December 9, 2009
Arthur “Duke” Reid was a former policeman who left the force, after winning the lottery, to run a liquor store with his wife Lucille. He was also the soundman behind Duke Reid’s Sound System which was the #1 soundsystem in Jamaica in the later half of the ’50s. Mighty enough to top his rival, and long-time soundsystem leader, Sir Coxsone Downbeat, in the Kingston scene. As a result of using his massive trucks to haul around his soundsystem and liquor, Duke Reid was given the moniker “The Trojan” by his fans throughout the city.
Once the advent of ska hit the island in the early ’60s, he joined the industry and started Treasure Isle Studios at 33 Bond Street above his liquor store. In the early part of the decade, he scored hit after hit, but it was in 1966 that his studio developed the sound that I’ve cherished since the day it first hit my ears. It was then that Tommy McCook joined The Trojan, after The Skatalites had disbanded, and formed the Supersonics. The studio would reign supreme in the Rocksteady era, become the first to showcase versions on the flipside of 45s from the likes of U-Roy, and their shift to the slower-pace and accessible-arrangement of Rocksteady would provide the birth of Reggae which would go on to dominate the ’70s onward.
Collected here are some of the best hits to come out of Treasure Isle. By no means comprehensive, but loaded with gems from start to finish. An excellent introduction to Duke Reid’s sound for the uninitiated and a stellar collection for those who have these tunes scattered elsewhere. Enjoy the vibes that, for me at least, will be in constant rotation on the hi-fi until the day I’m gone. Simply timeless.
“All other soundsystems haffi pack up an’ go home, for The Duke is on now!”
Various Artists – Treasure Isle Hottest Hits Vols. 1-3; Treasure Isle, 1966-68
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December 8, 2009
Culture’s Two Sevens Clash had been collecting dust in the crates for far too long until I came across it last week. Dropped the needle on it and immediately kicked myself for having not listened to it in so long. It has since been in heavy rotation alongside the extended versions and Joe Gibbs’ dub reworkings.
This classic roots-reggae record was recorded in 1976 at Joe Gibbs’ studio in Kingston 5 and was released in the early part of the following year; after which it became a huge hit throughout the island and abroad in the UK punk scene. An impeccable and essential piece of reggae music. Read more about this release here.
Culture – Two Sevens Clash; Joe Gibbs, 1977
Culture and Friends – Culture and the Deejays at Joe Gibbs 1977-79; 17 North Parade, 2008
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals feat. Errol Thompson – No Bones For The Dogs (Dubs From The Mighty Two 1974-79); Pressure Sounds, 2002
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December 7, 2009
December 6, 2009
A case of confusion in Phang Nga Town.
J.C. Security doing a stellar job of suppressing crime in the streets of Phang Nga Town.
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December 4, 2009
This record was compiled by Analog Africa over the course of four years and serves as the follow up to last year’s The Vodoun Effect – Funk & Sato from Benins Obscure Labels, 1973-75 which was completely mind-blowing. As was Soundway’s Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80. Holy shit, I can’t wait to get home and spin this record. I’ll try to remember to pick my jaw up off the floor while listening.
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou – Echos Hypnotiques from the Vaults of Albakira Store 1969-79; Analog Africa, 2009
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December 4, 2009
Intellekt & Dirty Digits, aka the I.D.Double, consisted of Dan Chavez, the DJ, and Dillon Maurer, the rapper, who are both from sunny Florida, but have made the ATL their home for a few years now. This is their debut album; sadly, there would be no more to follow. Wicked fresh vibes on this one.
Intellekt & Dirty Digits – Intellektual Property (Revised); Arc the Finger, 2006
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December 4, 2009
This is the time of year when hoops fever is supposed to be in full effect. NBA on TNT doubleheaders every Thursday, featured games on Wednesdays and Fridays on ESPN, and Sunday doubleheaders on ABC. Not to mention the glory days at 1041 when NBATV was hooked up and supplied 24-hours of content. Now, the action on the hardwood only makes it to my eyes via some Web highlights every now and then. Not enough to make me feel involved. So it goes.
