BLACK ROOTS RECORDS

A CHAT WITH LINVAL

2009-04-13T18:22:00.009+02:00

After a long month with my friend Linval Thompson and after investigating a bit on the web we find this wonderful video in which it is possible to see the Jamaican singer Roman Stewart. Linval still has me surprised to see his great friend live singing a topic that they had compound, "Rice and Peas". No doubt one of the 12 " more looked between the collectors and lovers of the Jamaican "roots" music.

Roman was the younger brother of Tinga Stewart, and recorded his first single, "Walking Down The Street" in 1968. He recorded further singles in the early 1970's for producers Derrick Harriott ("Changing Times") and Glen Brown ("Never Too Young"). In 1975 he won the Festival Song Contest with "Hooray Festival", written by Tinga and Willie Lindo, this success leading to the brothers initially being labelled as 'festival singers'. He had a big hit in Jamaica in 1976 with "Hit Song" (aka "Natty Sings Hit Songs"), a song about the desire to have a hit record in order to escape poverty, the same year in which he relocated to New York. He continued to visit Jamaica and went on to work with Phil Pratt and Linval Thompson, having another big hit in 1979 with "Rice and Peas".

Roman recorded two albums of duets with his brother Tinga, Brother to Brother and Break Down the Barrier, and released a solo album, Wisdom of Solomon, produced by Gussie P, in 2001, which included re-recordings of some of his earlier hits such as "Peace in the City" and "Rice and Peas".

On 24 January 2004, Stewart attended a concert by his long time friend Freddie McGregor in Brooklyn and performed at a party later that night. After two songs, he cut short his performance, complaining of chest pains, and died from heart failure the next day at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, Long Island.

"Remembering The Aquarius Cafe"

2008-09-30T01:10:00.011+02:00

Once upon a time, a young man (me) decided to open a small, familiar and fresh bar in Santander. It was difficult for me to find a suitable name for it.
One day, I was cleaning my records and suddenly I stopped at one: Aquarius Dub " The first dub album" by Herman Chin Loy
Done! I have the right name...So I opened "The Aquarius Muzzikafe", the next reggae & black music bar in Santander after "Roots" one's.
Since that, I spent 4 years in my second house, trying to play the best jamaican and black echoes I'd been collected for many years.
Finally, the end of "Aquarius" era get finish this summer but I remember those years as powerful in my life.
Nowdays, I'm thinking and working as a music promoter but some days (like today) I walked along Santander's streets looking for another venue to re-name... Wonderful days!
Here I give you the last compilation I did for my clients (only 100 copies/limited edition), of pure roots & culture jamaican music...

"... Always in my Soul... Aquarius..."

Listen Playlist

- Standley Beckford / Ina My Time
- Westmorelites / Miss Hite Tite
- Big Jim / Monkey Do
- Dennis Alcapone / Cassius Clay
- The Rebels / Rhodesia
- Max Romeo / Melt Away (12")
- Sugar Minott / Row fast
- Don Carlos / I Love Jah (12")
- Michael Prophet / Evil Doers
- Hardy Boys & Johnny Clarke / Zion I (12")
- Ripton Hilton / Creation (12")
- Wayne Jarret / Garden Of Eden (12")
- Junior Cony / Clappers Roots
- Robert Emanuel & Ranking Simeon / Jah Is My Light (12")
- Martin Campbell / It Goes Further (12")
- King General / Lightning Strike

"Root of David"

2008-09-28T23:31:00.005+02:00

Sundays are one of those days that people used to resting after a crazy saturday night... Santander is a small city were all weekends are the same, few chance, few concerts, few clubs and less dj sessions. That's why I used to get up earlier in the morning and enjoy this sunny sunday. First thing I do is have a breakfast (hard one... croissant, orange juice, oil and bread, coffee and another coffee...), have a shower and drive to the center.

