William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke Passes Away

On the 2nd February 2014 another of Jamaica’s greatest talents was lost to the world.William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke passed away, aged just 58 - the singer having been hospitalized in Florida earlier this year after falling ill with leukemia.
He grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and began his singing career in the mid-sixties, performing with Charlie Hackett & the Souvenirs before fronting the Inner Circle band later in the decade.

A spell in New York City, where he sang with Hugh Hendricks & the Buccaneers, and the Bluegrass Experience, was followed by a return to Jamaican shores in 1974 and sessions for Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry at the producer’s famed Black Ark studio. A brief partnership with Ricky Grant ensued, along with the superb solo collection, ‘To Love Somebody’, while a spell performing on the live circuit with the Wild Bunch further enhanced his growing reputation.

In 1976, Bunny was recruited by Third World as a replacement for their former lead singer, Milton ‘Prilly’ Hamilton and over the next three decades his soulful voice graced numerous Reggae and Soul classics, both with the group and as a solo artist.

His passing is a huge loss not just to the reggae music community but to music as a whole.

JUNIOR 'SOUL' MURVIN - PASSES AWAY

2013 will be  forever marked as the year when the world lost one of its greatest and most inspirational statesmen Nelson Mandela, whose sad passing came just days after the loss of one of Jamaica's most underrated performers, Junior Murvin.

Best known internationally for his 1976 single 'Police and Thieves', Junior first burst onto the Jamaican music scene in the late sixties with hits for Derrick Harriott and Sonia Pottinger, although it was his work with Lee 'Scratch' Perry in the mid-to-late seventies that brought him global exposure and widespread acclaim.

Immediately following his spell with the producer, he enjoyed varied success with recordings for a number of Kingston-based music makers, including Joe Gibbs and Henry 'Junjo' Lawes prior to launching his own Port Antonio-based 'Murvin' imprint, although by the 1990s had eased off from his recorded work.

Shortly before his passing on the morning of 2nd December, the singer-songwriter, whose real name was Murvin Junior Smith, had been admitted into the Port Antonio Hospital in Portland, suffering with advanced stage diabetes and hypertension.

TONY BREVETT R.I.P

On the 26th October the world lost one of the most underrated singer-songwriters of a generation: Tony Brevett. Brevett was best known for his work with the Melodians, the group he had formed in the early sixties, along fellow Kingstonians, Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton.

After making their recording debut in 1966, the trio enjoyed a long and successful career, cutting hits with many of Jamaica’s leading producers, most notably Coxson Dodd, Duke Reid, Sonia Pottinger and Leslie Kong, for whom they recorded their most famous works: their sole UK hit, ‘Sweet Sensation’ and the definitive version of ‘Rivers Of Babylon’ from 1970. Soon after, Brevett recorded a number of self-produced solo sides, including his enduring hit,‘Don’t Get Weary’.

Subsequent spells working with Lee Perry and Harry Johnson ensued for the group, although their career was adversely affected by periods of inactivity following a number of break-ups. They finally experienced a period of sustained unity in the late 1990’s, during which time their stage performances won them new generations of fans, but sadly, in 2006, Dowe passed away following a heart attack. The remaining duo maintained the Melodians name until earlier this year, but after falling ill in August, Brevett was diagnosed with cancer and despite the efforts of staff at Florida’s Memorial Hospital, he finally lost his fight with the disease aged 64.

Reggae Roast Label T-Shirt & Print

London based label Reggae Roast have just launched a new T-shirt and print featuring a design inspired by some of the most iconic Reggae labels to have released music over past 60 years from Jamaica to Europe and beyond making it a must have for any Reggae music enthusiast.

The T shirts come on the highest quality 100% cotton shirts complete with Reggae Roast labels.

The prints are beautifully presented on the finest quality artist paper, embossed with the number print it is. There are only 100 of these prints going a will surely be a collectors item in years to come. They are available framed or unframed.

Link to Buy: www.reggaeroast.co.uk/shop/

Persephone Laird AKA Queen P The West Coast Rocksteady Heroine

The lead singer of Ocean 11, Persephone Laird AKA Queen P, has over the past 20 years, dedicated herself to singing and performing the hits of a young Jamaica and the hits that led to a world well known reggae takeover.

