The Black Ark Revisited - A Tribute Album

Greetings! The next offering we have here is exactly what it says on the box:
The Black Ark Revisited.

Songs that had been recorded at Lee "Scratch" Perry's legendary studio in the back yard of his home in Washington Gardens, Kingston Jamaica, The Black Ark, re-recorded, updated and covered by the original artists and some of todays biggest names who pay tribute to the mighty little studio.

Max Romeo recorded his incredible album at the Black Ark, "War Ina Babylon" which was released on Island records in 1976 and is still kept in print to this day because of it's quality and the production work from Scratch.

In 2010 Max Romeo released the self-produced "Best Of Max Romeo & Friends", which saw him re-unite with former Black Ark musicians and artists including The Congos, Prince Jazzbo and Carl Dawkins and also some other well known names including The Viceroys and Ruffi-Ann.

The album finds Romeo and his collaborators updating and re-recording his older hits including some his great Black Ark material, most of which is included on this album, including "Chase The Devil", "Uptown Babies Don't Cry" and "One Step Forward" (which features Prince Jazzbo who re-creates his take on the rhythm "Ital Corner").

Another Black Ark recording legend is Junior Murvin whose massive hit "Police & Thieves" has been covered by many including punk rockers The Clash who included a version on their debut album.

In 2007 Murvin recorded the album "Inna De Yard" which was released on the Makasounds label and included a number of his Black Ark songs, re-recorded including "Roots Train", "Solomon" and "Memories" (a track from his unreleased second Black Ark album "Cross Over") which are included here.

Leroy Sibbles began his career as a member of the wonderful vocal trio The Heptones who recorded their impressive 1976 album "Party Time" at the Black Ark with Scratch on fine form production-wise.

In 1983 Sibbles went solo and released the album "On Top" which included an updated version of "Party Time" which is also included on this album.

The Heptones often got back together to record through-out the 80's and 90's and in 2002 released the album "Good Vibes" which contained a version of the Paul Anka penned "Diana", a track recorded by George Faith at the Black Ark for his "To Be A Lover" album. The Heptones version is an up-dated take on the Black Ark cut.

The Congos (Roy Johnson & Cedric Myton) recorded the powerful epic "Heart Of The Congos" album at the Black Ark in 1977. Some say the greatest production of a vocal group by Scratch during the Black Ark years and one of the greatest Reggae albums of all time.

When Island records failed to release the album things turned sour between The Congos and Lee Perry who had a big falling out and The Congos left the Black Ark to record for other producers in Jamaica.

The groups follow-up album, "Congo Ashanti" released in 1979 was a nice record but never really hits the heights of their debut, originally released on a French label it was picked up in 2003 by Blood & Fire, who had also re-released the groups debut. The label included a few bonus tracks on the re-issue including a re-make of the Black Ark recorded "At The Feast" in a 'disco mix' style, and is included here.

In 2010 a French agency called Mediacom brokered a deal between The Congos and Lee Perry to finally get back together and collaborate. The agency managed to get Roy Johnson, Cedric Myton, Lee Perry and Watty Burnett back in the studio in Kingston for four days with former Black Ark musicians, bassist Boris Gardiner and guitarist Robbie Lynn among them to record the (mis-leading but enjoyable) "Back In The Black Ark" album.

Of course it wasn't really recorded in the Black Ark which had burned to the ground in the early 80's but the premise was correct and the album was nice with The Congos on good form and even Lee Perry seems quite restrained compared to his own musical offerings of modern times which are certainly hit and miss.

Produced by Perry and Clive Hunt "Back In The Black Ark" is a mix of Myton/Johnson originals and some covers including "Rainy Night In Georgia" which has Watty Burnett on lead vocals. Indeed Watty had recorded this track before under the adapted title of "Rainy Night In Portland" with Scratch at the Black Ark in late 1977.

George Faith (real name Earl George Lawrence) recorded his beautiful debut album "To Be A Lover" at the Black Ark in 1977. An album of well chosen soul covers drenched in the sounds of the Black Ark and released by Island subsidary label Black Swan. Lee Perry had also released it prior to this in Jamaica only on his 'Black Art' imprint under the title "Super Eight".

When George Faith returned to the studio in 1978 to record the follow-up "Working On The Guideline" he was met with problems. Firstly the studio had become home to a large number of ghetto-folk and Nyahbinghi bredren who would hang around the studio day and night. Secondly Scratch was acting very strange and was very unfocused, he was trying to work on a number of projects all at once and so Faith had to take a back seat whilst other albums were completed.

A handful of songs were recorded by George Faith and Perry including the title track and "Don't Be Afraid" but eventually Faith decided to leave the studio and take the songs he had started at the Ark over to Alvin Ranglin and Bunny Lee. It was during these sessions that Faith re-recorded his popular hit "To Be A Lover (Have Mercy) and the song "Working On The Guideline" around 1979.

Earl Sixteen is a name that pops up in Black Ark folklore and indeed the young artist did record a number of tunes at the studio in the very late 70's. The album "Phoenix Of Peace" that appeared in the early 80's was credited at the time as being a long lost Black Ark album however even tho all the rhythm tracks are official Black Ark recorded tunes the vocals were recorded later at another studio.

Either way it seems Earl Sixteen did have a love of the Black Ark sound and has often used it as inspiration for his material. Included here is his fine take on the Black Ark standard "Words Of My Mouth" (originally by Sangie Davis & The Gatherers) released on the Bombist label in 2012 and produced by Bost & Bim.

Interestingly the B-Side to this release is a track called "Love Inna Mi Heart" by Lee Perry's son Omar.

The next artist, Rankin' Alpha, whose 2011 album "Babylon Is Fallin'" released on the Cucca & Racha label contains covers of two Black Ark classics. The first is a take of "Throw Some Water In", a song written and recorded by Lee Perry for his solo album "Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread" in 1978 and the second is a cover of The Congos "Children Crying" from the previously mentioned "Heart Of The Congos" album. Both are fantastic versions and Rankin' Alpha even resembles Perry vocally at times.

J-Boog is an up and coming youngster from Hawaii who has been making an impact recently with the singles "Let's Do It Again" and his self-titled debut E.P which includes an excellent version of Junior Murvin's "Police & Thieves". One to watch I think.

Yami Bolo has been around for a while now, breaking through in the late 80's, he was a popular figure through-out the 90's dancehall scene. In 1997 he collaborated with Ragga DJ Merciless on a cover of the Junior Byles Black Ark classic "Curly Locks" with legendary producer duo Sly & Robbie, released on the Music City label.

Another well known artist to cover "Curly Locks" is Freddie McGregor, the lover's rock legend, who included it on his 1992 album "....Sings Jamaican Classics - Vol. 2" which also contains a cover of another Junior Byles classic "Beat Down Babylon".

Bob Marley also frequently visited the Black Ark to record from time to time and in 1978 he recorded the track "I Know A Place" which didn't surface for many years until after Bob's untimely death.

In 2001 Island Records were putting together the compilation album "One Love - The Very Best Of Bob Marley & The Wailers" and asked European DJ's Secret Agents to remix the song for inclusion. Their resulting mix was also issued as a single to promote the album.

After The Congos had left the Black Ark Lee Perry began working with another roots group called The Jolly Brothers who recorded the album "Conscious Man" in 1978. It was a fine album with some great songs including the title track which broke into the top 50 of the UK singles chart. It also contained a number of other singles which Perry gave to a small independent label called Seven Leaves, who also issued a number of other Black Ark cuts Perry produced around 1978.

The Jolly Brothers went on to record a follow up album when they signed with CBS Records called "Consciousness" which included the Black Ark recorded "Conscious Man" along with some less successful tracks recorded elsewhere and the group faded from view.

In 2009 two of the original Jolly Brothers re-united and recorded the album "Cool Down" which contained new versions of "Conscious Man" and "Cool Down" which had also been recorded at the Black Ark.

British based producer Mad Professor (real name Neil Frazer) has always expressed his love of Lee Perry and the Black Ark and when he finally got to collaborate with Perry in the 80's it was a dream come true for the young artist. However, the many albums the two worked together on were usually pretty poor with Perry often drunk and rambling jibberish over Mad Professors' lazy dubs.

One of the slightly better offerings from the two was the album "DubFire" and probably better still the dub album counterpart "Fire In Dub" in 1998 which contained versions of Black Ark classics including "Soul Fire" and "Favourite Dish" and was released on Professor's Ariwa label and also RAS records.

