Further resources which we rate highly.
Who Cork The Dance?
An amazing website just given an upgrade and invaluable resource for the reggae enthusiast. Dedicated to preserving a slice of history through a seemingly inexhaustible supply of session tapes going back to the 70’s, it is the place to go for those wishing a higher musical education. http://www.whocorkthedance.com/
(Image from the excellent ‘Dancehall’ book out on Soul Jazz Records).
Additional Sounds
Ambassada Hi Power with Dj Ian Irie at the controls is a massive inspiration. Their sound based in Wembley has been running since ‘79 and what sets this selector apart for us is his ability to really work the records he’s playing, there’s a treasure trove of mixes on: http://ambassada.podomatic.com/
Jahtari are one of the few crews keeping the ghost of sleng teng & digital reggae alive. As well as offering up most of their releases there’s some serious mixes too, if you’re a fan of digital reggae (and who isn’t), then you just struck gold. http://www.jahtari.org/music/tapes.htm
Chopstick Dubplate Crew, are keeping the jungle fires burning with some searing mixes and one of our favourite jungle tunes, a version of the Johnny Osbourne classic ‘Truth & Rights’ over at: http://www.myspace.com/chopstickdubplates
The Switch Docta, part of the Dub I-Nity crew back in the day is a firm favourite. His often mammoth sets constantly switch up the different styles of dub but always in a considered and cohesive manner as well as dropping amazing tunes that few have heard before. Recognise. http://electriclionsden.podbean.com/
Dancehallreggae.com
Quality site (forum/message board) that covers the whole spectrum of Jamaican music. It’s also the best place to scoop old session tapes, clash videos, mixes and pretty much anything else you can think of. The Foundation Corner is particularly worth a butchers.
Junior T Roots/Reggae Show - Safe Radio
There’s probably slicker shows out there but for us Junior T’s sunday show on Safe Radio (8pm GMT) is the one our dials are tuned to. Put simply the man knows a good tune. Strictly roots but across the board from foundation to UK digi steppers and everything in between - it’s the perfect way to see out the week. Few ads and limited chat - it’s all about the music.
Woofah
Big shout has to go out to Woofah fanzine/magazine, it’s the only publication that touches all musical bases for us, covering everything from early reggae to dubstep and everything in between. Are only gripe is that it doesn’t come regularly enough - catch while you can. Below is Gabriel Heatwaves instructions for aspiring badmen taken from Issue 2.
- “Badman nuh Cub Scout” (Bounty Killer & Ninja ‘Boy Nuh Run’)
- “Badman nuh retire” (Beenie Man ‘Toyfriend’)
- “Badman no ramp with informer” (Elephant Man ‘Ova Di Wall’)
- “Badman nuh wear screwface” (Leftside ‘Mr Evil Liar’)
- “Badman nuh inna the Boys II Men ting” (Cojo Banton ‘Check Yu Self Out’)
- “Badman nuh wear horse hair” (Merciless Live at Sting 2001)
- “Badman don’t lie pon punaany” (Buccaneer ‘Lie’)
- “Badman nuh kiss weh go in a sanitary pad” (Ward 21 ‘Never Bow’)
- “Badman nuh follow girl go bathroom go pee pee” (Busy Signal ‘PPPPP’)
- “Badman nuh bleach or shave them eyebrow” (Munga ‘Na Hear’).
The Bloggers
Noticed a spate of blogging activity recently geared up toward the reggae massive (about time). With bloggers posting up hard to find reggae nuggets to download. Our favourite is Digital Mi Digital, focussing on the mid 80’s early 90’s computer sound of the island. There’s also a couple of digital mixes thrown in for good measure. http://digitalmidigital.blogspot.com/
On a similar tip but coming at ya with a roots vibe is Jah Fire’s blog, nuff nice roots lp’s. Bless up.
Finally Original Roots Connexion have some quality albums up for grabs, although the main focus is on the roots era also branches out to include some dancehall.
Reggae History
A good place to start if you are a newcomer to the music and want a basic understanding of the different developments in reggae music is the BBC’s online guide “The Story Of Reggae“.
For further reading “The Rough Guide To Reggae” by Steve Barrow (Blood & Fire label boss) is pretty indispensable. In addition to a definitive history you get accounts from the musicians, studio bosses and promoters of the time as well as reviews and recommendations of the key releases to emanate from this tiny but prolific island.
Lloyd Bradley’s “Bass Culture” is also worth a peep and strikes a good balance between social and musical history (although the dancehall era onwards is overlooked somewhat).
The Story Of Jamaican Music - BBC
Despite casting it’s net wide and attempting to cram in 50+ years of the island’s musical history into a 2hr program (split into 2 x 1hrs) the BBC managed to produce a film that covers most bases without being too ‘coffee table’. There are naturally a few omissions, the biggest being the absence of Coxsone Dodd (too busy with the Soul Jazz Documentary being filmed at the same time) also the major developments and figures post Marley are covered in a swift manner. That said this is a hugely enjoyable film for beginner and enthusiast alike with some fantastic contributors and archive. There’s also an accompanying book written by Bass Culture’s Lloyd Bradley which is also rated highly.
You can check out Part 1 here.
The Studio One Story - DVD - Soul Jazz Records
To say this film is a comprehensive testament to the legacy of Studio One and the inception of reggae is an understatement. Told by the man himself Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd, this is a historical document that deserves to be in any reggae fans collection.
The story covers the early days of sound systems (playing r n b), ska, deejays, reggae right up to today. Along the way we are treated to archive footage of the likes of Jackie Mittoo, early dances, snapshots of Jamaican life and guest appearances by the likes of The Lone Ranger, Dennis Alcapone, Sugar Minott (to name but a few) reminiscing about the glory days at Brentford Road.
Rodigan & Shaka Kiss FM October 2001
Great interview between 2 stalwarts of the UK scene. Shaka tells how it all begun and over the course of half an hour drops nuff big tunes and vibes… At the end of a good job is a reward.
Musically Mad - DVD
Film charting the history and impact of sound system culture in Britain. Interviews with most of the players from speaker/amp builders to the operators themselves. Choice archive and thoroughly covered. You can check the trailer here (although it’s more of a section from the film): http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=5965541
Dub Echoes - DVD
Although a bit rough around the edges in places (part 2 especially) any documentary that sets out to trace the lineage from dub to modern dance music gets the thumbs up in our book. Another draw is the army of contributors including Bunny Lee, Jammy, Don Letts, Aba Shanti I, Adrian Sherwood, Kode 9, Roots Manuva and many many more, who all give an insight into just how instrumental dub has been in shaping the landscape of music today.
Battle for Brixton - DVD
Thanks to ‘The Guvna’ for turning us onto this documentary about the Brixton riots 1981. A film about a defining moment for the black community in Britain when thousands took to the streets and clashed with the police over 2 days against a backdrop of racism and racial injustice. Great contributors and a really well told story. Check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCjZEZt3QKc
Aquarius ‘76 - UK Television - 1976
Documentary that came out, largely in response to the Notting Hill Carnival of that year, where 60 were hospitalized after clashes with the police. The film calls for greater understanding and integration of black culture in the UK and provides a good snapshot of the British scene at the time with interviews and performances from the likes of Aswad, Delroy Washington, and Lloyd Coxsone.
Part 1 and Part 2 both on youtube.
The Afflicted Yard
Amazing photography that depicts everything that is beautiful and ugly within Jamaica. “A place of extremes where you will see life as we see it. Watch it or change the channel.” The Afflicted Yard.
