Martha Velez - Escape From Babylon (1976)

Another little gem of an album here today as we present Martha Velez - Escape From Babylon.

Released in 1976 on the Sire label it's an album with a great story behind it involving reggae legends Bob Marley and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Martha Velez, of Puerto Rican descent, was born in New York, USA in 1945, she started singing at a young age and by the time she was 12 years old won an opera scholarship as a mezzo soprano.

She attended the high school for performing arts in New York City and went on to study acting and playwriting.

Velez began her music career in the folk group The Gaslight Singers who recorded for Mercury records before releasing her debut solo album "Friends And Angels" for the Sire label (a subsidiary of Warner Bros.) in 1969. It was a blues-rock album that included guitar legend Eric Clapton and keyboardist Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac.

Her follow-up album "Hypnotized" released in 1972 came out on the Polydor label and again was blues-rock orientated.

In 1974 she released the more contemporary-pop flavoured "Matinee Weepers" which was a return to the Sire label.

In 1975 she travelled to Jamaica to record an album with Bob Marley, her producer Craig Leon had spoken to Marley about recording with Velez and it's said that after hearing her song "Living Outside The Law" from the "Hypnotized" album, Marley agreed to the project.

Bob Marley assembled his group The Wailers and long time friend and producer Lee "Scratch" Perry and the recording sessions began at Harry J's studio in Kingston, Jamaica.

The most noticeable thing about this album is that it has the sound of The Wailers (circa 1976), complete with the I-Three's harmonies (Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Marcia Griffiths), and their sound is unmistakable. It is the Bob Marley sound only with a female American blues singer on vocals.

Indeed four of the albums eight songs are Bob Marley covers. "There You Are" is a take of The Wailers early tune "Stand Alone" which they had cut for Lee Perry in the early 1970's and "Happiness" is a version of "I'm Hurting Inside" from 1972.

"Get Up Stand Up" from Marley's own "Burnin'" album of 1973 gets the Velez treatment as does "Bend Down Low" a tune Marley had intended to include on his 1974 album "Natty Dread".
 

 

The musicianship is superb, Marley and The Wailers were on top form in this period, although long time members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer had left to pursue solo careers by now, it was a peak time for the group who were gearing up for their own "Rastaman Vibration" album sessions.

The production credits for the album include Lee Perry but just how involved in this project he was is unclear. After all it wasn't recorded at his own Black Ark studio and so it has none of his trademark sound, so it's hard to say just what his input to this album was, although it's said that Perry was pretty much the producer of the project and Marley the songwriter.

The overall result is one that is unique but really it's the listener who must be the judge. Yes it's The Wailers sound, yes it's Marley's song writing and possibly Lee Perry's production but it is an American blues singer that is on lead vocals.

A strange combination at the time of release and even today it's hard to comprehend how such a project came together but it does have moments that really work. Either way it's an interesting piece of Jamaican recording history involving most of the big names of the time in Reggae music.

Enjoy!  :-)
 

 
Tracklisting: 

1) Money Man
2) There You Are
3) Wild Bird
4) Disco Night
5) Bend Down Low
6) Happiness
7) Come On In
8) Get Up Stand Up

Recorded at Harry J's studio, Kingston Jamaica, 1975
Produced by Bob Marley And Lee "Scratch" Perry

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

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Lion Zion - Reggae In America (1976)

How has this album still not received a re-issue? It seems really strange and if nothing else is a real shame!

Although it's had a hard time from reviewers, half of which are so far wrong in their opinions that I sometimes feel the writers have not even heard this album and are just guessing on it's quality.

It usually gets things written about it like "Lion Zion's vocals are poor", "This sounds nothing like a Black Ark album" and "I doubt Lee Perry had much to do with this one" and in my opinion these are all incorrect statements.

Lion Zion's vocals are fine throughout, they are different in style to that of other Jamaican artists of the time but this is most likely because Lion Zion had arrived from the United States and therefore doesn't seem to have the Jamaican accent.

