Day 73 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Jah Stitch - Dread Back A Yard

Like Big Youth, Melbourne James AKA Jah Stitch, got his start on Lord Tippertone and it's obvious his deejay style was strongly influenced by him.  Obviously we're sticking with the 70s again today and this one is called "Dread Back A Yard" produced by Bunny Lee and released in 1975 on the Attack label.

 

Day 72 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Big Youth - Train To Rhodesia

Manley Augustus Buchanan, better known as Big Youth honed his toasting skills while working as a diesel mechanic at Kingston's Sheraton Hotel.  In 1970 he became the resident deejay with Lord Tippertone's Sound System and began attracting the attention of record producers.  After trying his hand with Lee Perry, Phil Pratt and Jimmy Radway and not meeting with much commercial success, he switched to recording with upcoming producer Gussie Clarke and scored a hit with "The Killer" on Horace Andy's Skylarking riddim.  Further success came with the classic "S-90 Skank" for Keith Hudson which featured the sounds of a revving motorcycle which had been brought into the recording studio.  It was his first #1 Jamaican hit and lead to future recording for a veritable whose who of 1970s reggae producers.  In 1975, Big Youth's album Dreadlocks Dread, a collection of tunes he originally pressed as singles and with some sweet instrumentals thrown in for good measure, was released on the Klik label and to this day I'm glad it was.  This was the first Big Youth album I ever heard and though some complain that the album only contains a few actual vocal tracks, I have to proclaim that this ranks right up there near the top of my all-time favorite reggae albums!  And for the 72nd track in the Jamaican Music Challenge, I have chosen Big Youth's "Train To Rhodesia" and if you've never heard it you're in for a treat because it is absolutely killer!  The driving rhythm itself is pure roots reggae bliss.

 

Day 71 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Barrington Spence - Jah For All

Barrington Spence is one of those 70s-era roots singers who never really achieved the fame or notoriety he deserved... his 1976 album Speak Softly is in my opinion one of the most overlooked and under-appreciated recordings of the decade but one that I discovered years later and have enjoyed immensely ever since!  "Jah For All," comes from the aforementioned album, originally released on the TR International label, and is the 71st tune in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge!   A sweet tune to start the 11th week!

The 10th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

The Tenth Week Mix available now for your uninterrupted listening pleasure!  What you're gonna hear...

1.  Early B - Sunday Dish

2.  Welton Irie - Come Nurse

3.  Eek A Mouse - Modeling Queen

4.  Leroy Smart - She Love It In The Morning

5.  Barry Brown - Not So Lucky

6.  Triston Palma - Spliff Tail

7.  Nicodemus - Jennifer Chant

The 11th Week in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge begins tomorrow - be sure to stop by!

WEEK 10 MIX

Day 70 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Nicodemus - Jennifer Chant

Short and sweet today for the 70th track... Rounding out the week with yet another early dancehall track... this one is called "Jennifer Chant" by the late great DJ Nicodemus and released circa 1983 on Ranking Trevor's Trevor Tanga label... good stuff, dig it!

Day 69 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Triston Palma - Spliff Tail

We're gonna stick with the Storm riddim for the 69th tune in the challenge... one of my favorite riddims and a pretty tuff ganja tune from Triston Palma (or Palmer, depending on who you ask) who cut his first record for Bunny Lee when he was 8 years old before having a helluva career in the early dancehall era... at one point in the early 80s, Palma had 9 songs in the Jamaican Top 40 at one time!   This one is called "Spliff Tail" and it was released in 1979 on the Ossie Thomas' Black Solidarity label.

Day 68 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Barry Brown - Not So Lucky

The late Barry Brown came to prominence in the 1970s under the wing of Bunny Lee and went on to have a successful career during the early dancehall era by working and recording with producers Linval Thompson, Niney The Observer, Sugar Minott, Junjo Lawes and even Coxsone Dodd.  During the time period, 1979-1984, Barry Brown released eleven albums and countless singles and secured himself the spot as one of the foremost singers of the time.  Unfortunately, addiction and subsequent health problems brought his career to a virtual standstill and Barry Brown tragically died inside a Kingston recording studio in May of 2004 when he fell and hit his head.  But we're not dwelling on that... let's get to the 68th song in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge!  Barry Brown gives us a tune of ghetto perseverance called "Not So Lucky" a single from 1979 on the Black Roots label and riding the Storm riddim... absolute wickedness!

Day 67 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Leroy Smart - She Love It In The Morning

Sticking with the early dancehall vibes for another track this week... this one is by the great Leroy Smart and it's called "She Love It In The Morning."  Produced and released by Mr. Smart himself in 1981 and pressed on his World Wide Success label... it's a pleasant ride on the classic Taxi riddim.  Enjoy!