Formed in the early 90's,with the likes of fellow the LA Ska scene contemporaries such as Fishbone, The Untouchables, Hepcat and Sublime - Ocean 11’s prime directive has always been staying as true to the roots as they could. Recording with forgotten techniques they were doing it their way, in honour of Lee Perry before the modern day Pro Tools DIY musicians and before artists knew they could do it on their own........ Ocean 11 did! Recorded, sold and played worldwide before labels decided to start calling. Eventually the band hit big with commercials and soundtracks through Sony music, performing all their own original compositions written by Persephone Laird.

This dedication led to them being able to record and play with many of the artists that truly inspired them. Queen P's voice was a shiny beckon of vocal prowess recognized by not only their peers but many of the legends they tried to honour such as Phyllis Dillion, Derrick Morgan, Patsy Todd, Lee Perry, Skatalites and the vocal groups of Rocksteady era. Derrick Morgan, now close friend, required them to play their music as to pass the torch. Jesse of the Aggrolites said, he never would have played this music without hearing Ocean 11 music and specifically Queen P's dedication to Phyllis Dillon, which is a key factor to the audience appreciation of her artistry.

The band's hit "Best of Love" was featured on a high profile comp with the likes of No Doubt and Sublime which highlighted the amazing artists that were making music interesting around this time. Queen P's vocals on this tune set it apart from many of the others featured as a stand out track of classic Jamaican sounds unlike anything else on the comp. It was even noted by none other than Bradley Nowell of Sublime as a favourite tune in fact. 

This helped foster a relationship between the 2 bands that lead to further musical ventures, such as Brad's wife asking to manage the band personally, and more musical collaborations. Over the many years as the band's mystic grew, along with its fanbase, Queen P continued to develop as an artist because her passion never wavered in her goal to truly honour the greats of the past. She has always worked tirelessly to pay it forward - taking the music to another generation.

Ocean 11 became busy in the real world since that time and over the past couple of years Queen P was able to fulfil even more of her dreams. She played with the likes of Dennis Alcapone, Stranger Cole, Derrick Morgan, Alton Ellis, Pat Kelly, Ken Boothe, Leonard Dillon and more. She made some calls bringing together an absolute all-star line up including members of various bands such as Hepcat, The Debonaires, Jump with Joey, The Expanders and more. The passion goes on today playing and recording with various groups, artists and mentors as well as mentoring other young artist's herself. 

The next step in her plan is to further highlight the best and the brightest of the new young crop while paying tribute to all the amazing bands that have come out of the West Coast music scene, an area that has played a big part in maintaining the more traditional sounds of Jamaica than anywhere else. It is has been said by others that have helped her to understand her mission is a realistic one. Like Chris Murray (selected vocalist on Solid as A Rock) and Chuck Foster, of a 30 year term on Reggae Central. Queen P learned from him and is now in the works to record his own written track for a well received album of Chucks music! Full Circle!

Queen P is currently being backed an amazing young group of East LA musicians called The Delirians. These kids blew everyone away with their solid playing and are a group of musicians who really know how to play their instruments and her hope is to continue carrying the torch and spreading Rocksteady love around the world. 

See her here doing a cover of Moonlight Lover

Performingwith the The Delirians

WithPat Kelly

Listen to  "MissUnderstanding" with Ocean 11 

Youcan also join her on Facebook

Interview With The Revivers

Back in the mid-nineties there was something of a flourish of Ska/Reggae bands in California. Some just saw it as a passing fad but now some 15 years on there is still a very close knit and energetic scene there with many bands out regularly plying their trade. The Revivers are just one of those bands and their dedication to “reviving” the sounds of early Jamaican Reggae from the late 60’s and early 70’s has not gone un-noted. They have supported some of Reggaes true legends like Michael Rose, The Mighty Diamonds and Ska pioneer Eric “Monty” Morris as well as with fellow “revivalists” Hepcat, and The Aggrolites. Due to their authentic sound they have also supplied backing for the likes of The Wailing Souls, Ras Michael and most recently Pat Kelly. They are now about to release a single through Reggae Club 69 and with all this in mind I took a chance to catch up with them and find out more… 

You formed in 2009, how did you all meet?

