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A current trend in Hip-Hop is the sampling of classic Dancehall tunes. We’ve seen the likes of French Montana and most recently Kanye West and Jay-Z all feature tracks laden with samples of the Dancehall greats. (more…)
Category: Foundation
Classics
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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Shabba Ranks “Ting A Ling”
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WATCH THIS: Trevor Sax Digs In the Crates
Reasoning With The Selector for London’s Mighty Saxon Studio International
“I like to play the vinyls,” says Trevor Sax of Saxon Studio International. If you don’t believe him, you need to brush up your sound system history. Founded in 1976 as the Imperial Rockers, by Dennis Rowe and Lloyd ‘Musclehead’ Francis, the sound changed its name to Saxon Studio International two years later. They are a cornerstone of the UK reggae industry, shining a light on future stars like Peter King, Papa Levi, Tippa Irie, Smiley Culture, and Maxi Priest. Trevor Sax joined up in 1981. Our friends over at Animal New York tell us this may be Sax’s first interview ever, and we’ve got no reason to doubt them. “He gave us a glimpse into his vinyl collection, which is so massive that records are piled in virtually in every room. Some are even stowed away behind hidden panels, which Sax laughingly pried open with a butter knife to exclaim: More records!” You get the idea. It’s a UK fing. Video After The Jump… (more…) -
Reasoning With Luciano about Reggae, Dancehall & Snoop Lion
Jah Messenger Chats With Reshma B About Bob Marley’s Reincarnation
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard new music from Luciano. But the crucial roots reggae vocalist now on tour and releasing new singles like “You Can Try,” which continues his tradition of constructive roots music with constructive messages. We caught up with Jah Messenger during a recent trip to Phillip Smart’s HC&F Studios. He was working on a new tune with producer Derrick Barnett—former bass player of the legendary Sagittarius band—which sounds like a next certified Boomshot. After the recording session was wrapped up, Luciano sat down with the ReggaeGirlAboutTown for some deep reasoning on topics ranging from the state of modern reggae music, the future of mankind as measured by drooping trousers, and whether Snoop Lion really is Bob Marley reincarnated. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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Reasoning With Peckings “Old School, New Blood”
Reshma B Chops It Up With The Peckings Family
Reshma B dropped by the legendary Peckings Studio 1 in Shepherd’s Bush, West London to chat with Chris Peckings about carrying on his family’s musical legacy. Chris tells how his father George Price aka Peckings grew up with the founding fathers of Jamaica’s reggae industry before moving to London in 1960, establishing what would become a UK reggae institution. Since then his sons have released a string of crucial tunes blending new talent like Bitty McLean, Gappy Ranks, and Christopher Ellis with vintage riddims—winning awards and mad respect along the way. Reshma B even got the scoop on how the link between Peckings and producers like Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster became so strong. Listen up as Duke and Chris Peckings break it all down for the ReggaeGirlAboutTown. Video After The Jump… (more…) -
Toots Files $21 Million Lawsuit Against Bottle-Throwing Suspect
Toots Is Not About To Let This Outrageous Incident Slide
Jamaican music legend Frederick “Toots” Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals fame has filed a $21 million lawsuit in the bottle-throwing incident that took place during Toots’ performance at the Dominion Riverrock Festival on May 18th. Toots was in the middle of his set when he was hit in the head with a vodka bottle thrown by 19-year-old William Connor Lewis. The drunken moron was seen near the stage drinking out of the vodka bottle before he threw it causing a laceration to Toots’ forehead and face. Toots immediately and walked off the stage and did not return. He was forced to cancel the rest of his tour and return to Jamaica to recuperate from his injuries.Toots is suing Lewis for $1 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages. The singer is stated to be in extreme emotional distress and the wound on his face has caused permanent scarring. On top of being sued, Lewis faces a felony charge of malicious wounding and has also been let go from Radford University. Though his lawyer states that Lewis is “very remorseful,” Toots has no plans to drop the lawsuit. Check out the video of the incident after the jump… (more…)
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Chino & Di Genius “Roots Sound”
We Nah Trade Nothing for the Reggae Roots Rock
The Big Ship brothers are best known for blazing up dancehall tracks. Now they’ve come together to bless lovers of classical reggae with “Roots Sound,” a new song that pays tribute to the musical tradition that allowed their father Freddie McGregor to build up the studio they work in every day. Of course Chino and Di Genius gave the whole thing their own next-generation 2013 flair, all while tipping their hat to their father as well as classic tunes by Dennis Brown and Tony Rebel. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
Lee “Scratch” Perry Meets Clive Chin, Part 1 of 2
