Roots Archives Forum

Is it really the drum sound on George Phang's productions that's electric, those what were they called Simmonds drums with that squelchy bass drum sound. I was amazed to see there were 4 double CDs of Powerhouse stuff released recently but there must be a lot of rhythms used several times as pick any two of the original albums and you get a lot of overlap. Not to mention dodgy pressings - did anyone ever have a clean copy of the "Buy off the Bar" album?

Jesco

The funny thing is Sly & Robbie played drum and bass, or that is to say Sly programmed the computer drums:D:D

PS sorry I should have gone right back to the start of this thread before posting my comments about reuse of rhythms!

Jesco
(Suffering from heavy cold and lack of sleep)

I must admit that I had to overcome my usual prejudice of having all the tracks on vinyl since their original release but this 4 x 2-CD-collection is simply THE BEST DANCEHALL RELEASE IN YEARS!

Wonderfully collected riddim by riddim in all their versioned glory, played by the Powerhouse team of Sly and Robbie and even if the sound could be better sometimes, the editing was done very well.

To all of you who think that this is 'digital', LISTEN to it and you will find lots of tracks without a simmonds-drum-sound. Especially on the tracks from the last days of Powerhouse, recorded towards the end of 1985, Sly played his 'natural' drums and the mix returned to a more dry and heavy dancehall style. Nuff examples on these plates.

My vote for record(s) of the year is already clear.

Just *bitten the bullet* and ordered Volume 1!

Rob Strictly-Rockers wrote: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

Still got that on vinyl, very good. I like the Buro cut at the start.

Yes, great start to the album that. Phang's cut of the "Heavenless" rhythm I think?

My favourites are the two Dickie Ranking cuts:
"Smokin' A Human Enemy" about the evils of smoking; and
"Whole Heap A Liquor 'Pon We Table" on the Buy Off The Bar rhythm.

Regards

Rob

Greetings,

to those looking for the full LP's of some of this Powerhouse stuff. Check out Ernie B's he still has around 8-10 LP's still available. Such as Charlie Chaplin,Frankie Paul, Half Pint, Winston Hussey, Michael Palmer, Little John, Toyan & Sugar.

I love this era of early dancehall. Sly & robbie run the riddims and fine tune it to a simplistic slamming 80's sound that you just don't hear anymore. I would consider this sound to be classified as early digital along with the harry J "Sunset" stuff & some of jammys tunes that were playing around the same time. Jammys of course upgraded to the computerized riddims along with Harry J. But for those who don't know around 86-87 sly & robbie step out of the Powerhouse studios and Steelie & cleevie steped in. Admiral Bailey has has a LP on Powerhouse with all didgital riddims along with Conroy Smith, and many others. I have a few 12"s of this stuff and it's wonderful. I would like to who else was running things out of Powerhouse around this time.

Also don't forget the other live session LP "Powerhouse Presents Strictly Livestock" on Greensleeves. Pure Niceness..
Respect....

I still have not had an opportunity to listen to the Live at Skateland LP...Strictly Livestock is a reat live album! Speaking about the dodgy presses....yes there have been some shady (re-)presses but YOU KNOW when you get an original because they play exceptionally clean!!! Funny though, cause It took me a while to believe that there actually WERE original presses, as I began collecting in the 90's, I was beginning to believe they ALL were dodgy presses. But they're NOT!

***New question: regarding the Frankie Paul meets Echo Minott (powerhouse) LP...I know that the echo minott songs can be found on his "Showcase" LP (Jam Can), but where can the Frankie PAul tunes be found elsewhere (on a cleaner press?) & Possibly with other tunes (like the Echo LP)?

Anybody know?

BTW: If anybody has a copy of the "George phang and friends" LP, for sale, please let me know (PM me) . Thanks for any help.
ADam

Hi jahadambom,

the original press of the 'Frankie Paul meets Echo Minott' is one of the cleanest pressings from JA you can put your hands on!

And no, the Frankie Paul tracks cannot be found anywhere else. Imho, 'Come Home' and 'Wicked and Dreadful' stand among the very best performances FP (or any other artist) EVER put on wax.

Would love to have the backing tracks as instrumentals or dubs from that whole album!