Haul and Pull Up Selecta

January 27, 2012

Dave Hendley is a Reggae photographer, journalist and compiler based in the south of England. He started writing for Blues And Soul magazine in late 1976. In 1979, he co-founded the Sufferers Heights label. Throughout the middle of the 70s, he visited Jamaica many times and took many iconic photographs of Reggae artists. View his portfolio here.

In the late 70s, he worked with Trojan Records and compiled a number of compilation LPs for them including six volumes of Creation Rockers and two volumes of Rebel Music. This compilation showcases many of the heaviest sounds of the era & includes more than its fair share of previously hard-to-find Dancehall classics spanning 1979-82.

Haul and Pull Up Selecta: Heavyweight Dancehall 1979-82; Trojan, 2003

Haul and Pull Up Selecta

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Augustus Pablo – Message Music

January 24, 2012

In the ’70s, Augustus Pablo seemed to appear, like a vision from another world. His music was ethereal, evocative and unique. There has not really been anyone like him, before or since. He now stands recognized as Jamaican music’s best-known lead instrumentalist.

By the mid-1980s, Pablo had become a lot more visible, a lot less fashionable and a little of his mystique had rubbed off. In the 1970s, his own music sold in vast quantities for Reggae product and he became a mainstay as an instrumentalist session player on many Jamaican recordings. In tandem with this session work, he built a unique catalogue of music for a variety of his own labels such as Rockers, Rockers International, Message and Yard.

Message Music deals with Pablo’s instrumentals and dubs from around the mid-80s to the 90s; a slightly overlooked, yet equally impressive period of his musical output.

Enjoy the unmatched sounds of the one and only Augustus Pablo!

Augustus Pablo – Message Music; Pressure Sounds, 2011

Augustus Pablo - Message Music

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Alton and Hortense Ellis – At Studio One

January 21, 2012

This set showcases the stunning vocal prowess of the sibling duo of Alton and Hortense Ellis. Rather than being a collection of duets, this features each on their own with the exception of the “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” cut. If you’re a fan of Rocksteady, Soul and vocals that drip with emotion, then this platter is for you. Just one of the many classics in the Studio One vaults.

If you happen to have the reissue from 2006 titled I’m Still in Love With You which features extras tracks and extended versions, send it my way. It’d be much appreciated!

Alton and Hortense Ellis – At Studio One; Heartbeat, 1991

Alton aand Hortense Ellis - At Studio One

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Black Feeling Vols. 1 & 2

January 19, 2012

The album jackets of these records would have you thinking you found a gem tucked away in the back crates of some ol’ dusty record store, but, in fact, these albums were released in 2007 and 2011. Funk mastermind and all-around musical badass Mr. Lance Ferguson, bandleader of The Bamboos, Cookin’ on 3 Burners and a solo artist, devised the idea of interpreting obscure classics in the Funk, R&B and Soul genres under various pseudonyms such as Pacific Rhythm Combo, The Mighty Show-Stoppers, Queens Community Show Band, Prince Nafa & His Polynesians, Alvarado Rodriguez Trio, The Poly-tones, The Pasito Allstars, High St. Hustlers, Hiromasa Sato, Milton Jones Rhythm Syndicate, The Anders Hjelmstad Experience and many others. Dynamite sounds as I would say!

Various Artists – Black Feeling Volume One; Freestyle, 2007

Various Artists – Black Feeling Volume Two; Freestyle, 2011

Black Feeling Vol.1

Black Feeling Vol.2

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Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-68

January 16, 2012

It all started back in 1971 when music aficionado and future Patti Smith group guitarist Lenny Kaye lovingly compiled the now-classic (and long out-of-print) 2-LP collection called Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968 for Elektra Records.

During the ’80s, Rhino attempted to pick up the ball by releasing their own Nuggets volumes. Now both Rhino and Kaye combine forces to set the record straight, once and for all. The new Nuggets box set not only contains the original Kaye-compiled album in its entirety on one disc, but completes the picture with three more CDs’ worth of essential psychedelic tunes that were left off the first time around, many of them making their digital debut.