Mad Professor also worked with another Black Ark name, Susan Cadogan, whose Perry produced track "Hurt So Good" became a massive chart hit in the UK in 1975. Cadogan recorded her debut album at the Black Ark with Perry before leaving for England to work with British producers on what would turn out to be weaker material and she would eventually fade from popularity.

Susan Cadogan would return to the studio periodically and in 2008 recorded the album "Two Sides Of Susan" with producer Mad Professor. It was a great lover's rock record with some really nice tunes and a much more polished sound from the Professor, it included a re-make of "Hurt So Good" with a DJ cut by legend U-Roy on the b-side.

The late, great 'cool ruler of reggae' Mister Gregory Isaacs was another regular visitor of the Black Ark who cut the fantastic single "Mr. Cop" with Perry in 1976. Although it's likely that Isaacs recorded enough material at the studio for a full release only a handful made it onto the album "Extra Classic" which is still one of his biggest selling albums of his career.

In 1992 Isaacs released the album "Pardon Me!" which contained a re-make of "Mr. Cop" featuring British MC Macka B, issued on the Rounder label.

In 1978 Island records sent British rock artist, the late, Robert Palmer to the Black Ark to record some material for his 4th solo album "Double Fun". Palmer was a fan of Perry and also of Reggae in general and wanted to include some of the island sound on his latest record.

The track "Love Can Run Faster", a great slice of the Black Ark sound complete with Full Experience harmonies, has so far been the only song released from these sessions. It was included as a b-side to Palmer's rock hit "Bad Case Of Loving You". When the album "Double Fun" was released however the Black Ark version had been replaced by an updated recording from a different studio and the remaining tracks cut with Lee Perry remain unreleased.

In 2006 the Blood & Fire label, who had done a great job in remastering the classic Congos album "Heart Of The Congos", released a one-riddim album entitled "The Congos & Friends - Fisherman Style". The album saw a number of modern reggae artists and former Black Ark regulars including Prince Jazzbo and U-Roy perform new vocals over the Congos original Black Ark rhythm to "Fisherman".

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, a group made up of Bob Marley's children, enjoyed some success in the 80's with their debut album "Conscious Party" which contained the smash hit "Tomorrow People". In 1991 the band released the album "Jahmekya" which included a cover of their father's classic Black Ark recording "Rainbow Country".

Finally this compilation ends with the man himself, Lee "Scratch" Perry, whose post Black Ark material I have always found very hard work, more misses than hits. He seems to just chat nonsense through albums whilst collaborators including Mad Professor, Munchie Jackson, Lloyd 'Bullwackie' Barnes and Adrian Sherwood provide usually bland and uninspiring backing tracks.

In 2008 however, in collaboration with Adrian Sherwood, Lee Perry released the album "The Mighty Upsetter" which finally was some kind of return to form for the reggae legend.
Having stopped eating meat, drinking alcohol and smoking ganja it seemed Perry had found some sort of co-hearance, enough at least to record easily his best album in over 20 years.

The album is made up mainly of old Black Ark rhythms, re-recorded and updated by Sherwood and has Perry delivering some great vocal toasts with female harmonies reminisant of Full Experience.
The song included here is "Yellow Tongue" which features Samia Farah and is on an updated "Fever" rhythm and includes the fantastic line "I'll use my intestines like a lasso to catch them"!

Enjoy!   : )

Tracklisting

Disc One:

1) Lee Perry & Mad Professor - Soul Fire
2) Max Romeo & Prince Jazzbo - One Step Forward (Ital Corner)
3) Junior Murvin - Roots Train
4) Leroy Sibbles - Party Time
5) The Congos - At The Feast (Discomix)
6) George Faith - To Be A Lover (Have Mercy)
7) Max Romeo & Kamau - Chase The Devil
8) J-Boog - Police & Thieves
9) Earl 16 - Words Of My Mouth
10) Rankin' Alpha - Throw Some Water In
11) Yami Bolo & Merciless - Curly Locks
12) Luciano - Going Home (Fisherman Rhythm)
13) The Jolly Brothers - Conscious Man
14) Junior Murvin - Memories
15) Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Know A Place (2001 Single Remix)
16) Max Romeo & Brandy - Wha Yuh Ago Tell Jah Say?

Disc Two:

1) Lee Perry & Mad Professor - Favourite Dish
2) Max Romeo & The Viceroys - War Ina Babylon (Sipple Out Deh)
3) Rankin' Alpha - Children Crying
4) Susan Cadogan & Mad Professor - Hurt So Good
5) Gregory Isaacs & Macka B - Mister Cop
6) George Faith - Working On The Guideline
7) Watty Burnett & The Congos - Rainy Night In Georgia
8) The Jolly Brothers - Cool Down
9) Junior Murvin - Solomon
10) The Heptones - Diana
11) Max Romeo & Carl Dawkins - Uptown Babies Don't Cry
12) Freddie McGregor - Curly Locks
13) Early One - Jig Jig Jig (Fisherman Rhythm)
14) Robert Palmer - Love Can Run Faster
15) Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Rainbow Country
16) Lee "Scratch" Perry & Samia Farah - Yellow Tongue (Fever Rhythm)


Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.


Please let us know your thoughts, leave a comment below or email Sweet Rare Reggae Music :

 pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

Ripe Cherry '92

Ripe Cherry is a One-Riddim album that was originally released on vinyl in 1991 on the Digital-B label and then re-released on CD in 1992 with a couple of extra tracks. Both are not easy to find.

A One-Riddim album is basically a whole album dedicated to one rhythm track or instrumental and is used by different artists to perform over. Ripe Cherry has popular artists of 1991 riding the famous (tho updated) "Cherry Oh Baby" rhythm.

The song "Cherry Oh Baby" was written by Eric Donaldson, born in 1947 in the St. Catherine area of Jamaica. Eric had scored big with songs since he started on the Kingston music scene in 1964 and was a consecutive winner in the Jamaican Festival Song Compitition.

His entry for the competition in 1971 was "Cherry Oh Baby" which not only won but became a smash hit all over the island and even saw popularity in England.

In 1976 rock heavyweights The Rolling Stones covered the song on their album "Black & Blue" and numerous Reggae artists have created their own takes over the years.

One of the biggest selling versions of the song was by British Reggae group UB40 who released it as a single and had it as the opening track of their 1983 album "Labour Of Love".

Eric Donaldson himself has repeatedly re-recorded the song over the years, including it on a number of his albums.

Indeed it is Eric's 1991 update of the song that opens up this album. Producer Bobby "Digital-B" recreates the Cherry Oh Baby riddim here with the 'modern' sound of early 90's Reggae.

Other appearances include the popular double-act of the time Chaka Demus And Pliers, a great take on the riddim by the mighty Pinchers, the 'Mad' Cobra and the man named Lucan Scissors who always seems to sound like Gregory Isaacs to me?

Hope you enjoy this slice of early 90's reggae as much as I do  : )

Tracklisting:


1) Eric Donaldson - Cherry Oh Baby '92
2) Dirtsman - Bubble And Wine
3) Chaka Demus - Love Gal Pickney
4) Spanner Banner - Michelle
5) Powerman - Forward
6) Admiral Tibett - Don't Try To Diss
7) Lucan Scissors - Stop This Train
8) Mad Cobra - Tek Him
9) Pinchers - Send Another One Come
10) Shaka Shamba - Reggae Fight
11) Pliers - Original
12) Tony Rebel - Sweet Jamaica
13) Ian Sweetness - Try A Little Kindness
14) Eric Donaldson - Nuh Kumbulo (Jump)
15) Steely And Clevie (With Bobby 'Digital-B') - Ripe Cherry


Ripe Cherry '92  - 

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

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  pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com

Bob Marley & The Wailers - The Dub Sessions 1972 - 1980

Bob Marley And The Wailers are the creators of some of the greatest Reggae music ever made. Hits like "No Woman No Cry", "Is This Love", "Jamming", "One Love" and "Three Little Birds" are known the world over but what is rarely heard is the dub versions to these tracks.

Only recently with the remastered series and various box sets and re-issues have we came across dub takes of Bob Marley's most famous works. A "Volume One" of official dubs came out around 2010 but covered only a small amount of the bands work.

This bootleg compilation however digs deep into The Wailers catalogue throughout the bands years with Island Records between 1972 and 1980 and finally gives us a round up of the hidden dubs that in most cases here have never been given an official release!

