I’ve long had these on CD but are a little hard to come by these days. So happy to see them available on Tidal.
Jack Ruby was a top 70"s Roots Reggae producer who utilised a crack backing band and horn section from the best session musicians Jamaica had to offer which he named The Black Disciples.
Unusually for the time he was based outside of Kingston in Ocho Rios, his home, studio and sound system can be seen in the film Rockers.
He produced some of the best Roots material of the period, most notably Burning Spear, Justin Hinds, The Heptones, Big Youth and some arguably lesser known artists.
Jack Ruby presents The Black Foundation
And its companion volume The Black Foundation In Dub with the matching versions mixed by Errol Thompson
Aston Familyman Barrett, Bass player and musical arranger for Bob Marley & The Wailers (cruelly frozen out by the Marley estate after Bob’s passing, but that’s another story).
Whilst acting as above, Familyman experimented with his own productions away from the Wailers which he released on his Fams label during the 70’s. He invented a sort of electronic drum machine before such things existed and synthesised sounds which were very much ahead if their time and now cost eye watering prices on the collectors market.
The esteemed Canadian Heartbeat label compiled two volumes of Fams productions.
Cobra Style and the companion Familyman in Dub.
I have those CD’s which are now hard to find for sensible money. They do appear on Discogs from time to time but usually rightly go in a flash.
Shame they dont appear available to stream.
However, Dub Store Japan released a compilation of Fams productions CD/LP which is available to stream, not as good imo as the above, not sure of the provenance of the source (I think dubbed from discs whereas Heartbeat had access to masters) but sounds reasonably OK nonetheless and worth checking
Aston “Family Man” Barrett & The Wailers Band - Soul Constitution: Instrumentals & Dubs 1971-1982 | Reggae Vibes
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An amazing and inspiring read for anyone remotely interested in the roots of Jamaican Music.
I’ve spoken of the genuinely legendary Alpha Boys School on these forums before especially on the Reggae thread, but I wasnt aware of this amazing book which I ordered and started reading a few days ago.
Sister Ignatious and the order of The Sisters Of Mercy must be the hippest nuns on the planet. The most unlikely story, that’s almost unbelievable but very true, of how Sister Ignatious took in wayward youth and taught them trades, especially music, Alpha alumni invented Ska and some like Joe Harriott and Dizzy Reece became big respected artists in the international Jazz scene.
It’s so fantastically remarkable that such an unlikely setting created a musical phenomenon that significantly influenced popular music globally.
It’s very likely that without the nuns at Alpha there would have been no Ska, thus Rocksteady, Reggae and all the other worldwide sub genres that subsequently developed.
At around a tenner without doubt this really is a must read
The true story of the school that started a musical revolution.
Ska and reggae music has reverbarated around the planet but without the musical brilliance of the graduates of Jamaica’s Alpha Boys’ School it might never have been that way.
From the Jamaican big band swing of the 1940s and ‘50s through the ska and rocksteady of the 1960s, the global roots reggae explosion of the 1970s and the rise of the new dancehall style in the 1980s, graduates of Alpha Boys’ School have been right at the heart of the musical action, composing, arranging and playing on thousands of the most beloved Jamaican records of all time.
Facing a life of poverty, neglect, abandonment and even homelessness, young boys from the most deprived parts of Kingston were placed at Alpha, a residential home run by a strict order of Roman Catholic nuns. Alongside industrial trade apprenticeships, boys would fight for a prestigous place in the Alpha school band, overseen for an astonishing 64 years by the jazz-loving Sister Mary Ignatius – the true Godmother of Ska and Reggae.
From early Jamaican jazz giants like Joe Harriott and Dizzy Reece to the greatest ska band of all time, The Skatalites and some of reggae’s most inspirational artists such as Cedric Brooks, Rico Rodriguez, Johnny Osbourne, Leroy Smart and Yellowman, the Alpha story is the untold history of Jamaican music.
Join Heather Augustyn and Adam Reeves as they shed light on this remarkable institution and the life and works of over 40 of its most influential graduates.
The culmination of many combined years of work, using personal recollections and a wealth of rarely seen photographs, Alpha Boys’ School: Cradle of Jamaican Music is a must for all lovers of. original ska, rocksteady, roots reggae, dub and dancehall.