Day 66 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Eek A Mouse - Modeling Queen

Stepping up for the next tune is Eek A Mouse with a badass tune called "Modeling Queen" taken from his 1980 album Buble Up Yu Hip produced by Linval Thompson and released on the Thompson Sound label.  With the Roots Radics doing the backing and some seriously wicked hand-drumming, "Modeling Queen" ranks up there as maybe the greatest tune Eek A Mouse ever recorded... dig it!

Day 65 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Welton Irie - Come Nurse

Welton Irie, born Welton Dobson, is in my opinion, one of those late 70s/early 80s that doesn't get the credit he deserves... this song called "Come Nurse" produced and released in 1981 on the Black & White label and riding the Pressure and Slide riddim is the perfect example of what Welton Irie could do with a tune by adding just the right amount of humor to make it an absolute classic!  Give it a listen!

Day 64 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Early B - Sunday Dish

The perfect way to start off the tenth week of the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge... Earlando Arrington Neil AKA Early B with a tune paying tribute to the greatest meal of the week!  Produced by the great Jah Thomas and released on his Midnight Rock label in 1984, this is one of the late Early B's greatest hits. 

 

The 9th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

Week Nine... available for your uninterrupted listening!  What you're gonna hear...

1.  Keith Hudson - In The Rain

2.  Augustus Pablo - Natural Way

3.  King Tubby - Straight To Scratch Head

4.  Earl "Chinna" Smith - Forward The Hand of Time

5.  Freddie McKay - Dance Dis Ya Festival

6.  Culture - Peace Love And Harmony

7.  Dennis Brown - Get Myself Together

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the start of Week 10!

ENJOY!

Day 63 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Dennis Brown - Get Myself Together

Day 63 of 365... Dennis Brown gives us "Get Myself Together" another motivational tune for the new year and in my opinion, one of the sweetest mellow songs ever recorded.  Lyrically the same as Brown's earlier tune "To The Foundation" but the addition of the flute ust takes it to another level.  Taken from the 1985 LP Revolution on the Yvonne's label, kick back and enjoy!  It's the kind of song you wish would never end...

Day 62 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Culture - Peace Love & Harmony

Happy 2016!  I hope your New Years Eve was eventful, mine was as low-key as ever... lots of bad pop music on the TV and kids banging pots and pans at the stroke of midnight, same as last year.  I always find that New Years Day is one of the saddest days of the year... the holidays are officially over and all we have to look forward to is 3 dark months of winter.  But it's also a time to be optimistic which brings us to today's song... number 62 of 365... Culture's "Peace Love & Harmony" taken from the 1988 album Nuff Crisis; a hopeful wish for all people worldwide in 2016... much love everyone!  Now if we could only do something about that damn hangover.

Day 61 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Freddie McKay - Dance Dis Ya Festival

It's New Years Eve and I wanted to feature something upbeat and fun to get in the mood... though I just happen to find New Years the most anticlimactic night of the year.  But let's not dwell on my griping...  today/tonight's tune is "Dance Dis Ya Festival" by Freddie McKay which was originally released on Channel One's Well Charge label in 1976, won the Jamaican Independence Popular Song Contest that year and is still highly regarded by many Jamaicans as one of best Festival songs ever recorded.  Happy New Year all!

Day 60 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Earl "Chinna" Smith - Forward The Hand Of Time

As we approach 2016, I figured it would be appropriate to feature a song that makes reference to the progress of time... that tune is by legendary guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith and is a pretty badass reggae instrumental take on American R&B singer Tyrone Davis' 1970 hit "Turn Back The Hands Of Time."  This was originally released on Chinna Smith's 1977 album Sticky Fingers... a smooth song!

Day 59 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - King Tubby - Straight To Scratch Head

Micron Music was one of the most underrated labels in reggae's early days... using a host of studios and producers including Bunny Lee & Lee Perry, their output was pretty top-notch.  In 2008, the UK-based Pressure Sounds released a compilation of Micron's recordings from 1973-1976 on an album called Every Mouth Must Be Fed and to me, it was an eye-opening experience.  The 59th track in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge is a King Tubby production called "Straight To Scratch Head" which is the dub version of a classic Junior Byles tune called "Lorna Banana." 

Day 58 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Augustus Pablo - Natural Way

Keeping in the dub mood for the 58th track we've got a nice tune by the late great Augustus Pablo with Tubby at the controls... this one is called "Natural Way" and comes from the 1977 album East of the River Nile, originally released on the Message label.  Pablo's soothing, yet moody melodica does wonders for easing the tension of starting another workweek... even if it is the last shortened workweek of 2015.