Santander's sundays are very quite, silent I think. Old people and families walk along the harbour in a relaxing step by step, reading the local newspaper or taking the popular "vermut" (a special drink) with "rabas" (oil octopus cooked). I see those habits in my way to the center. My first stop is on the Sundays flea market. A mix of stand take place in one of the most popular tunnels in Santander. Most are selling old things (computers, radios, shoes, t-shirts, coats, furnitures...) and only two are specialized on vinyll records, but if you have enough time to search you can find some stand with a small box with old records, some with rust, some like new or some just broken. One of this stands has a small box of jazz records, latin and soul. Nobodys look at this box like me. The owner is a "freak" of american psichodelic, rock and garage music, so I find good records in a good price (and I can bring them to my home to listen!).

Surprise me when this morning cars cross the tunnel! That's means today I couldn't get record from the old box. Last Sunday I didn't find a special one but I have to return 2 old 10" records to the owner. Other chapter I show you what a beautifull collection of those 10" I'm doing... wait latin and cuban fans!

So the day turns into cloudy on my mind. I spend all the afternoon at home working.

Most Sunday afternoons are rehearsel time for Lone Ark. One of the best reggae bands in Spain and in my opinion of Europe, leading by spanish producer Roberto Sanchez. Long time since I don't visit my friends at the studio, so the aim of this day is dedicated to Rober and the band... Lone Ark Riddim Force mush up the dance!!!

Latest Roberto's release is called "Root Of David" featuring the mighty Earl Zero... another killer tune!. Here I give you the right text: "...Legendary West Kingston rootsman Earl Zero gives us strictly roots and dub inna fine style. A-Lone Productions presents four crucial versions of The Park Riddim. Zero is internationally renowned for roots’ anthems None Shall Escape the Judgment, Please Officer and Righteous Works. Alongside Greenwich Town giants Prince Allah, Rod Taylor and Phillip Fraser, Zero took the lead in creating some of the most deeply conscious roots music to come out of Kingston in the 70’s. With this release of Root of David, Zero takes us back to that golden era. The song then gets a brutal dub treatment with Zero introducing the mix. This first ever dub mix of the Park Riddim showcases the talents of Roberto Sanchez at the board.

On the B-side we find rising UK singer and A-Lone Label regular Ben Jammin´ riding the same riddim. Jammin’s song Spring Soon Come, in his enchanting roots style, will sound fresh to all reggae massive. After that we hear from the wicked DJ singer Ranking Forrest, A-Lone’s emerging top DJ for the label. When Ranking Forrest toasts on a riddim, he rides it in an uncompromised foundation style reminiscent of Prince Jazzbo or U-Roy, his early inspirations when growing up in California. His song, Go deh brother Ben, with echoes of Spring Soon Come flying across the mix, is a solid return to the ‘70’s DJ tradition… ride on brother Forrest!

Lone Ark Riddim Force is the band playing along Roberto Sanchez´s solo musical project called Lone Ark.

The Park Riddim is an original composition by Roberto Sánchez from his 2004 solo album Countryside.

ARK 10" 004 - Listen Tune

Johnny Osbourne - Reality

2008-05-23T12:58:00.007+02:00

Johnny Osbourne - Reality
Label Selection
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #SELLP 01
Year 1984

SIDE A Dem Soldiers Are Coming, I Can't Depend On You, Rubba Dub Feeling
SIDE B If You Love De Rubba Dub, Reality, True Love, For Your Love

Recording Engineer : Barnabas
Mixing Engineer : Soljie Hamilton

Producer : John Kelly

Vocals : Johnny Osbourne
Backing Band : The Roots Radics
Drums : Style Scott
Bass : Errol Flabba Holt
Rhythm Guitar : Bingy Bunny
Lead Guitar : Dwight Pickney
Keyboards : Steelie Johnson
Organ : Winston Wright

Studios :
Recording : Channel One (Kingston, JA)
Mixing : Channel One (Kingston, JA)

REVIEW:

Soon Come!

Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!

Sylvan White - Africans Unite

2008-05-20T12:59:00.006+02:00

Sylvan White - Africans Unite
Label Roots Foundation
Format Lp x2 "Showcase Style"
Matrix #RFLP 001
Year 2001

SIDE A Africans Unite (12" Disco Mix Version), Youthman, Mountain Top
SIDE B Faith, Faith Version, No Babylon System (12" Disco Mix Version)
SIDE C World Of Confusion (12" Disco Mix Version), Bucky Masa, Perfect Harmony
SIDE D Mammy & Daddy, Version, One Destiny, Destiny Version

Producer : Bertram Brown

Mixing Engineer : King Tubby
Vocals : Sylvan White
Backing Band : The Soul Syndicate & The High Times Band
Studios : Channel One (Kingston, JA) & King Tubby's (Kingston, JA)

REVIEW:

Soon come...

HERE VINYL 1!
Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!
HERE VINYL 2!
Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!

ALPHEUS with Lone Ark Live!

2008-05-19T18:09:00.002+02:00

HEMOS VUELTO...
WE COME BACK AGAIN...

Alpheus backed by Lone Ark
+ Irie Lion Sound System
Viernes 30 Mayo
Sala Heaven | 22:00
Ant 10 / Taq 12

Negril - Negril

2008-03-15T22:14:00.006+01:00

Negril - Negril

Negril - Negril
Label Klik (also release on Micron label)
Format Lp
Matrix #KLP 9005
# DSR 9295 A / DSR 9296 B
Year 1975

SIDE A: Lighthouse, East side west side, Honey coral rock, Negril
SIDE B: Red ground funk, Rasta, Negril sea sunset, I shot the sheriff

Producer : Eric Gale

Engineer : Sylvan Morris

Drums : Paul Douglas & Sparrow Martin
Bass : Val Douglas & Family Man
Lead Guitar : Peter Tosh
Rhythm Guitar : Peter Tosh
Piano : Keith Sterling & Richard Tee
Organ : Leslie Butler
Synthesiser : Leslie Butler
Saxophone : Cedric Im Brooks
Percussions : Sticky & Cedric Im Brooks & Joe Higgs

Produced and arranged by Eric Gale fro Micron Music Ltd.
Recorder at Harry J. Studio, Kingston Jamaica
Recording engineer Sylvan Morris
Mixed at Federal Recording Co.
Mixing engineer Buddy Davidson
Mastered at Record Specialist

REVIEW:

IMPRESCINDIBLE Y RARO!!!!
Eric Galen es uno de esos guitarristas de sesion del cual nadie conoce pero que podemos encontrar en más de 500 refrencias de discos. Nacido en Brooklyn, pronto comenzo a encontrar su sitio en la musica haciendo sus labores para artistas de la talla de The Drifters, Maxine Brown o Jesse Belvin. Pero su inquietud llamo la atencion de otros artistas no menos "estrellas" que le empzaron a llamar para sus sesiones. Entre ellos, King Curtis and Jimmy Smith o Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Lena Horne, Quincy Jones, Grover Washington Jr., Herbie Mann...
En los setenta comenzo a grabar para CTI Records (Creed Taylor International, tambien fundador del sello jazzy Impulse) y aparecen en sus propios discos.
Fue en esta epoca cuando, en Jamaica, grabo este maravilloso disco.
Este plastico es una de las mayores sorpresas que la musica jamaica te puede dar. Los temas son chispeantes y llenos de un groove que se mezcla perfectamente con el soul y el reggae...
Y claro está, habria que hacer una parada obligatoria en la banda que le acompaña... Family Man al bajo, Keith Sterling y Richard Tee al piano, Peter Tosh (aunque no esta muy claro?), Cedric Brooks, Eric Gale... y más, todos grandes musicos de session y compositores.
No te lo pierdas....

Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!

ERIC GALE plays on guitar in a soulful session!
"Grover Washington Jr. - Mister Magic"

The Uniques - Give Thanks

2008-03-14T11:56:00.007+01:00

The Uniques - Give Thanks
Label Joe Gibbs (also release on Plant label)
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #JGML 6029
#PLAN 10002
Year 1979

SIDE A: Give Thanks, Give Thanks Version, Washing I Dread By The River, Music Maker, Music Maker Version
SIDE B: Never Give Up, Never Give Up Version, I Will Make It, I Will Make It Version, Two Face People

Producer : Ossie Hibbert

Vocals : The Uniques
Backing Band : The Revolutionaries

REVIEW:

Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!

Jimmy Riley - Showcase

2008-03-12T19:30:00.005+01:00

Jimmy Riley - Showcase
Label Burning Sounds (also release on Yes label and Makossa International label)
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #BS 1011
#MN 2359
Year 1978

SIDE A: Nyah-Bingi, Clean Up The Streets, Come To Me
SIDE B: A You, Don't Leave Me This Way, Tell The Youths The Truth

Producer : Jimmy Riley

Recorder at Harry J in Jamaica
Mixed by Jammys at King Tubbys
Vocals : Jimmy Riley

REVIEW:

Jimmy Riley, tambien conocido como Buster Riley, nacio en Jamaica en 1955. como muchos artistas jamaicanos encontró su faceta de cantante en la escuela. Su primer grupo "The Sensations", lo formo a los 14 años junto a Cornell Campbell.
Mas tarde y tras la disolucion de los Techniques (Slim Smith), decidio junto al propio Slim formar la banda de reggae The Uniques, en la cual tambien estaba involucrado LLoyd Charmers. Tras varios años de exitos, la banda se rompio "gracias" a la voluntad de Bunny Lee de sacar a Slim en solitario.
Tras un tiempo a caballo entre Jamaica, Estados Unidos y UK, unos cuantas producciones y otros tantos hits, decide desaparecer y no se le vuelve a ver en la escena hasta que Robby Shakespeare le llama para trabajar. Es aqui donde el nombre the Jimmy Riley empieza a sobresalir y es donde produce sus ritmos mas exitosos.
Este "Showcase" es el segundo trabajo de este maginifico cantante y productor. En este plastico podemos encontrar 6 cortes bien producidos por él, con sus versiones dub. Tremenda produccion roots de finales de los 70...

Jimmy Riley, also well-known as Buster Riley starts his singer career as most of jamaican artist, while he was studying. He met Slim Smith to formed a band but finally he joined with Cornell Campbell to play and they were "The Sensations" at the age of 14. Later, when Slim broke with The Techniques, both formed The Uniques with Lloyd Charmers. Three years hit after hit, Bunny Lee decided to give Slim became a solo artist so the band ends again. He tried to find new scenes along Jamaica, Usa and UK but Robbie Shakespeare makes Jimmy "most famous" in his reggae career, as a singer and producer.
This "Showcase" is his second Lp release. This wax contains 6 track with dub, in a showcase style. A Killer riddim productions!!!

Deep Roots Music Vol I - Jimmy Riley

Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station... seeeennnnnn!

Prince Far I - Umkhonto We Sizwe (Spear Of The Nation)

2008-03-11T19:29:00.010+01:00

Prince Far I - Umkhonto We Sizwe (Spear Of The Nation)
Label Kingdom (also release on Tamoki Wambesi Label)
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #KVL 9016
#TWLP 1013
Year 1984

SIDE A: Survival (Survival Version), Ask Ask (Ask Ask Version), African Queen (African Queen Version)
SIDE B: Stop The War (Stop The War Version), Jerry Doghead (Jerry Doghead Version), Special Request (Special Request Version)

Producer : Roy Cousins

Mixing Engineer : Sylvan Morris
Engineer : Scientist
Vocals : Prince Far I
Backing Band : The Roots Radics

Studios :
Channel One (Kingston, JA) & Harry J (Kingston, JA)

REVIEW:

OTHER RELEASE ON TAMOKI WAMBESI LABEL

PRINCE FAR I

Listen to dis Rub-a-dub station...seeeennnnnn!