Enjoy!   : )


Tracklisting:

Disc One:

1) Midnight Ravers (Dub)
2) Rock It Baby (Dub)
3) Stop That Train (Instrumental)
4) Stir It Up (Instrumental)
5) Get Up Stand Up (Instrumental)
6) Lively Up Yourself (Dub)
7) Lively Up Yourself (Instrumental Dub)
8) No Woman No Cry (Dub)
9) Them Belly Full (Dub)
10) Rebel Music (Dub)
11) Rebel Music (Bongo Dub)
12) Rebel Music (Harmony Instrumental)
13) So Jah Seh (Dub)
14) Natty Dread (Dub)
15) Bend Down Low (Dub)
16) Bend Down Low (Harmony Instrumental)

Disc Two:

1) Roots Rock Reggae (Dub)
2) Crazy Baldhead (Dub)
3) Who The Cap Fit (Dub)
4) War (Dub)
5) Rat Race (Dub)
6) Rat Race (Horn's Dub)
7) Jah Live (7'' Dub - aka Concrete)
8) Jah Live (12'' Dub)
9) Smile Jamaica (Dub)
10) Smile Jamaica (Black Ark Dub)
11) Rainbow Country (Black Ark Dub)
12) Natural Mystic (Black Ark Dub)
13) Exodus (Dub)
14) Exodus (7'' Dub)
15) Exodus (12'' Dub)
16) Punky Reggae Party (Black Ark Dub)


Disc Three:

1) One Love / People Get Ready (Dub)
2) One Love / People Get Ready (7'' Dub)
3) One Love / People Get Ready (Alternative Dub)
4) Jamming (7'' Dub)
5) Jamming (Alternative Dub)
6) Waiting In Vain (Dub)
7) Waiting In Vain (Alternative Dub)
8) Three Little Birds (Dub)
9) Three Little Birds (Alternative Dub)
10) Is This Love (Dub)
11) Is This Love (Instrumental)
12) Satisfy My Soul (Dub)
13) She's Gone (Dub)
14) Crisis (Dub)
15) Running Away (Dub)
16) Keep On Moving (Dub Mix Take One)
17) Keep On Moving (Dub Mix Take Two)
18) Time Will Tell (Dub)



Disc Four:

1) So Much Trouble In The World (Dub)
2) Top Rankin' (Dub)
3) Babylon System (Dub)
4) Survival (Dub)
5) One Drop (Dub)
6) Ride Natty Ride (Dub)
7) Ambush In The Night (Dub)
8) Wake Up And Live (Dub)
9) Coming In From The Cold (Dub)
10) Coming In From The Cold (12'' Dub)
11) Coming In From The Cold (Alternative Dub)
12) Bad Card (Dub)
13) Pimper's Paradise (Dub)
14) Could You Be Loved (7'' Version)
15) Forever Loving Jah (Dub)
16) Forever Loving Jah (Instrumental)
17) Redemption Song (Band Version - Dub)

  
Disc Five:  
   
1) Rastaman Live Up (7'' Dub - aka Don't Give Up)
2) I Know A Place (Black Ark Dub)
3) Who Colt The Game (Black Ark Dub)
4) Blackman Redemption (7'' Dub)
5) Jump Nyabinghi (Dub)
6) Trench Town (Dub)
7) Stiff Necked Fools (Dub)
8) I Know (Dub)
9) I Know (Instrumental)
10) Buffalo Soldier (7'' Dub)
11) Buffalo Soldier (12'' Dub)
12) Buffalo Soldier (Alternative Dub)
13) Buffalo Soldier (King Sporty's Dub)
14) Iron Lion Zion (7'' Dub Remix)
15) Iron Lion Zion (12'' Dub Remix)
   

Bob Marley And The Wailers - The Dub Sessions 1972 - 1980  -

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

UPDATE 2016:

This collection of Bob Marley And The Wailers Dubs has now been updated with fantastic sound quality, additional songs and is available in 320kbps mp3.

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   pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

The Congos - Heart Of The Congos (Black Art First Edition) + Expanded Editions

A real gem of a find here for you today Reggae fans, the Original First Edition Black Art pressing of the phenomenal album "Heart Of The Congos" by The Congos, produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry at the Black Ark Studio.

The Congos, Roy Johnson and Cedric Myton, recorded what has become a landmark in roots reggae and the benchmark for all who came after, when they collaborated with master producer Lee Perry at his Black Ark studio in Kingston Jamaica in 1977.

We have also added the "classic" second mix released on the Go-Feet label in 1980, the remastered second mix which appeared on the Blood And Fire labels' wonderful re-issue in 1996 and an expanded compilation of work featuring The Congos' members Watty Burnett and Cedric Myton recorded at the Black Ark and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry between 1974 and 1979.

   
Cedric Myton began his music career as a member of the rocksteady era group The Tartans with Devon Russell and Lincoln Thompson in the mid-sixties but he was largely inactive throughout much of the seventies, only recording sporadically with The Royal Rasses.

Myton had met Lee Perry during this early period when Scratch was working at Studio One and then again in the mid-seventies when The Tartans cut the single "Woman Is A Contradicition" at The Black Ark with Perry on production.

Roydel Johnson also had history with Lee Perry, having grown up in the same small town, Kendal in Hanover, Roy remembers seeing Scratch and recalls his dancing skills of the time.

Roy moved to Kingston at the age of 16 and would hang around the music studios meeting the likes of Gladdy Anderson, Winston Wright and Ernest Ranglin who taught Roy to play guitar.
After a stint in the US Navy, stationed in the now infamous Guantanamo Bay, Roy returned to Kingston in the early seventies and again began hanging around studios in the hope that someone would record him.

Lee Perry gave him an early chance by inviting the singer to record the track "Standing On The Hill" but Scratch was unhappy with the final sound and recorded the track with Chenley Duffus instead.
Roy went off to improve his guitar skills in the hope that maybe he could make it as a session musician rather than a singer. He briefly joined The Rightful Brothers band where he improved on his guitar playing and learned to become a skilled hand drummer.

The story then goes that some six years later, while Roy was sitting in the gardens of his home strumming his guitar, Lee Perry turned up to purchase a bread-fruit tree and overheard him singing.
The song went "Row fisherman row...keep on rowing your boat" and an impressed Scratch told Roy to come by his studio to maybe record the song.

Cedric Myton had by this point (mid-seventies) become a devout Rastafarian and was a member of a Nyabinghi religious order in Kingston. Roy Johnson also joined this order and the two of them would sell clothing items to dreads to make some cash.

When Lee Perry invited Roy to come by the Black Ark the pair arrived as a duo around the summer of 1977 and set to work on the song "Fisherman".
The first version however was considered poor by all involved and so Scratch arranged for the two of them to return the next day with a different set of musicians.

It was during the sessions that followed that The Congos would record some of their greatest songs and Scratch would help shape one of the finest albums he ever created at the Black Ark.

Songs like "Open Up The Gate", "Sodom and Gomorrow"and "Solid Foundation" are all powerful Rasta statements. The Congos would tackle issues ranging from the forces of Babylon, Christianity and the political workings of both in their songwriting, incorperating Biblical references to emphasize the work.

The production from Scratch draws out the power of the songs, this was the Black Ark sound at it's peak in creativity and Scratch would work non-stop for days to get what he wanted from the music.
Lee Perry saw something in the Congos and in the songs they had written and he truely wanted to get the best out of the group and push the message given by the songs lyrics.

Watty Burnett, a regular figure at the studio, joined the group at this point as Perry thought his deep barritone vocal would help add a further dimension to the overall sound of The Congos.
Watty had recorded a number of singles with Perry but none of them were selling in numbers until his cover of a Brook Benton tune adapted to become "Rainy Night In Portland" sold well.

Watty had asked Scratch if he could remain a solo singer but Perry told him to stick with The Congos as he felt this could be the album that would break big like Perry's previous hit albums from Max Romeo (War Ina Babylon), The Heptones (Party Time), Junior Murvin (Police And Thieves) and George Faith (To Be A Lover) which had all been picked up by Chris Blackwell's Island Records and given widespread distribution.

To further shape the vocal sound of the album Perry brought in members of The Heptones and The Meditations to provide harmonies and also the late great Gregory Isaacs, who was also recording at the Black Ark during this period and appears on the song "La La Bam Bam Bam".

The Congos album was coming together and Scratch would spend more time on this production then any of his previous efforts.

As The Congos were spending more and more time around Lee Perry they began to influence him and other people at the studio with their deep Nyabinghi religious beliefs. Watty Burnett became a member of the order and Scratch himself had begun to knot up his hair, eat more healthy foods and excerise.