What the critics say:
The book’s two authors have gleaned a wealth of new information and insights via their detailed interviews with the school’s former pupils, making this volume not only a fine tribute to the school but also a significant contribution to the ongoing documentation of Jamaica’s musical heritage. Steve Barker, Wire Magazine.
If you’re interested in the development of ska and reggae music, this is well worth seeking out. John Masouri, Echoes Magazine.
This engaging book ultimately heightens Alpha’s perpetual contribution to the evolution of Jamaican popular music. David Katz, Mojo magazine.
A very welcome reference book who’s lightness of touch serves the weight of its subject. Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwize magazine
(Review from Goodreads)
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The Skatalites are not a band one would normally associate with Dub.
However in 1975 the core original members reformed and recorded a number of sessions at various studios, Studio One, Aquarius, Joe Gibbs and Lee Scratch Perry’s Black Ark.
The session tapes were taken to King Tubby’s who mixed the Dubs.
These languished in obscurity until 25 years later when the now defunct Motion Records reissue label unearthed them and released 3 LP/CD volumes.
Heroes Of Reggae In Dub
The Legendary Skatalites In Dub
Herb Dub Collie Dub
Very highly recommended and worth looking out for
Motion later put out a CD compiled from the above, it’s available to stream on Tidal
Superior sound on the vinyl though
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Perhaps a lesser known Jamaican vocal harmony trio. The wonderful Chantells.
This Blood And Fire label compilation pulls together some sublime 12" cuts from The Chantells (the beautiful Children Of Jah which always gets the hairs on my neck) and other lesser knowns Lopez Walker, The Terrors, Errol Davies.
Produced by Roy Francis on his Phase One label, always a sign of quality roots & lovers music.
Children Of Jah The Chantells & Friends 1977 - 79
This lovely 10 track compilation is available on Tidal, 7" edits but still an essential listen.
If cranking this up doesnt make you feel good, well…
The Chantells Waiting In The Park
This Blood And Fire label compilation pulls together some sublime 12" cuts from The Chantells (the beautiful Children Of Jah which always gets the hairs on my neck) and other lesser knowns Lopez Walker, The Terrors, Errol Davies.
Produced by Roy Francis on his Phase One label, always a sign of quality roots & lovers music.
Children Of Jah The Chantells & Friends 1977 - 79
This lovely 10 track compilation is available on Tidal, 7" edits but still an essential listen.
If cranking this up doesnt make you feel good, well…
The Chantells Waiting In The Park
Another under recognised artist
Larry Marshall I Admire You
Great Roots n Lovers vibes
It’s on Tidal
Another artist who criminally appears not get enough dues is the great Joe Higgs.
Involved in the JA music from its inception, he was a key figure in its development. He mentored many young artists and tutored them in musicianship and vocal technique, including The Wailers who were first introduced to each other by Higgs at these sessions in his “yard” and Jimmy Cliff.
A strong songwriter who wrote songs for many artists and was rarely credited.
Pressure Sounds re issued his fine first two LP’s and I’m pleased to spot them available on Tidal.
Check them out
Hey, Dread!
Just wanted to say - you were absolutely right on about Jah9…
Absolutely superb. I see now why the Mad Professor album, though good, is not a tenth of her story or indeed talent.
Still a goodie tho - but this is another galaxy entirely!
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Great! Glad u liking it, do check out her others in due course
Have a look at her website too…
Hows the vinyl sounding? I have them all on CD
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It’s sounding good, nice and layered, plenty of… what’s the word…projection, I guess. Jah9 is very clear and seems to step into the room. Nice.
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I’m pleased to hear that, although vinyl is usually my preferred format I tend to buy most current JA music on CD. I think a lot of it is mostly mastered for CD and digital platforms, iTunes etc and doesnt always seem to transfer well to vinyl.
I’ll look out for a vinyl copy of 9 and see how it compares.
Bless up!
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The perfect Sunday Afternoon cool out after a late night
Megumi Mesaku
Saxy Cool Ruler, sees the lovely Japanese Saxophonist blowing over some classic Gregory Isaac’s riddims provided by Mafia & Fluxy
Previous album Saxy Rocksteady similarly finds Megumi Blowing some classic Rocksteady. This album came to fruition after someone filmed her busking on the tube, the video went viral on youtube.