Well, check the two videos below which reminded me how much I miss The Association. Best facials from throughout November and, while D-Wade’s is supremely nasty, my favorite was A.I. 2.0′s monstrous jam. My goodness. Replay, then replay, then replay…
By the way, I’m lovin’ the Sixers decision to go back to the 80s logo. That red, Adidas track jacket is looking hella sweet! So does the Court Series version.
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December 2, 2009
Vibes from last Saturday nite while sippin’ Two Oceans Shiraz from 7-11 and gettin’ loose with some hip-hop beats that were added to the stacks recently.
Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi – Gettin’ Loose; 2009
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December 1, 2009
Bukowski: Born Into This chronicles the life and times of the hard-drinking, hard-living, and hard-loving author Charles Bukowski. It is an intimate story of struggle and redemption, pain and humor, and above all, artistic truth and authenticity.
Bukowski: Born Into This - Directed by John Dullaghan, 2006
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8
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November 29, 2009
If the refugee is today’s tragic icon of a war-ravaged world, then Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, a reggae-inflected band born in the camps of West Africa, represents a real-life story of survival and hope. The six-member Refugee All Stars came together in Guinea after civil war forced them from their native Sierra Leone. Traumatized by physical injuries and the brutal loss of family and community, they fight back with the only means they have — music. The result is a tableau of tragedy transformed by the band’s inspiring determination to sing and be heard. An unbelievable testament to the human spirit, the journey of Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars exemplifies the universal healing power of music.
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars – Living Like a Refugee; Anti, 2006
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November 27, 2009
November 25, 2009
I live in Thailand. Most of my records live in Atlanta, GA, USA. While I do have hella high stacks at my house here, tons and tons of them didn’t come with me when I took that flight. Here are two of them that are tucked away somewhere in those records of old.
The record on the left, Run Rhythm Run, is loaded with undiscovered and mostly unreleased instrumentals outta Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle stable. Certified scorchin’. The story behind this one is that I used to deliver pies for Papa John’s Pizza on 10th and State. One regular customer was the folks who worked at Earwax Records on Peachtree and 11th. The key thing with them was that not only would they hook you up with a nice tip, but they’d let you pick out a CD also. That’s how I got Run Rhythm Run. And yes, they were confused that out of all the selections they had (predominantly hip-hop), I chose this classic from the late-60s Kingston scene.
The record on the right, Head Shot, is instrumentals, dubs, and other oddities from Niney the Observer. Killer vibes from Sir Winston Holness. The story behind this one is that I had been eyeing it at Full Moon Records in Candler Park for a while, but passed it up on more than one occasion for some other goods. It was a budget consideration thing more than anything. However, one day, I finally picked it up and was delighted with the sounds it contained. At the time, it was some of the first cuts of Niney’s that I had ever heard. Definitely a crucial addition to the crates, but after I first heard Microphone Attack; this one got put on the backburner for a while.
Good memories from these records of old. I know you all got stories like these. If you don’t, it’s never to late to hit up a local record shop and start collecting. I’d kill to thumb through some albums at my favorite spots, but I’m miles and miles away from the sights, smells, and sounds of those places. Hittin’ download just ain’t the same…but it sure as hell is cost effective.
Various Artists – Run Rhythm Run; Heartbeat, 1996
Niney the Observer – Head Shot; Heartbeat, 2002
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November 24, 2009
Found this Tokay gecko when I went into my bathroom the other evening. The smaller House geckos are around (and inside) my house every day, but these larger, more colorful ones only come by every now and then. Amazing creatures and, after reading up on them today, vicious biters too!
Still hoping to see the 25-cm (10-inch) Tokay gecko, that I saw a few months ago, again. It crossed my path while I was taking a shower and ate one of the House geckos! After freaking out, staring at it, and then trying to quickly get my camera; it had disappeared into the night and it was too late. Incredibly vivid colors on that one!
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November 23, 2009
November 20, 2009
Celebrated writer-director Jim Jarmusch serves up this witty and intoxicating brew that’s as addictive as caffeine and as buzzy and ephemeral as, well, coffee and cigarettes. Sneakily delirious and way cool, this funny cluster of eleven stories delivers inspired eccentric match-ups from an incredible all-star cast, making Coffee and Cigarettes an absolute must for fans of film, fun and fantastic wit!
Coffee and Cigarettes – Directed by Jim Jarmusch; 2003
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8
Photo by JD Beley
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