Ashanti Selah Vibes Up!

Some sanity for these crazy times: this one is a showcase of the heavyweight production talents Ashanti Selah, son of London's roots soundsystem master Aba Shanti-I. Alongside the likes of Joe Ariwa (son of Mad Professor), Young Warrior (son of Jah Shaka) and Alpha Stepper (son and nephew of Alpha & Omega) Selah is one of a generation of producers carrying on and developing in their own ways the tradition of their families, keeping dubwise roots soundsystem music vital into the 21st century....living proof this music is no fashion but a living breathing growing culture that carries on regardless of the commercial pressures and latest trends.

Listen for yourself but I think he couldn't be more worthy of carrying on his fathers works - real humble lion style, in personal attitude and in the tone of his music. I wonder if one day we'll see him taking on the soundsystem itself...  Ashanti Selah Music on bandcamp here.  All tunes here from the last few years, produced by Ashanti Selah with vocalists, instrumentalists and co-producers listed. Turn it up.

Ashanti Selah Vibes Up!

No Matter Wah featuring Ras Teo 

Moving High featuring El Gran Latido + Elkin Robinson

 A' Tabhann Do Africa featuring Tom Spirals

Rise Again featuring Kenny Knots

 Dub Again Part 4

I&I Livity featuring Donovan Kingjay

Nazarene Horns featuring Eloi Calame + Rootsman Sax

Ancestral Beat - Spiritual Harmony alongside Kibir La Amlak 

Ancestral Beat - Raw Genetics alongside Kibir La Amlak 

Love and Overstanding (Jubilant Horns Mix) alongside Dubkasm

Advance featuring Iqulah Rastafari

Seal of Empress Menen featuring Jah 93

Vibes Up (Vocal Mix) featuring Dan-I-Locks

Vibes Up (Legacy Mix) featuring Vale

Vibes Up - (Raw Mix) featuring Vale

Tribute Calling featuring Uprising Sounds + Sabolious

Stay Humble Dubwise alongside Vibronics

Hustle Riddim alongside Vibronics

Hustle Dub alongside Vibronics

36 Chambers Of Dubplates alongside Chazbo

36 Chambers Of Dubplates (Dub Plate Special Mix) alongside Chazbo

High quality mp3 download link
Youtube link

Jah Shaka Music - Tribute To The Zulu Warrior

Jah Shaka has died and I find it hard to not feel resentment to the way that his life and legacy has barely warranted a mention in the UK mainstream media. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, but what with there being a current mood of recognising the importance of black history and culture amongst institutions who previously didn't, at least on that level I'd expect more interest. For Shaka is a huge figure in not just roots reggae, not just soundsystem culture, not just British music, but music and culture globally. The extent of his influence is perhaps not fully recognised. 

1980s Jamaica gradually saw a shift in the dominant musical message, moving on from a sacred Rasta driven message to the more profane dancehall sound. But here in the grey and politically tense London streets of the 1980s Shaka not only kept alive that message but reinvented it into a more militant sound, creating a template which would lead to a wave of new UK dub producers in the 1990s, and in turn inspire producers around the world from 2000s onwards.

There were many other soundsystems in the UK at the time but through his works I would say Shaka more than any other solidified a pure, forward stepping, uncorruptible musical attitude, a bedrock of so much music that followed. Shaka elevated soundsystem culture to the highest of heights. He is a shining example of how a great DJ isn't just blankly playing other peoples records but can make those tunes their own, and can make the playing of records equal to playing an instrument.

He schooled and inspired a generation. He united a multi-ethnic audience under an uncompromising universal Rasta message. He walked the narrow path without ever faltering, with no commercial compromise, guided purely by an unshakeable spiritual sense of justice and righteousness.

Shaka's selection is a genre of its own, many an obscure tune can be filed as a 'Shaka Killer'. But Shaka was also a producer, and his label Jah Shaka Music a crucial home for his unique UK roots sound. For this tribute mix I'm playing some favourites released on the Jah Shaka Music label, 80s, 90s, and 00s. The majority feature Shaka as producer and sometimes vocalist, though there are also some tunes here produced by Shaka's son Young Warrior, Mad Professor, and others. Am playing these tunes live here in a soundsystem style... Love to all Shakaites.... Jah Shaka never to be forgotten, message will live forever...Journey on...

Jah Shaka Music - Tribute To The Zulu Warrior

Jah Shaka - Conquering Lion

Jah Shaka with Addis Ababa Crew - Chains Broken

 Pepper - I've Got a Joy

Rasheda - Psalm 61 (Hear My Cry)

Jah Shaka & Mad Professor - Verse 1

Norman Grant - Jungle

Jah Shaka - Jungle Dub

Jah Shaka - Lion Youth

Jah Shaka & Mad Professor - Beyond The Realm 
Still Cool - To Be Poor Is A Crime
Jah Shaka - My God Version

Jah Shaka - Revelation 18 (LP Vocal)

Jah Shaka - Revelation 18 (12inch Horns Section)

Jah Shaka - Rasta Dah Yah (Version)

Sharon Little - Don't Mash Up Creation

Vivian Jones - Roots Rock Vibes

Johnny Clarke - Blood Dunza

Dread & Fred - Warriors Stance

Dread & Fred - Warriors Advance

Sister Beloved - Freedom Of The Land

Lexxy - Lead Me To The Rock

Young Warrior - Lead Me To The Dub

Max Romeo - Rich People

Jah Shaka, Soljie & Paul Music Works - Rich People Dub

Roger Robin - Journey On

Jah Shaka & Gussie P - Journey On Dub

Click here to download

Behold The Spear! Burning Spear Classics, Versions, Rarities and Dubplates

Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear is coming to play two dates in the UK this summer; the last time he played here was over twenty years ago, and having announced his retirement some years back its fair to say there's real excitement building ahead of these upcoming shows. In anticipation this seemed like the perfect time to put together this mix of some of my favourite Spear cuts, including a few version excursions, rarities and unreleased dubplate mixes.

