Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2013 - Track Four - Midnight Organ

"Good midnight to you."  It's with that innocent introduction that we are thrown into the next track of the 2013 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular "Midnight Organ" by Basque Dub Foundation.  Basque Dub Foundation, or BDF as they are commonly called, is a studio project of Spanish-born producer Iñaki Yarritu, started in the early 1990s.  Unlike many bands of the era, BDF has strayed away from the digital sound that has become so omnipresent and stuck with a sound that remains firmly rooted in the distinctive reggae vibes of the 60s, 70s and 80s.  The Hammond organ driven "Midnight Organ" is no exception and is taken from the flip side of a 2009 General Levy's track "Life Hard," a 7" on the Heartical label.

This smooth track coupled with the hypnotic invitation by the Young American Mystic Cult of Horrors makes for some great Spooktacular material.  Have a great weekend folks, see you Monday!

Basque Dub Foundation - Midnight Organ

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2013 - Track Three - Wolf Out Deh

Lee "Scratch" Perry and the Upsetters were true masters of churning out a spooky sounding instrumental reggae tune in the late 60s.  There was something about the minor key organ in so many of those tracks that just lends itself well to being dark and foreboding.  But Perry's explorations of spookiness were not limited to his pre-Black Ark period, quite the contrary!  Some would say the era beginning in 1973 and ending with the Ark's untimely demised in 1979, is when the real scary stuff came to the forefront.  And we're not necessarily talking about just Halloween appropriate tracks, we're talking about top-notch recordings and sessions with many of reggae's top artists whose end result was frighteningly perfect.  

For those who don't listen to reggae or know anything about the mad genius that is Lee "Scratch" Perry they are truly missing out on some of the greatest music ever produced, bar none!  What made the Black Ark productions so enchanting and so amazing, even by today's standards, is the sound of the Black Ark itself.  Now I'm not musically trained, I took piano lessons when I was a kid and after nearly three years of tearful practice and general disdain my music teacher told my parents they were wasting their money, so it would be next to impossible for me to exactly pin-point what it is that makes it sound so good.  It has something to do with the reverb, echo and effects that Perry put on each individual component of the music that makes it sound otherworldly.  Which works as a perfect segue into today's track...

Lloyd & Devon, Lloyd Robinson & Devon Russell, who had previously recorded as part of the vocal group The Tartans in the late 60's, had a couple hit songs in the early reggae era before going on to record and release "Wolf Out Deh" for Scratch in 1977.  This track coupled with the trailer from the 1961 Hammer Films classic "The Curse of the Werewolf" will give you a nice taste of lycanthropy Jamaican style.  It comes from the original 7" on the Black Art label.

Lloyd & Devon - Wolf Out Deh

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2013 - Track Two - Night Owl

I hope you've gotten time to digest the little morsel I sprung on you yesterday and are ready for another heaping serving of spookiness... this is one that has been festering in the bin for nearly four years and now I finally have the opportunity to blow off the dust and get it into the mix.  "Night Owl" by Hubert Lee & The Clarendonians, is the 1972 reggae take on the doo-wop tune "Nite Owl" originally recorded by Tony Allen & The Champs in 1955, and to be honest with you, the reggae version is far more listenable than the original... but hey, I may be biased.  Not necessarily spooky subject matter going on because "Night Owl" is about a love gone wrong but it works well with our theme, besides, they can't all be blood and guts can they?  This little jewel was lifted from a 7" on the High School label.

Lee & The Clarendonians - Night Owl

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2013 - Track One - Slaughterhouse Five

And away we go!  We're jumping into 2013's slimy Spooktacular with both clammy feet!  We start our month-long distinguished anthology of spooky tunes with a little dub number from Prince Jammy entitled "Slaughterhouse Five."  This is definitely not to be confused with Kurt Vonnegut's book of the same title because it has that downright evil vibe that lends itself well to being prime Spooktacular fodder.  Taken from the flip side of Lacksley Castell's "What A Great Day (It Will Be)" 12" on the Sufferers Heights label from 1979 and I'm sure you'll dig it, if you'll pardon the pun.

