The Spooktacular 2010 Will Live!

Gonna give this Halloween thingee one more spin... and ain't that a cool spooky reggae label?

I must have killed her with the Spooktacular I had in the works. This is not good...

Down In A Tenement Yard

What new can be said for living life in poverty that can't already be discerned from the lyrics of decades worth of reggae music? The epitome of desperation... of suffering... of misery... of persecution is precisely illustrated to me in the roots and rockers music of the mid to late 7o's. As an outsider, I will never know what it's like to really suffer but this music provides me with a peak at what a hard life must really be like.

It's the odd juxtaposition that really draws me to this sub-genre... the rhythms are harder edged and usually "spaced-out" with lots of echo and effects but they still provide a positive energy and a structural foundation for the serious, and oftentimes downright heartrending lyrics. The instrumentation; flying cymbals, pounding basslines and driving tempos, shine through and add the positive spark that keeps this music from becoming dire and downbeat expressions of hopelessness. There is an optimistic energy here that allows the listener to feel that there is love, there is unity and most importantly there is hope.

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

Dennis Brown starts it off with the song "Tenement Yard" and it's taken from a 2003 various artists CD called Jah Love Rockers (Revolutionary Sounds From The Rockers And Steppers Era) on the Trojan label. It is quickly followed up with the DJ Ranking Buckers and his tune on the same riddim called "Kill Landlord."

Lightening up the mood after those deadly lyrics is Dillinger with "Out De Light," a 7" on the Jamaica Sound label circa '78.

Trinity is up next with his 1977 tune "Natty On De Banking" and it's taken from a 12" on the Caribbean label, it's followed by the B-side version that really kicks ass, if you'll excuse my language.

Errol Dunkley & I-Roy give us "Created By The Father" a 12" circa 1977 on the Love label.

Augustus Pablo's "Jah Dread" from his 1979 Greensleeves album Original Rockers is mixed up with Jacob Miller's "Who Say Jah No Dread" from the 1992 Greensleeves release of the same name, containing music from 1974-1975.

One of my favorites is up next... Sylford Walker gives us the wicked Deuteronomy from the Blood & Fire Lamb's Bread International release from 2000, which was originally recorded in 1977-78, and I've mixed it up with Welton Irie's "Black Man Get Up Tan Up Pon Foot" from the same CD. King Tubby wraps up with a fantastic driving dub version... crank it up to 11!

Big Joe follows it up with a tune called "Woodcutter Skank" from a 1975 various artists LP on the Cactus label called Quad Star Revolution.

Cornell Campbell's "The Gorgon Speaks" is next and I've mixed it up with the version. It comes from another fantastic 2000 Blood & Fire CD called I Shall Not Remove which compiles a lot of great material from 1975-1980.

We follow up Cornell with Jah Stitch and the tune called "Strictly Rockers" and it has been lifted from a 1976 various artists LP on the Live & Love label called Strictly Rockers In A Dread Land.

The Voice Of Thunder, Prince Far I, gives us the next track. It's called "Same Knife" and it's a 7" on the Crazy Joe label... and it's mixed with "Different Dagger" the version from the B-side.

Another favorite... Johnny Clarke's "Do You Love Me?" from the Pressure Sounds various artists CD release from 2009 Once Upon A Time At King Tubby's mixed up with Tubby's version.

Taking a trip to the Black Ark we've got the Cool Ruler Gregory Isaacs and one of his best known persecution tunes, "Mr. Cop." It is available on lots of greatest hits albums and CDs and I took this one from the Trojan's 2003 Cool Ruler (The Definitive Collection).

Sticking with the Ark for another tune... Winston Heywood & The Hombres give us "Backbiting" from the Pressure Sounds 1998 CD Produced And Directed By The Upsetter.

Prince Jazzbo follows it up with "Prophet Live" from the Clocktower LP called Ital Corner is mixed up with "Prophet Dub - Satta" originally released in 1976 on the album Natty Passing Thru on the Black Wax label.

Big Youth gives us a wicked tune called "Dread Inna Babylon" from the Heartbeat release from 1982 called The Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style... it's the only foray into the 80's but Jah Youth always has this timeless sound anyway. The "Dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeead" call at the beginning is absolutely wicked!

Junior Byles is up next with "Weeping" and its version of course... this is off the Trojan various artists CD Down In A Tenement Yard (Sufferation & Love In The Ghetto) from 2007. I highly recommend this CD - some real nice music from '73-'80 all in one convenient package.

Linval Thompson gives us the title track to the 2000 Bunny Lee produced Blood & Fire CD Ride On Dreadlocks. This one also comes highly recommended... fantastic!

Sticking with the King Tubby groove we've got goin' on, Tappa Zukie and his tune "Jah Is I Guiding Star" from yet another Blood & Fire release. This one is from the '94 release If Deejay Was Your Trade.

"Girl I Love You" by the man Horace Andy is bringing up the rear in this mix. I was going to use my Well Charge 7" but it has an annoying hiss that I can't overcome. I actually went back and remixed this tune because it really stood out... and not in a positive way. This version, which contains a lot more reverb than the vinyl mix, is from the VP compilation CD set called Channel One Story Chapter Two.

