Today’s MASSIVE cut is courtesy of The MAJESTIC Earl John Daley aka Earl 16..who started his recording career at Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle in vocal group The Flaming Phonics but had little impact until after going Solo in 1975. Teaming up first with Derrick Harriott and then Boris Gardner before linking with Lee Perry in the late 70’s when he waxed a few gems for the Upsetter at the Black Ark..
In a, (top ranking), interview from AUTHENTIC Reggae periodical Small Axe Earl has this to say about the session….
“We actually laid the track with Dalton Browne, that was actually the first time that Steelie came to the studio as well, we first brought him, Steelie, Albert Malawi, (he used to play in sound system, but he’s a drummer), and Dalton Browne, that’s the musicians that we used for that session, and we did four songs all at once. We did “Cheatin” (?) was played by Boris Gardener, and “Bird in the Hand”, those two were played by Boris Gardner, but “Give Black People Freedom” and “Do Good and Good Will Follow You” was played by Albert and them lot”.
BIG piece of Rebel Music, (mixed down by themusicologist)…….
day Two of theUpsetter triBute……I’ll keep it brief and let the music speak.
the bat eared amongst you will notice that this is of course a version of the George Gershwin song Summertime but rinsed through the genius of Lee Perry and the Black Ark.
KILLER Black Ark selection from Errol Walker and theUpsetter…I have mixed in the, (at the time), unreleased Dub for the FULL Black Ark Experience….
For the next couple of weeks themusicologist is focusing on Lee Perry, The Upsetter, Chicken Scratch, Little Lee. A man whose impact on Jamaica’s, (and the world’s), soundtrack is, (almost), as big as Coxsone Dodd’s.
No surprise that the Upsetter began his career beside Dodd and even less of a surprise that they parted due to, (as far as Lee Perry is concerned), Downbeat’s failure to reward his creative endeavours….a common Jamaican tale which I am not in a position to pass judgement on, (and nor would I no matter what I knew)
Anyway, the(urBan)musicologist ain’t about hearsay and rumour….STRICTLY music and Lee Perry and Coxsone Dodd helped shape Jamaican music into what we know and love.
Studio 1 carried the swing throughout the 1960’s and early 1970’s but Lee Perry emerged with the ‘Soul Rebel’ sound in the late 60’s and wrestled the (recording) Crown from Sir Coxsone between 1972-1977..Channel 1 was there as where a whole host of producers during the period but, (as with Coxsone Dodd), Lee Perry changed the game.
It was Lee Perry who insisted that Bob Marley reform the Wailers rather than go it alone after returning from abroad in 1968 and history went on to be made. It was Lee Perry whose ‘Black Ark’ RULED from late 1973 until 1978 recording a HEAP of classic, KILLER material with many of the great Jamaican musicologists and whenever we reflect on Jamaican musical history Lee Perry’s name is right up there with the Champions.
Today’s cut is courtesy of The Silvertones Gilmore Grant, Keith Coley and Delroy Denton who first recorded for Duke Reid in 1965? with the magnificent Ska tune ‘True Confession’, (buried somewhere on themusicologist !!) following up with some quality Rock Steady and early Reggae for various producers, (including Lee Perry).
Before I drown in a sea of monologue and information please allow me to cut this short..
According to David Katz’s excellent book ‘People Funny Boy’ the rhythms for this piece were recorded at the, (almost completed), Black Ark and the vocals at King Tubby’s Studio at the dawning of 1973? and the musicians consisted of Hux Brown, Ansel Collins, Ranchie McLean and Anthony ‘Benbow’ Creary…
Finally I just want to add that I rate this tune and the Silvertones HIGHLY…oh yeah….It’s a cover of Sam Cooke’s ‘Bring It On Home To Me’
theUpsetter triButetee available in various colours @
round 2 of the(urban)musicologist’s audio/video combos highlights a tune from the ‘Mellow Sounds & System Dub’ LP.
Dubwise to Horace Andy’s KILLER ‘Just Say Who’. One of my FAVOURITE pieces that drifts like the scent of honeysuckle on a summer breeze and never fails to move me.
The eagle eyed amongst you may notice my blatant product placement of the mellow sounds tee on the video…but if a man can’t mix, blend and share theUrbanMusicologyProject (tUMp) on here then where else !
Just to let you know that I won’t be making themusicologist an advert for bloOdsweatandteeS…it’s just how I’m rolling right now and the ‘project’ is what it is.
a material part of theurbanmusicologyproject (t_um_p) is up and running. bloOdsweatandteeS is locked and loaded with the first wave of triButeteeS in, (VERY LIMITED), stock and ready to go
fellow musicologists who have watched as themusicologist has evolved over the years will know that the tees are not only a labour of love but also an authentic part of themusicologist’s project to honour, share, connect and communicate with the music that continues to deliver 100% satisfaction.
the first wave of teeS consists of two designs, (although EXTRA colour combinations now available), that will be familiar to the cats who knOw how themusicologist has already rolled..
Part two of the theme inspired by Jean Baudrillard’s crtical insights regarding contemporary society and the shift/evolution from ‘Domination to Hegemony’.
