African Museum

musicology #544

Jamaica #24

(Gregory Isaacs – Financial Endorsement)

Out of the ‘Crown Prince’ selection and into one from the ‘Cool Ruler’…aka Jamaican Superstar Gregory Isaacs..who, (along with the Heptones and Beres Hammond), I will be catching Live at the Brixton Academy next week…

Born and raised in West Kingston’s notorious Denham Town, The Cool Ruler begun his recording career in 1968 with a self produced cut and followed with one for Prince Buster, (apparently under gentle persuasion from the notorious ghetto legend Jim Brown to offer his ‘bredren’ Gregory a platform to record), but amazingly it wasn’t until setting up his own African Museum label in 1973 in collaboration with Errol Dunkley that he began to climb his way up to the top. Why? certainly nothing to do with his immense talent, maybe he was just toorude for the producers to deal with for more than the odd session? anyway thankfully Gregory continued to record and has gone on to deliver some of the finest music to have ever graced themusicologist’s ears.

Today’s 1974 cut was recorded for producer Alvin Ranglin and released on his GG’s Label.

musicology #478

PoliceAndThieves #3

(Gregory Isaacs – Mr Cop)

Hmmm..don’t know what’s happened to the ‘Thieves’ selection..just have to keep rolling with the Police then…

Today’s cut is from none other than the ‘Cool Ruler’ a Cat who has been delivering TOP ranking cuts for 40…YES 40 years. which in this age of here today and gone tomorrow is no mean feat. His recording career begun in 1968 but it wasn’t until hooking up with Errol Dunkley in 1973 and setting up their African Museum label that he began his rise to the top of the Jamaican music tree working with producers such as Niney, Gussie Clarke, Roy Cousins, Alvin Ranglin and Lee Perry sealed his status as one of Jamaica’s top vocalists throughout the 70’s and 80’s. Always ahead of the game Gregory was and still is an inspiration for all Ghetto youths.

Still making TOP ranking music Gregory is the yardstick by which all Jamaican vocalists are measured…with only Dennis Brown for company. Yes there are other singers who are as good but none surpass Gregory…Lee Perry production on this one.