We wrap it up with King Tubby and "Hijack The Barber" and it comes from the 1974 Total Sounds LP Dub From The Roots.

Down In A Tenement Yard

Lincoln "Sugar" Minott 1956-2010

I just read the sad news about his passing... and instead of wasting a lot of time writing up a biography that no one will bother to read when scrolling to the download links, I'll just be a "Mr. Cut-and-Paste Google Boy" and post what I read in the Jamaica Observer this morning, Friday the 16th, a week after his passing. But I figured, instead of hiding behind the fact that I didn't have the breaking news first I decided to create a tribute to the man and his music. So, to the asshole who posted the rude comment, I've got some advise... instead of criticizing me for copying and pasting why not spend some time creating a tribute of you own. But really... if you're coming here for the latest news in reggae music you're on the wrong blog, this ain't fuckin' CNN! Better late than never I say... respect due to Sugar Minott! Now back to our regularly scheduled programming!

"Foundation reggae and dancehall artiste, Lincoln 'Sugar' Minott passed away Saturday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew.

According to Peter Burke, a close associate of the singer, Sugar Minott had complained of feeling ill on Saturday and was taken to the hospital where he died at minutes after 10 pm. "Sugar had a heart condition and it was about a year and a half ago that he got the first scare. He was in Canada at the time and I was with him. But as soon as the flutters subsided, Sugar was back to being his old self. That is just how he is," Burke told the Observer.

"This is just so sudden and unexpected. Sugar Minott has made a major contribution to the music business ... he was truly an icon and I am going to miss him tremendously," Burke said,

Sugar Minott, who was born Lincoln Barrington Minott on May 25, 1956, earned for himself the moniker Godfather of Dancehall. He is credited with being the pioneer, who, by laying vocal tracks over the original tapes from the '60's, rather than using a live band -- as was the norm in those days -- caused a revolution in the sound that brought a new style to Reggae music known as dancehall.

A prolific songwriter and singer, Sugar Minott is has over 60 albums and is known for such anthems as Herbsman Hustling, Mr DC, House is not a Home, No Vacancy, Good Thing Going and Never Gonna Give Up Jah.

The veteran singer also distinguished himself as a talent scout/producer and early on in his career established his Black Roots label, which led to the creation of a sound system and a company, Youthman Promotions, to give young artistes a "buss". Artistes such as Little John, Triston Palmer, Barry Brown, Tony Tuff, Junior Reid, Yami Bolo, Don Angelo, Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Garnet Silk who did his first recording for the Black Roots label, Tony Rebel, Colorman, Daddy Freddie, Johnny Osbourne, Steve "Shalom" Harper are among those who passed through Youthman Promotions.

On hearing of his passing, singers Freddie McGregor, Johnny Osbourne and Leroy Sibbles reportedly volunteered to do a spontaneous tribute at the Rose Garden in Brooklyn New York, where Sugar was scheduled to perform last night. Minott also reportedly had gigs in California later this week including the popular Reggae on the River on July 18.

The Reggae music fraternity has been rocked by a number of deaths in recent months. Minott's death follows on the heels of IRIE FM founder Karl Young and Voicemail member O'Neil Edwards."

What you're going to hear...

1. Change Your Ways - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
2. Careless Ethiopians - The Roots Lover: 1978-1983 Compilation - Moll-Selekta CD
3. Walking Through The Ghetto - Down In A Tenement Yard Compilation - Trojan CD
4. Feel The Rydim - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.1 - North Parade CD
5. Cell Block One - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.4 - North Parade CD
6. Herbman Hustling - Herbman Hustling - Heartbeat LP
7. Hang On Natty - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
8. Sandy - The Roots Lover: 1978-1983 Compilation - Moll-Selekta CD
9. Buy Out The Bar - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.2 - North Parade CD
10. Sprinter Stayer - Strictly The Best Vol.12 - VP CD
11. Jam In The Streets - 1985 Master Mega Hits - Jammy's LP
12. Come On Home - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
13. Never Too Young - Trojan Lovers Rock Boxset - Trojan CD
14. A House Is Not A Home - Gumari 1 12"
15. Dance Hall Style - The Roots Lover: 1978-1983 Compilation - Moll-Selekta CD
16. Have You Ever Found A Love - Sufferer's Choice - Heartbeat LP
17. Ghetto-ology - Down In A Tenement Yard Compilation - Trojan CD
18. Give Me Jah Jah - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
19. Come Back Baby - Dancehall Showcase Vol.2 - Black Roots LP
20. Hold On - The Roots Lover: 1978-1983 Compilation - Moll-Selekta CD
21. Leave Dreadlocks Business - Sweeter Than Sugar - Sonic Sounds LP
22. Dancehall We Deh - Roots Dancehall Party - Silver Camel CD
23. Jah Jah Rule - Stalag 17, 18 & 19 - Techniques LP
24. Get It All Over - Sweeter Than Sugar - Sonic Sounds LP
25. In This Time - Rockers Vibration - Dread At The Controls LP
26. Jahovia - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
27. No Vacancy - The Roots Lover: 1978-1983 Compilation - Moll-Selekta CD
28. Devil Pickney - Taxi 7"
29. Uptown Girl - Bebo's Music 12"
30. Not For Sale - King Jammy's At Channel One - Jamaican Recordings CD
31. Stop Fight Rasta - Sweeter Than Sugar - Sonic Sounds LP
32. Too Much Backbiting - When The Dances Were Changing - Pressure Sounds CD
33. Playing Rub A Dub - Waterhouse Revisited - Hightone CD
34. Nah Follow Fashion - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.3 - North Parade CD
35. A True - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.2 - North Parade CD
36. Chatty Chatty Mouth - Power House Selector's Choice Vol.3 - North Parade CD
37. Dance Hall Business - Herbman Hustling - Heartbeat LP
38. Rosabelle - Sweeter Than Sugar - Sonic Sounds LP
39. Vanity - At Studio One - Soul Jazz LP
40. Oh Mr. D.C. - Best Of Studio One - Heartbeat CD