The musicology is a 1985 collaboration between ‘Digital’ Reggae pioneer Lloyd ‘Prince Jammy’ James and Glen Augustus ‘Nitty Gritty’ Holness..on the Tempo Rhythm
“Hegemon means the one who commands, orders, leads and governs, (and not the one who dominates and exploits). This brings us back to the literal meaning of the word ‘Cybernetic’ (Kubernetike, the art of governing). Contrary to domination, a hegemony of world power is no longer a dual, personal or real form of domination, but the domination of networks, of calculation and integral exchange. Domination can be overthrown from the outside. Hegemony can only be inverted or reversed from the inside”.
Been Rockin’ Steady these past few weeks with the sweet sounds of Jamaica as the, (primary), soundtrack and the writings of one of my most cherished and respected guides and companions on the journey; Jean Baudrillardwhose insights I featured a selection of last year, (Fragments), on themusicologist.
Inspiration is the key for themusicologist to rise up to throw down and often the seed is sown by music and literature and this theme is no exception..
The quotes in this series, (beginning today), belong to Baudrillard…highlited from a collection of his speeches and essays entitled‘The Agony Of Power’
The musical wisdom is courtesy of Hemsley Morris, (Vocals), a collection of the cream of Jamaica’s instrumentalists from a pool of Cats such as Lynn Taitt, Tommy Mc Cook, Winston Wright, Gladdy Anderson, Vincent Gordon, Johnny Moore, Hugh Malcolm, ‘Easy Snappin’, Clifton ‘Jackie Jackson’, Drumbago, Herman Marquis…and the producer, (none other than one of the great Jamaican musicologists), George ‘Phil Pratt’ Phillips who is also harmonising on this wicked cut.
So without further delay hold this quote and listen tune…
“In order to grasp how globalization and global antagonism works, we should distinguish carefully between domination and hegemony. Domination is characterised by the master/slave relation, which is still a dual relation with potential alienation, a relationship of force and conflicts. It has a violent history of oppression and liberation. There are the dominators and the dominated-it remains a symbolic relationship. Everything changes with the emancipation of the slave and the internalisation of the master by the emancipated slave”
Can’t believe that I haven’t already laid it down on themusicologist over the last 4 years..!! For me the BEST version of this Irving Berlin penned classic courtesy of the MAJESTIC Hadda ‘Queen Of The Boogie’ Brooks.
Sticking with the Jamaican festivities and rolling with this cut courtesy of Doreen Schaffer and the Downbeat crew voiced over a classic Studio 1 rhythm..
4 days and counting…busier than a busy bee who’s busy buzzing around the garden collecting nectar for the hive. I’ve neglected all you dedicated musicologists out there in the hyper real but I aim to make it up to you with a couple of musical Christmas presents delivered via themusicologist before the Big day…in the meantime hold this festive ska cut courtesy of pioneering Jamaican duo Arthur ‘Bunny’ Robinson and Noel ‘Skully’ Simms whose recording career began by singing and recording Jamaican Rhythm and Blues in the early 50’s..
Sticking with the 60’s Soul festivities with this cut from none other than the legendary ‘Big O’.. I’m led to believe that this one was released in 1968?? which would make it a year after he ‘boarded the train’ to the pearly gates..if it was then it would have be synoymous with themusicologist as I was born in the month of December, in the year of the Earth Monkey whilst revolution filled the air. Having already laid Otis’ majestic rendition of Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ down two years ago I’m very happy to be bringing this version of Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore’s Rhythm & Blues Christmas classic ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ to the festive table..First recorded by the Three? Blazers, (Johnny Moore, his brother Oscar, Charles Brown, Eddie Williams), in 1947.
Tried to lay this one down yesterday but my ‘service’ provider wasn’t up to the job of providing the ‘service’ that I pay top dollar for so I’m throwing it down early and plan on doubling up with a next piece later today when I return from starting work on a new and very interesting project that is exciting me.
Sliding out of the 50’s Doo Wop and into the 60’s Soul with this 1963 Motown cut from…The Miracles led, (of course), by one of the great singers…William ‘Smokey’ Robinson…
Moving out of the festive sounds of Jamaica and into this majestic slice of West Coast Rhythm and Blues/Doo Wop/Vocal Group Christmas action from the Nic Nacs, fronted in the finest style by the vocal talents of Mickey Champion who has been working it since being ‘discovered’ by the Legendary band leader Johnny Otis in L.A back in the mists of time…BOSS tune.
Sticking with the dancehall christmas selection with this one from Robert ‘Discipline Child’ French. 1985 cut. Music by Steelie & Cleevie..Produced by Anthony ‘CD’ Kelly.
ESSENTIAL christmas selection from the recently departed but NEVER forgotten Lincoln Barrington ‘Sugar’ Minott. Ride on Sugar and rest in peace in the knowledge that your musicology will continue to guide and soothe around the world.
Today’s cut is courtesy of little known prewar blues icon, powerhouse singer and influential composer Arnold Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore, who turned his back on the world of ‘popular’ music in the late 40’s to serve as a minister, (preceeding the host of Gospel singers who went the ‘other way’ in the years that followed). Superb downtempo festive cut from the man whose nom de plume was a reference to the strength of his voice.
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