Boomshots

Tag: Rock Steady

  • HEAR THIS: John Holt “My Heart Is Gone”

    HEAR THIS: John Holt “My Heart Is Gone”

    Celebrating The Birth of a Legend

    On this day in 1947, Winston “John” Holt was born in Greenwich Farm, Jamaica. His destiny in music was clear before he hit his teenage years, and he soon became a standout at the talent show circuit. His first recordings included “I Cried A Tear” for producer Leslie Kong and “Rum Bumper” a duet with Alton Ellis, for producer Randy Chin. He would of course go on to become a founding member of The Paragons, as well as one of Jamaican music’s most successful and prolific songwriters in his own right. He penned a rich catalog filled with internationally known hits, and yet everyone seems to have their own personal favorite John Holt tune. Before he grew his dreadlocks and starting singing more rebellious songs like “Police in Helicopter,” he was known as a romantic balladeer with legions of female fans. Some consider him a pioneer of the lovers rock style of reggae that later caught on in the UK—where he made his home for many years. Somehow John Holt seemed to particularly familiar with the sadder side of love, as he displayed on songs like “Tonight” and this one, which he first recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and then re-versioned for Phil Pratt’s Sunshot label. It hasn’t been quite a full year since John Holt’s death—and there’s something about that first birthday after someone passes away. Those of us who aren’t quite ready to let him go will know exactly what this song is all about. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Kes The Band “Tuesday on the Rocks”

    Rockin’ In Stereo, Stereo, Stereo

    Our favorite new band out of Trinidad just dropped something extra-sweet on the rock-steady Gal Season Riddim. Pass that 1919.
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  • R.I.P. King Stitt

    No Matter What The People Say, King Stitt Led The Way

    Order of merit to the foundation of the music. Yesterday the pioneering DJ King Stitt passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Amy Winehouse “Our Day Will Come”

    The Lioness Roars So Sweetly On This Romantic Cover Version

    “Amy always said, ‘Hey we need a reggae song for this album,’” the singer’s longtime friend and producer Salaam Remi said earlier this week at a listening session for the forthcoming album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which kicks off with a bright & bouncy reggae version of the dreamy Ruby & The Romantics chart-topper from 1962. “This is a vocal that she did early in her career, but in true Amy form. And when I was playing different songs for her family, everybody was like ‘That’s it, the reggae one.’” The same song was covered in 1971 by The Heptones in a dreamy Rock Steady stylee, but Remi’s 2011 remix is steppin’ it hotter this year. (more…)

  • In Memoriam: Leonard Dillon aka The Ethiopian

    Ska And Rock Steady Pioneer Flies Away Home

    The AP is reporting that Leonard Dillon, the founder of the seminal ska and rock steady group The Ethiopians, has died in Jamaica at age 68. (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Christopher Ellis “Willow Tree”

    Fresh Sounds From Christopher, Son Of The Late Great Alton Ellis

    “My dad did a lot for music, but he didn’t really boast about it like he could have,” said Alton Ellis’s 23-year-old son Christopher shortly after his death in 2008. “He’s got a lot of respect, and his name is really big, but financially he’s been robbed over the years. He told me, ‘Son, do not let them rob you like they robbed me.’ ” But weep not. Christopher Ellis is making music with the Ghetto Youths International family, and that’s a very good thing. (more…)

  • Tribute To The Late Great Sonia Pottinger 1931-2010

    8 Certified Boomshots From Reggae’s Foremost Female Producer

    To say the reggae industry is male dominated might be the understatement of all time. Jamaica’s first, foremost, and arguably only serious female producer was Sonia E. Pottinger, who died last Wednesday November 3rd at the age of 79. Introduced to the music biz by her husband Lyndon Pottinger, she opened the Tip Top record shop in 1965 and started producing the following year. Serious selectors covet all the rock steady and roots classics released on her Tip Top, Highnote, and Gayfeet labels. In 1974 Pottinger bought Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label shortly before his passing (and she won a big court case just last year retaining her rights to the legendary imprint, which she soon made available online). She was eventually recognised with the Order of Distinction for her contribution to the development of Jamaican music

    “Ms. Pottinger, I rate her highly,” legendary soundman Winston “Merritone” Blake told this Sunday’s Jamaica Observer. “For her to enter the music scene at the time she did, going up against the giant record producers in Coxsone and Duke Reid, required tremendous courage. And the kind of music that she produced was unquestioned. They have stood the test of time.” On that note, let’s rewind back some of Ms. P’s Certified Boomshots… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Toots & The Maytals “Daddy”

    Special Request And Big Respect To All The Real Dads Out There.

    “Rimi Niya Simi Niya Rima Niya Sima Sima Sima Niya Keith…. That’s my new name! (I just don’t know why you’re calling me this name.)”