JA roundup

Paul Bradshaw reflects on the glowing embers of resistance in reggae music, fans the flames of offerings past and present and wonders why Jamaican music has been relegated to the music industry’s margins, despite respectable international sales and a devoted global following.

Kingston Jamaica - May 2010: Makeshift barricades block the roads, police stations are looted and set alight, and the sound of automatic gunfire resonates through the war torn “garrisons” in the west side of the city. Caught in the crossfire between the gunmen and the Jamaica Defence Force the people count their dead but the sufferers of Tivoli Gardens have declared that they will not give up on their “protector” – Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke – for extradition to the USA. Jamaicans have never taken kindly to interference from the US and the relationship between the likes of local dons like ‘Dudus’ Coke is complex. It’s a touch ironic that ‘Dudus’ Coke is “the don” in the constituency of the current Prime Minister. Tivoli Gardens was built as a JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) stronghold in West Kingston by former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga. It was from there in the 1970s that Seaga (CIA-ga) and his Labourite gunmen waged war against the creeping influence of Caribbean socialism. But times have indeed changed and while the local “dons” remain tied to their long standing political affiliations, their income is derived from the drugs trade. It’s more likely that in 2010 roles have been reversed and it’s the “dons” who control the politicians.

Capleton

As I followed the news of Jamaica’s “State Of Emergency”, it was the forthcoming LP from ‘the prophet’ - Capleton – that dominated my hi-fi. Six long years have elapsed since VP Records released the mighty Reign Of Fire and this follow up to that 2004 roots classic - I-Ternal Fire - is now scheduled for a July release. Capleton remains dedicated to the cleansing nature of “Fire!” and he fervently believes that “Rasta is Life!” Like his Bobo Ashanti bredren, Sizzla and Anthony B he alternates between that gruff MC delivery and the sing-jay style. Capleton possesses a combination of humanity and righteous anger and delivers a vision for a better life. He effortlessly hooks the listener with his conscious and incisive word-play and strong melodies. In the mix are a swathe of rhythms from top JA producers: Shane Brown’s ‘Discretions Rhythm’ underpins the herbalist anthem of ‘Acres’ while ‘Same Old Story’ uses Kemar McGregor's easy snappin’ ‘Rub A Dub’ rhythm. Capleton can be raw like sushi but the deftly arranged I-Ternal Fire is eminently listenable and destined to be one of the reggae events of the year.

Alborosie

VP Records is also home to a new generation of excellent, conscious, popular roots artists like Queen Ifrica (Montego Bay) and Taurus Riley (Contagious) but it’s Alberto D’Ascola aka Alborosie - an Italian dreadlocks who is resident in JA that’s become one of VPs biggest selling artists. I first picked up his ‘Kingston Town’ on a 7” single a couple of years ago and was hooked. Oblivious to his background I tuned in to Alborosie via YouTube and was amazed to discover he’s Italian! Alborosie arrived in JA to work as a sound engineer and get nearer to the music. Today he is a reggae phenomenon. His Escape From Babylon album is tuff modern roots and here in the UK it’s an underground hit. Alborosie is currently doing extensive touring in the US and is poised to do summer festivals in Europe. Let’s hope he drops in the UK sometime soon. 

Alborosie – Kingston Town

Version excursion

Yard style dancehall or “bashment” is synonymous with sex, bling, gangsta-ism and homophobia and it’s therefore not to everyone’s taste. However, if you fancy shelving your prejudices and taking a ride through the current scene then NYC based VP and their West London based partners, Greensleeves Records are the premier guides. They have been pivotal in exposing JA’s new music in CD form and throughout the dancehall era they have pioneered the version excursion where one CD hosts 20+ versions on the same hit “riddim”. It’s an exercise in innovation.

The 27th Greensleeves Rhythm Album features the ‘Diwali’ rhythm – which is probably inspired by Trinidad’s chutney scene. Over 22 cuts MCs and singers – Bounty Killer, Sean Paul, Tanya Stephens, Cecile, Elephant Man, TOK, Anthony B et al - ride the same rhythm.

Over at VP their latest ‘Riddim Driven’ offering comes via the studio of Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor (son of Freddie!). The Classic Riddim results in a contemporary Lovers Rock vibe with cuts from the excellent Berris Hammond, Etana, Maxi Priest and current fave Gyptian amongst others.

