the bowlegs and the cane, we're talking about Richard Patrick Bennett...  The DJ who like Josey Wales got started with U-Roy's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi circa 1980 and went on to record a multitude of singles and albums and in 2013 actually received an Order of Distinction from the Jamaican Government.  Today's track, 44 of 365, is called "We Hot" and it comes from the album Sound System that he recorded for Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1984 and which was released on the Arrival label. 

Day 43 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Yellowman - Belly Move

As most people know, I have always been a huge Yellowman fan and this track kicking off the 7th Week has always been one of my favorites!  The 43rd track in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge is a wicked tune called "Body Move" lifted from a Junjo Lawes produced 12" on the Witty label.  This is not the version heard on the Nobody Moves Nobody Get Hurt album... pretty much nothing but King Yellow, drum and bass! Completely kicks ass! And the semi-spacy, minimalistic Roots Radics version at the tail doesn't hurt things either.

The 6th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

What you're gonna hear in this sixth installment…

1.  King Stitt - Christmas Tree

2.  Toots & The Maytals - Walk With Love

3.  The Wailers - Cheer Up

4.  Roman Stewart - Christmas Affair

5.  Johnny Clarke - Do You Love Me?

6.  Earl Cunningham - Want My Pay

7.  Josey Wales - Love Me Have Fi Get

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the start of week 7!

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Day 42 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Josey Wales - Love Me Have Fi Get

Track 42 of 365... sticking with some more rub-a-dub for a Saturday!  Joseph Sterling AKA Josey Wales, is on my list as one of the top ten greatest DJs to ever ride a riddim.  In his time spent with U-Roy's King Sturgav Hi-Fi, Josey expertly learned the ropes and when he teamed up with producer extraordinaire Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1982, the results were pure niceness!  Today's tune "Love Me Have Fi Get" (AKA Love I Want)  taken from a 12" on the Volcano label and coupled with the Roots Radics smooth 'A Love I Can Feel/Love In The House' riddim, is a prime example.  To me, things couldn't sound sweeter!

The Complete 6th Week Mix will be up shortly!

Day 41 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Earl Cunningham - Want My Pay

Day 41 of the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge... After what seemed like an extra long week we have finally arrived at yet another glorious Friday... and it's a pay day!  With that said, today's song "Want My Pay" by Earl Cunningham couldn't be more appropriate... produced by Jah Thomas and originally released in 1983 on the GG's Hit label and riding the classic Answer riddim, I don't think I could have found a better tune for today.

Day 40 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Johnny Clarke - Do You Love Me?

Sticking with the fantastic flying cymbals for another tune and this one comes directly from Bunny Lee and the Aggrovators' Carlton "Santa" Davis; the producer, band and the very drummer that revolutionized the sound... according to reggae historian and author David Katz in a great article regarding this topic which you can read here, Santa Davis modeled the distinctive open and closed hi-hat pattern from the "Philly Bump" soul pattern popularized by the band Mother, Father, Sister, Brother and their song "The Sound of Philadephia" AKA the theme song to Soul Train.  This is the 40th track in the 365 day Jamaican Music Challenge and it's voiced by the man Johnny Clarke and it's called "Do You Love Me?" not to be confused with the American song by the Contours of the same title.  This tune was originally released in Jamaica circa 1975 as a 7" on the Bar Bell label, as well as Hotstick and Monica's in Canada around the same time! 

Day 39 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Roman Stewart - Christmas Affair

The 39th track in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge and we're going with something a little seasonal... we hop into Wednesday with another Christmas tune!  This one is Roman Stewart's "Christmas Affair"; recorded at Channel One and released in 1976 on their illustrious Well Charge label... this is one of my favorite Jamaican Christmas records simply because I'm a sucker for some serious flying-cymbal!

Day 38 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - The Wailers - Cheer Up

I have been a huge fan of Leslie Kong's productions for longer than I can remember, in fact I had been enjoying the picking guitar and bouncing basslines that came outta Beverley's long before I knew exactly what I was hearing.  Case in point, today's tune "Cheer Up" by the Wailers circa 1971... aside from the early socially conscious lyrics and sweet harmonies from Bob, Peter and Bunny it's that guitar that makes this one.  At about 1:12 when we get a taste of Hux Brown's simplistic but absolutely masterful reggae guitar, made famous to those outside the reggae realm on Paul Simon's 1972 hit "Mother & Child Reunion," it is pure bliss!