RIP Sugar Minott

I noticed that Garageband has a new option to compress files... and I'm not happy with the way it turned out. I'll repost a hi-fi version of the mix on Monday...

Have a great weekend,

Mr. Cut and Paste Google Boy

UPDATED FINALLY! THE BETTER SOUNDING VERSION!

Dusting off the vinyl...

Okay, I know technically Distinctly Jamaican Sounds has been closed for nearly seven months and aside from my mentioning of the passing of Yabby You I haven't done anything... now after a few months I have decided it feels like the right time to start dabbling again and I present for you a mix I just completed on my new version of Garageband. It's a rub-a-dub mix (imagine that??) with lots of new records that I've accumulated over the past year and some that have been sitting on the shelves collecting dust. Consider it my summer gift to you and possibly a sign of good things to come.

I've split the mix into 2 parts for easier uploading and quicker downloading...

Rub-A-Dub Mix A

1. Sammy Dread & Saddle Dread - Follow Fashion - Greensleeves 12"
2. Linval Thompson - Curfew - Jah Guidance 12"
3. Ranking Dread - Love A Dub - Greensleeves 12"
4. David Isaacs - Just Like A Sea - Steppers 7"
5. Jah Thomas - Pauline - Steppers 7"
6. Barrington Levy - In This Time - Jah Guidance 7"
7. Yellowman & Fathead - No Mention - Just Cool - Jah Guidance LP
8. Don Carlos - Just A Dread (AKA Rub A Dub Queen) - Roots & Culture - Jah Guidance LP
9. Wailing Souls - Diamond & Pearl - Greensleeves 12"
10. Gregory Isaacs - Can't Give You My Love Alone - African Museum 7"
11. Welton Irie - Come Nurse - Black & White 7"
12. Purpleman - In Heaven There Is No Beer - Hit Bound 10"

Rub-A-Dub Mix B

1. Dennis Walks - Fisherman - Music Masters 12"
2. Cornell Campbell & Raymond Napthali - Love Trap - Shuttle 12"
3. Michigan & Smiley - One Love Jamdown - Tuff Gong 7"
4. Toyan - Yard Stylee - Wittys 12"
5. Yellowman - Belly Move - Wittys 12"
6. Michael Prophet - Give I A Try - Certify - Burning Sounds LP
7. Leroy Smart - Sugar In My Coffee - Let Everyman Survive - Jamaican Gold CD
8. Jah Thomas - Working Hard For A Dollar - Vibes & Vibes 12"
9. Ranking Fish Eye - Love In The Arena - Reggae Connection 7"
10. Roland Burrell - Johnny Dollar - Tanka 12"

RIP Vivian "Yabby You" Jackson (1946-2010)

The 2009 Jamaican Christmas Mix - Merry Christmas!

Here it is, the 2009 Jamaican Christmas Mix! It has been a race against time getting this done in time for Christmas this year but I've pulled it off! Here's what you're going to hear...

We start it off with the man Triston Palma and the tune called "Christmas Jamboree." It's one of the few songs that I could actually get to play off the temperamental Merry Christmas From Black Roots LP that I griped about in November! A nice tune and I mixed in a bit of the version by Dickie Roots called "Christmas Rock."

Roman Stewart is up next with a wicked little number called "Christmas Affair" and it comes directly from good ol' 7" Jamaican vinyl on the Well Charge label. I love this tune!

We step back in time for a little ska number by Frank Cosmo called "Greeting From Beverley's" from 1963. It's taken from the Trojan Christmas CD boxset and it is definitely festive!

Next up is the DJ General Trees and his warning to children everywhere... "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" a 7" from 1985 on Maurice Johnson's Black Scorpio label. A smooth tune that I think you'll dig!