Revival

While Digital Dancehall reigns, Revival music continues to bubble… here’s a few “revives” worth checking out:

Soul Jazz Records are renowned for their superb Studio One releases but to further compliment Beth Lesser’s excellent book Dancehall their most recent release is Dancehall 2 - The Rise Of Jamaican Dancehall Culture. Compiled by Blood & Fire mastermind Steve Barrow this is mammoth two-CD pack and two heavyweight double-album vinyl additions featuring killer tracks back-to-back from the finest Dancehall artists ever! Yellowman, Shabba Ranks, Lone Ranger, Buju Banton, Trinity, Johnny Osbourne, Half Pint et al!

VP/Greensleeves are busy re-issuing back catalogue from the late Joe Gibbs’ label and worth a visit are the Discomix Showcase Cds consisting of classic 12” disco mixes from artists like Dennis Brown, Ruddy Thomas, Ranking Joe, Culture, Cornell Campbell, Marcia Aitken, Trinity and co. 

Deep! That’s the only way to describe Dadawah’s Peace & Love album. Released via the Honest Jons connection on Dug Out this seminal recording circa 1974 features a small group led by Ras Michael. He guides us through four extended hymn-notic cuts that border on psychedelia. The vibe in the studio must been kinda cloudy at the all night mixing session which imbued these tracks with a dazed, wide-open, echo laced ambience. Lovingly restored at Abbey Road – top quality.

Dubwise

If Dub mixes are your tipple I suggest you raid the catalogue at Pressure Sounds. Quality is the watchword of this extremely selective label that also drops limited edition 7” singles and some nice tees. Their latest offering is Prince Jammy’s Strictly Dub. Initially pressed up in NYC in the early 80s this wicked instrumental album, of mostly classic rhythms, vanished a quickly as it had arrived, eclipsed by the arrival of dancehall. Jammy perfected his craft working alongside the legendary dub master King Tubby and as the author of the album’s liner notes, Jeremy Collingwood, declares the album is “best heard on headphones with a little of what you enjoy…”. While one has to agree with that sentiment I remember well hearing the majestic ‘Old Country Dub’ (a version of Hugh Mundell’s ‘Jah Fire Will Be Burning’ ) on Jah Shaka’s sound system. Simply blazing! 

Another Pressure Sounds dubwise gem is Dub I – a collection of wonderful 70s roots rarities from Jimmy Radway’s Fi Mi Time imprint. Incredible bass lines, great horn section and snatches of classic vocals dipping in and out of the mix. Words, sound and power! Pressure Sounds have also re-issued their first ever release with extra tracks. Harder Shade Of Black was released in 1974 on Santic Records with an album cover shot taken on Hackney Downs. Leonard Chin was one the youngest producers in Jamaica and his productions had a very distinct sound – thanks to a rhythm section that included Family Man on bass and Carlton Barrett or Lloyd ‘Tin Leg’ Adams on drums - and this 22 track album delivers a host of seminal recordings from Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, Roman Stewart and the young Augustus Pablo. Absolutely essential stuff!

While the hard working and legendary Burning Spear notched up his second Grammy for his independently produced 2009 album Jah Is Real, the major record companies have little interest in developing reggae artists. However, the influence of Jamaican music will undoubtedly continue. It’s fascinating to hear Nas teaming up with Damian ‘Gong’ Marley over a classic Mulatu composition (as Distant Relatives on the new single ‘As We Enter’) while in Africa artists like Senegal’s Daara J continue to explore alternative dimensions in sound and bring reggae music back home. Throughout the Caribbean and Latin America the people are bubbling to reggaeton, in Brazil samba-reggae is part of the musical fabric. Basically, wherever there are people who are oppressed, who suffer, there is reggae music. The fire is still blazing.

Distant Relatives – As We Enter

Live & direct:

One Love Festival: UK’s No.1 Reggae Dub Festival 6-8 August 2010 Hainault Forest London featuring Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Michael Prophet and Winston Mcanuff plus Canadian Dubmatix, Brazilian Digitaldubs, Dutch Reggae stars Bo Marley and producers Twilight Sound System, Mungos from Scotland, Trinity Sounds from Sweden, and Zimbaremabwe Mbira Vibes from Zimbabwe.

www.onelovefestival.co.uk

Paul Bradshaw/Straight No Chaser

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