Although I've long loved Burning Spear material it was only when I got a better understanding of Jamaican music in chronological order that I came to recognise just how original and groundbreaking his material was. My impression is that the early recordings that came out on Studio One perhaps more than anyone else at the time created a blueprint for the Rasta-driven, conscious roots reggae sound that was to come and take over the world. These cuts just seem on another spiritual level to other music that came out at that time. 

What came next was higher-level yet - the 1975 Marcus Garvey album produced by Jack Ruby, is a start-to-finish roots classic. This was snapped up and remixed by UK's Island Records, which with Island's distribution power allowed for the music to reach a wider audience and cement his legendary legacy on the global stage. Not many people outside of JA have heard that original Jack Ruby non-Island recording, as the vinyl is rare and no quality reissue (CD or otherwise) has been released - it is also stringently copyright-blocked online. Hopefully one day that will be reissued with the care it deserves.

For me perhaps more than any other singer Burning Spear captures in his voice, lyrics and writing that true humble lion power: strength, humbleness, love and Rasta consciousness in perfect combination. He had the grounding spirit of an elder even at a young age.The spear burns on and on...

1969-1974 Studio One Foundations

 Zion Higher

We Are Free

Ethiopians Live It Out

Get Ready

Journey

Foggy Road

Pablove Black - High Locks

Joe Frazier (He Prayed)

Righteous Flames - Solid Foundation

Swell Headed

Chronixx - World Under Siege

Pablove Black - Push Pull

1975-1978 Roots Heights

Spear Burning

Jomo

Tradition (Original JA Wolf Version)

Little Joe - Tradition Skank

Old Marcus Garvey JA Dubplate

Jordan River JA Dubplate

Throw Down Your Arms (Spear 7inch Mix)

Respect The Prophet

Big Joe - The Prophet

1978-1995 Forward On

Jah No Dead (Rockers Acapella)

Jah No Dead (12inch Mix)

Jah Is My Driver
Driver

Columbus

Iry Niya Keith

Come (Home)

Present

African Dub

Africa

Download link

YesYesTV - Weekly Shows and Archive

YesYesTV is our new live streaming DJ channel. At this moment we're doing two weekly shows - 5 hours of mixes a week!

On the Dance With Power show I play the best in DnB, Jungle, Hardcore, Techno, All flavours of House Music, Roots Rock Reggae, and Stepping Dub. Streams every Wednesday 9-11pm GMT

                       

Then on Sundays 4-7pm GMT join us for the Nice and Easy show, with me Mikus joined by Rutita playing some cool out Sunday selection: Funk, Soul, Jazz, Disco, Rocksteady, Reggae and a whole lot more.

                       

The best thing about streaming live is interaction, so do please log in and send a message in the chat boxes.

To tune in live go to YesYesTV:
www.twitch.tv/yesyestv and also streaming at www.youtube.com/mikusmusik

To keep in touch with upcoming shows and so on please follow at:
Twitter https://twitter.com/yesyesldn and https://twitter.com/mikusmusik
Facebook www.facebook.com/YesYesLDN and www.facebook.com/mikusmusik/
Insta www.instagram.com/yesyesldn  + www.instagram.com/mikus_musik/

As much as possible I'll be archiving the shows here on the blog, with YouTube, Mixcloud and Download links. Check the YesYesTV Archive page linked at the top of the page.

If at all possible video from the sets will remain archived on Youtube, but some shows get blocked because of audio copyright. In those cases I hope to at least have the audio available for download and also on Mixcloud.

Hope you can tune in!

Soundsystem Message Music

A two-hour session of soundsystem roots and culture in a uk-style.... message music all the way....some higher truths to help stay grounded in these maddening times. Starting with a few 90s tunes to warm with but mainly 21st century productions. Building the pressure as it goes and holding back some power cuts for the last few...time to get those subs turned up! Big love and dedication on this to Seb & Sarah and their new arrival. The recording here is divided up into two one-hour chapters for your listening pleasure.