Jackie Edward gives us his interpretation of Irving Berlin's classic "White Christmas" and it comes from the various artists Christmas compilation CD called The Meaning Of Christmas released on the Jetstar imprint. A nice mellow vibe here and the sax work by Ossie Scott is fantastic!

The next song in the mix is by the DJ Shorty The President and it comes from his 1976 LP on the Cactus label called Presenting. The tune is called "Christmas Fair."

Norman T. Washington is up next with the tune "It's Christmas Time Again," from a 1970 7" on the Gas label.

Colin Roach and Anthony Malvo liven it up next with their tune "Merry Christmas" and it's taken off the 1989 King Jammy's Christmas Party LP on the Jammy's label.

The sweet voiced, June "J.C." Lodge gives us a reggae version of the classic Christmas carol "Joy To The World." It's from the 1984 RAS Records Presents A Reggae Christmas LP and has always been, in my opinion, one of the strongest tunes on the album.

Lloyd Seivright gives us his interpretation of the song "Mary's Boy Child" originally recorded and released in 1956 by Harry Belafonte. It is borrowed from the 2005 Pulse Records CD The Reggae Christmas Collection.

Massive respect to Bunnycounta for the next tune! "Christmas Season" by the DJ Lui Lepke and taken from his copy of the Merry Christmas From Black Roots LP, amazingly his copy plays through the tune without skipping and jumping 1000 times!! This is a nice rub-a-dub tune and I hope you like it. I've developed a love/hate relationship with this song... I love the song but the aggravation from trying to get it to play has kinda spoiled my appreciation.

Winston Francis, sounding a lot like Nat King Cole, with the twelfth song in the mix called "Here Comes Santa" and it comes from the aforementioned Reggae Christmas Collection on Pulse.

Verna Lee Powell is up next with a tune called "He Is My Santa Claus" and it's from a 7" on the Jama label... one of those tunes that grows on you the more you hear it. I ripped this record, put in the mix, removed it twice and finally just decided to put it back in. I'm glad I did!

Sandra Robinson and Lee "Scratch" Perry give us the song "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year" taken from the Trojan Christmas boxset mentioned above. This is a nice tune, kinda reminds me of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home For Christmas" because it deals with a relationship in trouble that's hoping to use the joyous time time of year to make amends.

The man Ringo drops his tune "Never Forget Christmas" and it comes from the 1970's era Dobby Dobson LP Sweet Christmas on the Top Ranking label. It's odd, I love the Ringo tunes on this album but Dobby's stuff is virtually unlistenable and he gets the star billing... go figure.

The late great (sadly, he just passed away in April of this year) Sonny Bradshaw, the dean of Jamaican music, is up next with a real rockin' take on "Little Drummer Boy" and it is awesome! It's actually called "Peace And Love" and is also from the Trojan boxset.

Barry Brown gives us his tune "Christmas Christmas" and it comes from a 1982 7" on the Hitbound label. Wicked Rub-a-dub Christmas stylee here!!

The man named Anthony Selassie is up next with the tune "Rub A Dub Christmas" from a 1989 LP called Youth Promotion Christmas Jamboree on the Youth Promotion label. A nice digital tune that kinda goes along with the Barry Brown song that preceded it.

Sliding back a few years for the next couple tunes... Hopeton & Primo give us "Peace On Earth" a wicked organ driven early reggae number and it's from the 2001 Trojan CD called Reggae Christmas - 21 Christmas Classic...Jamaican Style.

Taking a step to Studio One with the twentieth song in this year's mix... Tennessee Brown And The Silvertones give us their take of "Jingle Bells." It comes from the 1992 Heartbeat release Reggae Christmas From Studio One CD. Very Calypso styled and extremely festive!

Don Cornel (AKA Cornell Campbell) and the Eternals are up next with the song "Christmas Joy." It comes from a 7" on Harry Mudie's Moodisc label and to be completely honest, it is my favorite song in the entire mix. I hope you dig this one as much as I do.

Gettin' a little cheesy here with the next tune, The Gable School Choir's "Reggae Christmas" is up in the mix. I don't know why but I have always loved this song and I always get a little tear in my eye when the kids hit that final "Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearrrrrrr." But that's just me. :)

Neville Willoughby, longtime Jamaican broadcaster and journalist, with a little help from Clark Griswold is up with "Christmas In JA" and it comes from the Reggae Christmas CD on Trojan mentioned above. A nice tune if you don't mind a little whistlin'!

A nice dubby instrumental called "Christmas Rush" by producer Rupie Edwards is bringing up the rear. It comes from a various artists CD called "Let There Be Version"

Finally, we wrap it all up with a mash-up of all things... the Roots Radics meet Karen Carpenter, of all people, and it's absolutely wicked! It's from producer/DJ Mark Vidler and it has been a favorite of mine since he introduced it a couple years back. A nice upbeat way to wrap it all up.

Hope everyone enjoys the mix and has time to enjoy it! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

The Complete 2009 Jamaican Christmas Mix

The Ghosts Of Christmas Past...

