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Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King
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message 1: by Fishy_Jim (new)

Fishy_Jim  | 1287 comments Note to Tech:
It's Toots and the Maytals night on BBC 4 tonight from 11 pm to 1 am with a documentary followed by their Glasto 2010 set.


message 2: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Dunno how I missed that in the schedules - it was a 2011 doc so might not be on catchup? Got the Glasto though.


Craig White | 6727 comments d;oh! missed it, was actually in my kip by then. remember watching the live piece at the time, but i'll need to catch up with the documentary, cheers anyhoo, jim.


Craig White | 6727 comments seeing as ranking jim was kind enough to initiate this thread, why don't we run with it and see if there's any mileage to be had in a resurrection of the reggae/dub forum?

i'm currently very pleased to be waiting for a copy of amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0882PX7GN/re..., which appears to have been issued in very small numbers and most sellers are commanding £20 odd for a copy - this is the best price i've seen it at. often lauded as scratch's best pre-ark production job, the original 10 track album has been expanded to 51 tracks over 2 discs, featuring all byles' work with scratch - singles, dubs, deejay takes, etc. i am slevvering in anticipation!


Craig White | 6727 comments a typical response from scratch when asked about his own work - this the blurb from a new 7" release from pressure sounds,

"Who is Bree Daniels??? We have had quite a few questions about who Bree Daniels is? Other than being Jane Fonda's character in the movie 'Klute' who is the vocalist on 'Oh Me oh my' many people seem to think its either Robert Palmer or possibly John Martyn both of whom seem unlikely. We asked Scratch again this week and he cant remember!! Sorry."


message 6: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Both the Toots progs were a year or two before I saw him live in 2012 for the first and only time at Cleethorpes Pier, then a night club/venue, now a Papa's fish & chips emporium. I remember being struck by the musical excellence of the trio of impassive veteran players on drums, bass and guitar. The PA that night wasn't great nor loud enough so when Toots sang with the mike down to his navel at times his vocals were a bit lost. That said, a great night possibly down to some serious levels of beer imbibed beforehand.


message 7: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments If you want a reggae thread it needs starting under a different heading and with an understanding that it won't be a high traffic zone.

I got that Byles comp - there's a seller I buy loads from on ebay who gets all the Dr Bird releases, not all of them maintain high quality levels, and accepts low offers. No I'm not telling who!


Craig White | 6727 comments "high traffic zone"

'course it won't be. nothing wrong with talking to myself!

maybe jim could edit the thread title to 'GOODDREADS'?


message 9: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: ""high traffic zone"

'course it won't be. nothing wrong with talking to myself!

maybe jim could edit the thread title to 'GOODDREADS'?"


I'll talk to/take the rise out of you


message 10: by Collette (last edited Oct 03, 2020 01:24PM) (new)

Collette | 6184 comments A reggae thread? Yawn! Maybe I could start a hair metal one. We could see which one gets the most posts in a week. 🙄🙄🙄


message 11: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Dreads vs dreadful perms?


message 12: by Collette (new)

Collette | 6184 comments Some of those perms were cool. Step forward the gorgeous Joey Tempest for starters.


message 13: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments What if a hair metaller goes bald?


message 14: by Collette (new)

Collette | 6184 comments They can buy a nice wig? Silly pants!


message 15: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Collette wrote: "They can buy a nice wig? Silly pants!"

Oh I think they'd've been wearing silly pants for decades before hair loss set in.


message 16: by Collette (new)

Collette | 6184 comments Brass Neck wrote: "Collette wrote: "They can buy a nice wig? Silly pants!"

Oh I think they'd've been wearing silly pants for decades before hair loss set in."


Brass Neck wrote: "Collette wrote: "They can buy a nice wig? Silly pants!"

Oh I think they'd've been wearing silly pants for decades before hair loss set in."



Is that the experience talking, petal?


message 17: by Brass Neck (last edited Oct 04, 2020 02:43AM) (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Since I have a full head of hair with not a hint of recession, nope. As for the pants; what pants?

On topic - the Toots doc is on iPlayer (I's watching now).


Craig White | 6727 comments ah, joey tempest! a true-born roasterman!

however, 'beat down babylon' is 'kin' brilliant, kinda backs up scratch's claim to have invented reggae*, deffo a proto-roots album, a blueprint for much of what was to follow - magnificent (and massive) collection of extras. features many rhythms that would feature in much of scratch's later black ark work.
the label, doctor bird, will really have to up their research means tho', their 'first time on cd' claims are often very wide of the mark.


message 19: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments First time on Dr Bird cd!


message 20: by Tim (new)

Tim Franklin | 10946 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "ah, joey tempest! a true-born roasterman!

however, 'beat down babylon' is 'kin' brilliant, kinda backs up scratch's claim to have invented reggae*, deffo a proto-roots album, a blueprint for much ..."


