UNKNOWN U.ROY LP? "DREAD IN A AFRICA"

[gazwell]

Hi
Does anyone know anything about this LP?? I have googled it but have so far failed to come up with any information about it. I know almost all of U.ROY'S recordings, but have never come across this before,and even serious reggae collectors that I have spoken to about it have never seen it. It is on the GG'S HIT label from 1976,and the label itself is yellow. The only matrix number I can find on the run off groove is DSR1864. The credits are as follows:- written by U.Roy and A.Ranglin,produced and arranged by A.Ranglin,backed by Skin,Flesh & Bones. It is in a plain cover (actually it is an LP cover by a gospel artist turned inside out!!)bearing a "Tonys Record Mart" record shop label saying "manufactured in Jamaica,45 Slipe road,Kingston,JA W1,Telephone 92-26821. The artists name and LP title have been hand written on both sides of the cover. The "A" side is made up tracks on which U.Roy is toasting, and the "B" are all dub tracks. The track listing is as follows.
A SIDE
1)CHILDREN OF JAH JAH
2)MOVE OUT OF PHARAOH LAND
3)DREAD IN A EARTH
4)DREADLOCKS IN AFRICA
5)NANA BANANA
B SIDE
1)IDLERS REST
2)GHETTO DUB
3)RENTU SKANK
4)DANGERS TRACK
5)WAR IN A JAM DOWN
I would have provided photos here if it were possible to attach them,unfortunately there is no provision for that on this forum. Any info provided would be gratefully received.

[gbougard]

there is a dread inna babylon and jah son of africa
maybe its a compilation of the two?

Just kidding
Tony's mart is Tony Robinson, aka Prince Tony

[Bellyman]

Must admit I never heard about the existence of this record before and it gives a whole heap of questions.

Facts I know:
- the colour of the GG's Hit label was also yellow in the mid70s
- Nana Banana (Side 1, Track 5) was a 7" recorded by U Roy for Alvin Ranglin

Guesses that could be true:
- Move out of Pharaoh land (Side 1, Track 2) probably is a DJ-track on 'Blow wind blow' by Freddie McKay (to be confirmed by gazwell please), see track 12 on "Macca Rootsman Dub" for reference http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1 ... ight=19986

- the dub tracks on side 2 do not correspond to the dj tracks on side 1, is that so?

A final question to gazwel: where does your information about the credits come from when this album has no sleeve? Label information on GG's feature artist/producer/distribution but nothing about musicians involved.

Just trying to help;)

[vlad]

Please scan the label and upload it on facebook or photobucket.

Based on Bellyman's point: "A final question to gazwel: where does your information about the credits come from when this album has no sleeve? Label information on GG's feature artist/producer/distribution but nothing about musicians involved.", I am starting to wonder if gazwell is not having "fun" here. Why would such an LP - incl. great track like Nana Banana - not be released more widely then, and not spotted until 2013 by "us" here...

[lester]

The LP seems to be included (number 17) in a list of albums from BLACK MUSIC September 1976 posted by stepping razor in 2008:

http://www.roots-archives.com/forum/rea ... 110,page=7

[gazwell]

To Vlad and bellyman ,the credits provided are all on the record label. Also Vlad, you do not know everything about reggae. I grew up in Peckham in the 70's and was surrounded by great reggae record shops (there were at least 6 in and around rye lane), clubs (bouncing ball,peckham settlement etc)as well as sound systems. My dad had a shop in peckham and Freddie Mcgregor,Tapper Zukie, Brigadier Jerry and janet kay and two members of Cymande were all regular shoppers there. My friends cousin also ran the Soferno B sound system. But even with this background, and a large record collection I dont pretend to know everything. I can provide photos if you provide an email address. And thanks to lester, who is the only person on here who has added anything concrete to this discussion.

[Roots Archives]

Well, if Gazwell is just having fun here, he's doing a hell of a good job.
As I am updating my U-Roy discography, I have requested images of the label/cover, so I can add it to my discography.
I haven't requested any mp3's, as i think that would be a little rude/inappropriate. Although I wouldn't mind samples of the song to check them.
As a pretty huge U-Roy fan, I must admit, it looks like there's only the one song (Nana Banana) that I seem to know. Although I don't know about any 7 inch, I do know this particular song was released as a 12 inch.

If Gazwell, doesn't mind, i will post a link for an image of the label.

[gazwell]

please post the link as this will show all the details.

[vlad]

Gazwell, black music list proves your point (with Nana Banana released as single at same time, making it even more plausible), sorry SORRY SORRY

All right: so, now, lets guess why on earth this one is close to invisible on the radars. Sure, 7" and obscure reggae bands can go uncovered for a while, but a U ROY LP in 1976, that's a funny one. Recall the release of the so-called U Roy "lost channel one album" not that long ago, well here we go with the "lost GG album"!!!!

I wonder if Virgin purchased the rights of it back then, to enable the promotion of a similarly titled LP - Dread In A Babylon - to launch U Roy's career. After all, around 1975-1976, Richard Branson probably thought he'd find a Bob Marley contender with his Virgin label, signing many greats. This could explain - maybe - that just a very very few pre releases ever saw the light of day!

Is it any good?

[Roots Archives]

http://versiongalore.smokeyroom.net/dreadinaafrica.jpg