Bless Up

Bless Up

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Josey Wales - Drug Abusing 7'' [1984 Harry J Original Pressing]

While we're on the topic of drug use, the Outlaw has his two cents to spit as well. This was a common theme during the crack/heroin epidemic of the 80's that hit so many ghettoes across the world. Teach the youth right!


Hum Bugs
Mikey Melody - Crack Out 7'' [1989 Pickout Original Pressing]

Sleng Teng-esque sound says no to drugs....
Crack Out you rotten!
Yu soon forgotten!


Run Ya Crackheads!
Major Mackerel - God Sooon Come 7'' [1988 Stereo Mix Original Pressing]

The second coming? Meenie Meenie seems to thinks so!!


Hey Hey
Michael Prophet - Imagine Me 7'' [1987 Alpine Original Pressing]

Another man made fameous before the digi era, Prophet proves he was still capable later in his career. Very nice lovers riddim by Niney the Observer.


Here
Sammy Dread and Mellow Yellow - Telephone Man/Robert Minott - Tonight 12'' [198x Brown's Sound Original Pressing]

Some riddims are so recognizable that I can't put my finger on the name... This is one of those (help please!). Kinda sounds like Early B's classic Sunday Dish. Either way this is pretty crucial too. Singing Sammy, not known for many digikal tunes, rips it with the albino DJ Mr. Yellow aka Yellow Hands, best known for his Herpes tune with Young Ranks. Side B features Robert Minott singing sweetly. Tune produced in the States... and Minott's track has version included. Enjoy!


Side A

Side B

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Papa San - DJ Touch Up 7'' [1989 Out-Burst Original Pressing]

I guess this song is directed towards Flourgon more than Lizard, but either way it's definitely a response to some of the tracks trashing Pupa S. No one is spared as San disses a shitload of DJ's on this one. While this was more of a fun and peaceful way to poke fun at rivals in the heyday, artists like Ninjaman sadly began taking the beef's to whole 'nother levels by bringing violence into the mix.


%@#$!?
Daddy Lizard - Them Dun 7'' [198x Music Master Original Pressing]

Lizardman warning all other soundboys that they stand no chance in the arena. Witty produced. He goes as far as to call out specific DJ's, one of those being Papa San.... not sure if this came out before San's DJ Touch Up tune (which is posted above), but either way both exchange a few playful words on the tracks about each other. I guess one of the lesser known dancehall rivalries that have been so prevalent over the years. Enjoy!


Fork Tongue
Yami Bolo - La Isla Bonita 7'' [1991 Yam Euphony Original Pressing]

Crazy cover of Madonna's spicy latin 1986 hit! Haha pinche cabrona ni sabe que dice! Anyway, it's tracks like this that make Yami stand out to me. You guys getting sick of the covers yet? Lots of adapted tunes lately on this blog.... just a reminiscent mood I've been in lately, I guess. Peep this shit out for real though-


Panocha Aqui
Colourman - Dirty Ways Gal 7'' [1985 Creation Original Pressing]

Another huge tune from back in the day. One of "The Bible Man's" first singles, the song was included in his 1986 Kick Up Rumpus LP. If you haven't yet, get your hands on that album too... the title track is just as hard! I've included a photo of the back of the record only because the front is so faded.... the version is not included.


Yup
Madoo - Sad Music 7'' [1988 Redman International Original Pressing]

Rare Madoo track here over Daddy Lizard's Move Your Body riddim full of promiscous girlfriends and backstabbing friends . While I beleive this is the original Madoo, there is a possibility of this being his younger brother UU Madoo... being that they both had similar deliveries, and the lil' bro was was infamous for covering his older bro's songs. Either way this is a special chune!!


Sniffel
Courtney Melody and Danny Dread - Call Me 7'' [198x Rockers Master International Original Pressing]

Kuff riddim version of the sappy love song by the Pretenders.... awesome combo here!


Here

Sunday, December 5, 2010

General Trees - Bun It Down 7'' [199x Scaramouche Original Pressing]

Slightly bogle sounding tune on the rare label. Even for somebody that can't stand the bogle sound, this song is pretty good for mid 90's. I like the toy sound effects through out the track-


Bun Trees
Lovindeer and Shabba Ranks - Manhunt 7'' [1990 TSOJ Original Pressing]

This chune is ridculously crucial!! Everything is perfect.... from both singers back and forth style to the tuff riddim. What more can I say.... easily one of my favorite dancehall tracks hands down.


