Barry Biggs - A Night Like This 7'' [1988 Reality Original Pressing]

Some of you may find this one sappy, but I find this likkle tune delightful! Lover rock singer Biggs rides a digi-pop instrumental straight outta Studio 54 haha. Reality Records released some pretty tuff independent dancehall material, definitely worth checking out if you're not familiar with them.

So Remember... Remember...

Patrick Z - Sick And Fed Up 7'' [1990 Redman International Original Pressing]

Slackness a dun! Cultural deejay riding the Koloko riddim made famous by Carl Meeks Youth Man also on Hugh James' label.

De People Ah Bawl

INI Kamoze - Jah Never Fail I 7'' [1995 Sounds Klik Original Pressing]

Not many tunes appear on the Rough Inna Town riddim (one of my faves) by Phillip Fattis Burrell, but every one that does is sheer madness in my humble opinion. I posted Frankie Paul's Song Of Freedom previously, and recently acquired this release. They are both as ridiculous as the original version by Luciano and Cocoa Tea in their own unique ways. I find it funny that this vinyl record features a picture of a CD printed on it, but I guess that was cutting edge back then! The version on here was so crucially dubbed, that I've chosen to post it here for you as well. Oh, and a repress has appeared on the Exterminator label as well, for anyone seeking a cheaper alternative. Stay thirsty my friends-

Vocals

Version

Gunnie Pepper - Jah Lives 7'' [199x Burro International Original Pressing]

Oh my, this is a ruff cut! Mid 90's remake of Jammy's famous Run Down The World riddim, featuring rasta lyrics and added synth effects. This release pleasantly straddles the divide between the hardcore dancehall and roots revival genre's. There is another version of this release on the Burro label featuring Yellowman chatting with Gunnie and is also called Jah Lives. Big up to my tocayo, DJ Funky Riddims out of Berkeley, CA for providing the record!

Bless Up

Shaka Samba - Carry Something Fi Me 7'' [1987 Oneness Original Pressing]

Catchy little Sleng Teng tune, on same version as Chicken Chest's Don't Kill Entertainer, also on Oneness (the two tracks appear together on a 12'' release). I believe I posted the Chicken Chest on here previously, though may need a reup. Lyrics talk about going abroad and all your family and friends asking you to pick them up something while you're there. Very real situation, as much of Jamaica's informal economy depended on foreign goods brought in by higglers and merchants in this manner. Apparently Samba did not fancy himself in this regard haha!

What Chu Got Fa Me?

Anthony Redrose - Borderline 7'' [199x How Yu Fi Sey Dat Original Pressing]

Crucial reality lyrics by the don Redrose over a stunning digital update of Hot Milk riddim! Love the horns intro, and backing female vocals on the chorus. There are a couple other cuts on the same version and label, though this one is my favorite... another nice one is Collie Weed and Chuckleberry's Murderer chune.

Yu Nah Linger Pon Anotha Man's Borderline

Ijahman Levy - President Mandela 7'' [1994 Jahmani Original Pressing]

I've been getting into mid 90's tunes more lately, though being picky about staying true to a dancehall sound. Here is a perfect example of some rough digi roots from the era on a tried and trued Tempo riddim. Not one you see too often, and definitely worth picking up if you stumble across it. Interesting tune for Levy too, as he didn't do much crossover material like this. I'm a sucker for anything Tempo though, as I'm sure many of you already know!

RIP Nelson Mandela