Here are the Jamaican Christmas Mixes from years past... download these and the 2009 mix and you'll have 100 songs and close to 6 hours of Christmas music inna JA style!

The Complete Jamaican Christmas Mix 2006

The Complete Jamaican Christmas Mix 2007

The Complete Jamaican Christmas Mix 2008

A Christmas Miracle!! Thanks Bunnycounta!

The 2009 Jamaican Christmas mix rises from the ashes of annoyance! Thanks again goes to Bunnycounta for providing me with the two tracks I had my heart set on to use from the Merry Christmas From Black Roots LP and thanks to the US Postal service which delivered 5 more Christmas 45s this afternoon! Let the mixing begin! I'll post the mix as soon as I get it finished!

I'm putting together the music for the Christmas Mix and I have hit a huge roadblock that jeopardizes the entire project... over the summer I bought a copy of the Merry Christmas From Black Roots LP hoping to utilize a song by Lui Lepke called "Christmas Season" and Sugar Minott's "While Shepherds Watch" - the first 2 songs on the A-side and I can't get the, if you'll excuse my language for a moment, fucking record to play without jumping and skipping all over the fucking place!!! I've tried all the techniques... weighted down the cartridge with quarters and nickels, adjusted weight on the tone arm, etc. but it will not play! DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS RECORD AND WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE ME WITH A CLEAN, JUMP-FREE RIP OF THE FIRST TWO SONGS ON THE A-SIDE? I don't usually use the blog to request things from the readers but I'm ripping my hair out trying to get these two songs and I'm so pissed off right now I feel like shit-canning the whole thing!

Distinctly Jamaican Sounds 2004-2009

When I originally starting doing these mixes I had hopes that those unfamiliar with Jamaican music would grow tired of hearing Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash" 200 times in October and would give it a try. I was kinda torn because I felt like I was taking a music genre that means so much to me and cheapening it up by catering to "outsiders" by adding elements completely foreign and possibly strange to those "in the know."

But as the years have gone by I have realized that by doing these Spooktaculars I am in fact doing what I originally started this blog to accomplish. I wanted to show to everyone that Jamaican music is not all the same sounding, one-sided music only discussing topics of oppression and struggle that only appeals to a select few. It is a vibrant well-rounded complex musical genre capable of discussing anything and everything! Bob Marley may be well known by casual reggae fans for "Jammin'" and "3 Little Birds" but I think I have shown that he was just as capable of talking about conquering duppies or retelling the tale of Mr. Brown and the crows riding on his coffin.

I hope I have inspired discovery. I hope I have inspired re-discovery. I hope I have entertained and most of all I hope I have educated. Its been a good run and I'll miss Distinctly Jamaican Sounds but I'll leave here feeling like I've accomplished my mission.

Best Wishes and One Love Always,
John

I think I have finally figured out what my intentions are with DJS... read the comment I left below.

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Twenty Two - Captain Barkey's "Vampire"

Here we are at the final tune and what a long trip it has been! I hope you've been enjoying what you've been hearing and I hope this last song doesn't disappoint. It's another dancehall tune and it comes from the man Captain Barkey and it comes from a 12" on the Joe Frasier label... it's called appropriately "Vampire."

I originally heard this song inside the mix LP released by VP in 1996 called Cool Ragga Mix and had tried for years to locate a copy of Barkey's tune in its entirety. Last year I eventually came across the 12" online and I wouldn't say I overpaid for it but it wasn't exactly dirt cheap... a week after I received it I did a search on Ernie B's Reggae and came across the same single for $.89!! Ugh, it made me sick!

Regardless, I was happy to finally put it in the collection and I'm happy to share it with everyone... besides my expensive copy sounds better than one that costs under a dollar! :)

Well, I guess that means we've got nothing left but the "Big Night." It has been a great month and I've enjoyed presenting this mix to those who have shown their appreciation for what I do here. Enjoy!

Spooktacular Track Twenty Two

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Twenty One - Sancho's "Chase Vampire"

We're dropping the second to last tune in the 2009 Spooktacular inna dancehall style!

And we've got a kick-ass tune by the man Sancho... an artist who as far as I know only had this one hit. Supposedly this riddim, Chase Vampire, was originally created by an unknown producer named Antonio Gilbert and it was versioned by bigger names such as Donovan Germain, King Jammy and Black Scorpio but I can't find any definitive proof to confirm or deny such rumors.

This is a fantastic Halloween/Duppy dancehall tune! Not only does Sancho go on to describe a frightening late night encounter but he rambles off names of some real horror favorites such as Barnabas Collins, Herman Munster, Frankenstein, Werewolf and Dracula.

It comes to us from a 12" on the Ikus label and I'm hoping that you dig this one as much as I do because I've been holding back on using this tune for a couple years now!

I really put a lot of effort into the backing sound effects, it's subtle but extremely involved and I was half tempted just to post the "tapestry" of effects so you could play it at loud volume on Halloween night and scare the trick or treaters.