Soundsystem Messages - Chapter One: To The Rock
Aqua Levi & The Roots I Mension - Gather My Children
Fire Facts - Injustice March
Mad Professor & Shaloma - Good Vibrations
Leroy Gibbons - Love Light Shine
Nadine - Love We A Deal With
Mafia + Fluxy & Leroy Mafia - Holly Holy
Vibronics - Dub Crises
Mixman & Robbie Valentine - Batter Dem Down
River Bank - Shanti Shaker
Moa Anbessa & Prince David  - Babylon To Blame
Twinkle Brothers - Stomp It Out
Joe Ariwa - Kunta Kinte
King Earthquake & Winston Fergus - Too Much War
Young Warrior & Lexxy - Lead Me To The Rock

Download link



Soundsystem Messages - Chapter Two: A Better World 
Emmanuel Joseph & The Shanti-Ites - Road To Zion
Young Warrior & Sister Beloved - Freedom Of The Land
Dubkasm & Luciano - Hearer Of Prayer
Jerry Lionz - Cyan Tan Ya
Mighty Massa - Build A Better World
Ashanti Selah & Dan I Locks + I-Jah Salomon - Glorious Days
Bush Chemists & Cyrenius Black - World In Confusion
King Earthquake & Gussie Ranks - Share None
Jah Tubbys & Chazbo - Unity Is Strength
Disciples - The Rush
Ashanti Selah & Chazbo - 36 Chambers Of Dubplates

Download link

Aketi Ray - From Ever Since - now free to download

Now available, the full 13 track CD version of my Aketi Ray album From Ever Since.
This album is now available to dowload free (320kbps mp3s) here:
Download by clicking here
Also on Youtube, Spotify, vinyl and CD if you can find a copy!

Big thanks to everyone who has show support!

 Here's a review/overview from Steve Barker in The Wire:

Dennis Brown Roots Crown 1977-1985

Serious selection of Dennis Brown in full roots mode, from the heaviest years of 1977 on to 85..incredibly he was only 20 years of age when the two sevens clashed. Arguably his greatest period... Although all the tracks are from 77-85, the Rainbow Country cover is actually from 95 but I really wanted to include it anyhow. If you want More Dennis after this check out this earlier mix I did, with  perhaps some of his better known material. 

Prophet Rides Again 

Jah Can Do It

So Jah Say

Breaking Down The Barriers

Little Village

To Be A Weakman

Fire Singer

Due Season 

Israel

Rainbow Country

Bubbling Fountain

Bubbling Fountain - Ray Symbolic Dub Special

Praise Without Raise

A True + Nu True

Why Fools

Amagideon

Blood City

Download link

Jamaican Jazz Journeying - Aketi Ray Inspirations And Connections

For the last few years I've been plugging away on a new musical project which has finally come to fruition in the form of an all-acoustic dub-jazz group called Aketi Ray....double bass, drums, upright piano, horns, percussion, reverb and delay. We play compositions grounded in the instrumental music of  Jamaica - ska, rocksteady, reggae, rockers, dub - but drawing inspiration and influence from Ethiopian and US jazz, west African percussion traditions, all served up with the mind set of UK steppas........Kingston to Chicago to Addis Ababa to Dakar to London. 

After much work in the background we have an album recorded, lined-up and ready to launch in 2018, with a 12 inch release already out and 6-track vinyl-only album sampler dropping November 18th 2017. Check www.aketiray.com for all the details on those.

The mix below is a journey into the music that's influenced the Aketi Ray sound...mainly looking at those moments where Jamaican music and jazz brush up together, as well as a couple of tracks just a step removed, but influential to us. All part of the journey. Oh, and a couple of sneak previews of forthcoming Aketi Ray tracks! Have written a couple of words about each track too.....

(Big up Jazz Meet for sharing this mix on their always excellent podcast)

Jamaican Jazz Journeying // Aketi Ray Inspirations And Connections

1. Tambu - Friendship Group of Trelawny [0.00]
Starting things off with three percussion-heavy tracks, this one coming from deep in the JA countryside, a minute-long early recording of a session played on tambu drums - supposedly unique to the Trelawny area of Jamaica. 

2. Occupation - Cedric Brooks & The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari [1.03]

One of the many alumni of the Alpha Boys School, which taught so many of Jamaica best players, Cedric's fusing of jazz and pure Rasta music has little parallel. This cut has him leading on sax over a nyabinghi rhythm.

3. Earth Sound - Ernest Ranglin [3.32]

Ernest's legacy in pushing Jamaican music in all kinds of interesting directions is second-to-none. This recording is less about showing off his great guitar playing as it is exploring what can happen when Jamaican jazz meets Jamaican drumming. 

4. Last Call - Don Drummond [5.59]

Moving into three killer ska tracks back to back, with Don Drummond leading the Skatalites in this classic piece. The Skatalites perhaps more than anyone deserve credit for cementing the role of jazz playing within JA's dancehall music, and then taking that sound worldwide. 

5. Hey Train - Buster All Stars [9.04]

For all the credit that the Skatalites get, Prince Buster's house band were just as firing, with a line-up that included the likes of Ernest Ranglin and Rico Rodriguez. 

6. Cleopatra - Roland Alphonso & The Studio One Orchestra [11.39]

One final golden era ska foot-stomper, Roland Alphonso leading on sax on what you could even call a proto-ethio-skajazz workout, if you really wanted! The Studio One Orchestra effectively the Skatalites without Don Drummond..

7. Barbados - Jazz Jamaica [14.18]

Keeping it ska but bringing it to London three decades later, Jazz Jamaica are a group started in the early 90s by the double-bassist Gary Crosby (who happens to be nephew of Ernest Ranglin), which set out to do big-band style jazz arrangements of ska tunes, as well as ska up some jazz standards. Amazing band to see live if you ever get the chance. This recording features the late great Rico Rodriguez on trumpet. 