-We have all known each other for years before forming The Revivers. Tom (organ), Mike (lead guitar), Tony (vocals), and I (Mano, rhythm guitar) all met in High School when we formed The Debonaires in 1995. Tony stopped playing with Debonaires a few years later, but we stayed in touch, and eventually he and Brent (drums) became good friends and wanted to start a new band. Brent had been a fan of the Debonaires for years; he is the youngest in the group, and helped form The Revivers. We had a few line-up changes, but asked Mark (Bass) from the Skeletones to play bass for us, and that sealed the deal. We had all been a part of the Southern Ca. Ska/Reggae scene since 95 and have played in various bands, so we formed the Revivers as more of a fun side project at first for the love of the music.

There appears to be quite a vibrant Ska/Reggae scene in California why do you think that is?

I think when it first started to make waves in the early/mid-nineties; it was a trend with younger fans just like anything else, Punk, Rockabilly, etc. It was something new and different for the younger audience, and a lot of the original Ska/Reggae legends were still alive and touring as well, like Desmond Dekker, Laurel Aitken, The Skatalites, and Justin Hinds to name a few. This spawned a huge influx of traditional style bands, particularly in Southern California, which was solidified and promoted heavily through Luis Correa at Steady Beat Records.He would record bands, put out compilations, and promote shows regularly, which really gave the scene some uniformity and consistency. Everyone would dress their sharpest, the music was great, and all around, the Ska/Reggae scene was unifying people from different racial and economic lines. Ska and Reggae fans tend to develop such a deep love of the music and feel such a connection to it that they become lifelong fans, which is why I think the scene continues to survive today. Many of the bands and fans from the nineties heyday are still around today.

Despite having been together for three years now you have only brought out one 10” E.P and now this new single for Reggae Club 69, ‘Reggae Fever’ b/w ‘Medical Operation’ any plans to go in the studio and record more for an album?

Our plan for the near future, after we play some gigs to promote the new 7" release, is to focus on writing original material for our first full length release. We plan on making it like an LP, with the A side being originals and the B side being covers of boss Reggae tunes.

Boss Reggae or as it’s sometimes known ‘Skinhead Reggae’, do you find being labelled a Skinhead Reggae band causes you any problems? Here in Europe I feel there is still a stigma attached to the skinhead name.

-There is definitely still a stigma that comes along with the term skinhead here in the States as well. Within the Ska/reggae scene it is understood and accepted that original skinhead culture has nothing to do with racism, however I constantly have to explain that to people who have no idea. We don’t necessarily go around boasting that we play Skinhead Reggae, but like Bob Marley said, “Who feels it, knows it”.

Your shows contain many authentic renditions of classic hits and obscure rarities, have you tried to model yourselves on any particular group?

-It’s interesting because a lot of our favourite groups were really the same combinations of musicians who had different studio names for different producers The Dynamites, GG All Stars, Harry J All Stars, Mudie’s All Stars, The Crystalites, The Upsetters are some of our favorite groups. I’d say we definitely try to go for the Jamaican style sound of Skinhead Reggae vs. the UK bands, but we like many of those groups too. In fact, referring back to the California Ska/Reggae scene, it's actually very similar to how it was in 60's Jamaica as far as how a lot of the musicians have played in various groups together with different names. If you were to trace the musicians and bands from today back to the early 90's you'd see it's almost like a family tree, and all of the musicians have a strong connection and friendships with each other just like a family.

You have been the backing band for the likes of The Wailing Souls and Ras Michael did you have to change your sound at all for these acts?

-Yes we had to adapt to each groups different styles, which can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. As I mentioned, we have all played in several groups in the past, Mike, Tom and I have backed up other artists as well, such as Ken Boothe, Dennis Alcapone, Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, The Maytones, The Cables, and Prince Buster, so we were a little more accustomed to learning material and being patient and accommodating while working with these artists, who can be quite particular about their backing bands and how their music is performed. The Revivers most recently backed up Pat Kelly on Sep 17 in San Francisco, which we were selected for specifically because that is the style of Skinhead Reggae that we usually play. So we didn’t have to change up our style much for that gig, except for a few Rocksteady tunes, which we love as well.