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VV.AA. Music Works Sho'case

2008-03-08T13:13:00.003+01:00

VV.AA. Music Works Sho'case
Label Music Works
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #MW 1 1982
Year 1982

SIDE A: (The Mighty Diamonds) Declaration Of Rights, (Hopeton Lindo) Let's Dance, (Bunny Maloney) Land & Sea
SIDE B: (Cultural Roots) Different Style, (Johnny Clarke) Gonna Love You More, (Raving Mike) Wish I Could Stay

Producer : Augustus Clarke

REVIEW:

MIGHTY DIAMONDS ROOTS!!!!

JOHNNY CLARKE - LIVE IN THE STUDIO

VV.AA. Fugis - Fugis

2008-03-07T21:17:00.005+01:00

VV.AA. Fugis - Fugis
Label Tempus
Format Lp "Showcase Style"
Matrix #TEMLP 003
Year 1978

SIDE A: (Errol Campbell) Jah Man, (Bagga Matumbi) Sun Is Shining, (Sonny Tomm) Movements, (Angelique) Cry, (Raaw) Lili Twill, (Junior Brown) Jah Find Babylon Guilty
SIDE B: (Errol Campbell) Jah Man Dub, (Bagga Matumbi) Shining Is Shining, (Sonny Tomm) Movement Dub, (Angelique) Cry Dub, (Raaw) Lili Twill version, (Junior Brown) Babylon In A Dub

Producer : Dennis Bovell

REVIEW:

Matumbi-Classic-After Tonight

Dennis Bovell & Janet Kay playing "Silly Games" tune

Voice Of Progress - Mini Bus Driver

2008-01-24T20:27:00.004+01:00

Voice Of Progress - Mini Bus Driver
Label Negus Roots (also release on Blue Moon Label)
Format Lp
Matrix #NERLP 003
Year 1982

SIDE A: Working On A Site, Shadow After Dark, Lost In Space, Mini Bus Driver
SIDE B: Rich Man, Take The Gun, Give Thanks, Run and Tell Your Friend

Recording Engineer: Crucial Bunny & Errol Brown
Mixing Engineer: Steven Stewart & Phillip Zadie
Producer: Robert Flako Palmer

Vocals: Junior Reid
Backing Vocals: Sammy Tracy & Terry McDonald
Drums: Sly Dunbar
Bass: Robbie Shakespeare
Rhythm Guitar: Duggie & Ranchie
Lead Guitar: Duggie
Keyboards: Ansel Collins & Robert Lynn
Percussions: Sky Juice & Everton Carrington
Syndrums: Sly Dunbar
Clavinet: Ansel Collins

Recording Studios: Channel One (Kingston, JA) & Tuff Gong (Kingston, JA)
Mixing Studios: Tuff Gong (Kingston, JA)

Review:
Otro de los plásticos imprescindibles dentro de cualquier discografía. Recientemente reeditado en Negus Roots (2006), este es el original, no tan facil de conseguir, encontramos a una formación bastante curiosa. Por una parte Terry McDermont o también conocido como Terry McDonald (muchos artistas jamaicanos suelen cambiar el nombre por su apodo o nombre de pila, no se para que!), Sammy Tracy y el no menos desconocido para todos Junior Reid, el cual tiene más tablas y más dicos a sus espaldas.
En concreto, este albúm, con cuatro cortes por cada cara, nos muestra un roots poderoso con Sly & Robbie a los mandos y el trio vocal acompañándolo.
Este disco también fue editado bajo otro nombre (Shadow after dark) y otro sello (Blue Moon, 1982) pero con la ligera diferencia que parte de sus cortes están remezclados de otro modo.
También y a modo de anécdota, salió editado en el 86 un disco llamado RAS IMRUH - TRIBUTE TO SELLLASIE I (House of Asha) en el cual se recogen cortes del Mini Bus Driver.