The sound is very much the typical Black Ark sound of 1976, the rhythms resembling those used on Max Romeo's "War Ina Babylon" and even Susan Cadogan's "Hurt So Good" but with better production quality compared to the latter album. Some extra instrumentation, orchestral pieces and additional harmonies were added by Lion Zion when he returned to the USA but it's certainly Black Ark sounding through and through.

Lee Perry is credited on the album sleeve not as producer but as engineer and mixer but these cuts are no doubt Lee Perry rhythms, mixed by Perry and then extra production would have taken place back in the States by Lion Zion and others.

Lion Zion is a mysterious figure, not much is known about this artist except for a few facts and some hearsay.

A young black American, Lion Zion lived on the west coast of America in the city of Oakland, California where it's said he owned a small record shop during the 1970's.

At some point around 1975/76 during a trip to New York he met Pauline Morrison (Lee Perry's then wife) who told him about Perry's new studio, the Black Ark and that if he ever came to Jamaica he should stop by and visit.

This is indeed what happened when in 1976 Lion Zion showed up at Perry's home in Washington Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica (apparently barefoot) with a number of self-penned songs ready to record an album.

Lee Perry assembled a strong set of musicians including Lloyd Parks on bass, Anthony "Benbow" Creary on drums, pianist / keyboard legend Keith Sterling and guitarist Phil Callender and together they created some fantastic roots rhythm tracks that are completely original to this album.

Lion Zion's lyrics are also very original compared to anything else that was being produced on the reggae scene at the time as they are from the view point of an African American.

Most reggae albums of the time, especially roots reggae, would refer to America as Babylon and have a strictly Jamaican viewpoint of the way in which America was portrayed, but with Lion Zion he had an insiders view, he isn't patriotic as such and critisizes much of American culture but he does stand up for certain American beliefs and discusses it's growing stature as a global superpower and how carefully it should handle such a title.

Songs such as "American Revolution", "Gas Guzzler" and "Arise America" are not only powerful statements against the US but are surprisingly very relevant in this day and age. The references to 'Uncle Sam' on the song "Children Children" (which also includes vocals from young kids which was something Perry was often fond of including) is a very American thing that black Americans especially seemed to hate the ideology of and "Who Killed The Buffalo" attacks the vicious nature in which America was taken over in the first place.

Lion Zion covers much of the social and political situation of America during the 70's, especially the situation for African Americans, in his songs and delivers the message with a passion.  This combined with the deep and edgy sound of Perry's Black Ark, complete with horn arrangements from Vin Gordon, David Madden and Glen DaCosta and added harmonies from The Heptones duo Barry Llewellyn and Earl Morgan makes for a completely unique and engrossing listening experience.

There are also orchestral choir backings on a couple of tracks, the National Dance Theatre Singers of Jamaica feature on the song "Turn Towards The Sun" although it's not made clear if their vocals were recorded at the Black Ark, it would be unlikely due to the small nature of the studio.

What is known however is that once the album had been recorded and mixed at the Black Ark, no doubt with Lee Perry's full involvement, Lion Zion returned to the US with the master tapes and took them to Freeway Recording studios in his home city of Oakland, California.

The engineer of this studio is credited as a B. Dangerfield and his assistant Ron Hatiz and it was here that some very minor overdubbing was added to the album including some flute (on "Beautiful Day") and saxophone pieces (on "Reggae In America") by Ron Stallings, the steel drums heard on "Gas Guzzler" by Carlyle and the lead guitar added to "Arise America". Also the female vocals of Leslie Hart-Hammond on "Beautiful Day".

Another interesting addition is the choir vocals of the Oakland Black Ensemble, which included soloist Riva Florida and were conducted by Phillip Reedey, on the song "American Revolution".

Once Lion Zion had completed the work on the album it was taken to C.B.S studios in San Francisco to get a final mastering session with engineer Phil Brown. This could also explain why, compared to other Black Ark recorded albums of 1976, "Reggae In America" has a more polished and crisp sound.

Lion Zion - "Reggae In America" was eventually released in 1976 on the unknown label 'House Of Natty Records' in the USA and publishing rights credited to 'Rockstone Music Ltd.'

