“Death Rides A Horse” by The Hippy Boys, named after the movie of the same name, was issued in 1970 on Pama’s Unity label. Its the B-side to Max Romeo’s “Melting Pot”. IMAGE: www.strictly-vibes.com

The Hippy Boys [...]]]> Since we discussed “Spaghetti Western” inspired reggae Friday thanks to Nina’s wonderful blog we’re going to continue that topic again.

“Death Rides A Horse” by The Hippy Boys, named after the movie of the same name, was issued in 1970 on Pama’s Unity label. Its the B-side to Max Romeo’s “Melting Pot”.

IMAGE: www.strictly-vibes.com

The Hippy Boys are sure to be familiar to regular readers of this blog and true collectors for not only their classic lineup but superb cuts. The band, formed by Lord Charmers and a stand-in for The Upsetters when Lee Perry toured the Britain for the first time, included guitarist Alva “Reggie” Lewis, organist Glen Adams (who most recently has been playing around NYC with The Slackers) and brothers Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett on bass guitar and Carlton Barrett drums respectively (who later went on to much bigger fame playing with Bob Marley of course).

There are in fact 2 other very different versions of “Death Rides A Horse” that were issued on Crab & Amalgamated too! They were both included on Trojan’s Big Gundown release from a few years ago.

Check out a sound sample of this version and more Unity singles over at www.dancecrasher.com. Thanks again guys!

While “Death Rides A Horse” is not found on the album, The Hippy Boys’ “Reggae With…” was reissued by Trojan Records in 2006.

1. Nurse J’Kel
2. This Is It
3. Mad Movie
4. Capo (Version 1)
5. Foot Work
6. Seventh Heaven
7. Moon Walk
8. Challenge
9. Spicy (Aka Reggae Pressure)
10. Wondering
11. Cat Nip (Bonus Track)
12. Soul At Large (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
13. Soul Of England (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
14. What Do You Say (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
15. Straight To The Head (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
16. African Zulu (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
17. Confidential (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
18. Oney (Happy Clap) (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
19. Everybody Needs Love (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
20. Stronger (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
21. Mellow Mood (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
22. Family Man (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
23. Shang I (Aka Shanghai) (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
24. Cooyah (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
25. Capo (Version 2) The Upsetters

That same show will also feature [...]]]> Mexico City has had a popping vintage reggae scene for the last few years it seems. I’ve been waiting to check it out down there but have yet to make it. Well – they’ve now scored the first North American show for Los Granadians del Espacio Exterior! Who’s jealous here?

That same show will also feature an even bigger name for you skinheads and rudies: “Mr. Symarip” Roy Elllis!

Both artists have recently (last year or so) released wonderful new albums and are well worth picking up. “Skinheads Dem A Come” (0n Jump Up Records) from Mr. Ellis and “Donde Ningun Hambre” (on Liquidator Music) from Los Granadians.

They’re calling it Boss Weekend: 40 Years of Skinheads It will feature plenty of top local selecters of course. It looks like a must attend event if you can make the trip. See the flyer below (click to enlarge).

Check out some of the sounds, more info and interviews even at their myspace page: www.myspace.com/boss_weekend

Well a month ago Mel [...]]]> I missed this some weeks back but it’s never too late for a good read especially when it comes to one of the classics of the genre. Max Romeo made more then a few sweet tunes in his lifetime about many different subjects from Slack to Rasta to Militant, etc.

Well a month ago Mel Cooke at the Jamaican Gleaner wrote a little article highlighting the birth of this dirty little ditty called “Wet Dream” which has been covered most notably by Bad Manners I might say.

For the skinheads this is still a dancefloor masher and the story is fun and interesting just like the song is ribald.

Check out the full article here: www.jamaica-gleaner.com

Well they’ve been compiling their own [...]]]> WOW! Can you believe it’s been SIX whole months since the last set of tunes were posted. If you don’t know what I’m talking about or just forgot go right now to www.dancecrasher.co.uk and be enlightened. It’s a wonderful site and regular readers know all about the love for it.