Spooktacular Track Twenty One

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Twenty - Roland Alphonso's "Devils Disciple"

Roland Alphonso & The Bunny Lee Allstars are up next in the Spooktacular with a tune called "Devils Disciple" taken from the Black Magic Reggae CD set on the Sanctuary label.

Roland Alphonso (born January 12, 1931, Havana, Cuba) moved to Jamaica at the age of 2 and started out in the music business in 1948 when he left school to join Eric Dean's Orchestra and first started recording for Stanley Motta's MRS label in 1952 during the heyday of mento music. He went on to record for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1956 but sadly the master tapes were lost and never made it to mastering. In 1959 he joined up with Cluett Johnson and his band Clue J and His Blues Blasters all while recording for producers such as Duke Reid, Lloyd Daley and King Edwards, playing alto, tenor and baritone sax as well as the occasional flute. He went on to become a founding member of the legendary Skatalites, the first session band at Coxsone's newly opened Studio One studio in 1963.

When the Skatalites disbanded in 1965, Alphonso formed his own band The Soul Brothers with Dizzy Moore and Jackie Mittoo and who would later become known as The Soul Vendors in 1967. He continued working throughout the 60's and 70's and received official recognition for his contributions to music in 1977 when Jamaica awarded him the Officer Of The Order Of Distinction.

Amazingly Roland Alphonso continued to record throughout the 80's and the 90's until his death on November 20, 1998.

Spooktacular Track Twenty

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Nineteen - Massive Dread's "Vamps On The Corner"

Tune nineteen comes from the man Massive Dread and it's a song called "Vamps On The Corner" taken from his 1982 album Strictly...Bubbling on the Wailing Souls' own Up Front Organization label.

Massive Dread (born Dennis James, 1960, Trenchtown, Jamaica) started recording in the late 70's for Tappa Zukie and gained notoriety in the 80's while touring with, of all people, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires. To quote from Wikipedia...

"He introduced the "bubbling" style of delivery, which was well received by audiences at events such as Reggae Sunsplash and his album Strictly...Bubbling (produced by Tommy Cowan's wife Velerie) capitalized on his popularity, including Jamaican chart-toppers such as "This Is Massive."

Enjoy!

Spooktacular Track Nineteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Eighteen - Dub Connection's "Jamaican Hammer Horror"

Back again for more? Well... I've got five more tunes to wrap-up the 2009 Spooktacular and I hope you'll stick with me!

We're jumping back in with a song called "Jamaican Hammer Horror" from the 1982 album called DC Dub Connection on the Tele-Tech label. This album contains work from a veritable who's who of dub and I would assume the Dub Connection name is easier than listing all those involved as the primary artists. That being said, the two key players here are Scientist and Prince Jammy... with recording engineering by Perry, recording at both the Black Ark and King Tubby's and the mixing being done at Tubby's. The musician roster includes... Mikey Boo Richards, Sly Dunbar, Horsemouth Wallace, Bertram Ranchie McLean, Leroy Sibbles, Lloyd Parks, Flabba Holt, Boris Gardiner, Bingy Bunny, Ronnie Bop, Bo Peep, Eric Flater, Willie Lindo, Ansel Collins, Winston Wright, Keith Sterling, David Madden, Bobby Ellis, Headley Bennett, Glen Da Costa, Vin Gordon, Uziah Sticky Thompson and Skully! A dream line-up! It was produced by the man Earl Morgan.

But let's get to the song, "Jamaican Hammer Horror." If you are familiar with horror films you know the name Hammer Studios. If you're not than you ought to be ashamed of yourself! To be honest with you I'd always been familiar with their films and wasn't a real fan until earlier this year. I started off watching their Dracula films starring Christopher Lee and usually served with a helping of Peter Cushing and I got hooked.

Now it would have been easy for me to take one of Hammer's better known productions of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, etc. and mix it in with the Jamaican flavor but I decided to go a little more obscure.

As the photo at the top of this posting suggests, I went with The Reptile... one of my favorites. Now here's where I slip into my Robert Graves/Turner Classic Movies host persona... An efficient chiller from Hammer, absorbing and atmospheric and directed by John Gilling. Featuring a cast of Noel Willman, Jennifer Daniel and Ray Barrett... from 1966... The Reptile Meets The DC Dub Connection Inna Jamaican Hammer Horror Fashion. Enjoy!

Spooktacular Track Eighteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Seventeen - Levi Williams' "Duppy Jamboree"

Last year I gave you a cover of "Duppy Jamboree" by the man Flip Kay and this year I give you the original hit by Levi Williams!

This comes from a 1974 7" on the Mighty Cloud label produced by George McLean and backed by a studio band who called themselves the Mighty Cloud Band.

Interestingly enough the veteran reggae singer Al Campbell was a one time member of the "Mighty Cloud Band." I found an interview online with Campbell on the website Reggae-vibes.com and this is what he said about Duppy Jamboree...

"Q: What about the bands you used to play with in the seventies, like the Mighty Cloud Band for instance?

A: Yeah, me used to play with Mighty Cloud, me an' Ernest Wilson's bredda, Leonard Wilson.

