Reggae’s very core is built on the version going [...]]]> Since I’ve decided to get my ass in gear and write some more stuff on this blog I’ve come up with a new semi-regular feature that I’ll call — wait for it —Version Galore! Original right? Well that’s kinda going with the new theme of the feature.

Reggae’s very core is built on the version going back to the earliest days of course. Taking soul and R&B hits or anything else really that the producers and artists heard being piped in from the states or that was brought back on vinyl on the many trips people like Clement “Coxsone” Dodd of Studio One label fame – IE: The Godfather, made to the states to find the latest U.S. hits for their respective sound systems, were ripe for a cover.

Artists were covering anything and everything as the recently independent country and quickly enlarging new music industry were hungry for home grown music and what did they have but songs they heard – until that is they had enough talent built up to create their own songs. Covers and recording new versions of old tunes or using old rhythms on new cuts has always been a staple of the recording industry – not strictly a Jamaican phenomenon.

The first track to launch this new feature comes from Cynthia Richards doing her version of “Foolish You”. Why this track? Well I was looking around the web and came up on a cover version by Sublime which made me think – so here you go.

First a little background on Cynthia (taken from Wikipedia): Born in Duhaney Park, Kingston, Jamaica, in 1944, Richards attended the Denham Town Primary School where after impressing teachers with a performance at an end-of-term concert she was encouraged to appear on the Vere Johns Talent Show.

While working as a magistrate’s clerk, she continued her career, working in the 1960s with Bobby Aitken’s Carib Beats band and later the Falcons (with a young Dennis Brown), Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, and the Mighty Vikings. She recorded her debut single, “How Could I”, in 1969, produced by Coxsone.

Although this wasn’t a success, it brought her to the attention of Clancy Eccles, who produced “Foolish Fool”, which became a major hit in Jamaica. She also recorded as one half of the duo Cynthia & Archie. She moved on to work with several producers, including Duke Reid, for whom she recorded “Jungle Fever”, “Sentimental Reason”, and “Aily I”, the latter a hit with UK reggae audiences in 1972. Other producers she worked with included Alvin Ranglin and Larry Lawrence, before moving into self-production with singles such as “Mr. Postman”, and had further chart success in Jamaica with her version of The Staple Singers’ “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)”.

She was voted Top Female Artist of 1973 in Jamaica and toured with Dennis Brown and Toots and the Maytals. Later in the 1970s she worked as a backing singer, contributing to Beres Hammond’s 1976 album Soul Reggae and Pat Kelly’s 1978 album Lonely Man.

Check out the many versions of “Foolish You” below.

Original 1969 Version by Dee Dee Warrick

Cynthia Richards Reggae Version

Sublime Cover

and here’s a wicked cut by a more recent band showing the longevity of some simply “sublime” (pun intended) hits. Over 40 years and some cuts just keep finding new fans.

The Flea Market Funk blog did a post back in May about The Music Specialists. I thought it was a fun read so [...]]]> It’s been a bit of time since I did an update and well it’s time to get back in the saddle. Here’s a little link to a cool blog and some video selections!

The Flea Market Funk blog did a post back in May about The Music Specialists. I thought it was a fun read so go there now and check it out.

Here’s the flip: “Flip”

Hepcat is beyond amazing. As the greatest modern ska band playing with such soul and confidence it’s a shame they can’t get out and play as much as we would like. They recently did a little jaunt across the pond though which is real nice to hear.

Check out this sweet clip / live [...]]]>

Hepcat is beyond amazing. As the greatest modern ska band playing with such soul and confidence it’s a shame they can’t get out and play as much as we would like. They recently did a little jaunt across the pond though which is real nice to hear.

Check out this sweet clip / live video / promo of the band doing what they do – play the hits like no other – in this case “Rudies All Around” & “Guns Fever”.

Head over to our message board and let the band know what you think..

Here’s the goddess herself Phyllis Dillon doing “Picture On The Wall”.

THE BLUES ARE IN TOWN! Chelsea Vs. Inter Milan TODAY – poor Milan – first you lose your “star” player and then your going to lose today on the pitch.

Go [...]]]> Here’s yet another reason why Laurel Aitken is truly the Godfather, as if we needed another. Hope your still doing the moonhop in the clouds!

THE BLUES ARE IN TOWN! Chelsea Vs. Inter Milan TODAY – poor Milan – first you lose your “star” player and then your going to lose today on the pitch.

Go Blues!!!
We now return you to your regular reggae ranting……….

Dynamic Pressure is one of [...]]]> In the interest of highlighting modern acts that were little known outside of certain circles, that issued only a few tracks or 1 “45″ but were outstanding to see live and ahead of the curve, we kick off a new feature to help spread the word about these “Lost Gems”.

Dynamic Pressure is one of those bands. They were a little known CA act that released just one 45 and a few compilation sides. They made a lasting impression on many people I suspect though. Ask Brian “Boom Boom” Dixon of the Aggrolites what Dynamic Pressure means to him and he’ll probably say “one of the best bands ever” or something to that effect.

They were surely ahead of the curve since they could probably be referred to as the band to first play that “dirty” or skinhead style reggae sound in California that begat the Rhythm Doctors (who will probably get a mention here soon too) and The Aggrolites.

Read more of this post at our sister blog, www.musicaloccupation.com where we’re posting some topics about more modern bands.

Check it out here: www.reggaemusictalk.com

Here’s the cut from the wonderful “Birth [...]]]> I found this interesting little piece on “Skinhead Reggae” and The Bleechers that mentions the Aggrolites as the proponents of the “Skinhead Reggae” sound. At least they didn’t mention them and playing Ska in the same sentence as so many others seem to do.

Check it out here: www.reggaemusictalk.com

Here’s the cut from the wonderful “Birth Control” album on Pama. I love that the album cover is in the back.

A bonus (or not – depends on your outlook on the video that follow):
Modern band The Thorpedians doing a somewhat 2 Tone inspired cut of the same tune. I’m not turned off by it and could see myself dancing.