The Techniques — Queen Majesty (1967)

Rock steady with sweet falsetto harmonies. Yes please. This classic rock steady/reggae tune is a reinterpretation of the 1962 Curtis Mayfield/The Impressions track ‘Minstrel & Queen.’

unouomedudee:

R.I.P. Winston Riley

I’m slowly starting to realize how much influence the music my mom has played around the house has influenced me. I was never even really into reggae, mainly because it was just something I constantly heard. A lot of my mom’s favourite songs, and the songs I heard growing up, were produced by Winston Riley. So it’s weird to think about how someone who I didn’t know of until his death, influenced the way I make songs.

Haruomi Hosono/Bon Voyage Co. — Exotica Lullaby

from Taian Yōkō (泰安洋行) (1976)

Elevator-grade tropical reggae from the one and only Harry “The Crown” Hosono (as he refers to himself on the cover). I would pay top dollar to go on a cruise with Hosono at the helm of the house band. Mai tai, anyone?

This album follows Hosono’s other foray into exotica, 1975’s Tropical Dandy — another palm-swaying delight.

Japanese music nerds: head over to the Voodoo Vault immediately to find this and other rarities.

Sandii — Drip Dry Eyes

from Eating Pleasure (1980)

This is wild — disco-reggae from Japanese/Hawaiian singer Sandii and synth wizard Haruomi Hosono, who produced and arranged the album. (Most of the playing here is by Hosono and his bandmates in Yellow Magic Orchestra.) The wardrobe styling on the cover is apt for the album’s title, I suppose… lettuce cups?

Feel like I’ve been through a washing machine
I’m all washed up and ready to drown
You just locked me in, and took me for a spin
With your drip dry eyes…

Joya Landis — I Love You True

from Moonlight Lover b/w I Love You True 7” (1968)

Sultry love song by American singer Joya Landis, who cut a few sides at Kingston’s Treasure Isle studio in the late 60s. There’s not a whole lot of info out there about Landis, but the story of Treasure Isle is a good one.

Arthur “Duke” Reid and his wife Lucille ran a liquor store, The Treasure Isle Grocery and Liquor Store, on Kingston’s Pink Lane. In the late 50s, after ten years as a cop, the Duke started spending more time at the shop, and wanted to play music to attract customers.

With sponsorship, he started up his own radio show, ‘Treasure Isle Time,’ a showcase for American R&B. He soon built his own sound system on a truck, carting music and booze to dance parties.

Soon thereafter, he and his wife won a substantial sum in the Jamaican National Lottery, and moved the family business to a new location on Kingston’s Bond Street. The Duke built a recording studio above it, which became a legendary fixture of the Kingston ska and reggae scenes.

But Reid never left his policing days behind. His guns were always on display, and he was known to squeeze off a few rounds—even in the studio—if the need arose. Joya Landis was apparently there during one such episode, and, not impressed by that display, never returned.

Marshall Williams — Norwegian Wood (1968)

from Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd Musical Fever 1967-68

Rocksteady reworking of the Beatles, at the hands of Kingston producer Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd.

Not sure if this was a good idea… or a great idea. It certainly sounds less sentimental.

The Soul Sisters — Wreck a Buddy (1969)

Nora Dean and the Soul Sisters’ response to Prince Buster’s grind-worthy anthem ‘Wreck a Pum Pum.’ Classy!

Prince Buster — Wreck a Pum Pum

from Wreck a Pum Pum (1968)

My friend put on this Prince Buster record the other night and we were a bit stunned by the (mis?) appropriated ‘Little Drummer Boy’ melody. It seemed even stranger upon a closer listening to the words, which are essentially an ode to Buster’s lusty member (“Look at my pants-front and you will see, a rod is there, stiffer than me, lord”). Yes. You look up the rest of the lyrics. I’m not posting them here.

The album is terrific from start to finish, as to be expected from such a foundation figure in rocksteady and ska, though Buster has somewhat of a one track mind, with songs like ‘Rough Rider,’ ‘Pussy Cat Bite Me’ and ‘Train to Girls Town.’ If it looks like a sexual innuendo…

The cherry on top must be ‘The Ten Commandments (From Man to Woman),’ which is, well, just what it sounds like—Prince Buster’s almighty proclamation on the proper behavior of women. (‘Commandment Seven: Thou shalt not shout my name in the streets if I’m walking with another woman, but wait intelligently until I come home when we both can have it out, decently. For I’m your man, a funny man, and detest a scandal in public places.’) Insanely catchy tune, jaw-droppingly bad taste.

Ken Boothe — Is It Because I’m Black

from Let’s Get It On (1973)

unholyrhythms replied to your audio post: Syl Johnson — Is It Because I’m Black? from Is It…

There’s a fantastic version of this done by Ken Boothe. Have you ever heard it?

I hadn’t, no — but it’s great! He sounds every bit as fed up as Syl…amazing vocals. Thanks for the tip!

The Mighty Diamonds — Two by Two

from Deeper Roots & Dub (1979)

Wishing everyone a nice weekend, with this recommendation from a taxi driver. Enjoy.

Jackie Mittoo — Juice Box

from Keep on Dancing (1969)

The quality leaves something to be desired but this track is so smoking it’s worth every grainy minute. Like someone dragged the Allman Brothers down to Studio One for a couple weeks and put Jackie Mittoo in charge. This whole album is one stop shopping for groovy dance music. Get it.

I Roy — Hooligan

This song sort of sums up how I’ve been feeling ever since I got back to California… cue, relax, cue again.

If you can make out what he’s saying at the beginning, I’m happy to hear it. “I come to blow your farm!” Anyone?