8. Regulator {live} - Monty Alexander [18.10]

Kingston-born but US resident pianist Monty Alexander has been mixing up JA and US traditions in jazz for decades. I’ve never had the pleasure to hear him play live, but if this firing recording is anything to go by it sounds like a show not to miss. Bad tune.

9. Many Pauses {live} - Jazz Warriors [22.27]

Jazz Warriors were a London-based group which launched the careers of a generation of young musicians on to the scene - one of which was trumpeter Kevin Robinson, who plays extensively on our Aketi Ray LP. They released just one album, the landmark 1987 live recording Out of Many, One People (Jamaica's national motto). The piece of music included here is just a short extract from a much longer, constantly-changing track, Many Pauses, and features jazz vocalist and occasional D&B MC Cleveland Watkiss on scat parts.

10. This Day – Rico [24.28]
Journeying back to the 70s for three pieces from the roots era, starting with this classic cut from trombonist Rico Rodriquez. Moving to London in the 70s Rico played a big role in building the bridge between JA and UK music, both with his own compositions as well as playing an active part on the 2-tone scene. The album this cut comes from, The Man From Wareika, is a Jazz Reggae cornerstone.

11.Cuts and Bruises - Pablove Black [28.33]
Killer melodica piece from multi-instrumentalist Pablove Black. When it comes to great reggae melodica instrumentals August Pablo surely wears the crown and takes credit for adding the instrument to the reggae canon, but this cut here from Pablove is perfection – hard pressed to think of another time a melodica sounded so good.

12. Return of the Super Ape - Lee Perry [32.00]
In interviews Lee Perry often cites jazz as the music that inspires him the most, and even when his music doesn't have the solos of jazz, it so often has the experimental, rule breaking, attitude. In this cut it does both. Amazing record - pure inspiration into what can be done.

13. The Breadwinner - The Breadwinners [35.31]
As far as I'm concerned there is only one person out there who has carried on the works of Lee Perry at the Black Ark faithfully, and thats Al and the Breadwinners camp out of Manchester, England. I especially love their instrumental tracks, often featuring Sally on all horn and wind parts. Really recommend checking their back catalogue. Sublime.

14. Dub Me Tender - Dub Colossus [37.46]
Keeping it in the UK with Nick Page and his Dub Colossus band, who made a name for themselves for the dub records they recorded in a small flat in Addis Ababa that fused dub traditions with Ethiopian music. This one is a completely stripped-back, drum-free affair, that has a wisp of Ethiopia as well as a touch of US free jazz about it.

15. Ephemeral - Aketi Ray [41.35]
One last one from the UK, this one from us, the opening track from the forthcoming Aketi Ray LP 'From Ever Since'. Dubwise, flying cymbal rhythm, led by the wonderful sax playing of Nico Rouger, and backed by Kevin Robinson on ghost-trumpet!

16. Blood of Africa - Natty Locks & King Tubby [46.04]
Going on into three more sax led cuts here, the first a massive tune to me personally - the opening track from the first dub LP I ever heard, Tubby meets Perry at the Grass Roots. Always takes me back this track...

17. Man A Lion - Disciples Riddim Section meets Digistep [48.41]
Moving to 21st Century London with this great digi cut - modern roots from the UK at its best. Big up Kullar and the Roots Youths crew.

18. Roots Version Wise - Sky Nation [52.10]
Back to 70s JA with this powerful percussion and horn section roots work out.

19. Proverbs Dub - Wareika Hill Sounds [55.36]
Wareika Hill Sounds is a really great modern project, led I gather by Calvin “Bubbles” Cameron of Count Ossie’s Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari and The Light Of Saba fame. All the material they've put out has come out on Honest Jon's label so I expect there's a key London connection to this. Its new music but taps spirits of the past, without feeling in any way dated.

20. Distant Drums Version - Family Man & Knotty Roots [59.15]
Moving into three tracks back to back here with some heavy, conscious vibes, this weighty drum and horns piece is a dub of Vivian Jackson and The Defenders  Love Thy Neighbour, and credited to legendary bass player and co-producer player Aston Barrett.

21. Jah Irror - Jah Bast & The Shades [62.31]

One of my favourite records from recent years, perhaps surprisingly, out of Switzerland - going to show there are no borders in music! Lovely playing on all their cuts, but I particularly like the message on this one (the one vocal track on this mix), and its a message that is shared with the next track.... 

22. Mirror - Aketi Ray [65.44]
The second Aketi Ray track featured, and yeah, like the track before, this ones all about reflection and knowledge of self! This one is coming out on a 12inch on Steppas Records - look out for a video too! Should find it on the Aketi Ray website / youtube.

23. Nuh True - Ernest Ranglin [69.41]

Turning a corner here with a track from an Ernest Ranglin album he recorded in Senegal with Baba Maal's firing band. Its a beautiful record, effortlessly fusing his Jamaican sound with that of these Senegalese greats. Its the use of percussion that's been  particularly influential on the Aketi Ray sound.

24. Né la Thiass - Cheikh Lô [75.52]
While we're in Senegal I need to play one more - Cheikh Lô himself fuses music from all over... I find this one particularly beautiful, and can't get enough of the talking drum on this. 

