Bullwackie's Presents Free For All (1975)

Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1948 and got involved in the music scene in the early 60's working with the legendary Prince Buster.

In the early 1970's he migrated to New York, USA where he set up his own studio in the Bronx district where he would record with his Reckless Breed band.

Upon a visit to Jamaica in 1975 Bullwackie was encouraged to visit Lee Perry's Black Ark studio where "Scratch" was currently working on the early dub albums "Kung Fu Meets The Dragon" and "Revolution Dub".

Bullwackie was fascinated with the studio and the way in which Perry worked and along with fellow New York visitor "Munchie" Jackson asked if he could record and produce some tracks there.

Using the Morwells band Bullwackie recorded much of what would become "Free For All", an early dub album that contains some familiar rhythms including Little Roy's "Tribal War" and "Black Byrd".

Indeed many of the rhythm tracks on this record were used for vocal cuts by various artists at the Black Ark and some that would be re-used by Perry himself.

Upon returning to his own studio in New York, Bullwackie began to record his own tracks that would resemble the Black Ark style and techniques. He was obviously very impressed with Perry's sound and imitated much of it throughout his career. Later he was very much involved in the 80's dancehall scene and a lot of the Wackie's label output is still quite challenging to track down.

Released in 1975 on Wackie's subsidary label Aires in the US, "Free For All" is another fine example of early Dub music in Jamaica and how Lee Perry and the Black Ark was often an inspiration for young artists during this period and thereafter.

Tracklisting:

                    
1) Free For All
2) Space Age
3) Roots
4) Drum Call
5) Tribal Dub
6) All For Free
7) Dis Ya A Dub
8) Boma Ye Dub
9) Meditation Dub
10) Blackbyrd

Produced by Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes And Munchie Jackson
Recorded at the Black Ark studio - Engineered by Lee "Scratch" Perry

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