The Sound Of JA
Gregory Isaacs - Reservation 7'' [198x African Museum Original Pressing]

RIP the Cool Ruler.... no singer will ever be as smooth and suave as Gregory. The original don! Here we have a nice digi cut that is different from the Confirm Reservation track off his 1981 LP More Gregory (see video below). Both tracks are stellar! We miss you!


RIP



Captain Remo - Girl's Talk 7'' [198x Photographer Original Pressing]

One thing I love about dancehall is that there were so many artists in the golden era of the late 80's/early 90's that you always stumble upon a new name you've never heard of. Yet no matter how obscure, there's still a great song to be played. This is one of those examples.


Yagga Yo
Malibu - Sad Mood 7'' [198x Kesta Original Pressing]

Not really another cover song, but certainly sounds inspired by Sam Cooke's soul classic. Malibu adds his own twist on the lyrics.... fully equiped with Michael Jackson-esque noises and a funky riddim by Casta "Kesta" Pearson.


Boo Hoo
Mikey General and City Cat - Time Tuff 7'' [199x New Name Original Pressing]

Cool duo set.... label says "adapted" but I can't figure what or who's done the original song they're covering. Sounds nothing like the Toots and Maytals song with the same name.... anybody know whats up?


Yup
Hopeton James - Be Happy 7'' [1988 Sky High Original Pressing]

A digi cover of Bobby Mcferrin's late 80's hit. The original being an acapella, I again like this dancehall version better than the cheesy original.... not that this one isn't a likkle cheesy too.

Also a big shout out to Prince Nomad who's name you might have seen on some of these 45's. He was nice enough to pass his collection on to me, lord hav' mercy! Too bad he had to write all over his records....


Mau Mau

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Don Angelo and Danny Dread - Mampe Size/Wayne Wonder - Never Gonna Give You Up 12'' [198x Waterhouse Original Pressing]

Side A pairs the Don and the Dread in an adventure about fucking fat chicks they've met at the dancehall. Haha, probably had their beer goggles on. Side B has Mr. Bashment covering Rick Astley's 1987 hit.... which has now become the Rickrolled internet phenomenon. Weird. These two are Tubby produced with versions included for your listening pleasure.


Side A

Side B

General Trees and Sligo - Treat You Woman Nice 7'' [198x Mixing Lab Original Pressing]

Kind of a strange track but still catchy. Trees rips it as usual, while Sligo croons in the background. Any info on this Sligo guy? Related to Sluggy? Roy Francis on the beat-


Get It Here
Bingie - Come Rush Me Nuh 7'' [1987 Sunset Original Pressing]

Anybody know if this is Binghi General or someone else? Anyways, on the same riddim as Joe Mannix's Bad Mamma Gamma chune! Harry Johnson produced obviously.


Sunrise
Michael Rose - Can't Be Like Me 7'' [1987 Jammys Original Pressing]

One of the few singles released by the ex Black Uhuru frontman during the mid 80's... by the early 90's though he was back cutting LP's. Good stuff-


Here
Hammermouth - Police and Badman 7'' [199x 30 Headley Ave. Original Pressing]

Rudeboy Hammer putting it down! Fuck corrupt cops!


Die Pig
Frankie Paul - No Sizzling 7'' [1986 Skengdon Original Pressing]

Ever had your weed sizzle cause it wasn't flushed or dried properly? Well this isn't the kind of sizzling that FP is talking about. Puff your herb straight and ital, and don't try to compensate with drugs. No chewies, nade, sherms, etc....


420
Johnny Walker - Joe Grind 7'' [1988 Black Scorpio Original Pressing]

DJ Whiskey!


Drink Up
Junior Reid - For Better Or Worst 7'' [199x Tappa Original Pressing]

More waterhouse style roots.... Again could be more contemporary than mid/late 90's. Not really sure but still pretty crucial.


One Blood

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Cocoa Tea, Shabba Ranks, and Rebel Princess - Be Good To Me 7'' [1988 Music Works Original Pressing]

Sweet trio combination with another killer riddim by Gussie P.


Yay
Black Mice and Angel Doolas - Digging a Grave 7'' [1994 Kingston 11 Original Pressing]

Far East riddim performed by White Mice imitator and some other guy chatting over it.
Relatively unknown guys describe some soundboy killing.... not a bad effort really.