25. Mulatu - Mulatu Astatke [80.37]
The Ethio-jazz sound is a big influence, and Aketi Ray's sax player Nico Rouger plays in two Ethio jazz acts, Addis Quartet and Krar Collective. We've definitely tried to bring some of Mulatu's flavour to the music we're making.

26. Jericho Jazz - Roy Burrowes, Clifford Jordan, Charles Davis [85.34]
Back to JA, and maybe even carrying over a bit of that Ethio flavour, a wonderful jazzed-up version of the classic Studio One Jericho Rock rhythm. The album this comes off, Reggae Au Go Jazz, is a must for you if you've listened this far and liked what you've heard!

27. None A Jah Jah Children No Cry - Dean Fraser [88.36]
Dean Fraser has been flying the reggae jazz flag for decades, and this is taken from a late 90s recording on the short-lived, but quality Island Jamaica Jazz label. A wonderful version of the Ras Michael classic Rasta cut None A Jah Jah Children No Cry. Serious music!

28. Call On His Name - Aketi Ray [96.40]
A final Aketi Ray track here, forthcoming on the album 'From Ever Since'. Flute, talking drum and piano in a thankful interaction.

29. Manasseh meets The Equalizer - Looking Glass Dub [100.32]
Wanted to finish off on a Manasseh track. Nick Manasseh's radio shows on Kiss FM in the 90s were absolutely instrumental in opening up the world of Jamaican music to me (and many others!), and he's an excellent producer in his own right too. A big influence in every way.

Download link right here

Spring Roots Eternal

In previous years I've marked the arrival of Spring with a cross-genre Spring Sun Soul mix (>>back catalogue of those can be found here<<) - this year I've pulled out some roots tunes that have that spring spirit...new beginnings, the natural world reawakening, sowing new seeds, horizons moving forward, spirits lifting, all gentle but unstoppable. A few vocal pieces here but mainly instrumentals, accompanied with some live dubbing off the mixer.

Wishing everyone the best in this new season and sending a salute out to Lee Perry on his birthday, born March 20, right on the start of the Persian new year - great time for a new year i think....two Upsetter productions included in honour.

Spring Roots Eternal 

Golden Daffodils - Fulk Reid

Golden Dub - Uprising All Stars

Guiding Light - The Fashioneers

23rd Psalm - Juks Dread & Big Youth

Wall Street - Jackie Mittoo

Leftist - Revolutionaries

Still Waters Version - Jerry Jones & Sound Dimension

Spirit of Umoja - Dennis Brown + Augustus Pablo

Distant Drums - Family Man & Knotty Roots

Home to Zion Dub - Bingy Bunny

You Can Dub - The Upsetters

Roots Version Wise - Sky Nation

Born Free - Michael Rose

Free Dub - Michael Rose

Request Granted - King Tubbystyle

No Love - Black Traps

Dub Love - Black Traps

Blazing Fire Version - Owen Grey

Give Thanks Version - Don Carlos

>>Right click save as for download<<

Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Tribute

Of the all the producers out of Jamaica it's the mighty Rainford "Lee" Perry who holds the most special place in my heart. There's already so much been written about Lee Perry I don't want to repeat what's gone before but wanted to add a couple of personal thoughts as to why his music hits home for me the way it does.

There can be no argument that he innovated like no one else in JA, not to say the world - a genuine groundbreaker in an era of limited technology. His mixing style is sometimes sublime, sometimes raw, always switched on and conscious. Unlike other great masters of the mixing desk Lee had a very active influence on the music played and recorded  - a very hands on producer by all accounts.

Parts of his discography feels in a parallel dimension to the rest of what was happening in JA music. In fact, considering the esteem in which he is now held he supposedly had relatively few big hits in JA, and to some extent it was UK audiences that really clicked with his sound and helped cement his legacy.

I think the defining attitude that shapes his music is his unusually open, plural and active religious/spiritual outlook.... Lee was born and raised in the JA countryside and in those formative years visited Pukumina church services, which fuse Christian traditions with African practices of spirit possession, and allowed room for other more magical thinking. As the 70s wore on his connections with Rasta got stronger and stronger - yet he never grew locks himself, and in part blamed certain Rasta hangers-on as to why he felt compelled to burn his studio down.

My impression is that he never committed totally to Rasta but certainly related to many elements of it, whilst refusing to be limited by it. He clearly connected with the mystic side of things, but maintained his own unique cosmology. In a post-modern way he wasn't averse to taking in influences from all religions and other ideas he came across, and mixing them together as he saw fit.

So if you look through his lyrics you'll find songs about obeah and voodoo alongside Rasta doctrine, as well as the odd taboo-busting sexual lyric, as well as several songs not in English or with the vocal manipulated to make in incoherent. Whats in common here is a transcendentalism - transcending social norms, going beyond mundane understanding of reality, a faith in the mysterious and magical. Lee Perry definitely approached music like a shaman.

And thats where the dubs and instrumentals really come in. Lee doesn't use sound arbitrarily - even in the wildest moments its not there to sound wacky - there is always a higher purpose to what he does at the desk, each sound and action designed to resonate with his non-orthodox spiritual outlook. Its arguable over who invented dub - Lee has as good a shout to that as any - but to me he was certainly the first to explore its mystic potential so fully. Few have come close since.

All of which I, and clearly music lovers all over the world, really relate to - his world view is not a dogmatic religious position, more a freewheeling, mystic, high!, ever changing, personal love affair with life.... Rainford Rules....

