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.
Thank You Monica :-)
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