It's unknown just how many copies they manufactured but as of July 2016 these are still the only physical copies of the album available and, as can be imagined, are sometimes sold at high prices.

It may not be up there with "Heart Of The Congos" or "Scratch The Super Ape" but Lion Zion's "Reggae In America" is an important part of the Black Ark story. This unknown artist who turned up one day to record an album and put a lot of time, effort and no doubt money into the project and yet it still remains obscure.

Surely someone, somewhere knows who this guy was or has the rights to re-release this material?

It's yet another ground-breaking album from the Black Ark, not many African Americans had recorded a Reggae album in Jamaica at the time and of course Perry would break-ground in later years when a pair of actual Africans from the Congo would show up in 1978 (but that's a whole other story).

Hopefully one day this album will be made readily available to all, it really is a quality album with lyrics that continue to ring true in present times, it contains some of Lee Perry's most unique production work with rhythms not re-used and it remains an important part of Black Ark folklore.

For now Lion Zion remains a mysterious figure, an adventurous young African American who attempted to break Reggae in America.

Enjoy  : )
 
Tracklisting:

1) Reggae In America
2) Who Killed The Buffalo?
3) Buffalo Dub
4) American Revolution
5) Children, Children
6) Beautiful Day
7) 3rd Century
8) Gas Guzzler
9) Arise America
10) Turn Toward's The Sun

Recorded at the Black Ark studio, Kingston Jamaica, engineered and mixed by Lee "Scratch" Perry
and Freeway Recording studio, Oakland California, engineered by B. Dangerfield & Ron Hatiz
Produced by Lion Zion. 

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


Check out a wonderful piece on the Midnight Dread website which features a radio broadcast from KDIA Oakland California from September 18th 1977. Lion Zion is the guest on the show Inner Visions and he discusses his album "Reggae In America" as well as his views on reggae music as an African American.

http://www.midnightdread.com/LionZionKDIA77.html

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 pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

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

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


What did you make of this record? Enjoy it? Comment below or email us:
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Penthouse Presents: One Riddim - On The Move

Another one riddim album for you today, this time from the Penthouse label who were quite popular during the 80's and 90's dancehall scene. This one is a little rarity called "One Riddim - On The Move".
  
Although it's credited on some versions of this release as a King Jammy's set it was actually produced by Donovan Germaine and is often referred to as the "Pon Mi Nozzle" riddim.

Originally released in 1989 and re-issued a couple of times by Penthouse it's quite tricky to track down a physical copy on vinyl, cassestte or cd.

On The Move is a great riddim that is essentially based on an old religious song called "Troubles And Trials" that has long been popular in Jamaican churches and at some point was taken in by the Reggae music scene.
  
The closest version on this collection to the original is Chaka Demus' "Chaka On The Move" which has the modified chorus of  "It soon be done/all the troubles and trials/when I get home/on the other side".
  
It was also a chart hit for Shaggy in 1992 and appeared on his album "Pure Pleasure" which also contained his breakthrough track "Oh Carolina".
  
This riddim is also sometimes credited as the "Pon Mi Nozzle" riddim due to the version by Cutty Ranks, also on this collection, which was a big hit for Cutty at the time.
  
Other good cuts included here are Flourgan's "Panama Invasion", Peter Metro's "Bow Cat" and Norbert Clarke's "Champion Bubbler".

Enjoy!   : )

Tracklisting:


1) Chaka Demus - Chaka On The Move
2) Beenie Don - Down And Put Down
3) Peter Metro - Bow Cat
4) Lady Junie - Bow Cat
5) Henkle Irie - Deh Yah
6) Norbert Clarke - Champion Bubbler
7) Daddy Lizard - Boonoonus
8) Cutty Ranks - Pon Me Nozzle
9) Scotty - Walk The Streets At Night
10) Junie Ranks - Careful Who You Love
11) Flourgan - Panama Invasion


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

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   pipecockjackxonrrm@gmail.com 

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  - 

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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