Prince Jammy AKA King Jammy (born Lloyd James, Montego Bay Jamaica, 1947) got his start in the music business building amplifiers and repairing electrical equipment before starting his own sound system in the late 60s.  Jammy worked alongside the undisputed King of Dub, King Tubby, at his studio in Kingston before he started his own studio.  The rest they say is history because Jammy went on to become Jamaica's greatest digital reggae producers and is still very much active today.

Prince Jammy - Slaughterhouse Five

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!

Coming Tuesday...

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

spooktacular?

I checked the calendar this morning and came to the realization... Spooktacular?  Who's up for another one?

More music coming... eventually

Hope everyone is doing well... just had to share this pic...

Seven Inches Of Christmas Joy - The Jamaican Christmas Mix 2012

SEVEN INCHES OF CHRISTMAS JOY

TRACKLIST
 1.  Little John - Save A Little For Christmas - Junjo 7"

2.  Roman Stewart - Christmas Affair - Well Charge 7"

3.  Jah Walton - DJ Christmas - Black & White 7"

4.  Don Cornel & The Eternals - Christmas Joy - Moodisc 7"

5.  Barry Brown - Christmas Christmas - Hitbound 7"

6.  Cocoa Tea - Christmas Is Coming - Arrival 7"

7.  Johnny Clarke - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Total Sounds 7"

8.  Verna Lee Powell - He Is My Santa Claus - Jama 7"

9.  Glen Adams - Xmas Rock - Gem 7"

10.  Trinity - Video Christmas - Thunder Bolt 7"

11.  Silent Choir - Silent Night - Magnet 7"

12.  Niyah & The Sunflakes - Merry Christmas - Sonet 7"

13.  Glen Adams - Joyful Tidings - Clocktower 7"

14.  Mutabaruka - Postpone Christmas - High Times 7"

15.  Tippa Lee, Nardo Ranks, Half Pint & David Brevett - Dedicated To Santa - Studio One 7"

16.  Nigger Kojak - Christmas Style - Joe Gibbs 7"

17.  Norman T. Washington - It's Christmas Time Again - Gas 7"

18.  Owen Gray - Collins Greetings - Collins Downbeat 7"

19.  Cedric Bravo w/Rico & The Four Stars - Merry Christmas - Ska Beat 7"

20.  Leon Danger & Mr. Culture - This Christmas - Hillsman 7"    

Once again I want to thank my friend Roger Wilkerson for putting together the cover art... I gave him an idea and he ran with it!  Thanks Roger!

It looks like the upload server I used is being a pain in the ass so here's a Zippyshare link for those who have been trying to download the mix - Merry Christmas!!

DOWNLOAD LINK - UPDATE 1/3/13

A 2012 Christmas Gift To You!

Something has been missing... I couldn't figure
it out at first but I was thinking about a yearly
tradition that I had abandoned this year and things just didn't feel right.  So, with love in my heart and the intention to provide some Christmas joy for the multitude of people who have expressed their love and appreciation for the Christmas Mixes over the years, I have put together another one.  

Now don't expect to be hearing 25 brand spanking new tracks because I made it clear last year that I had exhausted my efforts to find more Jamaican Christmas music for additional mixes so what I did is the next best thing... I have taken 20 of my favorite Christmas 7" records, mixed them together and threw a bow on it and there you have it... Seven Inches Of Christmas Joy... yeah, I know it sounds a little risque but I promise you nothing inappropriate, it's only the title.  

During the holiday season you hear these horror stories of someone's Aunt Edna repackaging the gift you gave her last year and someone getting their feelings hurt, etc. but this repackaged gift from me to you is shame-free and an hour of unadulterated Jamaican Christmas fun!

I'll post the mix tomorrow, I've got a bunch of things to get done before work today and I'm running out of time... stay tuned!!

The Complete 2012 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular! Happy Halloween!

For all you lazy bastards who haven't been keeping tabs on the daily downloads or for those who may come across this blog in a last-minute mass consumption orgy of Halloween blogs, I present for your haunting pleasure, The Complete 2012 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular.  Twenty-one creepy cuts guaranteed to keep you awake at night and checking the closets for the boogeyman... twenty-one spine tingling songs compiled with the express purpose of scaring you silly... twenty-one terrifying tracks to drive you to madness and set your teeth a'chattering... I could go on but I think you've got the point...a very sharp point I might add...

