Various – Club Reggae ’69

DISC ONE: CHART HITS & CLUB CLASSICS

1. ISRAELITES – Desmond Dekker & The Aces. This track will need no introduction as it was a big UK hit in 1969, going to No.1. On this we hear Desmond with the original Aces and it was produced by the legendary Leslie Kong and self-penned by Desmond as Dacres. 4. HOW LONG – Pat Kelly. This track is often titled ‘How Long Will It Take’ and will be familiar to most Jamaican music fans. This is mid-tempo and as usual Pat gives a first-class vocal in front of a classic Reggae rhythm. This probably should have made the UK charts and given Pat the recognition he deserved. This was written by Pat himself. Released in US on Randy’s label and UK on Gas label (Pama). 7. ANOTHER SCORCHER – Jackie Bernard & The Tennors. This is a slower sound and the vocalist is joined by a chorus at times. The backing comes straight and overall there is nothing special about the recording. 9. ALI BABA – John Holt. John Holt became a Jamaican legend and was a prolific recording artist. This is a fantasy Boss Reggae classic produced by Duke Reid and comes mid-tempo with Holt doing a classic vocal. The rhythm track comes with percussion and is Boss Reggae at its best, this was written by John Holt one-time member of The Paragons. Released in Jamaica on Treasure Isle label and UK on Trojan. 11. JESSE JAMES – Laurel Aitken. From the ‘Legendary Godfather Of Ska’ we have a punchy sound on which Aitken gives a spoken vocal. The rhythm track is punchy and although it doesn’t really go anywhere it does compliment the vocal. Gunshot sounds are heard at times and it is produced by the vocalist. Released in UK on Nu Beat label (Pama). 14. SEVEN LETTERS – Derrick Morgan. This was originally written and recorded by Ben E King and is a fast sound on which the legend that is Derrick Morgan does a fine job on the vocal helped-out by a chorus at times. Produced by Bunny Lee, should have made the UK charts. 17. PRETTY COTTAGE – Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling. A mid-tempo number on which we hear a trombone led intro. The vocals are combined and the two vocalists compliment one another in front of a catchy rhythm track. The trombone returns from time-to-time throughout and overall it is a catchy sound. The late Stranger is often known as ‘Soul Cole. Released in UK on Escort label (Pama Records), 1969. 20. BRIXTON CAT, BIG AND FAT – Dice The Boss. If you know the music of Joe Mansano then this will come as no surprise. It has a chug-along rhythm track at a fast pace. It comes with a talk-over vocal and is organ led. As talk-overs go this is good and Joe Mansano had his own shop in Brixton, Joe’s Record Centre and came from Trinidad. Released in UK on Joe label, 1968. 23. RED RED WINE – Tony Tribe. Originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond, this heavy monster sound comes via a vocalist who seems to have come and gone after taking his version into the UK charts, reaching 46. This was produced by Brother Dan Released in UK on Downtown label (Trojan). 25. DON’T LET ME DOWN – Marcia Griffiths. The song will be familiar to most record buyers as it was written by Lennon & McCartney and this version comes fast-moving with Marcia at her vocal best and helped-out by a backing chorus. This was produced by Harry J and released in Jamaica on Harry J Records. 27. CUPID – Johnny Nash. Johnny Nash was not on the recording scene as long as some others but we do remember his recordings. This is no exception being a mid-tempo version of a Sam Cooke UK hit. This comes under the tag of Boss Reggae on this collection but could be seen as a more commercial sound, Johnny’s version made the UK charts peaking at No.6. Released in UK on Major Minor label.

