Unreleased Wackies Related LP on 12" Acetate??

[miamiwax]

Ok, I found this 6 track 12" acetate in a pretty nice roots collection that seemed to be a lot of old store deadstock. It has no markings on it whatsoever and came in a textured non die-cut sleeve. I had no idea what it is but it sounds damn nice. Really deep roots stuff. The first track is an absolute winner.

I have audio but get message

"Sorry, you can't post more than 1 link in your first message.
Please remove some links and try again."

Maybe I can post below or send direct..

I listed it online and got a response that a track sounded like a recut version of Ras Toney "Love Rastafari" on Word Of Life Weed Of Wisdom label. If u listen to the track around 4:10 on my clip it does in fact sound like a really slow version of this. Totally different cut but the lyrics and vocals are the same.

I decided to dig a little deeper and I found the only other release from this label is by Rafiel and Ras Brandell "Sprit of 77" .. I relistened to my acetate and found the last song recorded (around 10:00 in my clip) is a totally different version, but the same song. Same groove, the lyrics are changed from "This is the spirit of Rastafari" to "This is the spirit of 77".. same melody but a totally recut version.

What makes it even more interesting is the Rafiel and Ras Brandell 45 is listed on the Wackies discography http://bullwackie.smokeyroom.net/07inch/worldoflife.htm and there is a gentleman by the name of Toney Allen who was a session guitarist for Wackie's named Toney Allen.. possibly the Ras Toney in quesion??

Another interesting point is that the first track on the clip around :24 the singer misses their vocal cue. Rather sloppy and I don't think a version like that would have been released. Also few tracks the run in grooves are extra long run in grooves with 2 or 3 minutes of silence before the songs start. I kinda feel like this was a scrapped LP because of some sloppiness of the band and possible pressing/editing mistake (long cueing).

I have no other indication of any other releases from these names. I really believe this was an unreleased LP.


A few questions:

Is Word of Wisdom / Weed Of Life the name of the label or a band? Labels credit "lead vocalist" and releases by bands usually do that. Also there is a woman singing on the first track recorded. Mulitple singers would lead me to think this was a band's lp or a showcase LP from the label rather than an individual artist.

Label also says "Singers and Players Of Instruments", could this be a possible band/collective name?

Is there a Wackies connection here? I hit up the guy who runs the Wackie's discography site tonight but haven't got a response yet. Does kinda feels like an American/ NY 70's group. Somebody else even noted that on the RKR forum on facebook.

Any info/thought/comments are appreciated! I think this is a pretty cool unknown find!

[miamiwax]

Acetate Audio: https://app.box.com/s/cc0f6qs96ng4fkk58etggmdw4gcsdgnb

[miamiwax]

Ras Toney:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED-wGnX2GBk

Listen around 4:10 on my above link an uw ill hear a slow version of this same track

[miamiwax]

Rafiel and Ras Brandell "Spirit Of 77" audio: http://www.caledoniax.com/sounds/rafael_spiritof77_.mp3

If u listen on my clip at 10:00 u will hear a different version of this same song. The lyrics are changed and there's different arrangements but the melody and groove are the exactly the same.

[=Nilo82=]

Wow, this is an interesting record you found! Can't really help you but to me the "Word of Wisdom / Weed Of Life" version of "Love Rastafari" sounds absolutely like a Wackies production or at least a Wackies recording so I'd follow this clue with Ras Toney. It is also possible that both versions are by the same singer, what do you think?
The amateur-Sherlock in me concludes: this is likely as not a mid 70s NY band who recorded some tracks in 1977 at Wackies studio but not this EP/LP as it sounds quite different from the two 7".
Please keep us updated!

[j j]

You should ask RB from DKR, he's putting out loads of Wackies & is probably in contact with Bullwackie himself?


cheers
j j

[crownark]

I saw a few days ago you posted it for 3 grand on ebay.

Anyways. You are stretching things way to far. It´s not related in any way to wackies.

[crownark]

this is a Bunny Lee thing as everyone can hear.. Most likely a dubplate.

[Satta]

Nice find. Thanks for sharing it with us.
But are you selling it without knowing all the truth behind it yet?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNRELEASED-Root ... 2112592272

[miamiwax]

I obviousy know nobody is likely to pay 3000 bucks for it. I wanted to put it out there and get some attention on it and see if anybody recognised the tracks. That's exactly what happened. I was alerted to the Ras Toney track thru ebay.