Day 57 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Keith Hudson - In The Rain

What could be more appropriate than a song about rain right now?  We here on the east coast of the U.S. are experiencing some of the weirdest winter weather ever!  When we should be bundling up to merely step outside the door we are going coat-less, hell on Christmas Eve I was wearing flip flops and breaking a huge sweat just stuffing the stockings like it was the end of June.  But anyway, let's get to today's tune... we're gonna start the next week with some dub and this one is called "In The Rain" and comes from the 1974 album Pick A Dub by Keith Hudson.  The album was originally released on the Klik label but was reissued in 1994 on Blood & Fire.  Lloyd Bradley, author of This is Reggae Music, suggest that the album is "one of the supreme heavyweight champion dub sets^"  and even went so far as to include it on a 2007 list of "1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die."  With the Barrett Brothers and King Tubby at the helm this is completely badass!  Dig it!

Re-upped Classics From Years Past...

Hey folks!  I just re-upped all the Christmas mixes and I even added a new link to the 2013 mix as well, just check the original post from 2013.   I have received requests to re-up the mixes from 2014 and 2015, but they don't exist.  In 2011 I pulled the plug on new mixes each year when I felt like I had covered all the quality Jamaican Christmas songs and was coming up short finding new ones that would be even considered remotely palatable.  That year I decided that instead of piling together a bunch of awful stuff I would go out on a high note and possibly follow-up in the upcoming years with "best of" compilation.  In 2012 I did the mix "Seven Inches of Christmas Joy" which was a mix of previously featured tunes all ripped from 7" vinyl and in 2013 I did a mix of previously featured tunes mixed in with a couple new songs that I never used before... the lack of response made me realize that I'd be better off just leaving future Christmas Mixes alone.  I haven't put one together since... so if you've just happened across the blog and want to collect 'em all, if you've got 2006-2013, you've got the complete set!  Enjoy!

Sorry I didn't post this before Christmas but it was an absolute nightmare re-upping all these at the same time and I finally had the opportunity to get it done this morning!

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  

The 8th Week Mix! Available For Your Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure!

Seasons Greetings!  Available for your uninterrupted yuletide listening!  What you're gonna hear!

1.  Barrington Levy & Jah Thomas - Once A Year/Christmas Shopping

2.  Granville Williams Orchestra - Santa Claus is Ska-ing to Town

3.  The Wailers - Sound the Trumpet

4.  The Maytals - Christmas Feeling

5.  Silent Choir - Silent Night

6.  Horace Andy - Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

7.  Don Cornel & The Eternals - Christmas Joy

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the start of Week 9!

ENJOY!

Day 56 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Don Cornel & The Eternals - Christmas Joy

Track 56 of the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge... and it's another fantastic reggae Christmas song... Don Cornel & The Eternals with a little tune called "Christmas Joy," produced by Harry Mudie and released on his Moodisc label in 1970.  Don Cornel would go on to achieve further success using the name Cornell Campbell, and this holiday tune beautifully showcases his trademark sweet falsetto.  Of course my opinion may be a little biased because Cornell Campbell just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite Jamaican vocalists.

 

Day 55 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Horace Andy - Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem

Merry Christmas!  Keeping it short and sweet today due to the fact that I've got a lot of eating, drinking and relaxing to get done... at least before I unfortunately need to leave for work.  But let's get to the 55th track in the 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge and it is my favorite Jamaican Christmas song of them all!  Horace Andy gives us his rendition of "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem," taken from the 1979 various artists compilation called The Joe Gibbs Family Wish You a Merry Rockers Christmas on the Joe Gibbs label.  In my opinion, Mr. Andy gives us one of the most heartfelt and genuine deliveries of this classic Christmas carol ever recorded regardless of genre!  Lots of love to each and every one!

 

Day 54 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Silent Choir - Silent Night

Wow, this month has been flying by... I'm finding it hard to believe that we've already arrived at Christmas Eve and today's tune couldn't be more timely and appropriate... Silent Choir gives us "Silent Night" which was released on the UK-based Magnet label in 1973.  While traditional renditions of Silent Night undoubtedly remain the most pious and reflective of all the Christmas carol, the addition of a reggae beat elevates the mood significantly... that coupled with a lively verse or two of Jingle Bells doesn't hurt things either.  Merry Christmas everyone! 

 

Day 53 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - The Maytals - Christmas Feeling

Day 53 of 365... some more ska!  From 1964 and again from Coxsone Dodd's Studio One, we have another upbeat "feel good" Christmas tune!  This one is by The Maytals and it's called "Christmas Feelings," and it comes from a 2002 Heartbeat Records compilation of Studio One Christmas songs called appropriately Christmas Greetings From Studio One!