George Phang Power House Selectors Choice

[Rootsman]

I just wanted to mention the 4 volumes that have come out just recently of George Phang Power House productions.

I am not a big fan of the digital sound and was a bit sceptical when I purhased them as many of the tracks are unknown to me.

But have got to say that they are superb, the musical selection is spot on , the spund quality is superb and the the packaging is pretty good too.

Each volume contains 2 disc each 20 tracks on each disc containing around 70 minutes of music. Totals 160 tracks conaining from 2-5 tracks of sevarl great riddims.

I would highly recommend these CD`S, they are superb.

Dave

[Collie]

Rootsman,

I agree entirely, just got delivery of the 4 volumes last week...some great tunes from the early digital era....or what one of non reggae listening friends tagged as New Romantic Reggae back in the early 80's.

some nice pics in the liners too and I love the way the tunes are sorted riddim wise....tracks on heavenless, java, hypocrites, solomon, shank I sheck, storm, mr. bassie etc etc....

Well worth a punt !!

[danielmak]

Anyone know how close you are getting to complete albums of some artists given the quantity of tracks? To be more direct, I had been hoping that the Half Pint, Charlie Chaplin, and Sugar Minott albums would actually be reissued but that hasn't happened and this seems to be as close as I can get. It would be a drag, though, to be 2 songs short of a complete album for those artists listed. Take care.

[hans]

[Greetings](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/4156) from Half Pint & George Phang is released on 17 North Parade
[cover=8436,4156]

[selecta bing]

17 North has been re~issuing these artists with bonus and extended versions
( as above )so you could go either way really, full albums or the compilations.
I love this era for its humour,style,talent and originality.
All done over classic riddims.
The Makasounds Rubber Dub Soldiers compilation is a great example too.

[seb]

A contest where our users will be able to win this set will soon be online. Later will come another contest with the randy's cd+dvd set to be released by 17 North Parade as well.

Keep your eyes open

[Rob Strictly-Rockers]

Dave,

I was interested that you classified Phang's Powerhouse output as digital. My recollection was that a lot of the Powerhouse stuff was early 80s and used electric bass rather than Steely & Cleavie type keyboard/processor generated instruments. I always thought of George Phang and Junjo Lawes as pre-digital and Jammy as Digital.

Maybe that is why you like it?

Regards

Rob

[Rootsman]

Hi Rob,

I would class the George Phang Power House sound as the beginning of the digital revolution as I think digital elements were being introduced to reggae long before Jammy fucked things up with Sleg Teng.

I think the early 80`s changes that took the music from strictly analogue to a more digital sound (as epitomised by George Phang) was a positive and exciting change that brought along some fantastic music.

The Jammy Sleng Teng that followed took the music one step too far, this to me was electro/computer style reggae that had a full blown digital sound.

So I guess when I call George Phang digital, its because of the electric bass sound rather than the strict anologue sound.

Dave

[Rob Strictly-Rockers]

Hi Dave,

Sorry Dave,

I think I caused some confusion here. When I said electric bass I meant standard bass guitar. I am with you on the excitement of the early 80s stuff. The rhythms suddenly got "hard".

I found Sleng Teng just as exciting as the Phang and Lawes stuff though. The first time I ever heard it was at a big Soundclash in Brixton Town Hall. I think, from memory, it was Unity Hi Fi v Coxsone Outernational. The crowd wouldn't let them stop playing it and they must have nearly worn the dubplate out.

Regards

Rob

[Rob Strictly-Rockers]

Forgot to mention, for anyone who likes the George Phang sound there is a classic live Sound System album: George Phang And Friends At Skateland Live (Powerhouse 1984). Great Djing over cut down rhythms like "Shank I Shek" and "Buy Off The Bar"(Mojo Rock Steady).

Rob