Dub counterpart to the Experience LP, with assistance from Prince Jammy.
A stupendous haul of sound-system specials and inspired experiments conjured from some of the greatest reggae rhythms of all time, from the inner sanctum of King Tubby’s studio in the mid-seventies (where Philip Smart was second engineer).
Seething with lethal touches of Tubby; dotted with head-spinning walk-ons for Hugh Mundell, Johnny Clarke, Jacob Miller and co; steeped in the genius of young Augustus Pablo, Smart’s childhood friend.
A staggering turn-up. Utterly crucial.
Majestic 1982 LP with Junjo at Channel One.
Superb recordings for Delroy Wright’s Live & Learn label, originally released as Jah Love in 1983. Post-Yabby You, post-Gunman.
Laid down at Channel One, with the Roots Radics and High Times bands, and The Tamlins on backing vocals; mixed by Scientist.
Ace soundclash deejaying over a banging digital excursion on Rockfort Rock.
Trumps the Fatis piece.
Wicked little minor-key organ instrumental, with a killer intro and rare toasting by Ramon The Mexican — resident deejay of Harriott’s Musical Chariot Sound System — who later changed his name to Ambelique.
The return of Ramon Judah (from the first ever Tuff Scout).
Instrumentals in ska, mento and other Caribbean styles recorded in 1966, at the threshold of rocksteady. The only one of his eight Federal albums to feature ska. Super-fine LP from Dub Store.
The best of Ern’s sixties LPs. A lovely bunch of rocksteady instrumentals, featuring a cool and deadly Summertime, bumping versions of Hold Me Tight and Flamingo, a moody Story Book Children, some bluesy honky-tonk, and the far-eastern stylings of Sling Shot, to close.
Stanley Bryan was a jack of all trades at Channel One in its heyday. As an engineer, he mixed the Eek-a-Mouse classic Wah Do Dem, for instance. If a drummer dropped out of a session, Stan was the man to step in. And into the night, Ranking Barnabas worked the mic for the Channel One Sound System, often toasting over rhythms that he had recorded himself in the studio. Though Barnabas mixed countless dubs during these years, The Cold Crusher is the only LP released solely under his name, as a limited edition in the US.
Very well presented by the Italian label Jamming, with new notes, and expert sound restoration at Dubplates & Mastering. The terrific cover photo is by Beth Lesser.
Dub fans, don’t dilly dally. This won’t stick around.
With Dennis on the flip, Home Sweet Home.