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A last dip into 1977 before we get all contemporary again, Elvis Costello’s ‘Watching the Detectives’ was his first single that credited his backing band, The Attractions, and fair reward for the archetypal reggae beat that makes the track. Have a great weekend.
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Let’s continue with 1977. This song should need no introduction. Recorded in London following an attempt on his life, the album Exodus features the one, the only ‘Jamming’. Hooj.
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‘Is A Woman’ is the title track off Lambchop’s 2002 long player. The album sealed Kurt Wagner’s move away from alt-country. The dry sing-speak voice is the same, but in this single – the closing track on the album – Wagner turns his hand to a touch of reggae. As if Randy Newman was backed by the Wailers.
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Since Katy Perry and Taylor Swift’s great strides in the last couple of years, there seems to have been a renaissance in the pop song. This year has seen a plethora of well crafted radio friendly singles… Galantis, Nick Jonas, The Weeknd, Skrillex and Diplo, Years & Years etc. Major Lazer has featured on this blog before, but not for something this humongous. The US-based duo Diplo and Walshy Fire partnered with French producer DJ Snake and Danish singer MØ – and together they dreamt up this global monster. ‘Lean On’ features on Major Lazer’s third studio album, Peace Is the Mission, and like 2012’s ‘Get Free’, there is a distinct taste of reggae/dancehall for the masses. Have a great week.
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Speaking of homage, The Prodigy sampled the song ‘Chase the Devil’ for 1992’s dance floor beast ‘Out of Space’. However, Max Romeo’s original chorus is backed by Lee “Scratch” Perry’s house band The Upsetters. The Prodigy could only do their best to copy some of that Jamaican magic.
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Reggae is the sound of sun. Unexpectedly, the distinctive Dr. Alimantado found fame outside of Jamaica after Johnny Rotten recommended a listen. Hearing the fun-infused pressing Best Dressed Chicken in Town, you can understand how the appreciation crossed genres. ‘Poison Flour’ is a version of a Horace Andy vocal; I guess neither of them are fans of carbs.
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Now for an early take on a classic early dub sound. Prince Fatty is the offspring of producer Mike Pelanconi, who had already made a name for himself behind the desk for Lily Allen. He knows how to pick his singers – ‘Milk And Honey’ features the irie vocals of Hollie Cook. Have a great weekend.
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When I was a lad, the Ozric Tentacles sounded and looked like they had fallen down from a scary outer space and landed in the woods of Wimbledon Common. Someone then handed them a recording contract and in 1990 they released their first major pressing Erpland. I overlook the the album’s spacerock signature ‘Eternal Wheel’ in favour of the reggae-influenced ‘Iscence’. Why? Because there are some vocals; proof of human life.
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I end the week with a Jamaican-born Hopeton Lewis singing his rocksteady classic ‘Take It Easy’ from 1966. Seasonal it is not, but here’s hoping for a ray of sunshine this weekend. Enjoy.
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Taj Mahal has the cool and that’s why this is a third feature in this blog. But ‘Queen Bee’ is the first of the three he penned himself and the only one that he wrote for his 1997 album Señor Blues – a journey through some of his favourite blues styles. As with much his great work, he’s able to blend his influences seamlessly – in this case blues and reggae. Say it’s so, Taj, your queen bee rock you to your soul.
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Released on Graduate Records, ‘Food For Thought’ was the first single to reach the UK Top 10 without the backing of a major record company. It helped that it was released as a double A side along with phenomenal ‘King‘. Their recent feature on Later with Jools Holland was a reminder of just how good UB40 were at the outset, before the 1980s got hold of them.
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I sign out for a summer hiatus with a classic slice of reggae – a true sound for the sun. Joyella Blade’s ‘Cairo’ was released on Virgin’s Front Line label. I’ll be back in mid August. Until then…
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A tribute to legend Bob Marley, ‘Master Blaster (Jammin’)’ brought Stevie Wonder’s midas touch to reggae. It featured on his underrated 1980 album Hotter than July. The song reminds me so much of my childhood – fond and distant summer memories. Have a great week and let’s hope this weather holds out.
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I love Taj Mahal’s breezy cover of Mississippi John Hurt’s ‘I’m Satisfied’. Thank goodness for the freshness that cover versions can bring. Have a great weekend.
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In 1975, Pluto Shervington produced this cover version of the The Allman Brothers Band’s classic ‘Midnight Rider’. Paul Davidson knew that some songs, like some long weekends, just lend themselves to the sound of reggae.