Well they’ve been compiling their own list of the 100 Greatest Rocksteady tunes ever (as if you didn’t know from the title of this post people) and it’s been a blast. Each new list includes wonderful notes on each tune, when it was released, where you can get it now either on CD or vinyl, a label scan and then a sound sample. Oh boy it’s a rudies wet dream.

So here’s the newest list and visit the site for more info.

50. You Don’t Care – The Techniques (Duke Reid Production)
49. Watch This Sound – The Uniques (Winston Lowe Production)
48. Memories By The Score – The Paragons (Paragons Production)
47. Cry Tough – Alton Ellis (Duke Reid Production)
46. I’m So Proud – Joe White (Charles Ross Production)
45. People Get Ready – The Minstrels (Coxsone Dodd Production)
44. Coming On The Scene – Johnny And the Attractions (Sonia Pottinger Production)
43. Can’t You See – Ken Boothe (Links Production)
42. Solomon – Derrick Harriot (Derrick Harriot Production)
41. Lonely Heartaches – Clarendonians (Caltone production)

I’ll be posting more as I continue to develop my sleeve. I’ve got a solid overview of how it will look in the end [...]]]> Got some new ink and thought I would share. It’s my little love note to the band that begat all the wonderful music that we drive ourselves crazy collecting and dancing to.

I’ll be posting more as I continue to develop my sleeve. I’ve got a solid overview of how it will look in the end – a real tribute to the little island in the sun and the countless hours of enjoyment it has given me over the years.

Now I want to see some of yours! Skins, Byrds, Rudies, Punks as long as it’s reggae related or at least VERY cool. Send them to info@dancingmood.net. I’ll post the best ones here in the blog.

Now go!

www.musicaloccupation.com

www.roots-archives.com

Well first there were the duel posts (HERE & HERE) detailing bits and pieces of history about NYC’s early 80’s punky reggae masters The Terrorists that hit the blog-o-sphere at the same time and now there are these two competing Greg Narvas pieces! What are the odds of that happening?

Recently Kyle Hickenbottem was coaxed out [...]]]>

Well first there were the duel posts (HERE & HERE) detailing bits and pieces of history about NYC’s early 80’s punky reggae masters The Terrorists that hit the blog-o-sphere at the same time and now there are these two competing Greg Narvas pieces! What are the odds of that happening?

Recently Kyle Hickenbottem was coaxed out of semi-retirement and agreed to start posting some material from his writing days as mentioned a couple of days ago. Some of it will be old and already seen before but others such as the interview we posted yesterday he did with Greg Narvas and Lino Trujillo of Hepcat after they had gotten the band back together will be brand new – straight to you – Bonus for us!

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again I’m a fan of Kyle’s thoughtful and insightful reviews and writing. That and we both have a hunger for good comics and a proper Los Angeles Ska History story.

The other bit of Greg Narvas memorabilia that hit at the same time is this interview with Greg discussing his early pre-Hepcat days as drummer for the oi! band Lion’s Pride and his continuing discussion of that period in his ongoing comic “I Was A Teenage Filipino Skinhead”, which is well worth picking up. This interview also includes Martin Ruane, guitar player for Lion’s Pride, as well as singer for Headstrong.

Time to get reading folks! ENJOY!

I made an addition to the blog today by adding a new page. It’s a brief history of the greatest ska band in the world, The Skatalites of course! There were wonderful liner notes included with the “Foundation Ska” release on Heartbeat Records that we’ve included along with a compiled discography of available full length [...]]]>

I made an addition to the blog today by adding a new page. It’s a brief history of the greatest ska band in the world, The Skatalites of course! There were wonderful liner notes included with the “Foundation Ska” release on Heartbeat Records that we’ve included along with a compiled discography of available full length releases from the band. We’ll add to it a bit in the future to keep it current. Just thought it was a nice touch for the blog. We’ll had some cool videos we find as well. Happy reading!

Read “The Skatalites Story” HERE.
Check out the discography HERE.