Thank You Gregory Isaacs

R-O-C-K-E-R-S Rockers!!!

I couldn't resist after posting the Kiddus I track, posting at least a couple clips from the movie. If you don't know this movie, go watch it, if you do know it, watch it ten more times.

Graduation In Zion

I have been thinking about the movie Rockers a lot lately. Probably my favorite reggae movie of all time. I recently just got a couple albums from Kiddus I that helped me get on the Rockers memories. Here is the track from the movie that he plays in the studio.

Kiddus I - Graduation in Zion

Amy Winehouse Ska EP

Just came across this Amy Whinehouse Ska Ep that was released this year on a limited press 7". It is four tracks of classic ska covers, and she does a pretty good job at it. I know that a few of these tunes have been staples in her live set.

It's good to be back from festival land, and sorry about the gap in posts. We should be coming in hot now that summer nears it's end. Anyway, here is a track from the Ep.

Amy Whinehouse - You're Wondering Now

Ky Mani Marley Northwest World Reggae 2007

Here is the last clip I am going to post from last years festival. It is Ky Mani Marley, who despite some technical difficulties in the first couple tunes, delivered a mesmerizing performance, definitely invoking the spirit of his father.

Ras Attitude & Jah Sun NWWRF 2007

This is a clip of Ras Attitude with Jah Sun on a beautiful saturday afternoon.

Luciano & Mutabaruka, Rocker T NWWRF 2007

Here are a couple more clips from last years Northwest World Reggae Festival outside Eugene, Oregon. First is the intro to Luciano's set with Mutabaruka on Saturday Night. His set was definitely a highlight for me. Next is a clip of Rocker T being backed by the Escort Service Band.

Mark Wonder Northwest Reggae 2007

With the Northwest World Reggae Festival 2008 just over a week away I thought I would post some vid's from last year to tempt you just in case you were thinking of passing it up. The clip below is Mark Wonder being supported by The Escort Service Band, J. Ross Parelli, Lambsbread on trombone (The Instigators), James on sax (Reeble Jar). I apologize for forgetting the other back-up singers name.

Sound of the City

I have been listening to a lot of old school reggae from the 70's lately. I have found lots of cool stuff that is so hard to get thanks to the internet and blogs. I would like to give a shout out to the folks over at Jah School for providing this track in one of there 7" packs a while back. The track here is Sound of the City by Joe Higgs and Jimmy Cliff, released in 1978. The late seventies were definitely a special time for reggae as this tune will attest.

Joe Higgs & Jimmy Cliff - Sound of the City

Lafa Taylor and others at 3rd Annual Tayberry Jam - Reggae on the Mountain

I have been meaning to post up a track from Lafa Taylor's cd Different. This weekends festival, The 3rd Annual Tayberry Jam - Reggae on the Mountain, outside of Cottage Grove Oregon, gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. Lafa will be playing there on Saturday evening along with Clinton Fearon, Jah Sun, Prezident Brown, and many more. It will be a great opportunity to see some great music at a great venue, Cougar Mountain. The Festival is three days with lots of bands all day everyday as well as many spoken word presentations.

Back to Lafa Taylor. He is a multi talented MC, Electronic Wizard, and Beatboxer. His CD Different has been out for a while now and should be in your collection. He mixes hip hop and reggae and often collaborates with Marv Ellis, another extraordinary MC from Eugene. You can pick up his music at his website www.lafataylor.com, as well as lots of other info and some free downloads and bunch of videos. Below is a video of the track Rolling Dough off of the Different CD.


And here is a track that you can download from his website:

Lafa Taylor - Making Love

When You Play Dancehall

There have been a lot of mixes of the popular track Mad Again by the South Rakka's Crew. The EP has been a solid seller and if you don't have a copy go check them out. They have been responsible for a number of famous rhythms over the past years, most notably the Coolie Dance. Although Mad Again is a great track as are its many remixes, I felt that more of the EP could use some shine. Here are a couple more of the tracks that I like a lot. But generally the whole thing should be in the collection.

South Rakkas Kid Foreigner - Hotter Than Them (extended mix)




South Rakkas Sandy Smith ft. Geefus - When You Play Dancehall

Happy Summer Solstice

Got a couple big chunes off the Roots Tonic Riddim from Hi-Score Music in 2005 to bless up the summer solstice with.

Chuck Fender - Higher (Roots Tonic Riddim)

Jah Mason - Mi Chalwa (Roots Tonic RIddim)

Northwest World Reggae Festival 2008

Announcing the Northwest World Reggae Fest 2008. This festival was the best time I had last summer. Great Music at an incredible venue with lots of down to earth cool people, put together and run by incredibly cool down to earth people with lots of heart and soul. The sound system is one of the best in oregon and the line-up offers a lot to look forward to. You can get ticket info through the website link below. See you there!