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The following five mixes (here in reverse order) were put together over several years, and concentrate mainly on the era where has was at home with his own studio, the Black Ark, with the occasional dip before and after. The first mix breezes through some of the tracks that I first fell for, with each subsequent mix digging deeper and deeper into the vaults of his discography. The most recent mix, Chapter 5, looks solely at some possibly lesser-known tracks from the first two years of the Black Ark, 1973 and 1974 - a magical time with its own distinct sound..

Have to give a massive Thank You to knowledge-providers David Katz, Mick Sleeper and Black Ark Nuggets without whom these mixes couldn't have happened. 

Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Selection Pt.5 - Ark Sets Sail 73-74
The Originals - Got To Be Iry
Ken McKay- Nobody Knows
Kinge Oney - Jah Jah Know
Chenley Duffus - Standing On The Hill
Annette Clarke - I Wanna Be There
Upsetters - Dub Power
 Roman Scotland - Arab And Israelite
Annette Clarke - Sinner Man/Dub
Cynty & The Monkees - Lady Lady/Dub
 Ital Winston - Princess Street Skank/Ride On
Al Rock - True Believer In Jah
The Upsetters - Soul Train
Leo & The Upsetters - Doctor Demand / Black Bat / Bad Lamp
The Ethiopians - Prophesy
Ron Wilson - Rat Poison
Max Romeo - The Question
Smokey Brown - Version/My Baby
Time Unlimited - Reaction/Version
Soul Syndicate - 8 Round To Foreman
Click here to download

~~~~~

Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Selection Pt.4 - More Power

The Meditations - Houses Of Parliament

The Congos - Don't Blame On I

Leroy Sibbles - Rasta Far-I

The Stingers - Give Me Power

Roy Lee & King Iwah The 1st - Give Me Power No 2

The Upsetters - Tipper Special

Upsetters - Black Ipa

Upsetters - Ipa Skank

Upsetters - Key Hole

Upsetters - Freak Out Skank

The Gatherers - Start Over

Robert Palmer - River Stone

Lloyd & Devon -Wolf Out Deh

The Upsetter - Shepherd Rod

Juks Dread & Big Youth - 23rd Psalm

Zap Pow - River

Augustus Pablo - Vibrate On

The Upsetters - Vibrator

The Bluebells - Come Along

The Upsetters - Dub Along
right click it here to download


~~~~~

Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Selection Pt3 - All Glory

Lee - on the Wire [intro]

Junior Byles and the Versatiles - Cutting Razor

Ralph Haughton & The Ebony Sisters - Take Warning

Derrick Harriott - Walk The Streets

Watty Burnett - Rainy Night Dub

The Upsetters - So Many Shanks

Shenley Duffus - Sincerely

Jolly Brothers - Conscious Man

Lee Perry - Conscious Dub

Twin Roots - Know Love

The Heptones - Crying Over You

Alton Ellis - The Children Are Crying

The Congos - Children Crying

Debra Keese - Travelling

Lee Perry - Noah Sugar Pan Dub

Lee Perry - Rejoice in Skank

The Silvertones - Financial Crisis

The UPsetters - Financial Dub

The Heptones - Babylon Falling

The UPsetters - Babylon Dub

The Heptones - Three in One

Lee Perry - Lee in the Heartbeat

Lee & Omar Perry - Do the Lion DUB
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Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Selection Pt2 - Forward With Love

Time Unlimited - Africa We Are Going Home

Mystic Eyes - Forward With Love

Leroy Sibbles - Garden of Life

The Congos - Fisherman Dub

Upsetters ft Full Experience - Dyon Anasawa

Lee Perry - Evol Yenoh

Seke Molenga and Kalo Kawongolo - Mengieb

Lee Perry & THe Upsetters - Hold Them King Fu

Lee Perry & THe Upsetters - Black Vest

Lord Creator - Such is Life

Lee Perry - Such is Dub

Earl Sixteen - Freedom

Lee Perry - Freedom Dub

Unknown VOcalist - Nuh Fe Run Down

Lee Perry - City Too Hot

Brad Osbourne & The Towerchanters - Little Flute Chant

Eric Donaldson - Stand Up!

The Upsetters - Dub Fa Yah Rights!

Bree Daniels - Oh Me, Oh My

The Upsetters - Oh Me, Oh Dub

Lee Perry & The Upsetters - Crab Years

Lee Perry & The Upsetters - Black Belt

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Rainford Rules! Strictly Lee Perry Selection Pt.1 - Train is Coming

Junior Murvin - Roots Train

Bunny and Ricky - Freedom Fighter

Junior Byles - Place Called Africa

Lee Perry - Mother Land Dub

Brent Dowe - Down Here in Babylon

George Faith - To Be a Lover

The Upsetters - All the Way

Danny Hensworth - Mr Money Man

The Heptones - Sufferers Time

Devon Irons - Ketch Vampire

The Upsetters - Vamp a Dub

The Upsetters - Party Time

Lee Perry - Man to Man

Lee Perry - Freedom Street

Horace Smart - Ruffer Ruff

Lee Perry - Original Jungle Dub

Lee Perry - Rubba Dub

Lee Perry - Cross Over

Lee Perry - Cross Over Dub

Lee Perry - Bird in Hand

Max Romeo - One Step Forward

The Diamonds - Talk About it

The Children - Yama-Ky

U-Roy and the Children - Yama-Ky

The uPsetters - Pop Goes the Dub

Lee Perry - Chicken Scratch (the tune that gave him his nickname)