So far your career has definitely seen you more as a live band than a recording band with many gigs across the United States any plans to visit Europe or The Far East?

One of our main goals as a band is to tour Europe. We've heard great things about the scene out there, and are familiar with a lot of the bands that come from there. We've had the opportunity to go in the past, but couldn't because of people's family/career responsibilities. It’s been hard to coordinate enough time off at the same time to make a worthwhile tour possible so far, but we haven't given up yet! We're trying to make it possible summer 2012.

Speedometer featuring Martha High 'The Shakedown'

Speedometer are one of the groups to have spearheaded the resurgence in deep, gritty funk and soul over the last decade with their strong, original material, as well as working with legends Eddie Bo, Sharon Jones, Billy Wooten, and Sir Joe Quartermain.

One of the recorded highlights of their many collaborations are the two juicy nuggets of sweet soul music sitting on either side of this fantastic single, featuring as it does the mainstay of the James Brown live shows for over 30 years, and Maceo Parkers current vocalist, Martha High.

Freestyle Records are to release these sides not only to celebrate the February 2012 UK tour Speedometer are embarking on, with Martha High leading from the front as only she can!

They are also immensely proud to announce that Martha will be releasing a new album with them this year, produced by Speedometer main man Leigh Gracie. The Shakedown (Say Yeah) is an almost criminally infectious groove with massive blasts of brass, growling organ, crisp drumming, snappy guitar and the bonus of added vocals from UK soul man Myles Sanko, providing the answer to Marthas' call to action!.

Flipside, Dragging Me Down evokes the spirit of Motown, long sweaty nights at Northern Soul venues like The Wigan Casino and The Twisted Wheel!

If you are looking for a quality download of this cracking new single they heartily recommend you grab it from Juno Download RIGHT HERE!

You can also catch the band and Martha LIVE at the following shows in

February 2012 including a headline show at the legendary Ronnie Scotts Club, London:

NEWCASTLE -  HOOCHIE COOCHIE - FEB 23RD.

LEEDS - THE WARDROBE - FEB 24TH.

MANCHESTER - BAND ON THE WALL - FEB 25TH.

LONDON - RONNIE SCOTTS - FEB 26TH

Meet By The Rivers

By The Rivers were formed in Leicester in the Spring of 2010 by Nile Barrow and Jordan Birtles, who have been friends since birth. The band quickly became a 6 piece, inspired by all genres of music.

This outfit of talented youngsters write and perform catchy songs in a reggae style. A music they have an obvious passion for. They sing songs full with social comment and positive messages that affect the youth of today. This band speaks truth about modern living through their brand of Roots Reggae for a new generation!


Read more about them in an interview at.........

Visit their web site at:  www.bytherivers.co.uk/

and join them at: www.facebook.com/bytherivers  &  twitter.com/#!/bytherivers

Phoenix City Records To Release Ska Tributes

Phoenix City Records the Ska and Rocksteady imprint of Cherry Red Records have announced that they are to release two tribute albums to the ska and rocksteady periods.

First up is an album from one of UK's most loved ska bands the Dualers who will present their tribute to king of Ska Prince Buster in their own highly stylised mix of ska and reggae. The album will include versions of Chinaman Ska, King of Kings, Orange Street and Enjoy Yourself amongst others.

The Dualers have previously entered the UK charts on three occasions with ‘Truly Madly Deeply’, ‘Don’t Go’ and ‘Kiss On My Lips’, shifted over 35,000 albums and sold out London's O2 Indigo four times.

