Johnny Too Bad: The Very Best Of The Slickers

This is a fantastic collection of The Slickers singles and b-sides from the early sixties through to the early eighties and includes all of the groups most popular cuts and some truely obscure gems gathered together for the first time on this incredible release.

The Slickers are one of Jamaica's most under-rated vocal groups, best known for their massive hit "Johnny Too Bad" which appeared on the soundtrack to the movie "The Harder They Come" starring Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.  Despite the success of the song, for many, it's hard to name another of the groups singles.

This could be down to the fact that just who The Slickers were is surrounded by mystery, speculation and rumour.

In the very early days of Jamaican musical history, when the island danced to the sounds of blues and R'n'B that streamed down from the US, most of the recordings made in Jamaica were Blue Beat, the Jamaican equivalent to American R'n'B and it was during this period that singles appeared bearing a group named The City Slickers. For instance The Jiving Juniors & The City Slickers released some singles in the very early 60's and then a few more appeared crediting Theo Beckford & The City Slickers. Theo Beckford would later be a member of The Slickers when they would record "Johnny Too Bad" which is why this early connection to the name is relevant. Although it seems The City Slickers were a group of instrumentalists at this point and not a vocal group.

Confusing? Right?

As the R'n'B style changed in Jamaica and the new style of Ska came into being more singles appeared this time crediting The Slickers in a number of variations including Johnny Melody & The Slickers, Tyrone & The Slickers, Johnny Slicker and again The City Slickers. But just who made up these changing line-ups remains open to debate.

Then, as Ska slowed to Rocksteady and then eventually became Reggae, by the mid-sixties The Slickers output of singles increased and most would be credited solely to The Slickers.

An early hit came in the form of "Nana" and then a number of singles appeared including "Run Fattie", "Dip Dip", "Say You" and "Man Beware" amongst others.

One thing that was noticeable at this point was that some of the same songwriters credited on The Slickers releases were also the songwriters for material by the more established group The Pioneers.

The Pioneers were formed in 1962 by brothers Derek and Sydney Crooks and were joined by Winston Hewitt to make a trio. The group recorded at Treasure Isle and released the single "Na Na" in the mid-sixties along with a few other cuts that were popular in Jamaica.

In 1966 Hewitt left the group and emigrated to Canada, he was replaced by former Heptone Glen Adams for a short time before the group split around 1967.

It seems that during the periods that The Pioneers were inactive, the Crooks brothers along with Theo Beckford would record as The Slickers, occasionally drafting in alternative members including Winston Bailey and George Agard.

Throughout the mid to late 60's singles continued to appear by both The Slickers and The Pioneers.

In 1967 Sydney Crooks began working at Joe Gibbs studio where he met Jackie Robinson whom he drafted in as a member of a new Pioneers line-up which also included George Agard (half brother of Desmond Dekker). The new Pioneers recorded a number of singles at the studio.

At this time legendary producer Lee Perry was also working at the studio and it was he who wrote the song "Long Shot Kick De Bucket" which became a massive hit in 1969.

After Lee Perry left Joe Gibbs' stable the group recorded "Pan Yu Machete" which was an attack on Perry.

While the Pioneers were recording as a trio (Sydney Crooks/George Agard/Jackie Robinson) it seems Derek Crooks, Winston Bailey and Theo Beckford continued as The Slickers, releasing a number of singles into the late 60's. It's also said that Delroy Wilson and Lloyd Robinson (Jackie's brother) were occasional members of the group at this point and Roy Hylton Beckford is also credited, although this maybe a mis-credited Theo.

Essentially The Slickers and The Pioneers are one and the same, albeit with minor line-up changes, switching and swapping of members, particularly during the mid to late 60's, but they are two separate recording groups.

This is made clear in 1970 when The Pioneers scored big with their massive chart hit "Long Shot Kick De Bucket" and the group relocated to the UK whilst at the same time The Slickers charted with "Johnny Too Bad" back in Jamaica.

The Slickers continued to release singles throughout the early 70's including an updated version of "Good Nanny", "Red Gun Court" and their own version of The Pioneers' "Long Shot Kick The Bucket".

Although the material The Slickers released in the early 70's was strong it never quite reached the heights of "Johnny Too Bad" which remained the groups key chart hit.

In 1976 The Slickers released their first full album entitled "Many Rivers To Cross" on the Klik label. The backing band is credited as The Cimarons and producer Sydney Crooks.

