Roots Archives Forum

I have a wicked track called "To be Poor Is A Crime" by a band called Still Cool.

Can anyone give me some info on them.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave,
you dug out a real stormer. A Jah Shaka classic, this song was the blueprint for Freddie McGregor's hit of some years later.
Another great tune is 'Insane Love' on Hitrun records.

The story behind Still Cool is a tragic tale of business quarrels. Head of Still Cool and writer of these songs is a man called Joseph Blue Grant who is still fighting to regain the rights of his songs. Born in Linstead, JA, he has been living in Germany since the early 1990s, trying to make a living selling records and merchandise at reggae concerts.

And what a strange coincidence it is that you are coming with this topic right now as this man has just released his very first album under his own name, titled 'Can't stop the music' (Megga Force label).

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... =116462535

Is there any relation to the 'Still Cool', who released song called What A Shame (produced by D.Swaby)?

Hey Bellyman, thanks for the info.

Is your knowledge based in reading or do you know the guy as you too are based in Germany.

I am also surprised that is is a Shaka production, what year was it ?

Dave

It was actually a Stereo Fletcher production licenced to Shaka circa1981. It's the same group on the Ja Man tune. There is a beautiful clip somewhere on youtube of Blue and the group singing this hair-raising tune back in the day like a dread O'Jays.

Its quite uncanny, I'm just converting To Be Poor is a Crime from vinyl to MP3

Both, the "To be poor is a crime" & "Insane love" 12" Discos are produced by C. "Stero" Fletcher. I have a copy of the "Insane love" disco on C.R. Fletcher's own "Stero" record label, very excellent UK press, wicked mix engineering too!!

The "To be poor is a crime" Disco on the Shaka Music label is NOT a Shaka Production, just released on his label.

No different than the Twinkle Brother's "Faith can move mountain" Disco on the Shaka Music label...NOT produced by Jah Shaka, but by Norman Grant...as well as Ras Imruh ASha's "Marshal" (Prod. by N.Bailey), Sister Audrey's "English Girl" (Prod. by Mad Professor/ariwa), Bim Sherman's "Happiness" (Prod. by Thomas & Hughes), Earl Cunningham's "african Man" (prod. by Art & craft), Johnny Clarke's "Got to be strong/babylon" (prod. by Channel One), Pablo Gad's "King of Kings" (Prod. by Pablo Gad), and Vivian Jones' "red eyes/got a light" (Prod. by Viv Jones).
Don't get me wrong though, I would not doubt it if Jah Shaka helped engineer some of these tunes, If not do the mixing on the b-side Dubbs! They obviously sound "Warrior style".
But just keep in mind that all tunes on certain labels are not always produced by the owner of said label.

Quote Mr Bellyas;
"There is a beautiful clip somewhere on youtube of Blue and the group singing this hair-raising tune back in the day like a dread O'Jays."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ofeUrtTX8

Told yuh! Nice one Mr B.