The second album will be from the Phoenix City All-Stars and will be titled ‘2 Tone: Ska & Rocksteady Special’. This band of as yet unnamed musicians will feature the vocals of stars old and new including Dave 'Double Barrel' Barker and Michie One who has performed with the likes of Pama International, will be presenting unique twist as they repatriate some of 2 Tone's greatest hits to the 'Sounds of Young Jamaica' in a what is reported as being “a blazing 60's Ska - Skatalites style and the sweetest sounding rocksteady & reggae”. Songs included for a re-working include The Specials ‘Too Much Too Young’, which was originally based around Lloydie & The Lowbites ‘Birth Control’, ‘Stereotype’ and the iconic ‘Ghost Town’, then there is The Selecter’s self-titled theme song, originally the B-side to The Specials ‘Gangsters’ and a version of Elvis Costello’s ‘I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down’, a 2-Tone rarity as it was given away free a gigs after publishing issues, featuring the afore mentioned Mr Barker.

Both albums will be launched at The London Intl Ska Festival in May and CD versions can be pre-ordered now (Phoenix All Stars Friday, Dualers Saturday) with tickets from www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/tickets and picked up at the festival, or alternatively if you can’t make this both will be available on CD and download formats from itunes, Amazon and other usual outlets after the event.

King Stitt - A Boss DJ

Legendary deejay Winston Sparkes AKA King Stitt has passed away on the 31st January, after having been ill for sometime with both prostate cancer and diabetes which led to him being admitted to hospital late last month.

King Stitt was often referred to as the Ugly One, due to facial disfiguration from birth, but he did not let this hold him back and in fact turned it into something of an asset. Born in 1940, his musical career began at the age of 17 when he came to the attention of Coxsone Dodd and his Downbeat Sound. Here he honed his style appearing behind the likes of Count Machuki and Red Hopeton to rave reviews. When Machuki retired Stitt‘s popularity had grown to such an extent that he ended up being the star turn with U Roy following behind.

Despite spending such a long time with Coxsone it wasn’t until 1969 that he put his talent on vinyl, recording such classics as ‘Lee Van Cleef’, ‘Herbman Shuffle’, ‘Vigorton 2’ and ‘Dance Beat’ for producer Clancy Eccles, with The Dynamites supplying the backing. His greatest hit though is probably ‘Fire Corner’, for although many people outside of reggae circles may not be familiar with his name many will have heard his prophetic words “No matter what the people say, these sounds leads the way”, the opening gambit to the song that has been sampled by many over the years.

Stitt, although not prolific on the recording front, continued to work and appeared at last years Garance Reggae Festival plus was with  producer Chester Synmoie in Brazil in October on a series of engagements when the producer sadly passed away in the airport on the way home. King Stitt will be greatly missed and was a leading light who showed the way too many.

The Selecter - Made In Britain Tour 2012

With The Specials just finishing their triumphant ‘Ghost Town 30th Anniversary Tour’ another 2-Tone legend  The Selecter, featuring original members Pauline Black and Gaps Hendrickson, have announced the full details of an upcoming tour of the UK through March next year.  The band will be plugging new material, taken from the Made In Britain album, which so far has only been available on download but is due a CD release soon plus a selection of classic oldies.

The tour includes the following shows:

01 Mar. - Sub89, Reading

02 Mar. - Bogiez, Cardiff

03 Mar. - The Fleece, Bristol

08 Mar. - The Assembly, Leamington Spa

09 Mar. - Citrus Club, Edinburgh

10 Mar. - Reading Rooms, Dundee

11 Mar. - Apollo 23, Glasgow

15 Mar. - Guildhall, Gloucester

16 Mar. - Rock City, Nottingham

17 Mar. - 229, London

18 Mar. - The Garage, Swansea

22 Mar. - The Brook, Southampton

23 Mar. - Brundenel Social Club, Leeds

25 Mar. - Concorde 2, Brighton

29 Mar. - Phoenix, Exeter

30 Mar. - Robin 2, Wolverhampton

31 Mar. - Erics, Liverpool

Original guitarist and song writer Neol Davies will unfortunately not be appearing with this version of The Selecter, but will be will performing with his own version at the London International Ska Festival that takes place between the 3rd and 6th May 2012 across 3 venues. Also confirmed on the bill for this event at present are Jamaican greats Dandy Livingstone and Dawn Penn, plus The Dualers, Capone & The Bullets, Hotknives (original line up) as well as European bands The Moon Invaders (Belgium) and Los Granadians (Spain). 

