What happened with the new Kiddus I album "jah power, jah glory" ??

[Chris]

I just received the Kiddus I, "Rocking Rebel" double disc set today. Since no one else has thrown this out there I figured I might as well.

From the liner notes, Kiddus I and a some friends were hanging out in 1981 listening to an old Kiddus I tape. Well, Kiddus I lost his version of the tape, but one of the friends had made a copy and in 2007 they were listening to "the lost tape". Side A of the tape became Vol. 1 and side B of the tape became Vol. 2.

The CDs were made from the tapes and it shows in the sound quality. For historical significance these songs are great, but the poor recording makes them less likely that they will be in my heavy rotation.

Any other other thoughts on the sound quality?

Regards,
Chris

[Jah Bongo]

I know Kiddus I and the history of the tape and it becoming a release. This was Kiddus I's personal pocket cassette that he ran around with in NYC and Jamaica when he was recording in the studios going back and forth. He would play it for different friends while bopping around from place to place. It truly was his personal listening tape for his own music in that period. It contains original versions and mixes of his music that you cannot find on any release. Kiddus I loved this tape which is why the quality is lo-fi. He played that tape 24/7 in a few (like a million) smoke filled rooms (not so good for tape oxides) . Fortunately , Michael Santoro made a copy of it in 1981 (the masters disappeared decades ago), and wondered for almost 30 years why those songs were never released.
When Kiddus heard this tape in 2007 fearing all this material lost, he literally had to sit down from being blown away by it's recovery. It brought him right back to 1981. He was so thrilled to hear those tunes again he instinctively knew it had to be released.
As for the quality.... I listen to these cd's all the time. Granted the sound is not the clearest but it does have a vibe all it's own... sort of like the early Bob Marley recordings. If you listen to Kiddus's vocals and let the music envelop him, I think you will get to the point where it takes on it's own sound dimension. The performances are full of energy and Kiddus is in his prime. I actually prefer "Rocking Rebel" over his other polished releases even with it's flaws and airy - dimensional presence. Listen to the cd's over and over and let them grow on you. They will before you know it. If you let the performances outweigh the sound quality you'll see what I mean. At that point you'll realize that the mixes and mastering on the Dub Store releases don't measure up.... they will seem sterile to you.
Try experimenting with your EQ... this may help as well depending on what system you have.

[Bellyman]

Jah Bongo is telling a great story here, thank you for that.
But that doesn't distract from the shameful sound quality of the CDs. Okay, that's all there is if we have to believe the story, but these tracks really deserve a better mastering at least.

[Chris]

I couldn't agree more with Bellyman!

Chris

[Jah Bongo]

I agree that it would be great enhance the sound quality but as I said before this tape recording is not in good shape. When better technology emerges that can clean up the noise without losing sound dimension maybe this will be digitally remastered and re-released.
The bulk of the budget was spent on mastering to the point where it probably won't break even. This was actually mastered in 3 different attempts in every way possible. Rob Fraboni who re-mastered the entire Bob Marley catalog did his best with it through hundreds of hours. The mastering credentials are there.... hopefully there will be a re-master in sight when digital sound surpasses 64 bit technology.

[Stick-a-Bush]

I haven't bought this yet but I notice from the album cover that it features yet another piece of artwork where Kiddus appears to be nude.

If you've seen the back of the Rockers/Graduation in Zion CD, you'll notice that this is starting to become a theme.

A friend of mine was checking out my CDs the other week and he looked at that and laughed. I never thought of it myself but yeah, he's chasing a (scared looking) sheep naked except for wellies, while holding another sheep to cover his butt, with several smiling sheep in the background.

If you're familiar with the jokes about Welsh farmers, you'll know what I'm getting at. I don't know if Kiddus intended that or not. Maybe he did, just for laughs.

[Jah Bongo]

That is some funny stuff stick a bush.... I didn't notice that myself.
The next time I see or talk to him I'm gonna ask him about this and get to the bottom (no pun intended) of it!