studio 1 mp3

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’

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.

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.

it’s a hard life and no mistake when you have to fight every inch of the way…it’s relentless and you can’t let your guard down for a minute and when you do there’s always someone ready with a metaphorical, (or if you’re really unlucky a physical), snaking jab, right hook, ‘glasgow kiss’ or a good old kick in the bollocks to remind you of the ‘struggle’.

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 #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…..

So let’s get that clear, Jackie Mittoo, (at the age of 16), joined some of the cream of Jamaican musicologists to heaed the greatest instrumental group to come out of Jamaica, as well as supervise the recording sessions at the birth of Studio1.

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..

musicology #108

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #31

(Jackie Mittoo – Juice Box)

final week of the six/six/six…and themusicologist would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much I have appreciated your support..last month, (and last week), set new records on themusicologist for ‘viewers/listeners’ which is encouraging. it means a lot to me to know that you are feeling the selection.

just as Soul would have taken an alternative route without Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield..the musical arts of Jamaica wouldn’t sound like they do without this next ‘artist’ whose skills as arranger, composer, player of instruments and ‘eye of the needle’ at the legendary Studio1 are well known to all who listen to Jamaican music.

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 #28

day 1..mansweek

(Ken Parker – Choking Kind)

this is a big challenge. selecting 7 male vocal pieces from the vaults when the truth is it could easily be 7 from one artist or one year !! so without delay and to ‘set the speed’ .. heres the first piece from none other than the Brentford Road reggae powerhouse known as Studio 1 the place where musical history and magic were made on a regular basis.

almost all the reggae greats learnt the ropes under the direction of mr Coxsone Dodd a genuine musicologist who knew his onions inside out ..

this week, it’s seven from themusicologists heart which some may find ‘painful’. if thats the case then pretend you were on holiday because the ‘truth’ is something that I can’t hide.