King Jammy Specials At ReggaeRecord.com

ReggaeRecord.com is at it again with another batch of King Jammy dubplate specials all taken from the original master tapes.

The company have just released four 7” heavyweight vinyl records that include some rare dubplate specials originally recorded for Jammy’s Super Power soundsystem by artists such as Pad Anthony, Little John, Anthony Malvo, Johnny Osbourne and Thiller U, who recorded their songs at King Jammys Recording Studio, plus unreleased dubplate recordings by Junior Reid and US soul group the Chilites. These dubplates were then played against the likes of Black Scorpio, Killamanjaro, Downbeat, African Symbol and other soundsystems who tried to test Jammys Super Power, at various sound clashes and go some way to show why the Prince became a King.

For more information and sound bites visit ReggaeRecord.com

DUBMATIX Presents Clash of the Titans - The System Shakedown Remixes

An epic Double Vinyl journey of remixes from some of the world’s most talented producers: Zion Train, G.Corp, Marcus Visionary, Liondub, Vibronics, Victor Rice, Duibvisionist, Mungo’s Hi-Fi, Aldubb, Nate Wize, TVS, Subatomic Soundsystem, Webcam Hi-Fi, DJ Shine, Eccodek & DJ Brace, through dub, dubstep, ragga, jungle, future dub and roots.

Now let Dubmatix tell you more …….

“The concept for this new release materialized in the summer of 2010: on a tropically hot (hot as hades) summer evening in Toronto, when myself and Karsten Frehe (Irie Ites Music) came up with the idea and immediately set about contacting some of the world’s premier dubheads and have them get involved and contribute a remix. What was to be just a 12” Vinyl release expanded into a Double 12” Vinyl Release, CD Release and Digital release. The remix material was so good and there was so much of it.
The album features an awesome line-up of great remixers/producers: G.Corp (Groove Corporation), Zion Train, Aldubb, Dubvisionist, TVS, Mungo's HiFi, Marcus Visionary, LionDub, Webcam Hi-Fi, Victor Rice, Vibronics, Subatomic Soundsystem and Nate Wize, with myself contributing an alternate version of the Dennis Alcapone track “Struggle”.  The resultant release is multifaceted, ranging from roots dub to steppers, more experimental approaches such as dubstep and future dub.  Dub has always been open for new styles and ideas! The voices featured on “System Shakedown” also put in an appearance: The Mighty Diamonds, Tippa Irie, Dennis Alcapone, Kulcha Ites, Jay Douglas, The Ragga Twins, Ammoye, Brother Culture and U Brown all feature with vocal parts, embellishing and enriching the futuristic sounds and vibes. Over the past months a great work has emerged and it is now poised I hope to go straight to the hearts and feet of dubheads all over the world.”

"This is a release that's guaranteed to smash up the place! TurnTableTerrorist say so!!!" (WLUW Chicago - USA)

MOVEMENT BBC RADIO 1 PEEL SESSIONS – 1977-1979

John Robert Parker Ravenscroft or John Peel as he was better known is the best Radio DJ the UK has ever known, end of….

He had an immensely eclectic taste in music and always sort diversity in programmes, always pushed boundaries and promoted artists working in various genres, including pop, reggae, punk, hip-hop, dance music, heavy metal, death metal, hardcore punk, breakcore, grindcore and every other kind of ‘core’.

The thing that most people probably looked forward to hearing on his shows was his legendary 'Peel sessions', which usually consisted of four songs recorded by an artist live in the BBC's studios, and often provided the first major national coverage to bands and would often propel them to fame. Many of these sessions have been released before, via Strange Fruit vinyl releases, but now EMI along with the BBC have got together to release ‘Movement – BBC Radio 1 Peel Sessions 1977–1979’ a 2CD compilation of some very rare and previously unreleased tracks from these sessions which will includes artists like The Jam, The Slits, XTC, Steel Pulse, Aswad, The Specials and many more.

For more info visit  HERE

John Peel OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004)

PHOENIX CITY SOCIAL CLUB.

A brand new club night is coming to London at the Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curatin Rd not far from Shoreditch High Street, Old Street and Liverpool Street tubes.