More and more dreadlocked members of the Nyabinghi also began to assemble around the Black Ark, conducting rituals. smoking large quantities of herb and having long discussions into the night.

Lee Perry issued the first few singles by The Congos, some of which on his new ‘disco-cork’ imprint with extended dub versions and Island Records picked up on these. Chris Blackwell is said to have been particularly fond of the song "Congoman" and expressed an interest in a full album release by the group despite getting mixed reviews from the British press.

Island records released a number of singles for Perry during this period by other Black Ark artists of the time such as George Faith, Keith Rowe and Lord Creator. Island even sent British rock artist, the late Robert Palmer, to the Black Ark to record some songs, although Palmer is said to have been troubled by the menecing presence of the seemingly anti-white Nyabinghi members who were hanging around the studio during his time there.

Indeed the influence of the Nyabinghi Order at the Black Ark was growing strong and Lee Perry was unable to do much about the many unwanted visitors to his home. It was starting to frustrate him and more importantly interrupt his recording sessions.

In late 1977, many months after the first recording sessions with the Congos, "Heart Of The Congos" was finally released in very small quantities on Perry's Black Art label. The cover of these first editions had a picture of Cedric Myton and Roy Johnson (Watty Burnett was not present during the photo-shoot) and some had hand-painted yellow stripes down the borders covering the blue stripes printed on the covers.

This first edition contained 10 of what Perry believed were the best of the songs recorded by The Congos and the mix is noticeably different from the version most of us know as the definitive second edition.

The vocals have been left untouched, there is more emphasis on Keith Sterling's wonderful piano work which stands out and there is minimal echo, delay and reverb added. The most noticeable aspect is the lack of phasing and sound-effects that had been present on Perry's previous albums.

It could be that these first edition, early pressings were kind of like a demo of what was to come, just basic mixes of tracks that Lee Perry would put a great deal of effort into remixing for it's official release. After all Perry had done this before, releasing "Scratch The Super Ape" before it's official Island release "Super Ape" with a slightly differing mix and George Faith's "To Be A Lover" was released as "Super Eight" before it's international Black Swan Island subsidiary issue.

                                      

Chris Blackwell travelled to Jamaica to discuss the terms of a full "Heart Of The Congos" album release on Island Records but eventually left empty handed. It's not really known what happened during this discussion but Blackwell has later said that he just didn't think it was good enough!

So Lee Perry went back to the studio and began to dramatically change the mix of the album, adding excessive amounts of echo, reverb, his trademark phasing techniques and all kinds of sound-effects, crashing symbols and of course the haunting 'mooing' cow noises!

Perry became obsessed with getting the album right which began to effect his work with other artists. Ill-fated projects such as a full album by resident Black Ark female trio Full Experience and a solo album by member Candy McKenzie didn't receive Perry's full attention. Second albums by Junior Murvin and George Faith failed to gain momentum and Lee Perry's own "Roast Fish, Collie Weed and Cornbread" album feels unfinished and Perry seems under pressure.

Indeed Lee Perry was under pressure, after completing his final mix of "Heart Of The Congos" he sent the tapes to Island Records, along with Candy McKenzie's solo album and his own solo effort "Roast Fish Collie Weed and Cornbread" but Chris Blackwell made his decision and Island refused to release any of the material Perry had sent.

It's unclear what made Island turn their back on Perry, although it's said that the quality of the tapes Perry sent to Island were not brilliant, it's doubtful that this reason alone is cause enough and since it's eventual release "Heart Of The Congos" has sold in incredible numbers worldwide on labels such as Go-Feet, VP and the definitive release on Blood And Fire.
   
Many reasons have been suggested including that Island records were more concerned in promoting Bob Marley and would shelve albums by other reggae artists, this claim is made by The Congos as well as Max Romeo and others who's follow up albums were poorly promoted by the label.
Some claim that albums by Junior Murvin, George Faith and others recorded at the Black Ark are still languishing in the vaults of Island headquarters.

Either way when Island refused to release the album it certainly caused problems for The Congos and Lee Perry who had a major falling out. The Congos left the Black Ark and Perry blamed the influence of the Nyabinghi dreads for casting an evil spell on his studio and began to drive them out with his crazy antics including driving around with pork on his car roof and scrawling "Satan the devil lives here" on the walls of his entrance.

The Congos would go on to record for other producers and of course Perry would go on to burn down his studio to 'cleanse it from evil spirits'.

The time they spent together gave us this remarkable album, a piece of reggae history and one of the greatest albums of all time.

This is the original first edition of "Heart Of The Congos", the first mix that had only a very small release on the Black Art label in 1977. It remained elusive and incredibly difficult to find for many years but thankfully it was given a much needed and very much appreciated reissue by VP / 17 North Parade in 2017 on both vinyl and double CD, adding some addition session material.
  
The more familiar second mix (with the extraordinary and powerful production added by Lee Perry) has been issued a number of times on labels such as Go-Feet (UK), Congo Ashanty (Jamaica/US), Jah Live (France) and VP Records (International). The best and most definitive is available on the Blood And Fire label.
   
But here we have the simplistic, beautiful and under-produced Black Art original.

Enjoy! : )

The Congos - Heart Of The Congos (Black Art First Edition)

1) Fisherman (6:03)

2) Congoman (6:39)

3) Open Up The Gate (5:14)

4) Children Crying (4:14)

5) La La Bam Bam (3:14)

6) Can’t Come In (6:03)

7) Sodom And Gomorrow (5:17)

8) The Wrong Thing (3:06)

9) Ark Of The Covenant (3:21)

10) Solid Foundation (3:11)

For those who wish to compare the difference in the mixes of "Heart Of The Congos" we have below a link to an expanded collection which offers the original 'Black Art' label first edition alongside the 'classic' second mix released on the 'Go-Feet' label in 1980 and the re-mastered 1996 'Blood & Fire' re-issue which has been expanded to include a bonus disc of material recorded by The Congos with Lee "Scratch" Perry at The Black Ark studio between 1977 and 1979.

We have also included a compilation of The Congos' member Watty Burnett's recordings from the Black Ark between 1974 and 1979, this includes singles, b-sides, versions and an appearance from Cedric Myton (with The Tartans).

The Congos - Heart Of The Congos (Go-Feet Second Edition)

1) Fisherman (5:20)

2) Congoman (5:25)

3) Open Up The Gate (4:13)

4) Children Crying (3:48)

5) La La Bam Bam (3:02)

6) Can’t Come In (5:38)

7) Sodom And Gomorrow (4:13)

8) The Wrong Thing (2:57)

9) Ark Of The Covenant (3:37)

10) Solid Foundation (3:40)


The Congos - Heart Of The Congos (Deluxe Edition)

Disc One - "Heart Of The Congos (Second Mix Remastered)

1) Fisherman (6:05)

2) Congoman (6:39)

3) Open Up The Gate (4:29)

4) Children Crying (4:13)

5) La La Bam Bam (3:55)

6) Can’t Come In (5:52)

7) Sodom And Gomorrow (6:11)

8) The Wrong Thing (5:35)

9) Ark Of The Covenant (6:19)

10) Solid Foundation (5:58)

Disc Two - "Heart Of The Congos - Album Sessions, Singles, B-Sides, Dubs And Versions

1) At The Feast (Of The Passover)

2) Nicodemus (12’’ Single Mix)

3) Open The Gate (12” Single Mix)

4) Don’t Blame It On I

5) Play On Mr. Music {With The Upsetter Revue}

6) Chances (Album Mix) {aka Too Late}

7) Rainy Night In Portland

8) Bring The Mackaback

9) Congoman (12” Single Mix)

10) Congoman Chant

11) Noah Sugar Pan

12) Solid Foundation (Disco Cork Mix)

13) Nicodemus (7” Single Mix)

14) Nicodemus Dub

15) Open The Gate (7” Single Mix)

16) Open The Gate Dub

17) Chances (12” Single Mix)

18) Rainy Night In Portland (Disco Mix)

19) Rainy Night Dub

20) Fisherman Dub


Watty Burnett & Friends - I Man Free (Black Ark Sessions 1974 - 1979)

