Roots Archives Forum

Plain and simple, I'd like to know if there are any more versions to the rhythm on Sheila Rickards' *Jamaican Fruit of African Roots* or *The Dub Station* from *King Tubby Meets The Agrovators At Dub Station*.

There is one more Dub that appeared on the original Monica's Lp,-a confusing one that seems to have been mixed by Tubbys and re-dubbed in Canada by John Forbes of Chalawa -The 10" Reissue contains that as well. I
t was never voiced on by any other singer, which is kind of surprising given that it's a Bunny Lee production.
Cheers!
Chris
Shella Records

Here's the Dub I mentioned titled "Roots Jamaica Dub"-I credited it to Aggrovators as there was so much confusion around who mixed it:
http://shellarecords.com/listen/

@ Chris

Nice one for releasing this. I just bought it today a very striking vocal.

Good on you for trying to track her down, it would be a beautiful post script to the story if some money could its way to her or her family as a result of this.

What a pity she didn't get to do a whole album of striking roots in the same vein as this one track

Thanks for the support Congo Bunny-
This is something I'm working on right now. I have been dreaming of discovering more Sheila tunes in this vein but it seems this track was a total one off. She was a Jazz singer and live performer who barely recorded and left the island for America when quite young. She only returned to Jamaica for a few visits after that. The "Jamaican Fruit.." tune was cut during one of these visits.

Here's a super early ska track she did when a teenager with Mapletoft Poulle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXIzQ2k0vI


Cheers!
Chris
www.shellarecords.com

Thanks for the great info, Chris! It's a shame that this is the only cut on the rhythm, because it's smashin'! Would love to hear Johnny Clarke on it, for example.

Your journey to track down this tune and Sheila sounds very interesting. I'm much looking forward to the documentary!

earl grey wrote:. I have been dreaming of discovering more Sheila tunes in this vein but it seems this track was a total one off.

I love the way reggae throws out these artists who did a handful of tracks but by the talent they display on said tracks you wish that they'd made half a dozen albums.

The lyrics to JA fruit seem amazing, I've only listened a couple of times whilst working today. I'm looking forward to a proper listen tonight

Will check out the ska tune too

Cheers Max! Yeah-why didn't Johnny Clarke or Cornell do anything on this tune? I can say that it was built specifically for her, but still. I feel like the Goldfinger intro is a bit of a nod to her jazz vocals too. Congo Bunny, the lyrics always remind me of a Reggae "Strange Fruit".

The lyrics are basically the same as the ones in the original, *American Fruit, African Roots*, aren't they? Despite that it was fitted to the song, I think they could've squeezed in a little DJ version or something. It has surely been done before.

Yes Max, well spotted! It looks like it is based on an earlier soul song, but has a very different feel to the piano ballad by Zulema. A Dj version would be great-a little busy though for a dj to ride well though I think.