Roots Archives Forum

Really annoying me this one as it is so familiar. Can anyone please remind me of the name of the rhythm playing on this dubplate at Jack Ruby's Anniversary Session (20th Anniversary and not 28th as it says on YouTube).

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpUbF18AJ2o

It's at 1:09 and Briggy is toasting.

Thanks

Rob

I'm pretty sure its this:

http://www.riddimbase.org/riddimbase/qu ... 611&page=1

Hello Rob

It's the riddim commonly known as "The General", which is a version of Channel One's cut The Heptone's hit "Love Me Girl", as covered by The Mighty Diamonds.

Big thanks to Dave and whoever is replying as Mod (is that you Ron?).

I feel stupid now not remembering that it is, of course, the Channel One cut on the Love Me Girl rhythm aka General.

Cheers

Rob

It was interesting that they re-purposed the Diamonds tune into "The General" 5 years after it was released. It was one of those do-overs that omitted the musical bridge ("never let me down, girl....you will wear my crown, girl...")that set the foundation for dancehall versions of older tunes.

Barrington Levy started the revival of it with "Dances Are Changing", and then all hell broke loose!

James Brown: Maceo, take me to the bridge
Maceo: But boss, they removed the bridge, it's gone....... :^)

I was a bit late to the party. I first really became aware of it when it made the rounds again in the early 90's starting with Terry Ganzie's Welcome the Outlaw. Then about a hundred other cuts surfaced. Perhaps it was already redundant to you guys but at the time I thought Terry Ganzie's was a pretty fresh voice and style. He had some good culture lyrics too despite the braggadocio of Outlaw. Didn't last too long, though. Still, I think General is one of those rhythms that can't die.
I might go through periods of being sick of it but take a little break and it comes back sweet as ever.

Dave,

I think I see what you mean. Unlike the Leroy Sibbles original, on the Diamonds cut the rhythm just ploughs on through but with the lyrics from the bridge still there.

Dances Are Changing was an interesting 7" with what, as far as I can remember, is virtually the same cut as the Sound System plates on the version side with the echoed intro and none of Barrington's vocals at the start.

Flashman,
I fully understand what you're saying. A lot of the stuff I listened to in the 70s wasn't original and it was only later I realised they were versions of 60s rhythms. The good rhythms never die.