The night will be hosted by new label Phoenix City Records and this once a month Ska, Rocksteady, Soul & 2 Tone extravaganza will be known as the

PHOENIX CITY SOCIAL CLUB.

The opening night is to be on Wednesday 21st September from 7pm untill midnight with live on stage an appearance by The Lee Thompson Ska Orchchestra (Lee & Bedders from Madness) plus guest DJ’s Don Letts and Mistah Brown (Tighten Up).

This will then be followed by Owen Grey meets The Sidewalk Doctors whose members have previously worked with Pama Intl, Gregory Isaacs, U Roy, African Headcharge and Acid Jazz soul stars Lord Large, plus DJ Cello (Coast To Coast) and more to be announced on Wednesday 19th October.

Tickets for both nights are now available at

www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/tickets

Dub Vendor Store To Close

Dub Vendor, probably the most famous reggae record shop in the UK, if not Europe has sadly announced that it is about to close the doors of its shop at Clapham Junction.


Dub Vendor, founded by John MacGillivray, began life in 1976 as a market stall catering for the music needs of the surging West Indian population of Clapham and nearby Brixton. The stall proved such a success that soon a shop was acquired and opened in Clapham and then four years later a second shop opened in Ladbroke Grove right next to the Underground station.

As reggaes popularity grew in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s the little shop in Clapham was struggling to fulfil demand so a move to its current location 274 Lavender Hill was made. This their flagship store also became home to its own in-house recording studio label Fashion Records.

By the end of the ‘80s reggae was still proving to be popular and with the ever-increasing patronage of reggae lovers this meant that in 1991 it was now the turn of the Ladbroke Grove store to move bigger premises just down the road. By the turn of the century reggaes popularity began to quickly wane and as sales fell and the rent increased, plus the introduction of the Western Extension in 2007 to the London Congestion Charge resulted in the store closing its doors to the public just over a year later on the 28th June 2008. Now as from Saturday 10th September 2011 the Clapham Junction record shop will close its doors and as a physical shop will be no more. Dub Vendor the name though will carry on as it becomes an online and mail order service only.

John McGillivray spoke to The

 Independent newspaper and told them that he felt compelled to close the store as he feels interest in reggae in the UK has waned. He said:

“The kids over here, it's [reggae] nothing new to them. Their perception is that it's their mum and dad's music and it doesn't define them in the way it defined previous generations. The music has moved in a different direction. And in Jamaica the music has moved away from where most people in the UK would find it relevant to them.”

A sad day but you cannot help but agree with his words.

For more info visit dubvendor.co.uk

 

Jayaben Riddim From Sama Roots Records

Based in Sheffield England Sama Roots Records, who were responsible for the popular Light Switch riddim championed by Channel One Soundsystem last year, will this month be releasing their second riddim.

The Jayaben riddim is named after Jayaben Desai the Asian worker who led a walkout, by around 100 mainly Asian, female employees at the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories in Willesden, North London on Monday 23rd August 1976 in a row about working conditions, pay inequality and institutionalised racism within the company. The dispute by the women, who became known in the press as "strikers in saris”, lasted more than two years where there were frequent confrontations between hundreds of trade unionists and the police

 
 

Read more and hear samples at

King Kong - Rub-A-Dub Man

Jamaican deejay/singer King Kong was born Dennis Anthony Thomas in Kingston, 1964. He initially started out under the name of Junior Kong and recorded his debut single "Pink Eye" at Tuff Gong in 1982.