REMARKABLE STORY
The remarkable story of Megumi Mesaku’s second full length album, the follow up to her 2018 released debut album “A Saxy Reggae Christmas”, starts in the London underground. After over the years having worked on numerous music projects including the 2011 released 10″ vinyl “What A Wonderful World” with the Yahman All-Stars feat. the late Rico Rodriguez and veteran singer Derrick Morgan, personal circumstances didn’t give her many opportunities to play her saxophone. Inspired by a friend, Megumi started to busk on the London underground. Because she didn’t have time to prepare or practice, she played tunes she knew from childhood and other music she loved including her favourite music genre, Rocksteady. She got some Rocksteady riddim tracks sent by Mafia & Fluxy and went busking in London Bridge Station and other undergound stations.
VIDEO FOOTAGE
One day, while busking at Waterloo Station, she was approached by a woman who asked her permission to video her performance on her mobile phone. Megumi played some of the Mafia & Fluxy riddim tracks and then played “Pupa Lick”, a classic Rocksteady instrumental from Studio One by the Soul Vendors – with Lester Sterling on saxophone. This video footage went viral and got many wonderful reactions from all over the world. She then contacted Mafia & Fluxy again, and told them she wanted to record tunes for an album at Stingray Studio. They came together at the famed studio and started recording the tunes she had created and composed in the London underground stations.
MEGUMI MESAKU AKA MISS MEGOO
The lovely Japanese saxophonist Megumi Mesaku aka Miss Megoo was born in Soma City, Fukushima, but as a child moved to Chiba (next to the Tokyo area) and then relocated to London at the age of 20. As a teenager she fell in love with reggae music and since then she has travelled the world, enticing audiences with her instrumental renditions of reggae classics. Mesaku also plays the keyboard and has worked with some of Jamaica’s top reggae stars, including The Skatalites, The Pioneers, Alton Ellis, Derrick Morgan, Prince Buster, Ken Boothe, Max Romeo, Big Youth, Dennis Alcapone, Little Roy, Winston Francis and Roy Shirley. Nowadays she plays with UK bands like Ska Cubano, the Trojans and the Topcats.
SAXY ROCKSTEADY
The album opens in great style with the amazing and inspired sounding “Megumi Special”, which uses the blueprint of Prince Buster’s 1968 tune “All My Loving”, the killer Rocksteady version of this alltime Beatles classic tune. This piece, backed by its dub version by The Pharmacist, was previously released on limited edition 7″ vinyl of 150 copies. Next comes the wonderful “Pupa Lick”, the instrumental that went viral and actually led to the recording of this “Saxy Rocksteady” album. Then the album’s title track rounds off the opening part of this collection in real fine style. These first three tracks, but also the rest of the instrumentals showcase Megumi Mesaku’s great control and warm tone when she plays her saxophone. Each and every track has its own merit and is a real joy to listen to. The ones that caress the eardrums most are “You Are My Favourite Gentleman”, “Driving Me Crazy”, “Bright Moon” (an interpretation of the popular jazz standard “Blue Moon” with Trevor Edwards on trombone and Patrixx Aba Ariginal on trumpet), “Tengoku” (Japanese word for Heaven), “Nostalgia Love” and “Rude Gyal Rocksteady - Reggae - Vibes .com
Physical releases and streaming, Saxy Cool Ruler as a Tidal Master
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More Megumi Mesaku
Inna UK Dub style from Dougie Wardrop’s Concious Sounds outlet
On Tidal
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Link back to my previous post for more info and her remarkable back story.
Arrived today from Dub Vendor (respect due!)
The 12 track vinyl from the lovely Megumi Mesaku sounding great.
Now all we need is some covid free sunshine, bbq, Red Stripe, Dragon Stout, Sound System n ting! Soon come!
Loving it…
Did I mention from my favourite Jamaican specialist Dub Vendor? I did? Well if it’s nice say it twice!
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Reggae George Three Wicked Men is glorious roots Reggae obscurity recorded at Tuff Gong Studios, hard to find in good nick and at prices that would make a banker wince!
I’ve been after this tune for donkeys years ever since hearing Rodigan playing a dub plate of it back in the day and came across this decent sounding crisp 10" re issue at Dub Vendor that has the original Jamaican Mix & Dub with a new remix on the flip, nice one!