DISC TWO: HIDDEN TREASURES

1. SKINHEAD TRAIN – Laurel Aitken. Spoken intro before moving up-beat into a fast-moving Boss Reggae sound. Laurel continues with his talk-over in front of a typical Boss Reggae rhythm track. Can be found on the ‘Skinhead Train’ collection on the Doctor Bird label. Originally released on the Nu Beat label (Pama). 3. PLEDGING MY LOVE – Audrey. The vocalist is the sister of Jamaican singer Pam Hall who most of us will be familiar with. This comes as a fast slice of cool Reggae on which Audrey gives the listener a fine vocal. The rhythm track is punchy and some guitar work comes in midway through. This was the B side to a track titled ‘Pop Your Corn’. Released in UK on Downtown label (Trojan). 6. JUMP HIGH JUMP LOW – The Arabis. Fast sound on which the vocals are group combined at times. Not sure who the group are but they do a competent job on a catchy number. The rhythm track is typical of the Boss Reggae sound and as a 7″ was released in UK on Doctor Bird label. 9. TIME MARCHES ON – David Isaacs & The Race Fans. Starting off with a marching intro then goes into a fast chug-along sound. Isaacs, better known for his version of ‘Place In The Sun’ does a clear and pleasing vocal. This comes as a semi-Boss sound and is catchy and was originally the B side to ‘Thunder Storm’/King Cannon. Released in Jamaica on Upset label, 1968. 13. MR TAMBOURINE MAN – Ken Boothe. Here we have a Jamaican legend with a version of The Byrds UK/US hit. This is a mid-tempo number which has a punchy rhythm track. Boothe sounds in his early recording years on this and for Byrds fans and music fans in general they will not be disappointed with this cover. Released in UK on Big Shot label (Trojan) in 1969. 15. WANT IT, WANT IT – Samuel Edwards. This is fast-moving and the rhythm track is catchy and compliments the overall sound. Credited to a solo singer it sounds like a group and could be The Tartans. The rhythm track comes straight with a more Rocksteady beat. Samuel Edwards gives a pleasing vocal and overall a passable recording. Released in UK on Blue Cat Records (Trojan). 17. DARLING IT WON’T – Johnny Youth & Nyah Shuffle. A punchy number from an artist not readily known unlike the backing outfit who performed for several decades. The full-on vocal is pleasing and the rhythm track comes straight, this is not one of the collections stand-out tracks but listenable. Johnny Youth was also known as Jahman and this track was produced by J Sinclair, could this be Jason Sinclair also known as Judge Dread. 21. LAVENDER BLUE – Lloyd Robinson. This song will require no introduction and Lloyd covers it well with his full-on vocal. He is helped out by a backing chorus at various times and although one might not have taken to this, one did. This was the B side to a track titled ‘Cuss Cuss’ and pressed at Federal Recording Mfg and produced by Harry J. Released in Jamaica on Harry J Records and UK on Duke label (Trojan). 24. PLEASE BE MINE – Danny & Joe. This has become a rare 1969 Rocksteady/Reggae recording and performed by an obscure duo. Produced by Tommy McCook it is mid-tempo and the vocals float in front of a pleasing rhythm track. Released in UK on Jackpot label (Trojan). 26. RUDAM BAM – The Eagles. This group were formed by Patrick Francis and Carlton Brown and the track is mid-tempo. After a longish instrumental intro it moves into a heavy Boss Reggae sound with combined group vocals. This track can be found on retro compilation sets like ‘Reggae Business’. Released in UK on Song Bird label (Trojan) 28. THINK – Sprong & The Nyah Shuffle. This is a fast-moving Boss sound and although the backing goes around-and-around it has an infectious rhythm. The vocal is true and is very listenable from an outfit better known for their single ‘Moon Walk’ which had this track on the B side. Released in UK on Grape label (Trojan).

