The video actually tells a deeper story than the lyrics do. But what really has me hooked on this is the magic instrumental…
Tag: Jamaica
19/05/2021: “No Way No Better Than Yard” by Admiral Bailey
This was released in 1988. And if you listen, Admiral Bailey lays out the state of the world at the time. President Botha in South…
14/05/2021: “Live Good” by Burning Spear
As I’ve written previously, Burning Spear are among the roots reggae greats. The spiritual, righteous classic 1975 LP, Marcus Garvey, contains several brilliant songs, including…
06/05/2021: “Lef Them To Time” by Burro Banton
Burro Banton is a dancehall staple. With a career spanning from the 70s to the present, he played a key role in the development of…
01/05/2021: “Who The Cap Fit” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
“Who The Cap Fit” is a cautionary tale. The title means that people should accept their wrongdoings. Marley takes aim at false friends, backstabbers and…
28/04/2021: “Live Up” by Cutty Ranks
Cutty Ranks, to this day, remains one of the best Dancehall artists to grace the mic. His output in the late 80s and early 90s…
20/04/2021: “The System” by Michigan and Smiley
Vocal duos were fairly common in dancehall during the 80s. Think “Uptown Top Ranking” by Althea and Donna. Papa Michigan and General Smiley were the…
04/04/2021: “Carefree Dub” by King Tubby and The Aggrovators
The rich, warm tones of King Tubby are unmistakable. The pulsing bassline provides a solid foundation for the track, but the melodic power of the…
29/03/2021: “African Child” by The Heptones
As with many older roots reggae songs, it can be hard to pin down a song’s exact origin. “African Child”, sometimes spelt “An African Child”…
28/02/2021: “Caution” by Bob Marley
Released as a single in 1971 with “Stop The Train”, this lesser known cut also appeared on The Best Of The Wailers. Despite the name, that isn’t a compilation,…