The album is made up of cover versions including Jimmy Cliff's title track, two Bob Marley cuts (Get Up Stand Up/I Shot The Sheriff) and Paul Simon's "Mother And Child Reunion".

An interesting side note is that the album is credited as having been recorded in Japan. In 1975 The Pioneers were the first reggae band to tour that country before splitting again in 1976 just as this album was recorded. It's therefore assumed that The Pioneers members Sydney Crooks and George Agard returned to The Slickers line-up for this project.

Meanwhile, back in Jamaica, The Slickers continued to issue singles between 1976 and 1977 including "Right On Time", "Zion Land" and "Must Surrender" which showed the group had moved into the Roots Rockers sound of the late 70's.

Then in 1978 The Slickers recorded their second album, this time at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark studio where they recorded what would eventually surface as the album "Breakthrough".

The album has that typical late 70's Black Ark sound and Perry's trademark mixing and phasing techniques of the time. The songs are originals and includes an update of their earlier hit "Johnny Too Bad".

Vocals are credited to The Slickers with musicians including Horsemouth Wallace on drums, Robbie Shakespear on bass, Mikey Chung and Earl 'Chinna' Smith on guitars, Augustus Pablo on melodica and Robbie Lynn on keys. Lee Perry is given an engineer credit whilst production goes to Tad Dawkins and Geoffrey Chung. It's highly likely that Perry recorded and produced the album at the Black Ark but it was then mixed again by Tad Dawkins and Geoffrey Chung over at Harry J's.

The album came out on Tad Dawkins own TAD's Records in 1979 and was recently re-issued on the Makasound label.

A few more singles by The Slickers appeared in the very early 80's including the song "St. Jago De La Vega" produced by Barry Biggs and "The Time Has Come" before it seems the group finally dis-banded and went their separate ways.

The trio of Sydney Crooks, George Agard and Jackie Robinson continued as The Pioneers throughout the late 1970's.  In the early 1980's The Pioneers reformed to collaborate with UK 2-Tone artists including members of UB40, The Beat, Madness, The Specials and General Public on an update of their earlier single "Starvation" for an African charity organization.

As of 1999 The Pioneers continue to tour throughout the world in places such as Brazil and South America, the UK, US and across Europe.

The Slickers may never have reached the acclaim and recognition of their close counterparts The Pioneers but this collection shows they were certainly more than just a one hit wonder.

Enjoy!  : )

Tracklisting:

Disc One:

1) Georgie & The Old Shoe {Theo Beckford & The City Slickers}
2) That's Me {Theo Beckford & The City Slickers}
3) I Want To Take A Chance
4) Man Is Going To Leave Earth (aka Man Is Going To Eat Man)
5) Na Na {Johnny Melody & The Slickers}
6) Run Fattie
7) You Done Me Wrong {Tyrone & The Slickers}
8) Dip Dip
9) Say You
10) Gold On Your Dress
11) Mother Matty
12) Frying Pan (aka What A Botheration)
13) Wala Wala
14) Too Much
15) Man Beware
16) Auntie Lulu
17) Fussing And Fighting
18) Go Back Home
19) Hoola Bulla
20) The Man I Should Be
21) Johnny Too Bad
22) Johnny Too Bad (Version)
23) You Can't Win
24) Red Gun Court
25) Good Nanny
26) Bamboo Bed
27) Bounce Me Johnny
28) Bounce Me Johnny (Version)
29) Coolie Gal
30) I A Dread

Disc Two:

1) Dread Selassie
2) Dread Selassie (Version)
3) Nine Millie
4) Nine Millie (Dub)
5) Dance Crashers
6) Long Shot Kick The Bucket
7) Many Rivers To Cross
8) Mother And Child Reunion
9) Hang On Sloopy
10) Jah Throne
11) Right On Time {Luddy Pioneer And Joe Slicker}
12) Right On Time (Dub) {Luddy Pioneer And Joe Slicker}
13) Caught You Red-Handed {Ranking Charlie And The Slickers}
14) Zion Land
15) Well Dread
16) Must Surrender
17) Breakthrough
18) Black And White
19) Run Come
20) St. Jago De La Vega
21) St. Jago De La Vega (Dub)
22) The Time Has Come
23) The Time Has Come (Dub)

Johnny Too Bad: The Very Best Of The Slickers  - 

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