First time on legit CD, as opposed to bootleg releases?


Craig White | 6727 comments in this case, a 23 track trojan release,

discogs.com/Junior-Byles-Beat-Down-Ba...


Craig White | 6727 comments 'first time on cd' appears to be the main selling point of doctor bird, i.e.
amazon.co.uk/Negrea-Love-Dub-Outlaw-O..., claiming a 1st - i can produce both in cd form from 'evolution of dub vol.3'. there are others, latest p.far i comp, etc. so as much as the quality of the releases (the one's i own, although brass says it's not all good), they're punting their products on mis-information.
not good, but still better than the deception peddled by the 'jamaican recordings' label, whereby they employ current day mixes on original (and sometimes, poorly sourced) material without caveat attached. some of their catalogue is fine, but my interest in anything dies when i see the label. 'kingston sounds' is a sub-label, and while not as guilty, are still worth avoiding.


message 23: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Here's one nobody needs - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reggae-Strin...


Craig White | 6727 comments it's a form of butchery, to make reggae palatable to the u.k. pop kids - strange concept when you think about it! later on, island, amongst others, watered down music from burning spear, scratch and many others to make roots acceptable. they even turned the wailers into a touring rock band! and that's actually shocking, considering how much black music was promoted by blackwell et al. all about the mighty dollar, i suppose.


message 25: by Brass Neck (last edited Oct 09, 2020 05:12AM) (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "it's a form of butchery, to make reggae palatable to the u.k. pop kids - strange concept when you think about it! later on, island, amongst others, watered down music from burning spear, scratch an..."

But if it helped to break reggae into the charts worldwide? Would it have been better for the artists to have remained unpalatable, unheard and unrewarded? Once people had a taste they might delve a bit deeper into the roots? Either way I don't suppose Millie had a freakout about the added harp-tootin' and strings that propelled My Boy Lollipop up the charts and Bob & Marcia were laughing all the way to the bank (or not given the state of Jamaican contracts) when strings were slathered all over Young, Gifted & Black.

That said this release reminds me of those end of the 70s/early 80s Classic Rock albums where Nowhereville Philharmonic recorded instrumental versions of rock tracks - I'll stick with the originals thanks.


Craig White | 6727 comments "reggae into the charts worldwide"

well, that's true, but since the 'orchestral' era, and discounting uk. acts, reggae/roots hits have been relatively scarce outside marley and the occassional one-offs from mibbe sugar minott, dennis brown, greg'ry, 3rd world and althea and donna (which was john peel propelled to the no.1 spot). as i think, (huh!) even some of those were u.k. target mixed, so, yeah, mibbe the real thing required sweetening (except sugar minott obvs) for the populace!


message 27: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: ""reggae into the charts worldwide"

well, that's true, but since the 'orchestral' era, and discounting uk. acts, reggae/roots hits have been relatively scarce outside marley and the occassional one..."


Shabba Wanks? Shag-me? Chaka Demus and Pliers? Peter Andr........ I'll get me coat.

Isn't the key point that reggae/Jamaican music kept changing and sometime in the mid-80s it all went dancehall digital with cheap synths replacing the organic drums and bass and so you and I bowed out, said thanks but no thanks and contented ourselves with amassing the existing catalogue of artists and albums we considered to be great? Jamaican music continues to have occasional hits but since the charts no longer matter, especially to those over 50 like me & thee, we're not aware of them or are dismissive of them as 'pop' or reggae-lite?


message 29: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "yes"

Good debating style!


Craig White | 6727 comments eeh, when i were a boy all this were reggae!


message 31: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "eeh, when i were a boy all this were reggae!"

When tha were a lad it were all mento!


Craig White | 6727 comments aye! pure mento!


Craig White | 6727 comments sent off for a couple of items from discogs seller - psychotron - has over 600 reggae cds, all in mint/near mint nick (as was the copy of 'on the other side of dub i picked up from him) and at good prices. well worth raking thru'.
scratch/wackies - 'satan's dub' (got a real taste for more wackies since buying 'nature's dub/dub roots' from corn-fed) for a fiver,
and big youth - 'hit the road jack' (you never know big youth coulda sing!) for a measly £7, £2.50 p&p the both. no bad, i'm thinkin'.


Craig White | 6727 comments just over 40 bucks will get you the complete set of bob marley and the wailers island albums on cd, in a box - out on dec 4,

amazon.co.uk/Complete-Island-CD-Box-S...

all vinyl elpees released singly, half-speed mastered, on nov 20, for £27 odd, i.e.,

amazon.co.uk/Rastaman-Vibration-Half-...


message 35: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Yeah but don't be forgettin' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-UB...


