Album Title: Dub Plate Style
Artist: Delroy Wilson
Remixed by: Prince Jammy
Release Date: 8th August 2009
Label: Pressure Sounds/Beatback
Format: Single CD/Double Vinyl
CD Catalogue Number: PSCD64
Vinyl LP Catalogue Number: PSLP64
Delroy Wilson / Dub Plate Style
Delroy Wilson was undoubtedly one of the truly great voices of Jamaican music. He started recording in the early sixties and continued singing songs that mattered right up to his untimely death in 1995.
All the tracks on ‘Dub Plate Style’ were originally released in early 1978 on a double album entitled ‘20 Golden Greats’ with no real indication of what might be in the grooves. The set appeared on Count Shelly’s London based Third World label and was never pressed in Jamaica. It sold in very small numbers then disappeared and has since become a valuable collector’s item. At first glance the material on this album might appear unremarkable. You will have seen many of the tracks on singles or on other albums and, in most cases, heard the majority of these songs sung elsewhere by Delroy. But what you will not have heard is these particular songs mixed by Prince Jammy at King Tubby’s studio. Very few singers have what it takes to work effectively over a dub mix but Delroy Wilson did so with consummate ease and Jammy’s empathy with Delroy on this set is abundantly clear.
At the time Jammy was working extensively with the producer of this album, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, and was at the beginning of his own production career. Totally in tune with what was currently being played out on Kingston’s sound systems these mixes were aimed directly at a sound system audience. Consequently they are mixed quite differently from other versions of the same songs. There is little gimmickry involved. By remaining respectful to the original songs Jammy has managed to deliver a different ‘take’ on what’s already there by reducing the material down to its essential elements. A little rawer. A little sparser. A little heavier. And much, much deeper…
There was a brief period, around late 1977, when it looked as if the type of sound system mixes that had always been popular with operators and selectors might actually become part of the reggae mainstream. Ever the entrepreneur Striker picked up on this potential new market and gave these recordings to Count Shelly to release. But the fashion passed and very few releases in this style ever appeared on vinyl. Truly rare and totally unique in the history of reggae this is a remix album from before the genre had become a recognised part of popular culture.
This soulful gem has been remastered from the original master tapes and the superb artwork features a selection of super rare flyers, label scans and photographs lovingly assembled by the Pressure Sounds graphics team. An album for connoisseurs from one of Jamaica’s greatest ever vocalists, Delroy Wilson, as you have never heard him before.
“This album in its own right is not only a unique achievement of a people and their music but it is a memorial in recognition for one of the most talented artists to have been born in Jamaica. For music lovers this album is a must!” Sir Dees
Track Listing PSCD 64
A Bright And Sunny Day
You Have To Get A Beating
I’m Still Waiting
Can I Change My Mind
Find Yourself Another Girl
Ms. Grace
Living In The Foot Steps Of Another Man
Better Must Come
Rain From The Skies
Joe Liges
I’m Doing My Thing
She Is Just A Play Girl
Love Uprising
Here Come The Heartaches
Who Cares
Mash It Up
Stick By Me
You Are Mine
Conquer Me
Do Good (Everyone Will Be Judged)
Track Listing PSLP 64
Side One:
I’m Still Waiting
You Have To Get A Beating
Love Uprising
She Is Just A Play Girl
Here Come The Heartaches
Side Two:
Can I Change My Mind
Who Cares
A Bright And Sunny Day
I’m Doing My Thing
Joe Liges
Side Three:
Ms. Grace
Living In The Foot Steps Of Another Man
Mash It Up
Better Must Come
Rain From The Skies
Side Four:
Stick By Me
You Are Mine
Find Yourself Another Girl
Conquer Me
Do Good (Everyone Will Be Judged)
For further information please contact:
sounds@pressure.co.uk