Day 37 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Toots & The Maytals - Walk With Love

Day 37 of the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge... Toots and the Maytals with "Walk With Love," a great upbeat song from 1971, originally released as a 7" on the Beverley's label and one that will put a smile on your face... even on a Monday morning.

Day 36 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - King Stitt - Christmas Tree

With Patti in healing mode it's time to jump back into week six with a sweet seasonal tune... King Stitt gives us one of the baddest Jamaican Christmas tunes in my library.  This one is called "Christmas Tree" from 1970 and it always puts me in a funky Yuletide mood!  Dig it!  Nice! Nice! Nice!

The 5th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

 What you're gonna hear in this fifth installment…

1.  John Holt - Stick By Me

2.  Ike Bennett & The Crystalites - Patricia

3.  The Emotions - Buy You A Rainbow

4.  The Versatiles - I Love You Baby

5.  The Techniques - Queen Majesty

6.  Ernest Wilson - Undying Love

7.  The Pioneers - Love Love Everyday

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the start of week 6!

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Day 35 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - The Pioneers - Love Love Everyday

One more this week for my sweet Patricia... this one is called "Love Love Everyday" by the Pioneers and it comes from a 1969 release on the Amalgamated label produced by Joe Gibbs.  Just an upbeat, positive, horn-heavy song to keep spirits up this Saturday. 

Thank you to everyone who offered their words of support and love during this week, you don't know how much it is truly appreciated.

The uncut week-long mix coming in a few!

Day 34 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Ernest Wilson - Undying Love

Moving on to the 34th tune in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge and yet again it's dedicated to Patti... it's "Undying Love" by Ernest Wilson, produced by Coxsone Dodd and originally released in 1968 on Studio One and later on Coxsone.  In my honest opinion one of the most beautiful love songs ever recorded, bar none.  Sweet lyrics, sweet horns and a rhythm that warms you like a favorite blanket on a cold night.

Patti continues to amaze me... I get home from my first day back at work since her surgery to a complete Thanksgiving dinner that I unfortunately missed out on last week!  Three days after brain surgery she made a turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes and of course, I was beyond delighted!  Plain and simple she is the best!  

This song is for you Patti!  I love you!

Day 33 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Techniques - Queen Majesty

Sticking with yet another rocksteady tune from Treasure Isle... this one is the 1968 classic by The Techniques called "Queen Majesty" and like the rest of the week it also goes out to Patti.  A cover of the 1963 Impressions song "Minstrel & Queen" the Jamaican version sounds so much sweeter than the original... but then of course I may be just a little biased.

Today the recuperation continues, Patti is in great spirits as the mending continues.  I am thankful that she is getting back to being herself and each day that goes by I realize how much of a trooper she really is; you can't keep her down!  I don't know where she gets the strength... I know if the roles were reversed I'd wouldn't want to do anything but lie in bed and feel miserable and sorry for myself for the next six months but she is getting back on her feet!  She really is amazing!

Day 32 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Versatiles - I Love You My Baby

Another tune for Patti.  This one is by The Versatiles with Tommy McCook & The Supersonics and is called "I Love You My Baby," originally recorded and released in 1969 on Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label.

Yesterday, Patti was released from the hospital and has been home since resting as comfortably as expected.  Her follow-up MRI looked good and after what seemed like an extra two days of waiting for the paperwork to be completed she was released.  She was nearly desperate to sleep in her own bed and it's perfectly obvious that the familiarity instantly put her at ease and she was finally able to get a decent rest.  Truly there is no place like home.

Day 31 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - The Emotions - Buy You A Rainbow

This 1967 rocksteady tune by the Emotions "A Rainbow" AKA "Buy You A Rainbow" originally pressed on the Caltone label is also dedicated to my love. 

So far things are looking good... The doctor informed us that the operation was a complete success and that there were no complications. Patti was awake and talking less than an hour after the surgery and is being kept for observation for the next 24 hours... we are justifiably relieved and confident that things will only get better.  Patti has already begun making plans to switch the part on her hair so that the bald spot and stitches will be less noticeable... she is back to her "old self" and we couldn't be happier!  She is holding out hope that they will discharge her today so that she can get back home to recuperate but we'll take it as it comes.