Q: And the leader for that band was George McLean, also known as Bobby Mack.

A: Yeah. George McLean, 'Bobby Mack', yeh. Me used to sing with the band, vocalist, an' one day we're going to the studio an' I was always bangin' the piano. So when I going to the studio in the morning now, the keyboard player never turn up. So when the keyboard player never turn up, them call me an' seh, "Al, come here. All the while I hear yu bangin' the piano, come now an' ting, see if yu can hold this riddim ya for me". So me say, "Well, me is a one-hand player, yunno, me cyaan play with two hand". So him seh all right. So, him show me the key an' how the intro start an' the firs' song whe we play is a tune like 'If yu waan hear the duppy laugh, come a riverside Sunday morning...'. And the song was a number one in a Jamaica for weeks!

Q: That was this guy called Levi Williams.

A: Yeah."

Spooktacular Track Seventeen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Sixteen - King Horror's "Frankenstein"

Much to our delight, Laurel Aitken assumes his evil alter ego King Horror once again and this time channels Frankenstein.

If you've been following the Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular over the last four years you'll know that the King Horror tunes are some of the best! In years past he's given us his screaming tribute to the "Loch Ness Monster," his foreboding warning from the undead "Dracula Prince Of Darkness" and now his honor to the sinister laboratory created Frankenstein monster!

God, do I wish he had recorded more! All three songs mentioned are fantastic early reggae tunes in a late night horror host stylee and as an added bonus don't require much embellishment to get their point across.

What we're going to hear today is taken from a 1969 7" on the Nu Beat label and is definitely my favorite track in this years Spooktacular! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

If I was Count Dracula I'd sure hate to meet King Horror's Frankenstein in a dark alley... judging by the delivery and intensity of this tune he's gotta serious ass kickin' comin' his way!

Spooktacular Track Sixteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Fifteen - The Revolutionaries' "Rigor Mortis"

rigor mor·tis (rig ər môr tis; occas. rī' gôr)

the progressive stiffening of the muscles that occurs several hours after death as a result of the coagulation of the muscle protein

The tune for today has a name in common with the morbid definition above and that's where the similarities end. This is an upbeat dub tune by the Revolutionaries from the 1978 Ballistic LP called Rasta Fire (A Channel One Experience) featuring the DJ Errol Scorcher on 8 tunes and the Revolutionaries doing their thing on the following 4 tracks. You're gonna wanna get up and move, stiffness ain't what this tune's about! An excellent early rub-a-dub Joseph Hoo Kim production from the legendary Channel One!

The intro was taken from the trailer of the 1973 Bob Clark (of Porky's and Christmas Story fame) cult classic "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things." One of my favorite low budget horror films and one that is actually succeeds in being scary in parts... must see low brow viewing for Halloween!

Spooktacular Track Fifteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Fourteen - Boris Gardiner's "Darkness"

Today's tune "Darkness" comes from Boris Gardiner And The Love People and is taken from the crucial 2006 double CD set of "duppy tunes" called Black Magic Reggae on the Castle Pulse label.

Boris Gardiner (born January 13, 1943, Kingston, Jamaica) aside from having an appropriate Halloween sounding name, is a singer, songwriter and bassist started out in the music biz in the 1960's touring with Carlos Malcolm And The Afro Caribs and Byron Lee And The Dragonaires. Later in the decade he became a session musician for The Upsetters, The Crystalites and the Aggrovators.

His first album Reggae Happening was released in 1970 and achieved moderate success by selling relatively well in England. But in 1986 Boris Gardiner had real chart success when the tune "I Want To Wake Up With You," went to number one on the UK charts and remained there for nearly two months!

Boris is straying away from the lovey dovey today and getting a little spooky with this organ driven tune that goes well with the 1950's "spook show"radio ad. Kinda like it was meant to be there!

Spooktacular Track Fourteen

The Spooktaculars From Halloweens Past

Hello all! I've had a lot of requests for re-ups of previous Jamaican and Non-Jamaican Spooktaculars from years past... I have uploaded them all again and am providing the download links you see below. Hope you enjoy them!

The Jamaican Spooktaculars
2006, 2007, 2008

The Non-Jamaican Spooktaculars
2006, 2007, 2008

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Thirteen - Ernie Smith's "Duppy Gunman"

The classic 1974 duppy tune by Ernie Smith and taken from a 7" on the Wild Flower label. Here's a little write-up about the story behind the tune that appeared on the Jamaica Gleaners website on October 28, 2007 and written by Mel Cooke.

"If ever there was a case of a songwriter starting a song with the opposite of the real life situation which inspired it, it is Ernie Smith and Duppy Gunman.

Written one Saturday night in 1974, recorded the following Monday at Federal Studios, released that same mid-week and soaring to the top of the charts ("in those days everything I did went to number one except Power and the Glory. Michael banned that," Smith told The Sunday Gleaner), Duppy Gunman tells the tale of a romantic liaison that could have been. It opens:

I an I man forward

Pon a different scene

I an I man collie weed

I an I man queen

Everything was irie

Getting in the groove

We jus' a come dung to movement

When someone sey don't move

However, while there was a 'queen', there was no getting down to movements.

