Roots Archives Forum

Does anyone know when guitar overdubs where first added to reggae tunes (to encourage Europeans to get into reggae)and more specifically I've heard John Martyn spent some time at the Black ARk with Lee perry, which tracks did he play on?

Not sure about guitar but strings used to get dubbed on regularly for UK releases (late 60s on) - eg Bob and Marcia "Always Together".

Did John Martyn record some of "Solid Air" at the Black Ark - not really my bag.

i think it was the "Catch A Fire" LP by the Wailers that was the blueprint for guitar overdubs (i.e., "Concrete Jungle"), presumably to align more with the tastes of rock music fans of the day. i would think that was probably a move done by Chris Blackwell moreso than by any of the Wailers, as lead guitar was not at all a big thing in reggae at the time and rock music in general was not favored by most Jamaicans.

so, that would be sometime 1972-73. but, there were previous instances of fuzz/distorted guitar lines every now and then in a tune - the Winston Wright organ cut to John Holt's "Tonight" has a prominent fuzz guitar riff in it..... that's from 1968, and also Wright's "Psychedelic Reggae" has a fuzz lick buried in the mix.

The one track I know John Martyn did with Lee Perry is called 'Big Muff'. Came on an Island discosingle with 'Johnny Too Bad' on the flip.

Martyn also played guitar on Bree Daniel's "Oh Me, Oh My", his playing is quite prominent in the mix.

sometime in the 70s Chinna Smith got hold of some fuzz effects pedals, cant remember which tracks I think it was Black Ark material,but he came up with some seriously psychedelic guitar licks. Maybe somebody else knows about this...?
I will check out those John Martyn tracks mentioned, thank you.