Disc One

1) Watty Burnett - I Man Free
2) The Upsetters - Free Man
3) Watty Burnett - Dash I Pon Him
4) The Upsetters - Dash It Pon Him (Version)
5) Little Joe - Jacket
6) The Upsetters - Jacket (Version)
7) Watty Burnett - River Bank
8) The Upsetters - River Bank (Version)
9) Augustus Pablo Meets The Upsetter - Is Him
10) Little Joe - Psalm 54
11) Augustus Pablo Meets The Upsetter - Version In Bed
12) Watty Burnett - What A War
13) The Upsetters - What A Dub
14) Watty Burnett - Babylon A Fall
15) The Upsetters - Cripple Skank {aka Babylon A Fall Version}
16) Watty Burnett & Tony Fearon - Rise And Shine
17) The Upsetters - Shining Dub
18) Watty Burnett - Where Can I Rest My Weary Head
19) Watty Burnett - Come By Yah
20) King Tubby - Come By Yah (Version)

Disc Two

1) Watty Burnett And Cultured Stars - Perfidia
2) Watty Burnett And Cultured Stars - Perfidia (Version)
3) The Tartans - Woman Is A Contradiction
4) The Tartans - It's True
5) Watty Burnett - Open The Gate (7'' Single Mix)
6) The Upsetters - Open The Gate Dub
7) Watty Burnett - Open The Gate (12'' Single Mix)
8) Watty Burnett - Rainy Night In Portland (7'' Single Mix)
9) The Upsetters - Rainy Night Dub
10) Watty Burnett - Rainy Night In Portland (12'' Single Mix)
11) Watty Burnett - Rainy Night In Portland (Disco Mix)
12) Watty Burnett - Too Late (7'' Single Mix)
13) The Upsetters - Too Late (7'' Version)
14) Watty Burnett - Chances {aka Too Late - Album Mix}
15) Watty Burnett - Too Late (12'' Single Mix)


--- Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

 

   
Let us know what you think, leave a comment below or email us at:

pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com  

The Labour Of Love Box Set

Another fantastic compilation here for you today ladies and gentlemen, filled with fantastic tracks by some incredible artists.

One of the worlds biggest selling Reggae bands of all time is in fact not from Jamaica at all!
UB40, hailing from Birmingham, England, have sold well over 100 million albums worldwide with their infectious sound and well chosen cover songs selected for the bands four Labour of Love albums.

UB40 got together around 1978, a bunch of mates who grew up in the multi-racial Balsall Heath district of England's second biggest city, Birmingham. After being inspired by the music brought to the area by the West Indian communities that had sprung up since the 50's, Reggae was THE music of the 60's and 70's in many parts of England but especially in the Midlands where late night 'blues' dances would go on in basements and clubs around the city.

UB40's first couple of albums were completely original, albeit with a couple of early cover songs including Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going To Rain" and a fine version of the blues related "Strange Fruit". But by 1984 the band decided to release an entire album of covers, songs that had inspired them to form a band and play reggae in the first place, an album perfectly entitled "Labour Of Love".

 UB40's first Labour Of Love album is also notable for the bands shift from the hard-hitting, politically charged, rockers sound of their debut "Signing Off" to a more radio friendly, lover's rock style of reggae that was hugely popular in the UK at the time.

UB40 scored big hits with covers of Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Baby", Winston Groovy's "Please Don't Make Me Cry", Jimmy Cliff's unforgettable "Many Rivers To Cross" and of course Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" which gave the band their first number one single, although the band themselves didn't even know it was a Neil Diamond song, only having heard Tony Tribes reggae hit of the mid-sixties!

Labour of Love proved a commercial success for UB40 and the original songwriters must have earned themselves a tidy payout courtesy of UB40's promotion.

UB40 would go on to record further albums of their own material including the massive hits "Rat In Mi Kitchen" and "If It Happens Again" before returning to the series with Labour Of Love II in 1989.
Another massive selling album, the band again chose well with songs by John Holt, The Heptones, Honey Boy and Ken Boothe all getting the UB40 treatment but probably the best and most well-known hit on the record was "Kingston Town", a number by calypsonian artist Lord Creator (real name Kendrick Patrick).

Labour of Love II was again well received by critics and fans and sold in big numbers, again giving some much needed royalties to the Jamaican songwriters who created them.

It would be over 10 years before UB40 would finally finish the trilogy and release Labour Of Love III in 1998. The bands most adventurous in the series, it's song selection much more varied and the sound expressing that of the modern Reggae era of the late 90's.

Ragga and Dancehall was the sound of the day and Labour of Love III certainly tried to incorporate that, despite the songs being 'golden oldies' by then, they are given a modern updating.

Rarities by The Flames, The Diamonds, The Ethiopians and Cornel Campbell are covered but the biggest hits on the album were takes of Ken Boothe's "Train Is Coming" and Johnny Osbourne's "Come Back Darling".

By 2010, some 12 years after the bands last Labour of Love album, UB40 had undergone some crucial line-up changes. Keyboardist Micky Virtue and lead singer Ali Campbell had chosen to leave the group to pursue solo careers. Ali would eventually hire a new backing group known as the DEP band and he would continue to play Labour of Love material in his live shows as well as to cover vintage reggae hits on his solo albums including Johnny Nash's "Hold Me Tight", Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" and John Holt's "My Heart Is Gone".

UB40 themselves would continue with Ali Campbell's older brother Duncan taking over on lead vocals, his vocal style very similar to that of Ali's in the groups early years and he would make his first full album debut on Labour Of Love IV released in 2010.

Due to the album being released in the era of music downloads it failed to sell in huge quantities having received over 100,000 illegal downloads when it leaked a week before it's official release.
It was however a return to form in the series, some great choices of songs and one of the bands best albums in the Labour Of Love quadrilogy.

UB40 include fine covers of Dennis Brown's "Man Next Door" (originally a Paragons tune), John Holt's "A Love I Can Feel", Theo Beckford's "Easy Snapping" and the soul standard "Bring It On Home To Me" on this edition as well as adding some great rarities and also a possible dig at their former bandmates in the form of "Get Along Without You Now".

It has to be said here that although UB40 have had some enormous success from covering other people's songs, (another number one single for the band was the Elvis Presley associated "Can't Help Falling In Love") the band have created over 20 albums of original material. They have worked with some of Jamaica's biggest names including Lady Saw, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, Beenie Man, Pinchers and many others and collaborated with Chrissie Hynde, Robert Palmer and Maxi Priest amongst others.

Their contribution to Reggae music is crucial, they have played concerts to sell-out crowds all around the world including Russia where they were the first western band to play gigs!

So now to this collection, The Labour Of Love Box Set, a huge 5 disc set that contains all of the original songs UB40 have covered from Labour Of Love I to Labour Of Love IV, we have also included tracks UB40 added to other albums along the way including The Paragons' "Sparkle Of My Eyes" and Lorna Dean's "Since I Met You Baby" from the bands 'Cover Up' album of 2001. Matumbi's "After Tonight", John Holt's "Kiss And Say Goodbye" and The Jamaicans' "Things You Say You Love" from 'Who You Fighting For?' released in 2005.

A rare gem was recorded by UB40 alongside The Pioneers and various 2-Tone bands including members of Madness and The Beat called "Starvation" which was a tuned penned by The Pioneers back in the 70's.

"Summertime" was a track UB40 used to play in their very early years, usually associated with Billie Holiday, their version can be found on "The Lost Tapes" album. "Breakfast In Bed" was a hit for UB40 in collaboration with long time friend Chrissie Hynde of rock band The Pretenders, it was featured on the bands self titled album of 1988 but most Reggae fans will best remember Lorna Bennett’s cut of the ‘70’s.

In 2010 Ali Campbell released an album of Reggae covers called "Great British Songs" and a few original Reggae covers of those songs appear on this collection alongside other songs Ali covered on his solo projects including The Wailers "Hallelujah Time", Paulette And The Lovers' "Don't Go (Please Stay)" and The Equals' "Baby Come Back" which was a huge hit for Ali alongside fellow Birmingham based artist Pato Banton.

Ali also joined up with members of The Fun Lovin' Criminals on a Radio Riddler production that would present the entire Prince album "Purple Rain" in Reggae. Ali sang the title track but after some delays the U.S based Denver Dub Collective recorded and released the same album effectively beating them to the punch.

In 2013 UB40 released their latest album entitled "Getting Over The Storm", an album that blends Reggae with American Country. A mixture of covers and original material the band also wanted to include their duet with Robert Palmer of the country classic "On The Other Hand".
Other covers from this album include Paul Davidson's "Midnight Rider" and "He'll Have To Go" another country standard that has been ‘Reggaefied’ many times.

