Roots Archives Forum

12 x 12" killas

Criteria used: (a) Post 1984 (I leave it to another archiver to list pre 1984 12", from "Rock On" to "Border" and so many more) (b) Sure shots. Absolute Killa's. Must have.

In no order of importance:

1. Rumors
2. GP
3. Sweet Lady
4. Mind Yu Dis
5. Tenement Yard
6. Report To Me
7. Same Time I Lost You
8. Don't Call Me Baldhead
9. Reservation (not to be confused with Confirm Reservation)
10.Rude Boy Saddam
11.Quiet Storm
12. Dealing

Bonus: Poorman in Love

Additions welcome.

Jah Guide

Vlad, you're really THE Gregory Isaacs superfan I don't mean that disrespectfully. Keep it coming, we all love Gregory.

I don't get your above post though. Is it an upcoming release? Your own personal favorite 12inches?

This is a selection of 12" issued (a couple recently), not a compilation or an album.

Yes, I think GI rules - amongst best lyric and song writing skills in JA ever, and his style incomparably cool - and I think his post 84 era is worth collecting, as long as you know what to look for. All of above are killer tunes IMHO

Okay I get it now... yeah sure he's clearly among the greatest reggae artists ever, no doubt. One of the few artists of which I also love a lot of his late 80s output. Red rose for Gregory and especially Ruffneck! But Tenement Yard is probably my favorite Gregory tune.

Ruffneck: almost made it to the list...

Red rose: never released as a 12"

Off course loads of great tunes were released on 7" and on albums since 1984.

One 90's tune which must have been one of G Isaacs' favorites is "Same Time I Lost You", which made it easily to my top 12" list. He has recorded at least 4 other versions of this tune, with different producers, all absolute must haves - titled either "Same Time", "9 to 5", or "Lost my Job" - scattered across various album. One is to be found on "Totally Wired in Dub 2 LP" as "9 to 5 dub" (despite the title the vocals are pretty present there). All of them deserve full 12" treatment. Unfortunately, the art of 12" wasn't very much around in the 90s. CD was the format.

The Border
Mr Know It All
My Time
Tide is High
Uncle Joe
Chunnie you are my No1
Private Beach Party
Love me with Feeling
Night Nurse
Rock On
Soon Forward
Sunday Morni

Thank you Lick It Back

So now we have a list of 24 wicked 12" from the cool ruler!

We can add following pre 1984 12"s:

> Secretary
> Wailing Rudy
> If You See My Mary
> Poor & Clean
> Front Door

That's 31 listed so far, all keepers.

> Rising Sun RAS 12" joins the show as post 1984 bonus #2

Is there ever going to be a book on Gregory? I would absolutely love that.

Most of his GG's 12" were covers of Alton Ellis and other rocksteady singers but it's pure class in a rockers style. I'd add both sides of "Tumbling Tears" and "Shake your Dread" as well. Also big up Ranking Barnabas!

Yes! How could we forget:

Just Infatuation, Jah Shake produced 12"