Yes sadly JA has long had a dark side of gangsterism, drugs and gun violence. In JA culture outlaw figures and gangsters are popular from Cinema characters with lists of JA reggae and particularly dancehall artists with names like Josey Wales, Clint Eastwood, Dillinger and so on.
Check the scene in the Cinema showing a western from the film The Harder They Come starring Jimmy Cliff. Jimmy Cliff’s character Ivan is based on a real life Jamaican outlaw who became a folk hero named Rhygin.
Since the sixties JA has had a violent side with the Rude Boy gangs and politicians exploited these gangs arming them and turning them into political enforcers, hence the regular gang gun wars during election times. During the 70’s particularly JA was like a carribean Belfast!
Gun culture and gangsterism, the rise of the “Yardie” gangs, was helped significantly by JA’s political climate in the early 70’s following the election of Socialist PNP Prime Minister Michael Manley. Basically the US government concerned that they might have another Cuba and Castro on their doorstep set about destabilising JA’s economy and the dark arts of the CIA flooded the island and gangs with weapons most notably the M16.
Many of Jamaica’s “Dons” are loved,looked up to and protected by the poor sufferahs in the ghetto communities for its is the Dons who provide for them against the corrupt politicians.
Of course all of this is reflected in the music, with gangster artists glorifying gun culture and other artists trying to call it out and rallying against it, and most often where murders occur a political connection is not far away.
The harder they come was a brilliant film and it still stands up today as a great piece of social commentary on the realities of life in Jamaica. An exceptional soundtrack too. It showed you the prejudices and exploitation within the music industry and society to and they didn’t just exist here in the UK, an eye opener it was.
Jimmy Cliff reportedly wrote a script for a sequel but so far it’s never seen the light of day.
Two other great JA movies and soundtracks are Rockers,which if you haven’t seen it is a JA ghetto take on the Robin Hood tail and features starring and cameo roles from pretty much a who’s who of JA talent at the time, and Countryman about a fisherman with mystical powers who rescue a couple from a crashed plane and political gangsterism, great soundtrack featuring Wally Badarou, Toots, Dennis Brown, Zap Pow, Scratch, Steel Pulse, Wailets etc etc.
Fantastic weekend at One Love Festival, Hop Farm Tunbridge. Great vibes, so many great artists and an unexpected bonus of getting an access all areas pass on the Sunday.
Life Love Unity
One of many highlights was meeting Troy Ellis, the son of the great Alton Ellis. The Sunday 1st Sept coincided with what would have been Alton’s 81st Birthday. Troy(one of Alton’ s 29 offspring!) who looks and sounds uncannily like his father performed (backed by the excellent Hail Jamaica Band from Bristol) a moving and heartfelt birthday tribute covering many classic songs from the Alton Ellis songbook.
Troy kindly posed with a picture of his father for me to take a photo, I only have a very basic camera phone and I’m no David Bailey so the pics not great quality..
One of the hardest working roots reggae bands always in demand and constantly touring the world. It was lovely to see Misty In Roots closing out Saturday nights Main Stage.
The Classic Errol Dunkley, who remembers the tune OK Fred? Black Cinderella and of course A Little Way Different. He had the crowd in his hands with his warmth and gleaming smile visible even from the back of the arena..
Can you reccommend me a Scientist or mad proffessor dub album from the 80’s something like the world cu p one or similar. I just wanna buy maybe a best of or great complilation one? I’m not to into the modern stuff though i like his traditional stuff with reverbs and good rythm too!
but for someone wanting an essential compilation and overview of the Mad Professor Roots, Dub & Lovers Rock productions look no further than the CD compilation The Inspirational Sounds Of The Mad Professor, good SQ too
Just posted this over on the Blues thread but has a rightfull place here.
Willis Jackson Gaitor Tail AKA Later For Gator was played out for years exclusively as Coxsones Hop on Coxsones Downbeat Sound System. The label was scratched out to hide it’s true identity from rival operators..