In 2014 another longtime UB40 member, Trevor “Astro” Wilson, also left the original lineup to reunite with Ali Campbell and Micky Virtue for the album ‘Silhouette’ which features versions of The Maytones’ ‘Sha La La’, Ernie Smith’s ‘Ride On Sammy’ and the title track best remembered by Dennis Brown.

The trio followed up ‘Silhouette’ with their own full covers album entitled ‘A Real Labour Of Love’ which was released in 2018 and features takes on songs by Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, Culture, Wayne Smith and Cocoa Tea amongst others.

In 2019 UB40 released the album ‘For The Many’, it’s a really good return to form and features their take of ‘Moonlight Lover’, a song previously recorded by the likes of Joya Landis and Barrington Levy.

In 2022 Ali Campbell and Astro (who sadly passed away the year before) released the album ‘Unprecedented’ which contains a number of cover songs including Ernie Smith’s ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’ (written by Kris Kristofferson), The Kingstonians’ ‘Sufferer’, Gappy Ranks’ ‘Heaven In Her Eyes’ and Louisa Mark’s ‘Caught You In A Lie’.

Whether or not you enjoyed what UB40 did to these songs is irrelevant here, these are the originals (or earlier cover versions of songs) that inspired a whole new generation of musicians to embrace the music of Jamaica and to continue to spread Reggae throughout the globe.


Tracklisting:

Disc One - Labour Of Love I And II:


1) Eric Donaldson - Cherry Oh Baby
2) Bob Marley And The Wailers - Keep On Moving
3) Winston Groovy - Please Don't Make Me Cry
4) The Melodians - Sweet Sensation
5) The Slickers - Johnny Too Bad
6) Tony Tribe - Red Red Wine
7) Tiger - Guilty
8) Ray Martell - She Caught The Train
9) Boy Friday And Dennis Lowe - Version Girl (What's Your Name?)
10) Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross

11) Al Brown - Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
12) Teddy Davis - Tears From My Eyes
13) Ken Parker - Grooving Out On Life
14) Eric Donaldson - The Way You Do The Things You Do
15) U-Roy And The Paragons - Wear You To The Ball
16) The Heptones - Baby
17) Delroy Wilson - Wedding Day
18) The Kingstonians - Singer Man
19) Lord Creator - Kingston Town
20) Honey Boy - Sweet Cherrie
21) John Holt - Stick By Me (I'll Stick By You)
22) Linval Thompson - Just Another Girl
23) Jackie Robinson - Homely Girl
24) Honey Boy - Impossible Love


Disc Two - Labour Of Love III:


1) The Flames - Holly Holy
2) The Melodians - It's My Delight
3) Johnny Osbourne And The Sensations - Come Back Darling
4) Cornel Campbell - I Will Never Let You Go
5) Bob Marley And The Wailers - Soul Rebel
6) John Holt - My Best Girl
7) The Ethiopians - Good Ambition
8) Ken Boothe - Train Is Coming
9) Niney The Observer - Blood And Fire
10) Winston Francis - Mr. Fix It
11) Delano Stewart - Stay A Little Bit Longer
12) The Mighty Diamonds - Someone Like You
13) Slim Smith - The Time Has Come
14) Ken Boothe - Crying Over You
15) Peter Tosh - Legalize It


Disc Three - Labour Of Love IV:


1) Delroy Wilson - I Don't Want To See You Cry
2) The Melodians - Get Along Without You Now
3) George Faith - Bring It On Home To Me
4) Johnny Nash - Cream Puff
5) Theo Beckford - Easy Snapping
6) Ruddy Thomas And Trinity - Holiday
7) John Holt - Close To Me
8) Dennis Brown - Man Next Door
9) Pat Kelly - Tracks Of My Tears
10) Ken Parker - True True True
11) Hopeton Lewis - Boom Shacka Lacka
12) Errol Dunkley - You're Gonna Need Me
13) John Holt - A Love I Can Feel
14) The Jamaicans - Baby Why?
15) Gregory Isaacs - Loving Pauper
16) The Melodians - Come On Little Girl
17) The Paragons - Happy Go Lucky Girl
18) Hopeton Lewis - Take It Easy
19) Alton Ellis - Breaking Up


Disc Four - The Further Origins Of UB40 & Ali Campbell:


1) B.B Seaton - Summertime
2) The Pioneers - Starvation
3) Lorna Bennett - Breakfast In Bed
4) Ornel Hinds - Can't Help Falling In Love With You
5) The Equals - Baby Come Back
6) Jimmy Cliff - Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
7) Jackie Mittoo - Somethin' Stupid
8) Hopeton Lewis & U-Roy - Drive It Home
9) Stevie And Jay - Superstition
10) The Paragons - Sparkle Of My Eyes
11) Paula Dean - Since I Met You Baby
12) Desmond Dekker - Swing Low Sweet Chariot
13) Matumbi - After Tonight
14) Derrick Harriott - Good Situation
15) John Holt - Kiss And Say Goodbye
16) The Jamaicans - Things You Say You Love
17) Desmond Dekker - Israelites
18) The Now Generation - You Never Know (I'll Be Back)
19) The Hippy Boys - All In The Game
20) Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shot The Sheriff
21) Johnny Nash - Hold Me Tight
22) Jimmy London - I'll Be Standing By
23) Paulette And The Lovers - Don't Go (Please Stay)
24) Aswad - Would I Lie To You
25) Dobby Dobson - Seems To Me I'm Losing
26) Los Pericos - I'm Waitin' (For Your Love)

Disc Five - The Further Origins Of UB40 & Ali Campbell:  

1) The Wailers - Hallelujah Time
2) Smokey Robinson & Ernest Ranglin - Being With You
3) Trevor & Liz - Devoted To You
4) Chris Morris - Village Ghetto Land
5) Lizzard - Milk And Honey
6) John Holt - My Heart Is Gone
7) Donna Hinds - My Happiness
8) Chalice - Paint It Black
9) Pat Kelly - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
10) Phoenix City All-Stars - Honky Tonk Woman
11) Toots And The Maytals - Squeezebox
12) Pat Kelly - A Hard Day's Night
13) Thriller U - Baker Street
14) Paul Davidson - Midnight Rider
15) King Flowers - Crying Time
16) Dennis Brown - How Could I Leave
17) David Isaacs - He'll Have To Go
18) Winston Groovy - On The Other Hand

19) Dennis Brown - Silhouette
20) The Maytones - Sha La La
21) Ernie Smith - Ride On Sammy
22) The Denver Dub Collective - Purple Rain

Disc Six - A Real Labour Of Love : 

1) Barry Boom - Making Love

2) Beres Hammond - She Loves Me Now

3) Shinehead - Strive

4) Barrington Levy - Here I Come

5) J.C. Lodge - Telephone Love

6) Gregory Isaacs - Rumours

7) The Heptones - How Could I Leave

8) The Chosen Few - Ebony Eyes

9) Gregory Isaacs - Hush Darling

10) Pablo Gad - Hard Times

11) Dennis Brown - Moving Away

12) Culture - International Herb

13) David Isaacs - A Place In The Sun

14) Cocoa Tea - Tune In

15) Gregory Isaacs - Once Ago

16) The Chosen Few - In The Rain

17) Wayne Smith - Under Me Sleng Teng

18) Joya Landis - Moonlight Lover

19) Ernie Smith - Sunday Morning Coming Down

20) The Kingstonians - Sufferer

21) Gappy Ranks - Heaven In Her Eyes

22) B.B. Seaton - Lean On Me

23) Louisa Mark - Caught You In A Lie

  
The Labour Of Love Box Set   -    Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

UPDATE 2016:

This compilation has been re-released with numerous additional songs and much improved sound quality and is now available in 320kbps mp3.

Let us know what you think, leave a comment below or email us:
 pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

Junior Murvin - Cross Over

The late and great Junior Murvin is best known for his huge hit single of 1977 "Police And Thieves", a song that got into the U.K singles chart and saw Murvin appear on Top Of The Pops in England.

Junior Murvin, born Murvin Junior Smith in Port Antonio Jamaica, began his music career as a member of The Hippy Boys before working for Derrick Harriott for whom he wrote the song "Solomon".

His first solo recordings came out under the name Junior Soul, recording for producer Sonia Pottinger, he later joined the group The Falcons around 1975, with Dennis Brown and Cynthia Richards, tho nothing from this group was ever put on record they did have a reputation as a great live act.

Tiring of his lack of success on the Kingston music scene of the time, Murvin returned to Port Antonio and started to work on his songwriting abilities, writing some of his strongest material.

