|
|
Post by rasadam on Feb 17, 2010 22:51:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by rasadam on Feb 18, 2010 1:53:26 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by firecoalman on Feb 18, 2010 2:59:28 GMT
Now, I always thought that Paul Blake & the Bloodfire Posse's "Every Posse get Flat" was the first digital. It starts out with the digi-declaration; "This one is computerized!" and it appears to follow in thematic series with Michael Palmer's "Lick Shot" which was decidedly the reigning hit (even over Yellowman!) when I was in Kingston in June of 1984. But this is not a subject that particularly interests me and I have no desire to stake any piece of any reputation I may or may not have on it.
While I really endeavor to stay upful on this board and not trash what might be someone else's treasure, I feel compelled to say how dismayed I was when I first heard the "Sleng Teng" rhythm. To me (and I'm probably wrong here) this was the first time that a keyboard bass supplanted the real thing. And those stuttering monotonal and monotonous nuh-nuh-nuh- nuh, nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuhs could never win my heart away from a real rolling bassline. To me, the harmonic bassline is what forever asserts the musical superiority of reggae over any american rap song. Oh, it's nice that they discovered there was a bass, but "thud-thud, thud thud" once again does not move me to rap-ture (ouch!).
And I think history bears me out. By the 90s everyone was well tired of these Casio meanderings and everyone turned to sampling the good old basslines of the late 60s and 70s.
And, while I'm being crotchety, I must take issue with another Beth Lesser pronouncement: that somehow the gun violence of the 70s subsided in the 80s. I think the subject matter of songs like "get flat" and the fact that there was a dance craze based on dodging bullets speaks for itself (not to mention the body counts).
|
|
|
|
Post by kalcidis on Feb 18, 2010 10:15:53 GMT
Wow, »Rum Tree« was one hell of a great song!
|
|
|
|
Post by finbar on Feb 18, 2010 10:27:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by finbar on Feb 18, 2010 10:46:17 GMT
*And, while I'm being crotchety, I must take issue with another Beth Lesser pronouncement: that somehow the gun violence of the 70s subsided in the 80s. I think the subject matter of songs like "get flat" and the fact that there was a dance craze based on dodging bullets speaks for itself (not to mention the body counts).*
Relativity has to be applied. Murders dropped almost 50% from 1980 (election year) to 1981. Overall gun violence was significantly down as well, and leveled off for the next few years.
Violence increased towards the end of the 80's but it was mainly centred around the drug trade (as opposed to politics). Of course since then, the rate of violence has hit increased significantly. Last year's murder rate was *double* that of 1980! So it's more a comment about a point in time, rather a pronouncement that violence disappeared. If only that were possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by smallaxe on Feb 18, 2010 11:57:42 GMT
Dear Mash,
Don't know that tune or the singer. Once again would love to hear it.
Take care, all the very best
Ray
|
|
|
|
Post by smallaxe on Feb 18, 2010 12:00:08 GMT
Dear Mash,
Don't know that tune or the singer. Once again would love to hear it.
Take care, all the very best
Ray
|
|
|
|
Post by smallaxe on Feb 18, 2010 12:03:49 GMT
Definitely not an SD production......I believe it's self-produced by the group.
I don't know how many sessions The Radics actually did for The Don, must of his stuff was recorded in Miami, backed by the Fat Man Riddim Guys.
As for Black Star - these were done as instrumental riddims. I am pretty certain that you have a Black Star tape with Briggy, Malvo, Earl Cunningham and Tiger from either late 84 or early 85. The last ten minutes of side two has Briggy and Tiger riding a Steelie & Cleavie re-working of Slim Smith's "Happy Times", which they later re-cut for Jammys....he voiced Nitty Gritty on it ("Sweet Reggae Music") as well as others.
If you don't have it, I'll dub a copy. The resident tape lady has all of these nicely filed downstairs for realtively easy access.
Dear Finbar,
I cannot recall that Black Star tape at all. And would welcome a copy!!! Please ask the tape lady very nicely for me!!!
Take care, all the very best
Ray
|
|
|
|
Post by smallaxe on Feb 18, 2010 12:12:16 GMT
Dear Zonard,
I think it was the bass that Steely was referring to. Just the batteries running out on these keyboards can alter the sound.
Many years ago my Casio started to produce Perry like sounds.
So I played it down the phone to Dave Katz - who loved it. The best Perry he had heard in 20 years. Sadly the spirit of Old Scratch went
when I replaced the batteries!!!
All my Dub Vendors list went in a fire. But I have had the info
confirmed from another source. 'Tempo' came first.
Take care, all the very best
Ray
|
|
