Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Day 88 of 365 Day Jamaican Music Challenge - Theo Beckford - Mr. Down Presser

Pianist Theophilus Beckford, born 1935, was one of the pioneers of Jamaican music who helped bridge the gap between rhythm and blues and ska.  Starting out in mento by working as a session musician for producer Stanley Motta and his MRS label.  In 1956 he recorded "Easy Snappin'," which many consider to be one of the first forerunners of ska for Coxsone Dodd which was eventually released in 1959 and spent 18 months at the number one spot on the Jamaican music charts! In 1962, right before the onset of the ska era, Beckford released the song "Mr. Down Presser" on his own King Pioneer label and damn is it sweet!


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