musicology #532

Jamaica #12

(Barrington Spence - Contemplating Mind)

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Final cut of the Rocksteady and then it's on to the 'Moonstomp' Reggae. But before that it's time to roll one out from Sir Coxsone 'Downbeat' Dodd's Studio 1. A cut featuring the vocal talents of Barrington Spence who began singing in the early sixties but stepped out of Kingston for a few years and didnt return until around 1966 whereupon he hooked up with Naggo Morris and Sylvan Clarke, (as the Soul Boys), and cut a few tunes at Studio 1 and Treasure Isle?

Just like to finish by adding that even though Coxsone got left behind a small piece during the Rocksteady, in part due to the emergence of producers such as those featured over the last week as well as his less than fair business practices concerning artists and musicians, he was still 'swinging' and turning out top quality music, (as today's cut bears witness to), but it would be in the next phase of Jamaican musical development that he began to take back the crown and deliver the 'golden age' of Studio 1.

LISTEN TUNE...

musicology #525

Jamaica #5

(Edwards All Stars – North Coast)

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Was unable to spare the time to throw down yesterday..played out last night at a very dear and cherished friend’s birthday bash and spent most of the day preparing the set. Anyway explanations aside and moving on from Don Drummond at the Duke’s Treasure Isle to a cut delivered by one of the other major Ska producers and sound systems of the time; King Edwards, (The Giant). Don’t know hardly anything about the Cat other than he had a major Sound that for a while competed with the players; Sir Tom The Great Sebastian, Duke Reid, (The Trojan), Sir Coxsone Downbeat, Lord Koos, and V-Rocket on top of producing some BOSS Ska.

His main DJ, (not selector), was none other than Sir Lord Comic who went on to record what is considered to be the first ‘DJ’ cut, (Ska-ing West), in 1966 at the dawn of a new era, (Rock Steady), but more about that next week. This week it’s all about the Ska and this piece is a rare, (and I mean rare), treat. 1965 release on the, (English), Rio label. Credited to the Edwards All Stars but better known as the Skatalites.

musicology #507

CoversWeek2 #4

(Cornell Campbell – Ten To One)

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Slipping back into the sweet sounds of Jamaica for today’s cut with a piece by one of the islands great artists the MAJESTIC and pioneering Cornell Campbell . A Cat who begun his recording career at the tender age of 11 in the mid 1950’s for Coxsone, moved on to record with King Edwards in the mid 60’s, harmonised within ‘The Sensations’ for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle, returned triumphantly to Studio 1 with ‘The Eternals’ and then begun a long solo career that continues HALF A CENTURY later to this day.

Here heard cutting his teeth on a Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions soul classic. As far as I’m concerned an absolute marrow trembler from start to finish and yet another musical diamond mined from the Studio1 archives. One listen should leave us in no doubt as to the influence both Curtis Mayfield and Coxsone Dodd had on Jamaican musicology….LISTEN TUNE.

musicology #0301

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #12

(The Uniques - Hooray, (One Fine Day)

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Seeing this theme through until the end of the week and then I'll be rolling out something fresh on Monday. Just like to thank all you Cats for the visits and comments on the Wailers cut, (and tee), most apprecited. Following a marrow trembler like that is nigh on impossible..one of them cuts that has left me 'chewing canvas' to use an old boxing colloquilism...you know the score, hanging on to the opponent for dear life hoping that the bell tolls for the end of the round..so without further delay hold this cut from one of Jamaica's finest vocal groups The Uniques featuring one of the greatest vocalists to ever grace the M.I.C...Keith 'Slim' Smith, alongside Jimmy Riley and Lloyd 'Charmers' Tyrel with a first outing on themusicologist. A 1967 Bunny 'Striker' Lee production that sounds like it was recorded at the Dukes 'Treasure Isle' studio...the home of Rocksteady.

musicology #295

JamaicanVocalGroupAction #6

(Dion Cameron & The Three Tops - Get Ready)

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Today's 1966 cut is one from themusicologist's Ska box courtesy of the almost unknown Dion Cameron & The Three Tops who are perhaps better known for the few slices released on Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label, This one is An 'Olive Branch'? production released in the UK on the Rio label. Can't tell you much more about it other than it was one of my earliest purchases back in the early 80's.. Ranking Saxaphone break on this one.

musicology #267

sleighbellsring #15

(Owen Gray - Collins Greetings)

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Was just about to lay down a doo wop slice of the christmas pie until this one floated out of the speakers…

Instinctively I would say it’s a Duke Reid piece of Rocksteady, I have it by someone else.., (I think it’s a cut of ‘People Get Ready’ by Alton Ellis ), but as it’s Owen Gray it could also be a Coxsone production. Whoever produced it…well done and thank you.

musicology #163

malevocals2 #1

(Cornell Campbell - My Country)

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kicking off this weeks selection with a mighty cut from one of Jamaica's finest, Cornell Campbell who has been dropping musical bombs like this for almost 50, (count 'em), years. the man has laid down so many top ranking pieces it beggers belief that he is not an international star.

there at the birth of Jamaican musicology Cornell Cambell began his career at the tender age of 11, (according to the man himself), for none other than Coxsone 'Downbeat the ruler' Dodd. after a financial dispute he moved on to King Edwards, then formed vocal group 'The Sensations' with Jimmy Riley.

back to Dodd as a solo artist and lead singer of 'The Eternals' before hooking up with Bunny Lee in the early 70's...the cat has worked with all of the great Jamaican producers throughout his long career, (which is still going strong), covering almost all of the styles from R&B through to Dancehall so I'm not going to bore you with the 'information' .... i'm just going to throw this one down and leave it to you to decide.