Painstakingly remastered from the (mostly mono) original single mixes for best-ever sound, the box also features an extensive booklet containing both the original and new Kaye-penned liner notes, rare photos, and track-by-track annotation. It’s guaranteed to give you a “psychotic reaction”!

Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-68; Rhino, 1998

Disc 1 – Pt.1, Pt.2; Disc 2; Disc 3; Disc 4 – Pt.1, Pt.2

Nuggets - Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-68

Arthur Verocai – Self-Titled

January 10, 2012

In 1972, a repressive Brazilian military dictatorship frowned on artistic impression that might influence the youth of the country. However, producer, arranger and guitar player Arthur Verocai released a self-titled album on Brazilian based Continental Records that challenged the musical conventions of the day. His subtle protest experimented with new musical directions, and used figurative language to sneak under the censorship radar.

This unique recording has a touch of Folk, more than a hint of Funk, Jazz-style soloing, amazing 20-piece string arrangements, blending of electronics and keyboards with organic sounds, and superb soundtrack style music. Check the greatness!

Arthur Verocai – Self-Titled; Continental, 1972

Arthur Verocai - Self-Titled

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The Land of the Rising Sun

January 9, 2012

Ended up spending a few days in Tokyo recently and checked out a mere fraction of the area including the Akihabara and Ginza districts. The surroundings were more than overwhelming to the senses. A truly unique place! Click the link below to visit the gallery of pictures I snapped while there.

Akihabara and Ginza districts of Tokyo, Japan; December 2011

Tokyo, Japan

Lost in the Crates #42

January 5, 2012

Terry Callier - What Color Is Love Ray Ellis and His Agoro Sound - Keyboard Africa Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song Nickodemus and Quantic - La Lluvia bw Didibina (Calindia Mix) Bobby Hutcherson - Patterns

High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976

December 26, 2011

High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976 is the ultimate introduction to vintage reggae DJ sounds. This collection highlights the development of toasting through the recordings of the pioneering stylists of the 60s & 70s. Included here are performances by men now regarded as the founding fathers of the DJ sound. Among them are U Roy, Dennis Alcapone, I Roy, Lizzy, Scotty, Big Youth, Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Jah Woosh and Prince Far I. While 50 tracks surely doesn’t cover all of the essential DJ platters out there, this set serves up a quality collection appealing to newcomers and those who have been collection DJ sides for years. All killer and no filler. Check the tracklist here.

High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976; Trojan, 2003

High Explosion DJ Sounds from 1970 to 1976

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Festival Express

December 21, 2011

Festival Express is a rousing record of a little-known, but monumental, moment in Rock n’ Roll history, starring such music legends as Janis Joplin, The Band, and the Grateful Dead. Set in 1970, Festival Express was a multi-band, multi-day extravaganza that captured the spirit and imagination of a generation and a nation.

What made it unique was that it was portable; for five days, the bands and performers lived, slept, rehearsed and did countless unmentionable things aboard a customized train that traveled from Toronto, to Calgary, to Winnipeg, with each stop culminating in a mega-concert.

The entire experience, both off-stage and on, was filmed, but the extensive footage remained locked away until 2003, when director Bob Smeaton released the movie. A momentous achievement in rock film archaeology, Festival Express combines the long-lost material with contemporary interviews nearly 35 years after it was first filmed.

Enjoy this awesome documentation of what surely would have been an incredible ride to take.

Festival Express - Directed by Bob Smeaton and Frank Cvitanovich, 2003

Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt. 9, Pt.10

password = hippie

Festival Express

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Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K & D Sessions

December 18, 2011

A collection of productions and remixes from the mighty Kruder & Dorfmeister. Wickedly smooth vibes that have steadily stayed in the rotation, along with their other releases and side projects, for years. If you’ve never heard this, you’ve been missing out for sure.

Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K & D Sessions; G-Stone, 1998 Pt.1, Pt.2

Kruder and Dorfmeister - The K&D Sessions

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Hunter, Smith & Ranglin – Earth Tones

December 16, 2011

The incredible Charlie Hunter in a trio setting with legendary Jamaican guitarists Earl “Chinna” Smith and Ernest Ranglin. Forget the artwork, this one’s all about the six strings (or eight strings if you’re Mr. Hunter).

Charlie Hunter, Earl “Chinna” Smith and Ernest Ranglin – Earth Tones; Breadfruit Music, 2005

Charlie Hunter & Chinna Smith & Ernest Ranglin - Earth Tones

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Slightly Stoopid – Live & Direct: Acoustic Roots

December 11, 2011

This Slightly Stoopid album is ridiculously good from start to finish and amazing to consider that this whole set was laid down in one take while live on the air at ROCK 105.3 KIOZ, San Diego. This one is constantly on the hi-fi and is perfect while chillin’ on the beach with my feet in the sand and looking out towards the Andaman Sea.

Slightly Stoopid – Live & Direct: Acoustic Roots; Jr. Varsity, 1999

Slightly Stoopid - Live & Direct_ Acoustic Roots

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Ranking Joe – Zion High

December 7, 2011

This compilation – based on Ranking Joe’s 1980 vinyl LP Round The World and featuring tracks with producer Dennis Brown and Black Uhuru – captures the 20-year old deejay at the peak of his dancehall dominance. It illustrates perfectly the dictum “It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it”, featuring the deejay in full flow over some of Dennis Brown’s productions of the period. The Black Uhuru tracks, recorded with Sly and Robbie just before the group launched itself on its international career, have long been unavailable; these cuts – as with Dennis Brown’s vocal on ‘Bubbling Fountain’ – are making their first appearance with this album. Killer cuts contained within. Check it.

Ranking Joe – Zion High; Blood and Fire, 2003

Ranking Joe - Zion High

Ranking Joe - Zion High

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The Afrosound of Colombia Vol.1

December 4, 2011

A stellar set of funky, hot Afro-influenced tracks from the 60s and 70s golden period of the seminal Discos Fuentes label in Colombia. An irresistible mix of Salsa, Cumbia, Boogaloo, Tropical Funk, Chicha and more.

To understand what this compilation refers to as the ‘Afrosound of Colombia’, you have to acknowledge the profound role of African cultures in Colombian life and music. The story of the Afrosound is a tale of transformation. It tells of the enslaved African peoples who were taken to Colombia, who mixed with Europeans and indigenous inhabitants (by force or choice), and were eventually set free, as well as the escaped cimarrones (maroons) that lived in palenques (fortified settlements) and continued their own traditions. The Afrosound sings of a double Diaspora, first the trek in chains during the infamous Middle Passage from the Motherland of Africa to the so-called New World, then much later, the migration from the plantations to the cities.

This release deals with the unique sounds produced as a result of the inventive mixing of pop and roots that took place in the urban confines of the Discos Fuentes studios, far from Colombia’s coastal regions. For our purposes, the invented term ‘Afrosound’ can serve as the title of a thrilling and sometimes odd soundtrack that chronicles the diffusion and evolution of the musical culture from those coastal regions as it was brought inland, where it was translated, simplified, mass marketed, manufactured, modernized, “whitened”, globalized, recycled, and then sent back to the world at large, disseminated from the cities of Medellín and Bogotá, where the major bulk of the music production industry resided in the 50s through to the 70s.

The unifying factor for the collection is that the tracks all have something to do with African roots or influences in one way or another, and they mark a period of sonic experimentation, self expression, upheaval, rebellion and rebirth in the industry, nurtured by Discos Fuentes and its stable of musicians, producers, and engineers. Enjoy the Afrosound of Colombia!

The Afrosound of Colombia Vol.1; Vampisoul, 2010

The Afrosound of Colombia Vol.1