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BLACK MUSIC: JUNE 1975:
[cover=2630,3033][cover=7462,3033]
Lloyd Parks `Girl In The Morning` (Trojan TRLS 109)

Girl In The Morning / Only You / Soul People / Stop The War Now / There Is No Me Without You / Lsten Ronnie / Darling Donna / School Days / Famine / Permanently / Come With Me To The Castle Of Love / Just Do The Right Things:-

* * *

Parks is the all rounder with Skin Flesh And Bones. Singer, bass player formidable arranger, producer, composer. He`s my favourite bass player, but as far as singer/songwriter well. . . .This album lets him down a little in my estimation because it is not an improvement on "Officially" which was good, yet still not special. This is a patchy inconsistent album. The material on side two is poor, a big disappointment since they`re all originals. The songs that come off best are those Lloyd didn`t compose: "Only You", "Stop The War Now", and "There`s No Me Without You".
"Only You" especially is suited to Lloyd`s vocal, which reaches the very high breathless notes quite comfortably. Nice to see Lloydy sticking to earthy reggae but I expected far better material and more imaginative musical arrangements.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JUNE 1975:
[cover=7102,4822][cover=7103,4822]
Tito Simon `This Monday Morning Feeling` (Trojan TRLS 108)

Build It Up / How Many Times / You Can`t Be Serious / I`ll Be True To You / Oh What A Feeling / Easy Come Easy Go / Count The Hours / This Monday Morning Feeling / Read The News / She Ain`t Nothing But The Real Thing / Valley Of Love / Jump Hallelujah / I`m Standing By / Oh Patricia:-

* * * *

What we have here is Tito`s 1973 album "Just Tito" together with the hit single title track and two additions, "Count The Hours" and "Oh Patricia". Obviously a rush job to cash in on his hit, but still a consistent and well produced album. Original songs in a sentimental vein, composed and performed with polish in an honest, imaginative style by an obvious talent. Better than anything John Holt is doing and more down to earth than the hapless, out of touch, Jimmy Cliff. "You Can`t Be Serious", "I`ll Be True To You", and "Easy Come Easy Go"are each in their own way as memorable as the title song. And about four others run it very close. The Johnny Nash song "Oh What A Feeling", could be another hit single, despite Nash`s hit with it.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JUNE 1975:
[cover=2354,2718]
Various Artists `20 Tighten Ups Vol 2` (Trojan TRLS 111)

Lover`s Question - Lloyd Charmers / Nosey Parker - George Dekker / Duke Of Earl - Cornell Campbell / Oh Carol - Freddie McKay / You Make Me Feel Brand New - Boris Gardner / Puppet And Clown - Winston Groovy / Let Locks Grow - Barrington Spence / The Monkey - Count Prince Miller / Share The Good Times - Brent Dowe / Nyah Nyah - Jerry Morris / Bongo Natty - Owen Gray / Move Up Babylon - Johnny Clarke / Kiss Me Neck - The Upsetters / I Feel Sorry - Brad Lundy / I Am Lonely No More - Teddy Brown / I`m Leaving It Up To You - The Maroons / Muhammed Ali - Derrick Morgan / Hold On - Johnny Clarke / Mama Dee - The Starlites / Why Don`t You Do Right - Dimples Hinds:-

* * * *

The prolific Bunny Lee, "the hit man", has produced five of these cuts, including the devastating "Bongo Natty" and the cool, velvety version of "Duke Of Earl". They are both landmarks in production, style and technique: you won`t find records like these being made anywhere outside of Jamaica. And only Lee has the grasp of music to approach two opposing vocal styles using the very same musicians and very similar rhythms, and yet come out with two records so different from each other. They are the best records here. Not far behind come Freddy McKay with "Oh Carol", Boris Gardner`s version of "You Make Me Feel Brand New", "Let Locks Grow" which supports the dreadlocks fad, the dub "Move Up Babylon", "Nosey Parker" and "I`m Lonely No More". All are good for dancing to, fast or slow. "Nosey Parker", recorded in England, sold very well in Jamaica. Also of interest is "Nyah Nyah", sung by Jerry Morris of the Maytals in a style very much influenced by Toots who produced it. A varied and entertainging set.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JUNE 1975:

SINGLES REVIEW:-
by Carl Gayle:-

JUNIOR BYLES: The Long Way / All The Way (DIP 5074).
Byles sounds stoned, pained, confused. His voice, and the elusive lyrics and the sad melody, give the song a hypnotic appeal. Beautiful, but it will probably only appeal to hard core reggae fans. unlike "Curley Locks".

