Category: Oldies Sunday

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Little Roy – Tribal War (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Election time again in Jamaica! Despite the world getting rocked back and forth thanks to the Covid 19 pandemic, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the dates for the Island’s 18th General Election on August 11 in Parliament. While Election time in Jamaica is usually a “Silly Season“, it was pretty different in the era of our Oldies Sunday selection. Today, we highlight Little Roy’s “Tribal War“.

Produced by Earl Lowe and released through Roy’s Tafari label in 1974, Little Roy provides some social commentary here as he speaks out against the various conflicts happening in the world especially during Election time in Jamaica in 1972. In that year, the Michael Manley led People’s National Party (PNP) emerged victorious over the Hugh Shearer (who held the position during Alexander Bustamante’s absence due to illness) led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Election time in Jamaica is usually met with a lot of tension, and found supporters on opposing sides attacking each other to the point where it gets violent. Little Roy’s track asked for all those acts to cease, rival gangs get together in the name of peace, and everyone promoting living in love and harmony. “Tribal War” became a very popular song for Little Roy, but despite the popularity, it never received much airplay until other versions were made years later. Regardless of the opposition, he found a lot of success with it as he sold thousands of copies of the track by hand.

Since the release of “Tribal War”, it has been covered by various artists including John Holt, Ronnie Davis, and George Nooks, and has been sampled by Nas and Tony Rebel. The track is still an important one, and we’ll always thank Little Roy for it. Check it out below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Editor’s Note: I can’t believe Little Roy’s original “Tribal War” is not available for streaming, but John Holt and George Nooks’ versions are.
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OLDIES SUNDAY: Toney Barrett – Trying Man (1978)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection is for the Creators. Time and time again, many of us have spent a great portion of our lives creating, but never can seem to catch a break. Sometimes it’s like no matter how great our talent is, or how awesome our projects are, they all get overshadowed but something else, or someone. Today, the selection comes from Recording Artist/Producer Toney Barrett with his track, “Trying Man“.

The Roots Reggae track was released in 1978 through Isabel Records. With lyrics that can resonate with many even in today’s society, Toney asks what’s the meaning of his sufferation as he possesses wonderful talents, but can’t seem to get the needed opportunities, and be able to achieve the things that he wants. What’s special about the track is not only Toney Barrett singing on it, is the fact that he also wrote it, arranged it, and produced it. A track that became well known over time, it was one of a handful that Toney Barrett released. We dedicate today’s entry to all the Creators, keep pushing and making things happen, we’ll get our time soon!

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Mr. Pants – The Bam Bam (1992)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection promises to get you dancing. While dancing music is no stranger to Dancehall, we go back a couple decades to hear a fun one from Dancehall Artist, Mr. Pants. Today’s selection is, “The Bam Bam“! Produced by Elon J Robinson on a variation of the “Bam Bam Riddim“, the track was released through the Top Rank label in 1992. Throughout the song, Mr. Pants paid respect to the “Bam Bam Riddim”, and utilized “Bam Bam” as its punchline. On the song, Mr. Pants utilized a vocal style similar to then top Deejay Tiger, but overall made a catchy song that required you to bust a dance move or few. Everybody love off the “Bam Bam”, and you should too!

Mr. Pants’ “The Bam Bam” enjoyed some success, and was added to his string of releases which included, “Original Stamina”, “New Style”, “50 Pear”, “Rema and Jungle” with Yami Bolo, “Carry It Back”, and “Duck” which was also featured on the “Bam Bam Riddim”, and utilized the same Tiger styled delivery. Mr. Pants hasn’t released many songs since “The Bam Bam”, but fans still check for Mr. Pants’ music every now and then. If you’re familiar with Event Director/Jamaican Social Media Personality @iRealPedro, this is his Dad. Shout out Pedro!