"I had just played a gig. In those days I had a friend who used to help me lift the equipment. Coming home from the gig I got a girl to go home with. I dropped him home. Me and the girl going on a liaison. I got the feeling like my friend is sitting there," Smith said.

The friend had been in the back of the VW van he was driving.

"I said 'It feels like Robbie is still sitting there. I said 'It must be a duppy'. Then I thought about the violence and I said 'or a gunman'. I said 'It is a song'," a laughing Ernie Smith told The Sunday Gleaner.

Hence the chorus:

It mus be a duppy or a gunman

I man no fin' out yet

I an I did so frighten

All de daughter name I feget

He may or may not have forgotten the 'daughter's' name by now, but he did forget whatever intentions were at hand before the song came. "I never bothered to go home with the girl. I went to my real home and wrote the song. She was very upset," he said.

There is some similarity to that real life anger in the fictional musical tale, as Smith sings "The nex' day de daughter ask me, what happen to yu las' night, jus' when yu ready fi work de show, yu ketch stage fright".

And one line that was definitely taken from something that really happened was when Smith sings "One ting me know fe certain, spread it round the town, it no mek no no sense yu run before yu foot touch the ground".

"There was a guy who described sitting in his living room and watching a thief in his pear tree. All he said was 'hi sah' and the man started running in mid-air. When the man hit the ground his feet were like a car burning rubber. That is where that line came from," Smith said. He was told that story a couple weeks before the song was written.

Sometimes Smith changes the name of the speedster recorded as the point of reference for fleetness of foot in 1974 ("Quarrie was a bway to I man las' night, him coulden falla me") to Asafa Powell and he says no other outstanding Jamaican sprinters have been used in between. And on occasion he adjusts the chorus and sings "I an I did so frighten all me underwear I feget". "Sometimes I sing it like that if there are not too many children around," he said.

The distinctive trombone featured on Duppy Gunman is the work of Trinidadian Jerome Francique and the Now Generation Band supplied the music.

Smith laughs as he says he hopes non-Jamaicans who jam to the song understand the lyrics and adds that "A lot of non-Jamaicans who are into reggae understand the song".

And a song that was "an instant hit" has been a lasting one as well. "These days when I do that song anywhere I ask the audience to join in and sing the chorus. They know every word," Smith said."

Spooktacular Track Thirteen

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Twelve - Aston "Family Man" Barrett's "Duppy Conqueror"

One time Wailers bass player Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his interpretation of Bob's classic. A more modern approach to a timeless tune.

Spooktacular Track Twelve

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Eleven - Pampidoo's "Ghost Buster"

Pampidoo's "Ghost Buster" from his album The Governor General on the Freedom Sounds label and produced by the late great Bertram Brown.

Spooktacular Track Eleven

The (Non-Jamaican) Halloween Spooktacular 2009

Here's the playlist... download links are below!
1. The Creepniks - Zombie Stomp
2. Frankie Stein & His Ghouls - A Hearse Is Not A Home
3. Misfits - Bloodfeast
4. Southern Culture On The Skids - Swamp Thing
5. King Horror - Dracula Prince Of Darkness
6. The Upperclassmen - Cha Cha With The Zombies
7. Don Hinson & The Rigamorticians - Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood
8. Hasil Adkins - Haunted House
9. Satan's Pilgrims - Creature Feature
10. Gene Moss & The Monsters - I Want To Bite Your Hand
11. Contrails - Mummy Walk (Walking Death)
12. The Meteors - Graveyard Stomp
13. Vin Gordon - Red Blood
14. Moontrekkers - Night Of The Vampire
15. Captain Clegg & The Night Creatures - Transylvania Terror Train
16. The Mellowmen - Trick Or Treat
17. Messer Chups - Little Blood Sucker
18. Screaming Lord Sutch - Big Black Coffin
19. The Ghastly Ones - Fuzzy & Wild
20. The Memphis Morticians - Devil's Rain
21. The Ghouls - Shake Rattle & Rot
22. Nightmares - Headless Ghost

http://tinyurl.com/yhgajx9

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2009 - Track Ten - Carlton Livingston's "Are You Afraid"

Carlton Livingston's 7" "Are You Afraid" on the Cookie Jar label.

Carlton Livingston started out in the music biz as a singer, went on to DJ alongside Lone Ranger for a local soundsystem in the early 70's and eventually reverted back to singing by the time the decade came to a close. His first recording was "The Tale Of Two Cities" produced and released on Channel One's Hitbound label. Livingston released hits for Sly & Robbie, Jah Life and Clive Jarrett's Dynamite imprint. He is probably best known for the tune "100 Weight Of Collie Weed," one of the baddest tunes from the rub-a-dub era.

I've read that "Are You Afraid" was recorded and released in the 90's but definitely has a very "old school" minimalistic rub-a-dub approach.

Spooktacular Track Ten