He then worked with GT and formed his own Love Bunch Sound System, before recording for King Tubby's Firehouse label. Here his early recordings for Tubby were over fledgling digital rhythms, and included songs such as "AIDS" and "Babylon", which established him as a popular artist. His first album release, Two Big Bull Inna One Pen issued on Firehouse in 1986, was a split with another of Tubby's singers, Anthony Red Rose and featured musicians Dwight Pickney and Bingy Bunny on guitars, Flabba Holt bass, the drums of Cleveland Brownie and Steelie Johnson on keys. The success of this album brought him work with one of Jamaica's top producers of the time King Jammy. It was here that he scored his biggest hits including "Trouble Again" on the ‘Death in the Arena’ riddim, which was also the title track from his Jammy-produced debut solo album that featured a backing band of Steely & Clevie & The Super Power All Stars. Lyrically a lot of his songs were typical in content of the era, but several of them also leaned towards political and cultural themes.
At the latter end of the ‘80’s he relocated to New York, and then to Canada where he released material occasionally on his Conscious Music label. The death of close ally Tenor Saw in 1988 prompted King Kong to release "He Was a Friend" as a tribute, before in 1989 he moved again, this time to England where he reportedly teamed up with Mafia & Fluxy, a riddim section and production team consisting of brothers Leroy (bass) and David Heywood (drums) and engineer Gussie P. I am however unable to find any release details on this partnering so any info anyone has would be much appreciated. The last confirmed sighting I have of Kong was back in 2005 with the release of "Rumble, Jumble Life" on Massive B records and produced by Bobby Konders.

King Kong is a bit of a forgotten name when it comes to dancehall with luminaries Nitty Gritty and Tenor Saw seemingly taking all the plaudits and for me this may be down to the fact that his singing style is so much like Tenor Saw that his songs probably have struggled to stand up on their own merits. This is a shame because Trouble Again is a really good album; ok a couple of synth heavy tracks like “Mix Up” may not have stood the test of time well, but songs like ‘Follow Me’ on the ‘Rub-A-Dub Man’ riddim and the ‘Cuss Cuss’ riddim driven “Legal We Legal” are excellent examples of ‘80s digi dancehall. If only perhaps he had had kept to the delivery style of opener “Mash It Up Already”, which is the least Tenor sounding, he may have cut more of a niche for himself.

Mooji - The Embodiment Of Truth

Mooji is the name of a Jamaican born spiritual guide in the Hindu-tradition of Advaita which is oneness-teaching beyond all religions. He has many videos on youtube where he holds "Satsang" (association with the truth) a meeting where spiritual seekers come and are given a chance to do self-inquiry. Jonahgold of Goldheart recordings has been very taken with this mans teachings and has decided to put some of his words to music in this case namely the riddim from recent Daweh Congo offering ‘Don’t Be Afraid’.

Jonah said of the recordings “I have made three cuts featuring Mooji and I intend to make many more. I think he's the ultimate dub-vocalist. I'm deeply in love with his teaching and vibe. It's my number one inspiration for all music. I know he has heard and approved of his lyrics being adapted to my reggae-dub and being originally from Jamaica he likes his reggae of course.”

There is no doubt Mooji does have a very deep, soothing voice which gives the song a very peaceful and meditive vibe and it will be interesting to hear what lies ahead.

The song is being given away free with people encouraged to share it around. You can download it here.

Smiley Culture Dies In Police Raid

Yesterday (Tuesday 15th March 2011) it was reported by numerous sources that the pioneering British deejay Smiley Culture, real name David Emmanuel, had died during a police raid at his home in Warlingham Surrey, south east England.
According to BBC News he died of a suspected stab wound, though at this present time it is unclear how this injury was sustained and the incident is now under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Smiley first found fame in 1984 with ‘Police Officer’ which reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included ‘Cockney Translation’ and ‘Schooltime Chronicle’
In an interview with the Guardian last year, he spoke of his time in the music business and his musical legacy.

"Police Officer was a true story – the police used to take my weed," he said. "It was better than being arrested and I made that into a hit. With Cockney Translation, I was a black man talking cockney. I integrated cultures even though I didn't understand it at the time. I was invited to meet the Queen, who said she listened to my records in the palace.
Although I paved the way for people like the Streets and Dizzee Rascal, I left the music business because I wasn't rich."

Smiley was a bubbly personality and great story teller and also one of the first wave of UK talents like Maxi Priest, Tippa Irie and Aswad, to cross over to the mainstream. Some may think his songs a bit corny but they were full of fun and are certainly fondly remembered here at Springline, indeed ‘Police Officer’ is still a firm favorite at the Notting Hill carnival, where it is guaranteed to get the party rockin’!

We pass on our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this tragic time.