SHARON FORRESTER: Silly Wasn`t I / Funny (Ashanti).
Her reggae treatment of the Valerie Simpson song is refined and subtly polished, so that it appeals to anyone who likes good music, reggae or not. Deliciously done in fact: moody, memorable and quite different.

PLUTO SHERVINGTON: Ram Goat Liver (Trojan 7956).
The words of this song ought to be studied carefully. It`s a classic in the humorous JA folk song tradition. Composed and performed by a witty original talent. See feature on Pluto in this issue.

CARL MALCOLM: No Jestering / Dub (Hoss 74).
One of those records which capitalises on a popular atch-phrase and sells widely for that reason, not because it`s really special. It`s taken at a pedestrian pace, well suited to the present dance moves. Watch out for Big Youth`s version!!!

EMJAY & THE PLUMBERS: Half The Man (La La La) / Gotta Get Back To You (Ashanti 419).
Pop reggae, albeit with an earthy rhythm. The British production becomes uninteresting after a while after a promising intro. Mike Dorane, the man behind this, is a talented artist though.

THE UPSETTERS: Key Card / Domino Game (DIP 5073).
Scratch, the Upsetter, Lee Perry, puts more guts into Ernie Smith`s song but loses some of the charm of the original in the process. The dub side, with the domino players in the background, is red hot.

THE MORWELLS: Bit By Bit / Bit A Dub (Sir Jesus JES 1).
The vocals are flat at key points, so is the musicianship. But then this has often happened with Jamaican recordings and the results have sometimes been extremely good. This is nice to dance to and is quite popular for that reason.

Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JUNE 1975:

SINGLES REVIEW:-
by Carl Gayle:-

DENNIS BROWN: Why Seek More / Instrumental (Trojan 7954).
Niney and Dennis are a positive, original team with the ability to give the youth on the dance floor what they want to hear. A solid all round performance featuring clever use of clavinet. Straight ahead for the rockers.

SIR JABLONSKI: Juk For Jook / Turn Out The Light (Tropical 047).
Calypso styled song lacking in real lyrical humour. The reggae rhythm impedes slightly the rest of the music which captures the calypso feel well.

BARRINGTON SPENCE: Jah Jah Train / Move Yah (Hoss 77).
Good disco sound, the dub especially. With the bass and cymbal drumming driving the rhythm on like a train coming down the track. Barry sounds very much like Ken Boothe as he sings new words to his song "Train".

GENE AND T.T. ROSS: Little Things Mean A Lot / Version (DIP 5072).
A duet. Not a bad try but the female singer is trying too hard to sound like Diana Ross. The rhythm is dated.

GENE AND T.T.: Miss Grace / Graceful Version (DIP 5062).
Not bad for British reggae. As laid-back as the Tymes original which it quite successfully duplicates in reggae style. Has that summer feeling.

DERRICK MORGAN: Ban Your Belly For Me / Belly Version (Tropical AL 043).
Lyrical and vocal style harks back to rock steady. It sounds slightly in the traditional folk song mould. An uninteresting record.

Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1975:

UK REGGAE CHARTS JUNE 1975:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. No Jestering - Carl Malcolm (Horse 74).
2. Words Are Impossible - Cynthia (Trojan 7958).
3. Hurts So Good - Susan Cadogan (Magnet ).
4. Jestering - Shorty And The President (Nationwide 001).
5. I Die A Little Each Day - Leroy Housen (Third World 9).
6. Bongo Natty - Owen Gray (Horse 66).
7. Saddest Moment Of My Life - Jimmy London (Bimbo EM 3).
8. Duke Of Earl - Cornell Campbell (Horse 68).
9. What Good Am I - Jimmy London (Love ).
10. Key Card - The Upsetters (DIP 5073).
11. Bit By Bit - D. Wellington (Sir Jesus 01).
12. Step Forward Youth - Prince Jazzbo (Count Shelly ).
13. Got To Have You Baby - Lord Tanamo (Trojan 7950).
14. South African Reggae - Cedric Brooks & Skin Flesh And Bones (Tropical 046).
15. My Girl - Joy White (JAM 004).
16. House Of Dreadlocks - Big Youth (Attack 8096).
17. At The End Of The Rainbow - Johnny Clarke (Horse 76).
18. The Long Way - Junior Byles (DIP 5074).
19. Bad Da - Gregory Isaacs (Attack 8095).
20. Rock With Me Baby - Johnny Clarke (Attack 8100).
21. Letter To Myself - Errol Dunkley (Fat Man 003).
22. You Baby - John Holt (Trojan 7953).
23. Midnight Train To Georgia - Teddy Brown (Trojan 7957).
24. God Bless Jamaica - Max Romeo (Horse 79).
25. Out Former Parker - I. Roy (Attack 8102).
26. Muriel - Junior English (Ethnic 34).
27. Sad Sweet Dreamer - Dennis Walks (Moodisc 8235).
28. Boogooyagah - Rupie Edwards (Cactus 58).
29. Jah Jah Train - Barrington Spence (Horse 77).
30. Doctor Honey - Maurice Weir (Horse 81).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Just Dennis - Dennis Brown (Trojan 107).
2. Natty Dread - Bob Marley And The Wailers (Island 9281).
3. Live At The Turntable - Various Artists (Trojan 110).
4. Kung Fu Meets The Dragon - The Upsetter (DIP 6002).
5. 20 Tighten Ups - Various Artists (Trojan 111).
6. The Midas Touch - Byron Lee And The Dragonaires (Dragon 5006).
7. Enter Into His Gates With Praise - Johnny Clarke (Attack 1015).
8. Peace And Love - Dadawah (Trojan 103).
9. This Monday Morning Feeling - Tito Simon (Trojan 108).
10. Sit And Cry Over You - Errol Dunkley (Third World 101).
11. 1000 Volts Of Holt - John Holt (Trojan 74).
12. In Person - Gregory Isaacs (Trojan 102).
13. King Tubby Meets The Upsetter - At The Grass Roots Of Dub (Fay FMLP 304).
14. Impossible Love - Honey Boy (Cactus 101).
15. Girl In The Morning - Lloyd Parks (Trojan 109).
16. 24 Reggae Hits - Various Artists (K.Tel N501).
17. Everything I Own - Ken Boothe (Trojan 95).
18. Enter The Dragon - Keith Hudson (Magnet 007).
19. Club Reggae - Various Artists (Trojan 97).
20. Ire Feeling - Rupie Edwards (Cactus 106).

Charts complied with assistance from the following Record shops:
R & B Records, London N16; Joe`s Record Shack, Granville Arcade, London SW9; Intone Records, London SE15; Black Wax, Birmingham B19; Black Wax, London SW16.

BLACK MUSIC MAG JUNE 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JULY 1975:
[cover=2120,2480][cover=6933,2480]
Keith Hudson `Torch Of Freedom` (Mamba MB 002)

Torch Of Freedom / Freedom Movement / Lost All Sense Of Direction / Jah Jah / Five More Minutes Of Your Time / My Time / Don`t Look At Me So / Turn The Heater On / So Cold Without You / Don`t Let Her Teardrops Fool You / Excitement / Like I`m Dying:-

* * *

Hudson`s "Flesh Of My Skin" was a major work in JA music. This album is not nearly so together but it has its moments. It is not the message / concept the title suggests. Only "Torch Of Freedom" itself takes a similar line to the "blood brother" Hudson of the last LP. "Freedom" is a moving song but it`s more of a tribute to ego worship than a song about freedom and uniting the world in love . . ."I was like a tower of power", sings Hudson, "and I saw power, the power and the glory". Hudson does little here to prove that he can really compose. His songs are repetitious and the instrumental reworkings of four songs as separate tracks in their own right Hudson only proves that he was short of material. And his singing, which is his weakest point, is sadly lacking here. But this album was made in a hurry and it does demonstrate Hudson`s ability to make imaginative grass roots sounds for the few. It wasn`t meant as mind blowing music for the critics to applaud. The subject is mostly romantic love, not black history or revolution. This album is still more satisfying than most but if it had surpassed "Flesh Of My Skin" Hudson would now be on a par with Bob Marley. It does not, so Hudson remains underground.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JULY 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JULY 1975:
[cover=3511,3712]
Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus `Nyahbinghi` (Trojan TRLS 113)