Around early 1976 Murvin claims to have received some kind of divine direction to take these songs to Lee "Scratch" Perry at the producers Black Ark studio in Kingston.

Junior Murvin first appeared at the Black Ark in May 1976 and presented Scratch with his new material. One song in particular that stood out to Perry was "Police And Thieves" and so he began to lay down rhythm tracks straight away.

Police And Theives became a massive hit, breaking through in the UK and the US where reggae was starting to make an appearance on the charts.

Murvin went on to record "Tedious", "I Was Appointed" and "Easy Task" in the same period, all of which did well on the Jamaican scene prompting Chris Blackwell of Island Records to pick up on the resulting album obviously entitled "Police And Thieves".

The album is one of the Black Ark's finest full length recordings, an excellent Perry production and without doubt Murvin's greatest achievement musically.

Junior Murvin had arrived at the Black Ark at it's peak, with guys like The Heptones, The Congos and Max Romeo present and recording with Scratch at the top of his powers.

He was also due to participate in the proposed 'Upsetter Revue Tour' of the UK with George Faith, The Congos, The Heptones and Devon Irons.

His material of 1976 through 1977 is some of the best roots music of all time, Murvin's unique high falsetto vocals really making him stand out from the crowd and with Scratch at the controls they were an incredible combination.

By 1978 however times were changing at the Black Ark, Island Records had turned down the mighty "Heart Of The Congos" album by The Congos and Lee Perry's own recordings "Roast Fish Collie Weed And Corn Bread" and "Return Of The Super Ape" were also shunned.

The studio's sound was also changing, getting darker and broodier and of course Scratch himself was approaching his now infamous breakdown. When Junior Murvin returned to the studio to record his second album, due to be entitled "Cross Over" the situation was beginning to boil-over.

The vast majority of Murvin's second album was recorded with the band Axx Of Jahpostles which included  Leslie Mowatt, Lynford Richards and Devon And Tony Bradshaw. Murvin has said of the recordings that it was during the time Island Records had refused to release The Congos album and that it's possible Island records have "Cross Over" in their vaults alongside George Faith's second album "Working On The Guideline". Island records have indeed released a few of the tracks recorded for "Cross Over" as singles/b-sides and also as bonus tracks on the 2001 re-issue "Police And Thieves - Deluxe Edition".

Junior Murvin would go on to record some great material after his time at the Black Ark for other producers including the album "Muggers In The Street" and "Apartheid" although neither would receive the major success of his debut.

So here we have "Cross Over", sessions for Junior Murvin's second album, recorded at the Black Ark and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. It remains unreleased and who knows just what is hiding in the vaults of the worlds major labels but sometimes it's bootlegs like this that give us a glimps inside.

Enjoy ; )

Tracklisting:

Side A:
1) Cross Over (Discomix)
2) Let's Fall In Love
3) Rasta Get Ready
4) I'm In Love

Side B:
5) Closer Together (With The Upsetter Revue)
6) Mister Craven
7) Childhood Sweethearts
8) Memories (Discomix)

Bonus Tracks:
9) Cross Over (Single Mix)
10) Cross Over (Dub)
11) Rasta Get Ready (Single Mix)
12) Rasta Get Ready (Dub)
13) Memories (Single Mix)
14) Memories (Dub)

Junior Murvin - Cross Over  -


Let us know what you think, leave a comment below or email:
 pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - The Acoustic Sessions

This little gem of a bootleg contains some amazing acoustic versions of some of Bob's best loved tunes and also unreleased songs that never received a final studio version.
It's a collection of a mixture of different bootlegs that have circulated for years, including "The Santana Tapes", the "Rabbitt's Bedroom Acoustic Takes" and others.
It really shows a wonderful side of Bob Marley, with just his guitar in hand and tape recorder, capturing a rare insight into the creation of Bob's songs and his songwriting ability.

There are acoustic versions of "Jamming", "Misty Morning", "Waiting In Vain", "Soul Rebel", "Easy Skanking", "She's Gone" and "So Much Things To Say", some of the bands best known works.
There are also incredible, previously unreleased and, well , NEVER released songs such as "Rumours", "Jump Them Inna Babylon", "Jailbreaker", "This Is My Life (I'm Gonna Live It)" and the beautiful "Butterfly" which would later be released by Bob's son Ziggy Marley.

Enjoy this wonderful acoustic set by Bob Marley.

Tracklisting:

Disc One

1) Can't Bow Inna Babylon
2) Heat Of The Day
3) Misty Morning
4) Waiting In Vain
5) Crisis
6) Rumours
7) Soul Rebel
8) Pomps And Pride
9) Jailbreaker
10) Jamming
11) Jump Them Inna Babylon
12) Vexation
13) Record A New Song / We And Dem

Disc Two

1) Are You Ready?
2) Butterfly
3) She's Gone
4) So Much Things To Say
5) Easy Skanking
6) Time Will Tell
7) Oh What A Day
8) Everyday Is Such A Lonely Day
9) Place Of Peace
10) When I Get To You
11) They Set You Up My Son
12) God Of All Ages
13) This Is My Life (I'm Gonna Live It)


Bob Marley And The Wailers - The Acoustic Sessions  -

Let us know what you think! Comment or email  pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com  

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

News Flash: The Very Best Of Leo Graham & The Bleechers

News Flash! The Very Best Of Leo Graham And The Bleechers! Finally we have a round up of Leo Graham's finest Singles and B-sides gathered together in this fantastic 3 cd collection!

The album starts with a number of sides by The Overtakers, the first vocal trio in which Graham began his recording career during the Rocksteady era, before showcasing his years with The Bleechers and later solo recordings for producers Joe Gibbs and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

This expanded edition includes some rare singles and b-sides alongside some wonderful dub and deejay versions from the likes of The Upsetters, The Mighty Two, U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo and King Tubby.

It's hard to believe that there is still no official reissue or compilation of Leo Graham's recordings, although a handful of these songs can be found on numourous compilations by various artists, no definitive collection of these incredible songs has ever been released!

We hope you enjoy this collection of really great Reggae from a truly underated artist of the genre :-)
                                                                                                                                                     
  
Leo Graham began his recording career in the mid-sixties as a member of the Rocksteady vocal trio The Overtakers. Graham has a really distinctive vocal style, high yet thin with a rural quality that's totally unique and The Overtakers have a great harmony collectively.
 
The Overtakers released a number of fine singles during the mid to late 1960's including "The Big Take Over", "That's The Way You Like It", "Girl You Ruff" and the rude-boy warning "Beware".

  

The Overtakers recorded for producer Joe Gibbs and Graham would maintain strong ties with Gibbs for much of his career. Further releases such as "Right Now" and "Unresistable You" continued to show off the talents of the group but failed to sell in high numbers.

  

Although Graham had performed lead vocals for a number of The Overtakers songs he started to become more of a harmony singer on others and so left to form a new group, The Bleechers, in late 1968.

Taking the name from late-night Kingston ravers who would stay out to the early hours seeking a good time, a practice known as 'Bleeching' in Jamaica, The Bleechers was made up of Leo Graham alongside Wesley Martin and another vocalist known only as Sammy (Formerly of The Mellotones).
  
The Bleechers had intended to record for Joe Gibbs but eventually moved on to work with the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry. This would be the start of a partnership between Perry and Graham that would continue for many years to come.

Lee Perry had just recently opened the Upsetter Record Shop on Charles Street, Kingston, just off the famous Orange Street, when Graham approached with a song he had written advertising the newly opened store. The song "Check Him Out" gave directions to Perry's place, as well as referring to the many hits the lable had produced recently with lyrics such as "Seek him out...everything gone on top...the Upsetter shop, where music hot".

   

   

The Bleechers went on to record some fantastic tunes with Perry including "Ease Up", "Everything For Your Fun", "You're Gonna Feel It", "Come Into My Parlour" and "Jump And Rale" which was an updated version of The Overtakers' "Girl You Ruff".

  

  
The Bleechers and Perry also recorded a Reggae version of the nursery rhyme "Farmer's In The Den" as well as two songs that Perry would also cut with The Wailers, "Adam And Eve" and "Pound Get A Blow".
Another release from this period was "Ram You Hard", a rude, slack Reggae, tune most likely penned by Scratch that was weirdly credited to John Lennon And The Bleechers! Possibly to increase sales.

  

The b-side to "Ram You Hard" was entitled "Soul Stew" and credited to The Medetators but it's quite obviously The Upsetters with an instrumental cut of "Check Him Out" in fine style.