Another and don't missed Lp. Recently re-issued on the same label Negus Roots, this is the original copy of Voice of Progress - Mini Bus Driver record. Here we find a courious band formed by singer Terry McDermort, also well-known as Terry McDonald (most jamaican singers used to change their names in differents releases, I don't understand why but...), Sammy Tracy and the most popular Junior Reid.
This Lp was also released the same year under other name, Shadow after dark, and other label, Blue Moon, with a little remixed on most of their tracks
Moreover, another release, RAS IMRUH - TRIBUTE TO SELLLASIE I (House of Asha), used the same riddim from Mini Bus Driver on most of their tracks.

***thanks to
http://www.roots-archives.com/
http://reggaediscographies.free.fr
http://www.strictly-vibes.com

voice_of_progress_-_01_-_working_on_a_site.mp3

Scientist & Barnabas & Maxie - Three The Hard Way (Scientist, Barnabas & Maxie)

2008-01-22T15:19:00.000+01:00

Scientist & Barnabas & Maxie - Three The Hard Way (Scientist, Barnabas & Maxie)
Label Silver Camel
Format LP
Matrix #SCLP 001
Year 1981

SIDE A: (Scientist)Feed Back Dubstyle,(Barnabas)Prophecy In Dub,(Maxie)Ganja Syrup, (Scientist)Cultured Dub, (Barnabas)Cool Rock
SIDE B: (Barnabas)Murder,(Maxie)Blood Light,(Scientist)The Winner,(Barnabas) Bionic Skank,(Maxie)Master Piece

Producer : Al Campbell
Mixing Engineer : Scientist & Barnabas & Maxie
Recording : Channel One (Kingston, JA)
Mixing : King Tubby's (Kingston, JA)

Review:
Fantástico plástico producido por tres de los mejores mezcladores de la época dorada de la música jamaicana. Maxie, también conocido como Lancelot 'Les' McKenzie, Barnabas, con nombre de pila Stanley Bryan o Ranking Barnabas y el todopoderoso Scientist, Overton Brown. Casi todos estos discos suelen ser "dubs" de Lp's vocales. En este caso solo podemos descubrir el dub de "Ganja Syrup" sobre el tema de Keith Hudson Nu Skin Up.

Fantastic wax copy produced by the three "Maxie, Barnabas & Scientist". Many Lp's are dubs of other vocal releases. In that way, here we only can find one dub over Keith Hudson song "Nu Skin Up"

***thanks to Roots Archives / Reggaediscographies

Greetings Massive!

2008-01-21T13:07:00.000+01:00

Este Blog nace con la única idea de difundir la musica jamaicana en todas sus vertientes así como recoger información para un futuro libro sobre los mejores discos de musica jamaicana editados.
Por eso, todos los interesados en colaborar con sus mejores discos o participar en este proyecto son bien recibidos. Necesitamos tus 10 mejores referencias (da igual el sello, artista, año o estilo) y cuando tengamos la suficiente información intentaremos editarlo.
Mientras tanto, este blog servirá como muestra de la cantidad de discos que se han publicado, algunos raros, otros curiosos y por supuesto los clasicos. Todos pertenecientes a mi pequeña colección.
Muchas gracias

This Blog born with this aim: try to show all the jamaican vinyl collection and captive information about the best jamaican records published. That's why we need your help to collect this info. We ask you about your best 10 jamaican vinyls (no problem about labels, artist, year or style). As soon as we collect enough info we try to transfer into a book and publish it.
Moreover, we use this blog to show some rare records, classic and other curiosities. All from my personal collection.
Thanks & Blessed