white boy from new zealand wants low down on buying records in jamaica

[Tyler]

kia ora. im a white bwoy from new zealand and will be in jamaica for 2 weeks in 9 days. and am wanting some info on buying records in kingston, like on where to go, how to stay safe, the vibe in kingston, any stand out crew i should met. i am after old roots, rockers, and 80s dancehall, and anything else really. if anyone has some good info hit me up,
chur

[blakbeltjonez]

i think that record stores in JA are pretty much on life support, although Cap Calcini seems to be doing OK selling represses... but that's nothing you can't get on Ernie B's site.

the record era has been gone from Jamaica for many years - most everything has been picked clean years ago by the Japanese and Europeans. there's only one pressing plant left to even make records.

here is a thread from a little while back regarding the subject of record shops in Kingston

http://www.bloodandfire.co.uk/db/viewto ... on#p282623

and a related thread

http://www.bloodandfire.co.uk/db/viewto ... on#p282623


not saying you shouldn't take some time out and dig around a bit, but don't go thinking you are going to stumble upon a giant trove of old records.

[Billy Boom]

As Blakbelt sez, you won't find anything that's difficult to track down in the record stores. Almost all repress business. There are some nice private collections still around, although you might have better luck looking outside of Kingston.

If you're looking for a safe, cheap, and well-maintained place to stay in Kingston, I highly recommend the Reggae Hostel. Scotty and Sarah are incredibly kind people who will make you feel at home. The cheapest rooms are dorm style (15 US/night), but there are one or two private rooms as well. It's located in the music district of New Kingston and is about a five minute walk from Half Way Tree Transport Center. One of the best hostels I've stayed at anywhere and it's only been in service for about half a year! I'm not affiliated - just would like to see the place grow.

If you're into modern dancehall you'll want to check Stone Love HQ Wednesday nights. Rae Town - a fishing community in Kingston - has a free reggae/soul street dance every Sunday that's definitely worth checking out. There's a party going on somewhere in Kingston no matter what day so keep your ears open. Music nights are mostly sound system stylee, but there are a few live band nights as well.

Have a great time, mang.

[j j]

Yeah Kia Ora bro,
as one kiwi to another make sure you get a Jamaican to show you round Kingston, it will save you time & be heaps safer.
(don't forget it wasn't that long ago that that Maori guy got murdered in Kingston for his celly @ breakfast time with plenty of people around at his motel.)
So be careful. It ain't all peace & love!
Not trying to put you off as it's a beautiful country with some beautiful spiritual people, & i don't know if you are well travelled etc but just be concious that there are alot of guns there.

I hope you have an amazing trip & make sure you tell us how it went!!