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Blood & Fire - 20th Anniversary Tribute

I remember 1994 well... 1994 was the year jungle blew up in the UK, and one consequence of that was that it brought Jamaican music right to the front of the mix to a generation of ravers. There were always reggae elements in the UK hardcore/breakbeat rave scene, from direct samples to lifted basslines, and even the importance of soundsystems had an influence on us, but it was the way in which a lot of jungle producers ditched the pianos, ditched the squeaky vocals, and went straight to the JA source that meant there was no longer any hiding from Jamaican influences. It was the rave scene that really exposed me to Jamaican music, and whats more it was all those spaced out Sundays and Mondays which made dub records make a whole lot of sense!

Apart from one other Tubby (Meets Lee Perry at the Grassroots) CD i picked up in 1994 the first real JA recordings I ever bought were the first two Blood and Fire  releases: If Deejay Was your Trade, and the Tubby comp Dub Gone Crazy. I was in no position to place what I heard in any wider context of Jamaican music because it was all still just a beautiful mystery to me, but there was something about the packaging and care in selection that went into these two releases that made me know that this was Classic Material. And with Striker and Tubby in charge of course that was true, but even beyond that it was the love the B&F crew put in that got that message across loud and clear.

The way they put it is this: "Philosophy - To bring the standard of reggae reissues up to the level of the best in jazz, blues, R&B etc., and to ensure that both artists and producers are paid for their work.", and over the next two decades Blood & Fire put out over 50 essential releases, helping return what might otherwise have been lost obscurities back to their rightful place as foundational moments in the history of All music.

And so the 20th anniversary of Blood & Fire is also the 20th anniversary of my own journey into the bottomless treasure chest that is Jamaican music. Blood & Fire played a huge part in turning me on to it, and I'm far from the only one for whom it played that role. Without a doubt Blood & Fire deserve every credit for helping fuel a revival of interest in Jamaican music, the turbo injection of which is still felt all across the bass-ends of the music scene today.

In this year 2014 it was announced that Blood & Fire will be starting up again...its not yet clear if that will come to pass, but even if that proves too much to hope for, they've achieved so much in those 20 years. So with that all said, have to give a big respect and an even bigger thank you to those who made it happen: Steve Barrow, Andy Dodd, Bob Harding, Mick Hucknall, Elliot Rashman, et al, and also a big shout to all the Blood & Fire forum crew for sharing your knowledge. In tribute here's a mix that barely scratches the surface of the music they've reissued...go out and buy the lot, every last release is essential. www.bloodandfire.co.uk/discography.php

  

Blood & Fire - 20th Anniversary Tribute

Tribal War Dub - Yabby You

Train to Zion - Linval Thompson & U Brown

Know Where You're Going - Junior Byles

Pure Ranking [edit] - Horace Andy  

John Bull - Morwell Unlimited meets King Tubby

I Man Version - Willie Williams

Ites of Zion - Tommy McCook

Ghettoman Corner - Welton Irie

No Tarry Yah Version - Yabby You

See a Dub Face - Scientist

Hard Times [edit] - U Brown

Bandulu  [edit] - Cornell Campbell & Ranking Dread

Oh Jah Dub - Impact All Stars

Honey Dub - King Tubby

Jah Vengeance - Vivian Jackson

Vengeance In Dub - Yabby You

Jah Speak In Dub - Tappa Zukie

Chant Jah Victory - Errol Alphonso

Kings Pharoah's Plague - The Prophets

Plague of Horn - Tommy McCook

Fishermans Anthem - Dean Fraser

Let Your Love [edit] - Mykal Rose

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Blood & Fire - 20th Anniversary Tribute by Mikus on Mixcloud

Original Rasta Recordings 1955-1969

The following is a mix of some of the earliest recordings with themes relating to aspects of Rastafari, touching on some mento rhythms, moving on into the ska era, and on out into the early reggae and proto-roots sounds...played broadly in order of oldest first...not complete of course, just some choice moments. 

Rastafari culture has always had a somewhat tense relationship with the popular recording industry of Jamaica, and there are still orthodox Rastas today who feel the two should never mix, but inevitably they did, and in my opinion the world is a richer place for it. What's more the persecution of Rastafarians made the expression of Rasta thinking on record a dangerous activity, that only becomes more explicit in gradual steps over the years. The tracks featured here run against the norms of popular Jamaican music at the time.

Track-by-track run down: beginning from the beginning with what is widely described as the first record with a Rasta ideology, 1955 style, dreaming of repatriation, Lord Lebby's Etheopia.

Next up more pre-independence vibes way back in 1958 from Laurel Aitken who went on to boss the ska era, often in a conscious style, here in Rasta mento mode. Lovely sax soloing against nyabinghi drumming on this record.

Count Ossie is a crucial figure in bringing authentic Rasta music to the recording studios and this is a beautiful early chant-along example of that - Babylon Gone - I wonder if this relates to Jamaican independence, waving goodbye to British colonialists?