Burial
King Kong - Step On My Corn 7'' [198x Firehouse Original Pressing]

Interesting take on the very played out Stalag riddim....


Maiz y Elote
Frankie Paul - Agony 7'' [198x Ujama Original Pressing]

FP's version of Pinchers classic tune with a nice riddim redone by the Rastaman Jazzbo!
Instrumental slightly reminscent of Early B's Imitator tune.
Pure gold.....


Here

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Dennis Brown with Brian & Tony Gold - Poison 7'' [199x Two Friends Original Pressing]

An excellent cover of Bell Biv DeVoe's 1990 tune. I like the dancehall version way better!
Def check out the original though.... not a bad track. Music video below. Fucking funny!


Catch It Here


Chris Wayne - Fan Mi Pretty Gal 7'' [198x Youth Promotion Original Pressing]

Nice digi production from one Lincoln Minott! RIP Sugar....
With Wayne talking about how to properly take care of your woman.


Listen Here Youthman
Charlie Chaplin - Gimmie Charlie 7'' [198x Vena Original Pressing]

Featuring the squeeky voice effect! Similar to Lieutenant Stitchie's Story Time track as reference. What more can I say, again the master Fattis Burrell on the classic Vena label production. Also check out Come Back Charlie for a Chaplin track referring to himself in the third person.... over the Come Back Darling riddim by Johnny Osbourne and the Sensations!


Check It Out
Sugar Minott - Rub a Dub In Sweet 7'' [198x Rockers Master International Original Pressing]

RIP!! Digi skank!!


Aqui
Tippa Lee and Rappa Robert - Wasn't It You 7'' [1989 Kirk & Tipps Production Original Pressing]

Big, big chune! Come down selectah! Produced in the States, the dynamic duo rips up the mic. Peep Tipps getup in the flick as well. Classic 80's! See music video also....


Here


Thursday, November 4, 2010

Sugar Ray - Nobody Business 7'' [1989 Don Ruben Original Pressing]

Ray KO'ing the competition one track at a time.
Cool label art too-


Here Maing
San Francisco Giants Win World Series!!!!


Vamos Gigantes de San Francisco!!!!

Cutty Ranks - Stick It Up 7'' [1990 Mr. Doo Original Pressing]

Gun talk boyeee!! Probably Cutty's favorite topic besides slackness....


Cuetes y Balas
Leroy Smart - Good Kind Of Loving 7'' [198x Taurus Original Pressing]

"Digikal Tubby For Lovers 101" now in session.
Get your headphones out class....


Here
Culture Paul - Mini Van Man/Easter Sunday Morning 12'' [1987 Music House Repress]

I really wish this kid had cut more songs.... Every track I've heard from him is super crucial.
Veteran style singing from the youthman. Any info on dude? Check out "Brutalize a Sound Boy" over Jammy's Slim Belly Man riddim as well for more Paul murderation. Versions inlcuded here.


Side A
Side B

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Scion Sashay Success - Gun Shot Dance 12'' [198x Jah Life Original Pressing]

Speaking about the dangers of the dancehall when rude boy's decide to lick shots and the police return fire! No version included. Be safe in ah di dance mi bredren....


Duck and Head Out!

Horace Ferguson - Senci Addick 7'' [1984 Ujama Original Pressing]

From what I've heard, Ferguson's Sensi Addict LP has been credited as the first fully digital album to come out of Jamaica. Here we have a rare instrumental (non digi) cut of the title track that is different from the album version. Personally I like the digikal one better, but this is still an interesting bit of history to listen to. Anyone have more info? Much appreciated-


Sensimilla Burn
Hopeton Lewis - Irie Reggae Feeling 7'' [1985 Bay City Original Pressing]

Guaranteed to make you wanna dance!
About as irie as you can get....
Peep homie's baritone murmuring in the chorus-
Festival music for sure!


Baile Baile
Barrington Levy - Love The Life You Live 7'' [198x Time 1 Original Pressing]

Jah Screw produced again with a nice turntable scratching sample in the beat.
Just try to live it big.... True words from Barrington.


Go Big
John Wayne - Me No Response 7'' [198x Firehouse Original Pressing]

Fatman and Peego produced.
Too hot fa' mi!!
Big shouts to the one called Everton [Chambers]....


Yes
Josey Wales - Right Move 7'' [1988 Rambo Original Pressing]

Cut in '87, released the following year. Guide and protect the youth Jah Jah!
Nice label art too-


Right Here