Another 'slackness' release appeared entitled "Want A Whine" which features one of Perry's most popular rhythms of the time and was utilized for The Upsetters' "Double Wine" and U-Roy's "Stick Together".

  

 
In 1971 The Bleechers released the single "Put It Good" which credits producer J.J. Johnson and appeared on the 'Duke' label in the UK, it's another cracking track, as is the groups cover of the American Country standard "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On" which was cut for Lee Perry.

  

  
By 1972 The Bleechers had split, with Leo Graham citing difficulties with fellow band member Sammy, who had taken over the group. Graham began to perform as a solo artist and again recorded for Joe Gibbs before returning to Lee Perry who had by now just opened his legendary Black Ark recording studio at his home in Washington Gardens.
  
In fact Leo Graham was one of the very first artists to record at The Black Ark when he cut the single "Black Candle", an anti-obeah song warning people not to meddle in the Black Arts, which became one of Graham's biggest selling singles in Jamaica.

  

The rhythm for "Black Candle" was entitled "Bad Lamp" and was used for further releases including "Doctor Demon", a back and forth vocal between Leo Graham and Prince Jazzbo which was also released as "Pampas Judas", "Big Tongue Buster" which features an uncredited vocal from Charlie Ace, as well as further dub takes from The Upsetters, "Black Bat" and "Bus A Dub".

  

  
Another popular rhythm cut at The Black Ark and used first by Leo Graham was for his single "Jump It", a wicked driving bass led track that he later re-recorded as "We Have Got A Date", it was also the basis for the Lee Perry / Jerry Lewis deejay cut "Burning Wire" and Prince Jazzbo's "Good Things".

  

  
Probably the best known rhythm that Graham cut with Perry was for "Three Blind Mice", another Reggae take on a nursery rhyme, it quickly became a rhythm that Perry would reuse many times both dubwise ("Mice Skank" / "Lizard Tongue Rock") and deejay versions including I-Roy's "Dread In The West". Max Romeo later recorded his own take of the song whilst King Tubby also crafted a dub mix entitled "Three Times Three".

  

  
  
Leo Graham had a great run of tunes for Perry during the early years of the Black Ark studio's operation, further examples include "Dig Pit", "Double Attack", "Greedy Gal" and the amazing track "News Flash", another rhythm that Perry would re-use many times.

  

 
By the mid to late 1970's Leo Graham returned once more to producer Joe Gibbs for whom he cut the singles "I'm Not Giving Up", "Destruction Deh Yah" and the highly popular "A Win Them" which received a 12'' single issue featuring I-Roy that also contained the strange instrumental side "Chipmunk's Rockers" credited to Errol Thompson, Joe Gibbs And The Professionals.

  

   
By the end of the 1970's Leo Graham's recording output had slowed down and very little appeared except a few singles cut at The Black Ark with Lee Perry such as "Revelation Time" (the b-side of which finds Perry conversing with Bunny Lee), "My Little Sandra" (a wild Ark rhythm that also received extended mixing and epic dub issues) and the mighty "Voodooism" with it's wonderful Upsetter dub mix aptly named "Dubism".

  

   
Only two other songs appeared from Leo Graham, these being cut for Joe Gibbs, "Perilous Times" and "Hard Times" both with nice dub b-sides including The Professional's "Bwoy It Rough".

  
  

  
Despite never really breaking into the mainstream and remaining largely unknown Leo Graham really has a crucial part to play in the Lee "Scratch" Perry story, having recorded for Perry throughout the progressing of Perry's Jamaican recording career, both before and during the Ark years.
  
During the late 1970's, when all of Jamaica was feeling the pressure of political violence and a constant military presence, those that were gathering in and around the Black Ark were feeling the pressures too.
Perry was losing the plot as he headed towards his notorious and well documented breakdown and it seems Leo Graham was fairing no better.
  
After cutting those incredible tunes at the Black Ark, "Voodooism" and "My Little Sandra", Leo decided to depart from the music scene after suffering an emotional breakdown, most likely caused by the ongoing social situation of the time.

It would be a long time before Leo Graham would record again, missing out on the 80's roots era and the digital breakthrough of the later 80's and early 90's.

In recent years Leo Graham has once again begun recording and touring, he has a large fan base in Latin America, especially Brazil and has performed shows in several countries down there.
 
Included in this album is a recent recording entitled "Deliver Me From My Enemies" which finds Leo on great form, it's as tho he has never been away.

A great artist, songwriter and performer, this collection proves just that. Leo Graham may not have received the recognition he truely deserves but as he says on "A Win Them": "It's not the size of the gun, but it's the effect from the bullet" 

Enjoy these bullets :-)

Tracklisting

Disc One:

1) The Overtakers - The Big Take Over
2) The Overtakers - That's The Way You Like It
3) The Overtakers - Girl You Ruff
4) The Overtakers - Right Now
5) The Overtakers - Beware
6) The Overtakers - Risk You A Run
7) The Overtakers - Unresistable You
8) The Bleechers - Check Him Out (The Upsetter Shop)
9) The Upsetters - Soul Stew
10) The Bleechers - You're Gonna Feel It
11) The Bleechers - Ease Up
12) The Upsetters - Squeeze Up
13) The Bleechers - Everything For Your Fun
14) The Upsetters - Wolf Man
15) The Bleechers - Come Into My Parlour
16) The Bleechers - Jump And Rale
17) The Bleechers - Pound Get A Blow
18) Roland Alphonso & The Upsetters - Roll On
19) The Bleechers - Adam And Eve
20) The Bleechers - Farmer's In The Den
21) The Bleechers - Want A Whine
22) The Upsetters - Double Wine
23) U Roy - Stick Together
24) The Bleechers - Put It Good
25) The Bleechers - Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On
26) The Bleechers - Ram You Hard
  
Disc Two:
  
1) Leo Graham - Jump It
2) Lee "Scratch" Perry And Jerry Lewis - Burning Wire
3) Leo Graham - We Have Got A Date (Jump It Part Two)
4) Prince Jazzbo - Good Things
5) Leo Graham - Three Blind Mice
6) The Upsetters - Mice Skank
7) Leo Graham And I Roy - Dread In The West
8) The Upsetters - Lizard Tongue Rock
9) King Tubby - Three Times Three
10) Leo Graham - Black Candle
11) The Upsetters - Bad Lamp
12) Leo Graham And Prince Jazzbo - Doctor Demon {aka Doctor Demand}
13) The Upsetters - Black Bat
14) Leo Graham And Charlie Ace - Big Tongue Buster
15) The Upsetters - Bus A Dub
16) Leo Graham And Prince Jazzbo - Pampas Judas
17) The Upsetters - Pampas Version
18) Leo Graham - Dig Pit
19) Leo Graham - Double Attack
20) Leo Graham - News Flash
21) The Upsetters - Flashing Echo
22) Leo Graham - Greedy Gal
23) The Blue Jay All Stars - Greedy Skank
24) Leo Graham - I'm Not Giving Up
25) The Mighty Two - I'm Not Giving Up (Version)
  
Disc Three:
  
1) Leo Graham - A Win Them
2) The Mighty Two - The Winner
3) I Roy - News Carrier
4) Leo Graham And I Roy - A Win Them (12'' Single Mix)
5) Joe Gibbs And The Professionals - Chipmunk's Rockers
6) Leo Graham - Destruction Deh Yah
7) Leo Graham - Revelation Time
8) Lee "Scratch" Perry And Bunny "Striker" Lee - Labrish
9) Leo Graham - My Little Sandra (7'' Single Mix)
10) The Upsetters - Dubbing Party
11) Leo Graham - My Little Sandra (Disco Mix) (aka 12'' Extended Mix)
12) The Upsetters - Dubbing Sandra
13) Leo Graham - Voodooism
14) The Upsetters - Dubism
15) Leo Graham - Perilous Time
16) The Mighty Two - Perilous Version
17) Leo Graham - Hard Times
18) Joe Gibbs And The Professionals - Bwoy It Rough
19) Leo Graham - Deliver Me From My Enemies


News Flash! The Very Best Of Leo Graham And The Bleechers  -- 
  
                                                                                                                                                     

Let us know what you think of this collection, leave a comment below or email us:

pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com

Please be aware that all download links are currently unavailable as of January 2023.

UPDATE 2016:

News Flash! - The Very Best Of Leo Graham And The Bleechers has been given quite the makeover since our previous edition, it has expanded to three discs with additional singles, b-sides, dubs and versions  :-)