Sunday, September 29, 2013

Are you ready?! The gory details...


Ah, so it's you again, dear readers!  You have undoubtedly returned to my humble spot on the web, Distinctly Spooky Jamaican Sounds, to see what spicy morsels I have prepared for this month-long celebration of all things that go bump in the night... despair not my friends, you will not be disappointed!

This is the eighth year for the Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular and I couldn't be more delighted to be teetering on the edge ready to take another plunge!  For those who are returning for yet another October, welcome back!  I'm sure you will be pleased with the end results of the new Spooktacular!  And for those of you venturing into the dank dungeon of spooky Jamaican music for the first time, I bid you a warm welcome.

I started this little foray into exploring the dark underbelly of this music which is often equated as being relaxed and mellow to prove a point years ago... the point is simple...  Jamaican music, in all its incantations (mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, dancehall, etc.) is just as multifaceted as any other genre of music and is more than capable of touching on subject matter far removed from the stereotypical themes that one usually associates with these songs and the artists that perform them.  This goal, coupled with my love of Halloween and for all things scary, created this project eight long years ago and I haven't stopped digging for spooky tunes since.  The countless hours I spend searching for obscure and dark Jamaican songs is an obsession that keeps me busy year-round and it has definitely become more than just a project it has become a true labor of love.  Plain and simple, I love Jamaican music and Halloween with every ounce of my being and I hope that my adoration and respect shows.

But enough about that, here's how this works... I post a new downloadable track each weekday during the month of October complete with a write-up and customized pre-code horror comic book cover graphics (thanks again to my buddy Roger Wilkerson)... you simply download the tracks, assemble them in order on your device of choice and they will combine to create a continuous mix of eerie Jamaican tunes resplendent with creepy sound effects, b-movie radio trailers, snippets from vintage Halloween records and recordings, etc. running throughout.  It's that simple!

So starting Tuesday, at midnight no less, we begin 2013's Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular!  I hope you'll return every weekday this October and most importantly enjoy the time you spend in the moldy, festering crypt that is Distinctly Spooky Jamaican Sounds!  Let the festivities begin!  Mwuhahahahahahaha!

Friday, September 13, 2013

R.I.P. Prince Jazzbo - 1951-2013

I just heard of the passing of Prince Jazzbo this morning and I felt as if I wanted to step-up and pay tribute to a truly great DJ. 

Prince Jazzbo, born Linval Roy Carter, September 3, 1951 in Clarendon Jamaica, got his start recording for Coxsone Dodd's Studio One in the early 1970s.  He went on to record for other producers, including Lee "Scratch" Perry and eventually started his own label Ujama.  I posted years ago about the duel he had going with fellow toaster I-Roy in the mid 70s and it is one of my favorite chapters of reggae's history.  But I'm not going to go into that today...  I'm keeping the bio short and sweet because I know there are a lot more reputable sources for factual information and I wanted to keep this mix somewhat timely.

I put together a mix of some of my favorite Prince Jazzbo tunes and it was the best way I could pay tribute to a man whose music I've always enjoyed and admired.  Give it a listen!

What you'll hear...

1.  Mr. Funny Man (Brisco 7")
2.  Natty Passing Through Rome (Ital Corner LP - Clocktower)
3.  Crab Walking  (Studio One 12" Discomix)
4.  Penny Reel (The Upsetter Selection CD - Trojan)
5.  Imperial I (Pepper Rock LP - Studio One)
6.  Donkey (Get Tonight Brother LP - Clocktower)
7.  I And I (Kick Boy Face LP - Third World)
8.  Weakheart Drop Dead (Reggae's Fire & Water LP - Clocktower)
9.  Pepper Rock (Pepper Rock LP - Studio One)
10.  Mr. Harry Skank (Dubble Attack LP - Greensleeves)
11.  Fool For Love (Choice Of Version LP - Studio One)
12.  Wood & Stone (Step Forward Youth LP - Live & Love)
13.  Apollo 16 (Pepper Rock LP - Studio One)
14.  Gal Boy I Roy (If Deejay Was Your Trade CD - Blood & Fire)
15.  I Bust In The Name of Jah (Step Forward Youth LP - Live & Love)

R.I.P. Prince Jazzbo