Northwest World Reggae Festival Official Website

Djambi from Brazil

Djambi are an awesome roots reggae group out of Brazil. I found out about them through a friend of a friend in Eugene who sometimes plays keyboards with them. I had the pleasure of seeing them last summer and thought they were awesome. So waking up on this rainy spring morning I needed some roots to get that irie feeling going and thought of this song I have had in my Ipod. Also check out there myspace and show them some love.

Djambi - O Que Sera



Djambi Myspace

Heart of a Lion

OK, so I have been slacking for a while now. I will admit, though I have my moments, I am not always the best blogger. But with out apologizing too much, for it is my blog, here is something to hopefully get back on track.
This is a seven inch by Shabba Ranks that I got a while back. The Rhythm is a dubbed up version of Heathen by The Wailers. Shabba does great in true Jamaican DJ dancehall style over the old classic.

Shabba Ranks - Heart of a Lion

Shabba Ranks - Heart of a Lion (Version - Heathen Riddim)

007 Shanty Town

I saw Desmond Dekker a couple times back in the early 90's. I remember one of the shows well at a little club in Eugene called Goodtimes. He absolutely killed it. This rhythm has always been one of my favorites. The song is always stuck in my head after watching The Harder They Come movie. A lot of heat came out this past year on this rhythm keeping is as fresh as ever.

Shaggy ft. Rik Rok and Tony Gold - Bonafide
Red Fox - I Don't Think So
Rayvon - Arm of the Wicked
Desmond Dekker and the Aces - 007 Shanty Town
007 Shanty Town Version

Lafa Taylor Last Friday Night

Got a last minute call spin this past Friday before the bands took the stage at the Summit Saloon and Stage. Lafa Taylor was in town, with Marv Ellis in tow, backed by the Escort Service Band. DJ Marko opened the live music for the night, again backed by ESB. The Northwest really has got some great music happening again. Lafa and Marv, both have been holding it down for more than a minute, but this past year the ante has been upped. They really know how to work a crowd up into a frenzy, most of whom I don't think planned on being frenzied up either. But you can't stop a good time once it gets rolling. DJ Marko came correct with the reggae riddim Jamacain style DJ banter. Check out all these guys when you can. And definitely pick up their music, which you can find on their sites (links below). ciao!

www.LafaTaylor.com
Lafa's Myspace

www.MarvEllis.com
Marv's Myspace

DJ Marko Myspace

The Mouse is in the House

I just confirmed for tomorrow night to open for Eek-A-Mouse at the Domino Room in Bend, Oregon. I will go on about 8:30pm. It is the second time in less than a year he has been back in the area. I was at the last show, and was surprised by the turnout on the cold winter evening. Tomorrow promises the same I hope. And I just got set up with Serato Scratch Live (which is the most freaking awesome software I ever have used) in the nick of time. DJ Witts is moving into the future and with king of ad lib. Bing bing bong bong, bong bong ba bing, bing bing bong bong yeah! Cross my fingers that the laptop behaves itself. Here is a vinyl rip from the Mouse's famous debut album Wa-Do-Dem.

Eek-A-Mouse - Ganja Smuggling

Don Dignitaries - High Grade Export

Happy New Year! It was a memorable year past and I am looking forward to a positive one ahead. I ushered in 2008 at the newly opened Summit Saloon and Stage in Bend,Oregon with my friends the Don Dignitaries supported by The Escort Service Band. A great time with lots of good vibes. The Don Dignitaries first full length album has been in heavy rotation in my decks for the past year. A memorable appearance this summer at the Northwest World Reggae Festival, again accompanied by the Escort Service Band, I feel has thrust them into the limelight as one of the Northwest's premiere acts. Definitely check them out when they come around. They are great showmen with a great live band bringing the best new roots and dancehall sounds around. And as a little encouragement to check them out and pick up there cd, High Grade Export, here is one of my favorite cuts from it. Big Ups to RK1 and Zelly Rock! No Hate in '08!

Don Dignitaries Myspace Page

Don Dignitaries - Original Don Dignitaries

Promised Land Riddim

Can't believe I allowed a month to go by with out a post. On break from school for a month now though and I ripped a bunch of reggae 7"s that my buddy Scotty One Drop gifted me a while back. So I got some ammo to make up for the downtime. Sorry about the lousy photo, but all I got at the moment is the crappy camera on my phone.

Here is the Capleton track Words of Mind on the Promised Land Riddim. I like both sides of this 7" but the version really lets the awesome bass line shine. I have been playing this one out almost every time I have had a gig.

Capleton - Words of Mind
Promised Land Riddim