Roots Archives Forum

I don't really like these early DJs. I like Eek-A-Mouse and Yellowman better! I know they are important, but they sound very very aged today...

I like the early DJ's they make a riddim in the mix so much harder. And it is true nowadays you donmnot find that anymore. Only thing is that it is much harder to find a good dj track then a vocal or dub track but when you got one wow wow thinking of Big Youth, Dr alimantado, I Roy etc.

The mighty I-Roy got riddim & soul.....as I would say!

I-Roy No1 followed closely by Big Youth, Dennis Alcapone and the originator U-Roy.

DVC wrote:I don't like any of 'm. I understand their reggae-historical importance, but i don't listen to it for fun. DJ's from those eras sound dated, singers don't (for me). I also don't listen to Dillinger, Trinity, Big Youth, for the same reasons.

I agree with this statement the most out of all the replies so far as well.

U Roy is an originator/ you can't take that away.
When I was young in the 70s I didn't go for I Roy - for one stupid reason - he didn't have locks. I know - dumb. I was young. To me though, heavy reggae = locks back then.

Many years later, in fact just recently, I got the Blood + Fire I Roy comp "Don't Check Me With No Lightweight Stuff' and I was pretty much blown away. Its good, every track is good and his version of Got To Get Away (Man Next Door) retitled Noisy Place is 10/10 for me. I love it.
So - while I would say U Roy is the best / I Roy is only a very small notch down in my current estimation.

u-roy vs i-roy i would say i-roy.
IRoy less toasting on rocksteady rythm and more roots rythms
IRoy got better diction, in fact i think he has one of the best diction of all roots toasters. Sometimes i just dont understand what URoy is saying.
Also i believe I-Roy gives more room to the music, sometimes URoy toast is just overwhelming, it never stop from first to last second of the track...

Best toaster (amongst the "big ones") is trinity, and then u-brown. Main two reasons for me saying this are:

- their toast sounds very musical to me. They dont "talk" that much, rather inbetween toasting and singing, sometimes agressive toast when needed but mostly relaxing lyrics and chanting. Also, they have IRIE IRIE lyrics. They just sing for everyone, not the dreadlocks, not the black or the white. everyone.

- they give IMHO more room to the music. When they come & start toasting they do it hard but when it comes to those 4 dubbed measures at some point they know when to shut up.

if you are unaware of these toasters i would start with:

trinity - shanty town determination (B&A reissue)
u-brown - repatriation (patate records reissue) (big shoutout to them, all the 45s they sold me, all the 60s to 80s dances they organised, all the reissues... bless)

both of those albums have some dub tracks that allows listener to get some rest at key points. The U-brown reissue also has few vocal cuts by al campbell if i reckon.

Also i agree about Dont check me with no lightweight stuff - very good selection. And yes yes yes, black man time is such a good track. Violins in reggae???

^ good post.

i agree about Trinity. Shanty Town Determination is a great album. I missed a TR International original in a closing-down sale round about 1978 that still annoys me.

Another toaster I admire is Ranking Trevor. I lucked out on a signed 'In Fine Style' album recently .... but this is not his best work. All the Channel One singles are fabulous tho.
John Peel used to play Ranking Trevor a lot back in the late 70s. That's where I first checked him.

I also have a Trevor Ranking single - I assume this is RT with his name reversed for some strange JA reason? Or maybe not / he doesn't sound quite the same. Anyone know the story?

ranking trevor single is "pass the chalice"?
trevor ranking i mean

Balughetto wrote:ranking trevor single is "pass the chalice"?
trevor ranking i mean

Its Mr Landlord on Hit Sound. Definately says 'Trevor Ranking on the label. But I think it is RT.

I looked on discogs - there is a separate entry for Trevor Ranking - as you say 'Pass the Chalice' on a compilation.

I-Roy all the way, my fave dj of all time