Craig White | 6727 comments ah, now! there was no need for that!


Craig White | 6727 comments the 'hit the road' and 'in satan's dub' discs arrived today - spotless and shiny, look barely untouched, never mind unplayed. highly rec. seller.
i love big youth's transition from toaster to singer on 'htrj', the joy and enthusiasm in his vocals are palpable, esp. on the opener, a take on marvin gaye's 'what's goin' on'. great album, a couple of years ahead of his ultimate 'singing' record, 'isiaih, first prophet of old', which is my favourite b.y. album.


message 38: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Can't beat a bit of Manley Augustus Buchanan.


message 39: by Craig White (last edited Oct 17, 2020 11:39PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Craig White | 6727 comments bought some marley the other day in tk maxx. tk maxx you say? yes, it was coffee - founded by marley's son, rohan, every blend/strength named after one of his da's songs,

amazon.co.uk/s?k=coffee+marley&cr...

given a choice of several (and at about half the prices shown here), i bought 'misty morning'. seemingly a rich roast, hoping 'everything's gonna be alright', i found it to not as strong (like a lion in zion) or totally 'satisfying my soul' as the admittedly industrial blends i normally use. no bad, i'll give it 3 (little birds) out of 5! not enough to ecourage me to 'get up, stand up' to buy some more!


Craig White | 6727 comments jim/gordon,

if you read this (slim chance!), can you change the heading of this thread to,

GOODDREADS

thankyou.


message 41: by Brass Neck (last edited Oct 24, 2020 02:36AM) (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Reruns of two essential reggae docs on Sky Arts tonight;
6.30 - Toots & The Maytals
8 - Rudeboy: Story of Trojan
It's in the latter I recall where the recently belated Bunny Lee appears as Jabba The Hutt removing any surprise for me in his recent demise.

At 10 is Inna De Yard about which I know nowt but I've set it to record. This may help you decide;
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7621830/


Craig White | 6727 comments "Bunny Lee appears as Jabba The Hutt"

fatist!

'inna de yard' is a kind of collective outfit, featuring 'golden age' singers - cedric myton (congos), ken boothe, kiddus i, winston mcanuff, and various guests.

discogs.com/artist/2908888-Inna-De-Yard


message 43: by Brass Neck (last edited Oct 25, 2020 02:33AM) (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: ""Bunny Lee appears as Jabba The Hutt"

fatist!

'inna de yard' is a kind of collective outfit, featuring 'golden age' singers - cedric myton (congos), ken boothe, kiddus i, winston mcanuff, and var..."


Antifa! Didn't go well for him did it?


message 44: by Gordon (new)

Gordon (skiiltan) | 2940 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "jim/gordon,
if you read this (slim chance!), can you change the heading of this thread to,
GOODDREADS
thankyou."


Sorry, just looked in for the first time in a few weeks. Consider it done, but not in capitals.


Craig White | 6727 comments thankyou, gordon, i like it fine (so far)!


Craig White | 6727 comments progress report;

quiet


message 47: by Brass Neck (last edited Dec 06, 2020 11:57AM) (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "progress report;

quiet"


Dread quiet. Then again owd buggers like us are only interested in a certain era of reggae so not much happens apart from the odd rerelease? That said I have ordered the latest Jah9 (she's called Janine, geddit) cd which should arrive this week;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Note-Self-Ja...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC4o0...

She seems to have a sideline in yoga videos if you're that way inclined (as you soooo obviously are Tech).


Craig White | 6727 comments yeah, no bad.

it is mostly the re-issues obvs, and it's been quiet on that front of late, but it pays to keep an eye out for contemporary stuff by, mibbe, vin gordon, breadwinners, ras michael (a real triumph), etc, as well as the thousand year wait for something new from misty in roots (it'll happen, i know it'll happen!)


message 49: by Brass Neck (new)

Brass Neck | 3979 comments Tech XXIII wrote: "yeah, no bad.

it is mostly the re-issues obvs, and it's been quiet on that front of late, but it pays to keep an eye out for contemporary stuff by, mibbe, vin gordon, breadwinners, ras michael (a..."


I'd be happy if MIR just reissued their albums.


Craig White | 6727 comments absolutely, but no word on that. the 'corn-fed' man, colin young, has deleted (there may still be copies to be had tho', won't be any more when they run out) the 3 titles in his catalogue 'eurovision/sweden', 'wise and foolish' and 'singles collection', and handed the master tapes to the band, 'in a gesture of hope rather than expectation'. the sound is superb on these releases, in some cases, better than the original vinyl, but when these run out that's it, nothing but a very few downloads to be had. that's criminal! 18 years since any new material? no label willing to take a punt.


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