Mwuhahahahahahahahaha!  Happy Halloween!! :)

I also wanted to take this space to thank my pal Roger Wilkerson for putting together the classic comic book covers for each of this years tracks!  He did a great job and I had as much fun seeing the end results as much as you hopefully did.  Roger has a photo blog on Tumblr which is always entertaining, I recommend checking him out!  Be sure to tell him that Reggaexx sent ya!

THE COMPLETE 2012 JAMAICAN HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Twenty One - Your Teeth In My Neck

I'm bringing you this track a day early so that I can post the full 2012 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular tomorrow on Halloween!  I just spent a sleepless night waiting to lose power in the midst of Hurricane Sandy and by the grace of god we didn't, we actually weathered the storm with minimal destruction.  My thoughts, prayers and best wishes go out to those who didn't fair as well along the east coast and especially to those in New Jersey and New York who really took a beating.  I was going to take this space to bitch about the fact that my kids are probably going to get screwed out of trick or treating but when people's lives and homes are destroyed it's not hard to realize that I should be counting my blessings and save the complaining for another time.  We'll make the best of Halloween 2012, regardless of what happens and enjoy the time we're together... this will definitely be a Halloween they won't forget.

We're wrapping up the Spooktacular with a classic cut from Scientist's 1981 Greensleeves LP, Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse Of The Vampire.  It's called "Your Teeth In My Neck" and it's the stripped down dub version of Michael Prophet's tune "Love and Unity."   I have added some Dr. Van Helsing audio from one of my favorite Dracula films, 1958's Hammer Films classic Horror of Dracula.  Peter Cushing sounds great on this bad-ass riddim!  Lots of love people!  Be safe and have a happy Halloween!!

TRACK TWENTY-ONE

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Twenty - Holy Water

Staying with the late 80s vibe with our second to last track for 2012... this one is by Admiral Bailey and comes from a Jammy's 12" and its called "Holy Water."  A tune that outlines the benefit of using holy water in obeah and witchdoctor ceremonies... another fun song.  I have always been a big fan of the Admiral and it's nice to finally have a song to work into a Spooktacular!

TRACK TWENTY

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Nineteen - Duppy

We're three tracks away from wrapping up the 2012 Spooktacular and we're gonna get right into it... next up is "Duppy" by Oliver Samuels.  Yes, Oliver Samuels, the Jamaican comedian and actor who tries his hand at DJ'ing on this tune, and might I say with appropriately spooky results.  The story of the town drunk who wanders home one night after closing out the bar, takes a short-cut through a cemetery and ends up spending the night in a freshly dug grave because his inebriated state will not allow him to climb out, a real fun tune.  "Duppy" comes from a 1989 7" on the Stage label.  Enjoy!

TRACK NINETEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Eighteen - Ballad Of Annie Palmer

Track Eighteen in the Spooktacular and this one comes from George McLean doing his best impersonation of Johnny Cash.  You may ask yourself, why would a reggae artist be impersonating the legendary Man In Black?  The answer is simple... "The Ballad of Annie Palmer," the story of Rose Hall's Legendary White Witch, was written and recorded by Johnny Cash and released on his 1973 album Any Old Wind That Blows.  Now this begs the question, what the hell was Johnny Cash doing writing about a witch in Jamaica?  Regardless, this reggae-fied version of "Ballad of Annie Palmer" was released on the Mighty Cloud label and its influence spawned a whole heap of Johnny Cash impersonators throughout the island... of course I may be lying about that part of the story but the visual imagery of reggae singers dressing in Western-styled shirts, wearing bolo ties and singing about Rings of Fire and the Folsom Prison Blues is rather entertaining.  Have a great weekend folks!