Set your time machine to 1992 and check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Clint Eastwood X General Saint – Another One Bites The Dust (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Hello everyone! We hope you’re staying safe out there. Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from Dancehall Recording Artists Clint Eastwood and General Saint with their track, “Another One Bites The Dust“! Released in 1981, the track was produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes, and it was distributed through Greensleeves Records. The duo display great synergy here with their chanting, commanding presence, and wordplay that borrowed from various sayings and proverbs like “Kiss kitty K.Y. you minus plus…“, “You bend down Guava, you lick up syrup“, “Nothing done before its time“, and “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…“. (Ask your Grandparents for meaning of these sayings. – Editor)

“Another One Bites The Dust”, which was inspired by the track of the same name by British Band Queen, was featured on Clint Eastwood and General Saint’s 1981 album, “Two Bad D.J.“. The track became a memorable one for them, and gives nowadays listeners a feel of a time when Dancehall was growing up. Today’s selection was inspired by news of the Saharan Dust making its way around the world, and Jamaica getting a fair share of it this week. With word that a second wave is near, we urge everyone to stay masked up just the same, and prevent getting sick from it, and also the Coronavirus.

BLACK LIVES STILL MATTER

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: The Tamlins – Baltimore (1979/1980)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection was inspired by the latest offerings by Recording Artist, Lila Ike. Our selection comes from Reggae Group The Tamlins with the track, “Baltimore“. Produced by Sly & Robbie for Taxi Records, this was released in 1979 and 1980, and is a cover of American Recording Artist Randy Newman’s 1977 track of the same name. It was heavily inspired by American Recording Artist/Civil Rights Activist Nina Simone’s 1978 cover, especially in the production department. With the song’s social commentary, it paints a picture of living in Baltimore, Maryland in the 70s with people living on hard times, and if given the chance to escape, returning is never an option.

Since The Tamlins’ version of “Baltimore” was released, it became one of their biggest songs, thanks to its excellent Reggae production and harmonies displayed throughout. The Sly & Robbie production went on to become a juggling Riddim that has been reworked by Star Trail and Main Street labels, and featured recordings from Courtney John, Lutan Fyah, Dennis Brown, and many more. As mentioned earlier, the selection was inspired by Lila Ike, as she released her debut EP titled, “The ExPerience” on Friday, May 15. The EP’s final track, “Thy Will“, which was produced by Protoje, samples The Tamlins’ version. The group, consisting of Winston Morgan, Junior Moore, and Carlton “Tamlin” Smith, went on to release more music, and collaborated with various Artists including the late Peter Tosh. Though still active, original member Winston Morgan left in 1983, and was replaced by Derrick Lara who passed away in February 2020.

WE URGE YOU TO STAY SAFE, QUARANTINE WISELY, AND STAY SANITIZED ALWAYS.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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Everton Thomas & The Pathfinders - Make A Joyful Noise Jamaica Music Gospel Music Blog 13thStreetPromotions 13thStreetPromo I Shall Make It Oldies Sunday Oldies 1978 Caribbean Pastor Everton Thomas

OLDIES SUNDAY: Everton Thomas & The Pathfinders – I Shall Make It (1978)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Providing a lil inspiration this Oldies Sunday, we’re going back to Church with Everton Thomas (Now Bishop Everton Thomas) & The Pathfinders! With all the craziness going on, we need a lil peace, and soothing sounds (and other types of sound that keeps you going). Going back to the year 1978, we check out, “I Shall Make It“.

Produced by Everton Thomas and Stephen Stewart, this Gospel track was released through the Growth Label. On the track, the Sextet consisting of Everton, Jenny Tracey, Juliet Thomas, Lorna Otto, Silbert Thomas Jr., and Sharon Thomas, they come together to assure us that no matter how challenging our journey and trials are, GOD is there every step of the way, and we will be taken care of. “I Shall Make It” was featured on the group’s album, “Make a Joyful Noise“, which was released in 1978 (re-released recently), and boasts almost all original material, and Funk, Soul, and Country influences, something that not many Gospel acts would delve into. Fun fact, the album features background vocals from “Jamaica’s Songbird” Karen Smith, and Cleveland Browne, 1/2 of the legendary Production duo, Steely & Clevie (he also played Drums on the album).

Since then, Everton Thomas & the Pathfinders disbanded. Everton went on to deliver God’s word at the Immanuel Apostolic Church, while the others continued to minister to people over the years. Carrying on the legacy of the group is Recording Artist Chris Malachi, who is doing pretty well for himself so far in spreading the Gospel (and talent).

We urge you to stay safe, quarantine wisely, and stay sanitized always.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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