Keep Cool Babylon / Rise Jah Jah Children / Pretty Little Face / Carnel Mind / Run Come / Come Down / Jah Got The Whole World / Roll Over Jordan / Cast Them In The Fire / Nyah Man Say / Rasta Man Chant / We`re Marching Into Victory:-

* *

Rasta music is for meditation. It is solemn and unrelenting. It is a prayer meeting with no strings attached. They beat the drums and they sing. The songs concern the ideals of rasta, they praise Jah and often refer to the Bible, the Children of Israel, Ethiopia, and Haille Selassie. They`re hymns and chants, vehicles for the rasta faith, not entertaining music. On record, this type of material has to be really outstanding to work at all. Only "Grounation" by the Mystics had enough beautifully haunting moments to hold the listener, and even that became too much to take after a little while. Only serious rastafarians will play this. Trojan, slow as usual to catch on, will find this was not a worthwhile profit-making venture, admirable as the gesture is. This is not just another LP of Jamaican music. It is an example of the most important form of JA folk music but it has not widened in scope as the rasta culture has matured and become overground. Its cultural stance is still a major source of influence on reggae music, but this undiluted form of presentation restricts its appeal.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JULY 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JULY 1975:
[cover=485,594][cover=7829,594]
Johnny Clarke `Enter Into His Gates With Praise (Attack ATLP 1015)

Enter Into His Gates With Praise / None Shall Escape The Jugement / Move Out Of Babylon / Jah Jah We Are Waiting Upon You / Don`t Talk Too Much / If You Should Lose Me / Left With A Broken Heart / You Are My Woman / Walk Away / My Desire / Hey Girl Don`t Bother Me / True Believer In Love / Please Don`t Go / In Paradise:-

* * *

"As I approach the gates of Zion I can hear the choir singing" sings Johnny Clarke in "None Shall Escape The Judgement". The sound is poetry in motion, a dream fulfilled. Bunny Lee, the hitmaker, makes the best but the best Jamaican rhythms. The first three tracks are Johnny`s biggest hits to date. For me they have all that is good about Jamaican music. Fluidity of movement, a subject matter that is trendy and uniquely Jamaican, and very momorable and singable melodies and lyrics. They make you want to move and sing. Johnny Has a good voice and Bunny`s studio musicians are the best at their trade. Listen to the guitar and organ riff in unison, the flying cymbals, and the wonderful bass playing. Gutsy music, which cannot be fully appreciated outside Jamaica. A few of the tracks here sound like fillers--which is a waste, because Trojan have at least two tracks --"Everyday Wandering" and "Julie Don`t You Know" --that, although they weren`t produced by Bunny Lee, might have been included.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JULY 1975

peace

BLACK MUSIC: JULY 1975:
[cover=2124,2483][cover=5238,2483]
King Tubby Meets The Upsetter `At The Grass Roots Of Dub (Fay Music FMLP 304)

Blood Of Africa / African Roots / Raw Roots / Wood Roots / Luke Lane Rock /
People From The Grass Roots / Crime Wave / No Justice For The Poor /
300 Years At The Grass Roots / King Tubby And The Upsetter At Spanish Town:-

* * *

Grass roots Jamaican music that speaks for the natty locks culture. Instrumental sounds put together by producer Winston Edwards with handpicked musicians: Chi-na and Lloyd Willis (guitars), Robbie (bass), Benbow (drums), Glen Adams (keyboards), Tommy McCook (saxes and flute), Bobby Ellis (trumpet), Don Drummond Jnr. (trombone). The real interest though is focused on the engineering by the ubiquitous King Tubby on side one, and by boss producer Lee Perry on side two, at his Black Art studio. The honours are about equal and the music gripping, if you`re willing to take it for what it is. Each side has one absolute boss track. "Blood Of Africa" and "People From The Grass Roots" are both irresistible rockers dominated by heavy bass and bass drum, and featuring brass predominantly. Both sides are immaculately mixed in the innovative style of the sound master King Tubby with echo cutting in and cutting out, exaggerating and distorting the sound of the drums, cymbals, and rhythm guitar at key points. Melodies matter very little here and there`s no singing but Tommy McCook in particular blows some nice phrases. The emphasis of course is on rhythm. But these rhythms are something else. Clouds bursting, thunder, lightning. You got to play this loud, leave the treble right up, and switch the bass up and down at leisure.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAG JULY 1975

peace