TRACK EIGHTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Seventeen - Ghost Rider

Here's a swingin' number by the Music Doctors called "Ghost Rider" that was released as a b-side on the Downtown label in 1969.    Organ driven and funky, this is truly a wicked tune and one that will make you want to get your feet moving - skinhead reggae at its best!  The Ghost Rider you see pictured above was a series that was published by Charlton Comics before the Marvel superhero that shared the same name.

TRACK SEVENTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Sixteen - Living Among The Dead

Here's another ska tune to quench your spooky listening thirst... this one is by Lloyd Clarke and comes from an early 60s press on a blank 7".  To be honest with you, I found an MP3 of this track about 2 years ago and immediately started searching for a copy of the vinyl, but when I saw the $700 price tag, I backed off rather quickly!  "Living Among the Dead" is a super rare and desirable record  but I think the MP3 will suit my collection just fine and besides, it will serve its purposes here in the 2012 Spooktacular.  I added some trailer audio from Dawn of the Dead and some howling zombies for background effect, I think you'll dig it!

TRACK SIXTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Fifteen - Sammy Dead

Kickin' off Tuesday with another spooky ska tune... this one is by Eric "Monty" Morris backed by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires and was originally pressed as a 7" on the Kentone label in 1964.  Eric Morris got his start in the 1950s and cut his first tune under the tutelage of Derrick Morgan before going on to record for Prince Buster and Duke Reid.  He was most famously known for being the original vocalist for the Skatalites but "Sammy Dead," which we're gonna hear today, was a big solo hit for Morris and one that works well with our Spooktacular!

TRACK FIFTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Fourteen - Midnight Spin

Val Bennett is up next in the Spooktacular with a little number called "Midnight Spin" released as a 7" in 1969 on the Camel label.  So grab your partner, hit the dance floor and take a little spin because this tune kicks ass, if you'll excuse my language.

TRACK FOURTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Thirteen - Suzanne Beware of the Devil

This is one of those tunes that has been lurking in the Spooktacular vault for years, never before seeing the light of day until now.  From 1972, a little poppy number from Dandy Livingstone that reached as high as number 14 on the UK pop charts, and coming from a 7" on the Horse label.

If you've never heard this one you're in for a treat, a jilted lover basically begging Suzanne, his girlfriend, to avoid the temptations of the seedier side of life presented in all their glory through the guise of the devil.  A love song with a demonic undercurrent... besides what would the Spooktacular be without an appearance by the devil?

Have a great weekend folks!  See you again on Monday!

TRACK THIRTEEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Twelve - Barnabas

Will Barnabas Collins ever stay dead?!  Regardless of Tim Burton's atrocious summer blockbuster paying pseudo-homage to Dark Shadows, I will take the over-the-top acting of Jonathan Frid over Johnny Depp any day!  

Regardless, we will get into the twelfth track in the 2012 Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular... this little dubby number is simply titled "Barnabas" and it comes from a 1976 7" on the Nationwide label by the man Pat Kelly and produced by none other that Vivian "Yabby You" Jackson.

I have spiced it up with a trailer from the 1970 film "House of Dark Shadows."

And this may be a new record... 8 tracks in a row without a single comment on any!  So great to see my efforts are being appreciated... just thought I'd bitch a little!

TRACK TWELVE

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Eleven - Crucial Burial

Up next in our Spooktacular is a moody little tune from the late great melodica-maestro Augustus Pablo... this one is called "Crucial Burial" originally pressed as a 12" on Pablo's own Rockers label sometime in the late 70s!  I think the melodica lends itself well to spooky subject matter, it just has a haunting, almost mythical sound and no one could coax a tune outta the instrument like Augustus Pablo.  I think you're gonna dig this one, if you'll pardon the pun.

TRACK ELEVEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Ten - Scare Crow Style

Junior Brammer AKA Trinity is up next in the Spooktacular, this time with a tune paying homage to the utilitarian scarecrow... this one is called "Scare Crow Style" and comes from his album Around The World on the Yard International label and released circa 1980-81.  

TRACK TEN

Jamaican Halloween Spooktacular 2012 - Track Nine - Obeah In America

This one is a change of pace from our last track... Peter Metro gives us another peak at Obeah on this little charmer from the mid 80's originally released on the Jah Life Time label.

TRACK NINE