DISC THREE: INSTRUMENTAL GOLD

1. LIQUIDATOR – Harry J All Stars. This track will need no introduction, further to say that back in 1969 this was a top Boss Reggae instrumental that has remained so. The organ playing on this is infectious and once heard never forgotten. This track became a favourite at Chelsea FC and was and still is played before every home match. For the few who don’t know this is as mentioned above organ dominated and punchy with a fast rhythm. This was a No.5 chart sound back in 1969 and remained in the charts for several weeks. Released in UK on Harry J label (Trojan). 3. RETURN OF DJANGO – The Upsetters. Another well-known Boss Reggae sound from Lee Perry’s house band of the day and went to No.5 on the UK charts. This comes punchy a has a very infectious rhythm track with plenty of brass in evidence, played by some of Jamaica’s best. Produced and written by Lee Perry with Dollar In The Teeth’ on the B side. Released in UK on Upsetter label. 5. HANG EM HIGH – Richard Ace. One of many releases based around the spaghetti western theme and this is a killer version of the film track. This comes with a fast rhythm track and is organ dominated, this tune has always been catchy and this is no exception. 7. NIGHT OF LOVE – Ansel Collins & The Beverley All Stars. This is a monster Boss Reggae sound and has a mid-tempo chug-along, organ dominated rhythm track. As we know Ansel was a genius on the organ and was one half of the duo Dave & Ansel Collins, a catchy sound that was produced by Leslie Kong and had ‘Copy Cat’ by Derrick Morgan on the B side. Released in UK on Trojan label. 10. A MESSAGE TO YOU – Rico & The Laurel Aitken Band. Nothing to do with the track ‘Rudy A Message To You’, this comes as an instrumental with the late Rico Rodriguez up front on trombone. It has a fast rhythm track that comes punchy. Not sure who were members of the Laurel Aitken Band but with Rico this is a pleasing sound. 11. ELIZABETHAN SERENADE – Sweet Confusion. We all remember the Reggae version by Boris Gardiner that peaked at No.14 in the UK charts. One can honestly say that this version will not be as familiar and while the outfit on this version are anyone’s guess. This version is not as good as the above-mentioned chart hit, but it is listenable. Released in UK on Escort label (Pama). 14. ORGANISM – Anonymously Yours. This is another vintage Boss Reggae instrumental sound. The track comes mid-tempo and is organ dominated and has a rhythm track that is not very inventive. Nevertheless, it is catchy and at 2mins 03secs it is about long enough and when released in Jamaica it was a B side and produced by Duke Reid. Released in Jamaica on Duke label. 16. HEY JUDE – Joe’s All Stars. Any thing produced by Joe Mansano always had the sound heard on this. Obviously, this is an instrumental cover of The Beatles song and it features trombonist Rico Rodriquez. This has a fastish rhythm track and it is a while before Rico comes into his own taking on the ‘Hey Jude’ tune. This is a fine version of a very good song. Released in UK on Joe label. 19. DULCEMANIA – Drumbago & The Dynamites. Arkland ‘Drumbago Parks is Drumbago on this mid-tempo punchy instrumental that has some fine trombone blowing at various times. Although the track doesn’t really go anywhere it is still a catchy sound. This was produced by Clancy Eccles. Released in Jamaica on the Nu Beat Records and in UK on Trojan Records. 22. SOUL SPECIAL – Karl ‘King’ Cannon Bryan & The Jay Boys. As one would expect it has a fair amount of organ on the fast rhythm track that comes with other percussion. Jolly instrumental that is hard to forget and typical of a Harry J production. This was the B side to ‘Cuss Cuss’ by Lloyd Robinson. Released in UK on Harry J label. 25. THE BULLET – Rico & The Rudies. Years ago I came across this recording, love it then and still do. This track is a Reggae/Rocksteady instrumental and comes with a fast rhythm track. The trombone from Rico is infectious and overall it is simple in make-up but very catchy. Can be found on Rico’s ‘Tambourine Man’ ‘Blow Your Horn’ and ‘Brixton Cat’ albums. Released in UK (7″) on Blue Cat label. 27. A THOUSAND TONS OF MEGATON – Roland Alphonso. This is predominantly an instrumental with a few words at the beginning which return at various times. There is a fair amount of organ on the rhythm track along with the saxophone playing of Roland Alphonso. This was produced by Bunny Lee and The Bunny Lee All Stars are ever present. The rhythm used comes from the release ‘Everybody Needs Love’ recorded by Slim Smith, this is a fine track to finish off this collection. Released in UK on Gas label (Pama).

CONCLUSION

There have been many outstanding Boss Reggae albums/CD’s over the decades but one doubts if there has been a more comprehensive collection than this one. This 3xCD collection consists of 80 tracks, some of the best Boss Reggae tracks ever recorded, some of which were breakthrough hits, dancefloor favourites and long-lost obscurities. The collection has been compiled by those who have lived the genre first-hand, and it gave the British working-class youngsters the chance to enjoy an alternative form of music other than Rock. What can one say other than having read through the review it is now time to seriously consider purchasing a copy, and at £24 99p it just has to be looked upon as worthy of a purchase. Well done the team at Cherry Red Records for getting this collection out on release.

Lloyd Miller – Caribbean Way