Jamaican independence was won in 1962 and ushered in a new era in Jamaican music - the ska sound came alongside independence and echoed the optimism that self-determination brought. Ska was fundamentally the music of the dancehall and rum shop but there were artists who brought a roots and culture message to the sound. Two cuts here from Zoot Simms are great examples, both introduced in Amharic, Press Along subtly encouraging a Rasta freedom of expression - it being effectively a crime to express Rasta sentiments - followed by Golden Pen, which went on to be reinterpreted by Sylford Worker as a roots anthem in the 70s.

Keeping the churchical vocal style going is Laurel Aitken back again, riding high in a 1964 ska style, singing down the walls of Jericho, followed by an incredible number credited to Vernon Allen, wonderful minor key ska switching to major key bridge, topped with heavy vocals and a wonderful sax solo. Big big tune.

Next up two back to back from the kings of ska, The Skatalites. It is said that it was trombonist Don Drummonds influence that brought the Rasta message to the Skatalites repertoire... killer instrumental piece Addid Ababa first, driven by a wicked snare-scatter drum pattern, followed by an upfull vocal tribute to Marcus Garvey...sung by one Delroy Bongoman Byfield.

In comes Delroy Wilson, aged just 13, giving his take on the immortal lines The Lion of Judah Shall Break Every Chain & Give Us The Victory Again & Again over a rocksteadyish ska track, followed by a serious instrumental take on the Lion of Judah theme by Prince Busters band - another hard-to-top minor key ska instrumental that one.

Peter Tosh vocals on a classic Wailers piece next, mixing rude boy attitude with a Rasta message...Rasta Shook Them Up, Easy as That!... followed by the man Prince Buster himself on the microphone coming with some serious cultural lyrics over a heavy rock steady beat - not what you usually associate with Prince Buster but delivered with pure conviction.

Third time around for Laurel Aitken showing his longevity, this time on a 1969 early organ reggae piece, hailing Selassie, whose visit in '66 created so much momentum for the Rastafari movement. The Reggae Boys cut Selassie also from '69 is a Lee Perry production in a similiar theme, followed by another Perry production, the very rootsy Earth Ruler cut led by U-Roy, his debut in fact, whose backing track fundamentally sounds like a slowed down version to the previous Reggae Boys piece. 

Finishing this set with the Abyssinians masterpiece Satta Massagana. When you place that tune into the context of its contemporaries it really was way ahead of its time, and rightly became hugely influential in the roots sound that would flourish in the near future of the 70s. Hard to get away from how important that record is, and to some extent its a marker of the end of one era of Jamaican music and the beginning of another...

Big thanks to Littleseb, Ringo and the Pama forum crew for helping compile this one.

Original Rasta Recordings  1955-1969

Etheopia - Lord Lebby and The Jamaican Calypsonians 1955

Night Fall In Zion  - Laurel Aitken 1958

Babylon Gone - Count Ossie & The Wareikas 1962

Press Along - Zoot Simms 1963

Golden Pen - Zoot Sims 1963

Jericho - Laurel Aitken 1964

Babylon - Vernon Allen 1964

Addis Ababa - The Skatalites 1965

Marcus Garvey - The Skatalites 1965

The Lion of Judah - Delroy Wilson 1966

Lion Of Judah - Buster's All Stars 1966

Rasta shook them up - The Wailers 1966

Free love - Prince Buster 1967

Haile Selassie - Laurel Aitken 1969

Selassie - The Reggae Boys 1969

Rightful Ruler -  U Roy & Peter Tosh 1969

Satta Massagana - The Abyssinians 1969

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Original Rasta Recordings 1955-1969 by Mikus on Mixcloud

Bubble in the Struggle - 1990s Conscious JA 7inch Selection

The 1990s in JA were dominated by dancehall and slackness, but there was still plenty of great conscious reggae being produced. This mix throws together some lesser-known tracks alongside a few classics, all 7 inch, all conscious lyrics, all produced in JA. There's a couple of tracks from the 2000s in there too, but on the whole its a 90s affair. Always a pleasure to hear the killer voices of the likes of Beenie Man, Shabba and  Terror Fabulous on a conscious lyric. 

Bubble in the Struggle - 1990s Conscious JA 7inch Selection

Bubble in the Struggle - Morgan Heritage [Xterminator]

Know Yourself - Terror Fabulous [Spragga Roots]

War Inna Di City - Ginja [Harmony House]

Craven - Cocoa Tea [Star Trail]

Jah Calling - Sanchez [Awful Music]

Conquer the Dragon - Beenie Man [Penthouse]

Mash Down Babylon - Utan Green [John John]

Retreat Wicked Man - Garnett Silk [Living Room]

Rat Race - Busy Signal [Juke Boxx]

Rolling Down a One Way Street - Pagu T [White Label]

Run Away - Bushman [Militant Muzik]

Poor People - Admiral Tibet [Henfield]

Poor People - Shabba Ranks [Brick Wall]

Complaint - Garnett Silk [Penthouse]

Bad Vibes - Derrick Lara [Zola & Zola]

No More Walls - Dennis Brown [Two Friends]

Build Some Bridges Instead - Shabba Ranks [Two Friends]

Walls Dub - Two Friends Crew [Two Friends]

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Bubble in the Struggle - 1990s Conscious JA 7inch Selection by Mikus on Mixcloud