Two Reggae Pioneers Meet Up Backstage And Reshma B Is There
Dressed in red from head to toe, the Jamaican dub pioneer, producer and provocateur Lee “Scratch” Perry—aka The Upsetter aka Super Ape aka Pipecock Jaxson—took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge on the final night of Red Bull Music Academy’s recent NYC conference. He was backed by the Subatomic Sound System featuring bassy from Dubblestandart, Larry McDonald on pecussion, Addis Pablo, son of Augustus Pablo, on melodica, the Dub Select Horns and Adrian Sherwood of On-U Sound providing the live dub mix. It was one of Scratch’s best live shows in recent memory, his abstract lyrics delivered with maximum focus and a cleverness that belies his reputation as a madman. At age 77, Scratch has inspired countless legends, not least of which is producing many of the songs that shaped Bob Marley and The Wailers’ soul rebel sound. Both Scratch and the Wailers got their start at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One, and both eventually left to work at Randy’s Studio 17 where Vincent “Randy” Chin and his son Clive—not to mention his wife Miss Pat—produced countless classics in their 17 North Parade recording facility. Scratch would go on to establish, and later burn down, his own Black Ark studio. But when Clive Chin dropped by to check Scratch at his recent NYC show, Reshma B was there to reason with two founding fathers of reggae music. Never one to hold his tongue, Scratch lets loose on certain reggae superstars and those he regards as “Vampires” in the reggae business. Warning: Not for the faint of heart. Video After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: “Stepper Takes The Taxi” Sampler
French Sax Master Rides With Sly & Robbie For A Dubwise Xtravaganza
Guillaume Briard, aka Stepper, is a bonafide member of the Taxi Gang, the ace reggae band that has accompanied drum and bass demigods Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. So when the Paris native links with the riddim twins for his own debut album, Stepper has free rein to dig through Sly & Robbie’s bottomless musical vaults and pick his favorites, from classic riddims to brand new instrumentals. Stepper has chosen the tracks with exquisite care—all are bubbling, bouncy and exquisitely mixed by Francophone dubmaster Fabwise. Audio After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Denroy Morgan “I’ll Rise To Fight Again”
Brand New Release From The Patriach of the Whole Morgan Line
You think Major Lazer was the first act to blend dance music and reggae? Well think again. One of the first Jamaican artists to enjoy crossover success in the U.S. was Denroy Morgan with his funky disco selection “I’ll Do Anything For You.” Since that time his numerous offspring have spread roots reggae music far and wide in the form of groups like Morgan Heritage, LMS, and Laza Morgan. A couple years back Denroy Morgan ran into a likkle situation, but apparently you can’t keep a good man down. Since then he’s gotten back in the studio with the Anthem Band to make sure his fans know that he’s still in it to win it. Boomshots is proud to premiere his latest release, “I’ll Rise to Fight Again.” Next Monday May 13th Father Morgan will be celebrating his earthstrong with at SOBs NYC with a few good friends and surprise guests for another edition of Boomshots Reggae Mondays. Come through and hold a joy. Audio After The Jump…
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Reasoning With King Yellowman
There’s No Stopping The King of The Dancehall—And Him Nah Tek Back Nuh Chat
King Yellowman’s reign just won’t let up. In the 80s, he made a massive impact on dancehall that became responsible for the very sound we know and love today. His track record for album releases are more than consistent and his high energy, onstage presence has heralded him a top performer. Now, Reggae Anthology: Yellowman’s Young, Gifted & Yellow, a double CD/DVD anthology of his work, is culminating some of Yellowman’s best songs and performances. Interview After The Jump… (more…)
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HEAR THIS: Shaggy ft. Beres Hammond “Fight This Feeling”
Sly & Robbie On The Riddim + Shaggy & Beres On The Mic = Total Niceness
Since last year, Shaggy has been working on a very special roots rock reggae project with riddims laid down by the legendary Sly & Robbie and guest vocals by a who’s who of reggae superstars. When a Jamaican-born dancehall DJ who’s taken street music to the top of the pop charts joins forces with the greatest drum and bass duo in reggae history, you can expect a game changer. Today we proudly present Beres Hammond and Shaggy on the riddim Dennis Brown used for his immortal classic “Sitting and Watching.” When Beres and Shaggy sing about a love that makes you lose control, it feels like the first time. Audio After The Jump… (more…) -
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Eek-A-Mouse “Ganja Smuggling (live)”
Let’s Start Your 4/20 Weekend Off Right.
As the day winds down some of you are probably already thinking about your 420 shenanigans. Let us indulge you a bit with this 1982 classic “Ganga Smuggling” from the original “Sing-Jay” himself Eek-A-Mouse’s debut album “Wa Do Dem.” Eek-A-Mouse regales us with tales of living in the ghetto and how trafficking the herbs earned him some fresh new jewelry and a young lady on his arm. Roll Up One And Hit The Jump… (more…)