The Dreaded 'skinhead' Reggae Sound

[Birder66]

I'm not old enough to have been a skinhead and I've never really had anything to do with the mod/scooter scene. My interest in ska & rocksteady comes straight from a love of old time ska sound systems, and so the stuff I play out is generally a lot different to the kinda ska/rocksteady that gets played at scooter/mod/skinhead do's. I just can't get in to the '69 beat (although I love a lot of early 7ts 'version'). Saying that, I've just got hold oa a killing reggae tune which sounds just on the wrong side of '68 - STRINGS & THINGS by Tommy McCook. I think it came out on Island, but I've landed a nice blank. Anybody else out there got my '69 aversion or digging this tune??

Dave Mack

www.myspace.com/thecooloff

[Pete S]

I'm not old enough to have been a skinhead and I've never really had anything to do with the mod/scooter scene. My interest in ska & rocksteady comes straight from a love of old time ska sound systems, and so the stuff I play out is generally a lot different to the kinda ska/rocksteady that gets played at scooter/mod/skinhead do's. I just can't get in to the '69 beat (although I love a lot of early 7ts 'version'). Saying that, I've just got hold oa a killing reggae tune which sounds just on the wrong side of '68 - STRINGS & THINGS by Tommy McCook. I think it came out on Island, but I've landed a nice blank. Anybody else out there got my '69 aversion or digging this tune??

Dave Mack

www.myspace.com/thecooloff

The reason I called this section Reggae 68-71 is because most people think reggae began in 69 when in fact it was of course 68, and those early reggae records are amongst my favourite Jamaican records ever - the really fast, early reggae sounds: Mix it up, Been so long, People grudgeful, I am losing you, Uncle Joe, Worries a yard, Sufferer etc. I don't like any of the UK productions that came the following year except a few of Dandy's, and I don't really like any of Leslie Kongs post 68 productions. But I can't fauly Liquidator, Red red wine, Reggae in your jeggae, The burner, stuff like that. By 1970 I've almost lost interest though...and 90% of Studio One music from this time I find completely boring and unlistenable.

[Guest loempiavreter]

The reason I called this section Reggae 68-71 is because most people think reggae began in 69 when in fact it was of course 68, and those early reggae records are amongst my favourite Jamaican records ever - the really fast, early reggae sounds: Mix it up, Been so long, People grudgeful, I am losing you, Uncle Joe, Worries a yard, Sufferer etc. I don't like any of the UK productions that came the following year except a few of Dandy's, and I don't really like any of Leslie Kongs post 68 productions. But I can't fauly Liquidator, Red red wine, Reggae in your jeggae, The burner, stuff like that. By 1970 I've almost lost interest though...and 90% of Studio One music from this time I find completely boring and unlistenable.

I feel about the same way about that, except add in some Joe Mansano productions.

[ZapatootheTiger]

It was early '69 when I started going for Reggae in a bigger way (I also left school, so had a bit more wedge) - so I just love the rhythms from that period, whether Skinhead-related, Studio One or whatever

[Birder66]

It was early '69 when I started going for Reggae in a bigger way (I also left school, so had a bit more wedge) - so I just love the rhythms from that period, whether Skinhead-related, Studio One or whatever

If it wasn't danced to in Jamaica or at UK sound systems, then it won't go in my box - generally speaking. As such, I love roots reggae and early dub (although I sold up most of my 45 collection a few years ago......stick strictly to ska,rock steady and r'n'b nowadays).

Next outing is 29 November at my own nite (The Cool Off) in Nottingham and then guesting at Set The Tone 67's 5th Birthday bash (London, The Social) in January 09.

www.myspace.com/thecooloff

[Birder66]

The reason I called this section Reggae 68-71 is because most people think reggae began in 69 when in fact it was of course 68, and those early reggae records are amongst my favourite Jamaican records ever - the really fast, early reggae sounds: Mix it up, Been so long, People grudgeful, I am losing you, Uncle Joe, Worries a yard, Sufferer etc. I don't like any of the UK productions that came the following year except a few of Dandy's, and I don't really like any of Leslie Kongs post 68 productions. But I can't fauly Liquidator, Red red wine, Reggae in your jeggae, The burner, stuff like that. By 1970 I've almost lost interest though...and 90% of Studio One music from this time I find completely boring and unlistenable.

BIG BOSS - Johnny Moore is the best of all 68 reggae tunes, imo. Comes on a UK Doctor Bird but my Matador blank will kill that stone dead in about 5 seconds.

[Pete S]

BIG BOSS - Johnny Moore is the best of all 68 reggae tunes, imo. Comes on a UK Doctor Bird but my Matador blank will kill that stone dead in about 5 seconds.

