musicology #113

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #36

(New Establishment - People Skanking)

final cut from Jackie and the last of the six/six/six. it was a toss up between this and a tune called Wall Street, (which is one of my personal favourites), but I went with this one because, for me, it sums up perfectly how music can give you the strength, (and courage), to keep on 'stepping' in the right direction. One of those 'call to arms' tunes that not only communicates but also delivers...another diamond from the Studio1 showroom that does exactly what the title suggests.

just leaves me to thank you all for listening and the six artists; Sam Cooke / Stevie Marriott / Alton Ellis / Curtis Mayfield / Paul Weller and Jackie Mittoo for providing the ammunition over the past six weeks to 'lick shot'

LISTEN TUNE........

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musicology #112

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #35

(Wailers - Rude Boy)

penultimate slice of musicology on the six/six/six and one from Jamaica’s most famous vocal group, The Wailers.

Not sure whether this had a UK release at the time? the one we are hearing is taken from the Coxsone Import 45. But with a title like ‘Rude Boy’ it wouldn’t have got much promotion on these English shores. As we all know the Wailers went on, (certainley Marley anyway), to become a household name. Jackie Mittoo on the other hand didn’t receive anywhere near the recognition that he deserved for all the musicology he brought to each and every Studio1 session from 1963 up to his emigration to Canada in 1969? which is, unfortunately, an all too common story when it comes to the cats who played the instruments.

Arranger, Piano player session leader and all round musicologist it would have been Jackie, (as much as any single artist), that drove the music towards the Spaghetti Western influenced, Gun Man Style that was to become more popular as the times got tougher and the rudies got ruder in Kingston, Jamaica.

for themusicologist Jamaican music is still the ‘voice of the people’….how long will it last? only time will tell but from 1962 to today it has always reflected and communicated the thoughts and feelings of the ‘man on the street’ .. and this one is no exception.

to listen...
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musicology #111

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #34

(Karl Bryan & The Afrokats - Money Generator)

no post yesterday...got caught up in too much 'he say she say' which took the wind out of themusicologists sails so couldn't find the enthusiasm and motivation to invest the time, emotion and energy required for posting so thought it best to let yesterday go.

anyway enough of that...just wanted to let youse know where themusicologist is 'at' and why I left you 'swinging' yesterday. Todays cut finds Jackie Mittoo keeping not only keeping time with his organ playing but also supervising, arranging and maybe even writing the music for this session.

for themusicologist this period of Studio1 musicology is beyond compare...the Golden Age where everyone involved at Brentford Road was at the top of their 'game'.

One of the reasons Studio1 became such a mecca for the islands musicologists is that Coxsone would let the cats smoke the collie at the Studio, (something that no other recording studio allowed at the time), helping create the vibes that allowed such innovative and emotional music to flow.

We all know that many a musician has leaned on the 'green crutch' throughout history and Jamaica is no exception...no doubt it enhances creativity, supresses hunger and 'packs up your troubles in the old kit bag' while under the influence and Coxsone who didn't encourage it, but was smart enough to know it's positive qualities, turned a blind eye.

love this haunting, melancholic, emotion charged slice of musicology and for me the title nails it it two words.

musicology #110

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #33

(Cout Ossie & The Cyclones - Meditation)

words can't do this one justice so I'll leave it up to Count Ossie, Jackie Mitto and Leroy Sibbles to converse with you.

http://themusicologist.wordpress.com.

musicology #109

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #32

(Bob Andy - Feeling Soul)

Donat Roy Mittoo was born in Kingston, (on March 3rd 1948), and grew up around music as language.

a child prodigy it was Clement Seymour Dodd, (Studio1 Boss), who presented him with the opportunity as a teenager (16 !!), to not only supervise the sessions at his newly formed Brentford Road Studio but also be a founder member of the legendary Skatalites…..

as that sinks in hold this next cut..it’s a Bob Andy classic from around 1969 I would imagine but it’s got Jackie all over it, (organist, arranger, musicologist), the only other backing musician I can be sure of identifying would be Leroy Sibbles playing bass..

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musicology #108

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #31

(Jackie Mittoo - Juice Box)

many a great singer, song writer and instrumentalist has sprung from Jamaica’s well of musicologists but Jackie Mittoo’s contribution to developing the music known now as ‘Reggae’, (a one size fits all label that doesn’t have much meaning), demands and deserves a tribute selection in his honour.

this first cut from the album ‘Keep On Dancing’ was recorded and released in 1969 and features the man in his role as ‘Organist’, (one of the instruments that he went on to perfect..ranking with the best of ‘em), wicked piece of Jamaican Funk for your Monday musical pleasure.

musicology #107

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #30

(Paul Weller - Above the Clouds)

this final cut from the Paul Weller selection is taken from a concert recorded at Sheperd’s Bush Empire, June 2nd 2002, at which I had the greatest musical experience of my life.

as the evening unfolded grown men were standing, as if at a cup final, belting out the words to all of the songs, tears in eyes..it was very moving and it was during this performance that the metaphorical sun began to break through the dark clouds of my despair.

for the full rundown and to listen to the tune in question

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