I'd give you 3 Matadors for one Doctor Bird

actually got outbid on a UK one recently and I went over £100

[nij flood]

The reason I called this section Reggae 68-71 is because most people think reggae began in 69 when in fact it was of course 68, and those early reggae records are amongst my favourite Jamaican records ever - the really fast, early reggae sounds: Mix it up, Been so long, People grudgeful, I am losing you, Uncle Joe, Worries a yard, Sufferer etc. I don't like any of the UK productions that came the following year except a few of Dandy's, and I don't really like any of Leslie Kongs post 68 productions. But I can't fauly Liquidator, Red red wine, Reggae in your jeggae, The burner, stuff like that. By 1970 I've almost lost interest though...and 90% of Studio One music from this time I find completely boring and unlistenable.

With you all the way on that, its as if it took a nosedive until roots took a hold proper. I've played thru 100's of dull as dishwater '69-'71 tunes whilst losing the will to live. Theres always a few exceptions to the rule of course thank God.

[Pete S]

With you all the way on that, its as if it took a nosedive until roots took a hold proper. I've played thru 100's of dull as dishwater '69-'71 tunes whilst losing the will to live. Theres always a few exceptions to the rule of course thank God.

Nij, you misenterpreted what I was saying, I meant that AFTER 1970 there's nothing worth listening to with a few small exceptions. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than listen to any roots reggae. Always loved dub though.

[nij flood]

Nij, you misenterpreted what I was saying, I meant that AFTER 1970 there's nothing worth listening to with a few small exceptions. I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than listen to any roots reggae. Always loved dub though.

Pete,

Now I'm confused. How can you hate roots & love dub? They're hand in glove surely? Most of us soulboys into Jamaican tunes are generally into the ska/rocksteady period and thats certainly me. But theres a shedload of killer roots out there which I don't think you can dismiss like that. That being said I've never had the faintest desire to grow locks. I never read much about Marcus Garvey or Dr Rodney. The Black Star Liner is not waiting in the harbour & never will be. Relocation to Addis Ababa is not a hot topic in our house. But I can't seperate roots from dub

[Pete S]

Pete,

Now I'm confused. How can you hate roots & love dub? They're hand in glove surely? Most of us soulboys into Jamaican tunes are generally into the ska/rocksteady period and thats certainly me. But theres a shedload of killer roots out there which I don't think you can dismiss like that. That being said I've never had the faintest desire to grow locks. I never read much about Marcus Garvey or Dr Rodney. The Black Star Liner is not waiting in the harbour & never will be. Relocation to Addis Ababa is not a hot topic in our house. But I can't seperate roots from dub

No can't see the connection at all Nij, roots is about Africa and Marcus Garvey whatever, and a dub can be a dub of anything and of course they are mainly instrumental - and they don't have to be 70's, look at the two Treasure Isle dub albums, fantastic. It's like with northern soul, I like 60's but can't stand 70's, same with reggae - it's just the way the music sounds to me

[Birder66]

No can't see the connection at all Nij, roots is about Africa and Marcus Garvey whatever, and a dub can be a dub of anything and of course they are mainly instrumental - and they don't have to be 70's, look at the two Treasure Isle dub albums, fantastic. It's like with northern soul, I like 60's but can't stand 70's, same with reggae - it's just the way the music sounds to me

What about dubs of roots tunes where there is a 'roots' refrain, like on a million and one Johnny Clarke tunes?

[ZapatootheTiger]

What about dubs of roots tunes where there is a 'roots' refrain, like on a million and one Johnny Clarke tunes?

That's complicating things, Birder

[Pete S]

What about dubs of roots tunes where there is a 'roots' refrain, like on a million and one Johnny Clarke tunes?

I wouldn't listen to a Johnny Clarke tune

[ZapatootheTiger]

I wouldn't listen to a Johnny Clarke tune

...not even Golden Snake?

I'm a fan of classic rhythms re-done with new lyrics, a la Peter Hunni(n)gale, Bitty McLean, Lady Lex etc. - how about you, Pete?

[Pete S]

...not even Golden Snake?

I'm a fan of classic rhythms re-done with new lyrics, a la Peter Hunni(n)gale, Bitty McLean, Lady Lex etc. - how about you, Pete?

not unless they are using the real original backing tapes like Bitty on Bond Street.

[ZapatootheTiger]

not unless they are using the real original backing tapes like Bitty on Bond Street.

...that's what I meant, Pete - i.e. the original rhythm tracks.

Some dislike them and think they're an easy cop-out.

But a good rhythm's a good rhythm