Tag: 1966

Jimmy James "Come To Me Softly" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #UK #SoulMusic #RandB #Music #13thStreetPromotions #JimmyJamesandTheVagabonds #JimmyJames #ComeToMeSoftly #GayDisc #1966 #Riddim #Oldies #OldSchool #OldiesSunday #AnthonyKing #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Jimmy James – Come To Me Softly (1966)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re bringing to you a lil soul. The Caribbean has produced a number of Soul Singers over the years, and their sounds have tapped into every part of the world. For today’s selection, we look back at Jimmy James’ (whose birthday is recognized today) “Come To Me Softly“.

Arranged by Anthony King and released through the Gaydisc label in 1966, Jimmy James (in some versions include his group The Vagabonds) sang about that good ol’ love in, “Come To Me Softly”. Paired with welcoming production, this song was the one to slow dance to with your lover. James’ approach pulled the heartstrings of many listeners, and it quickly became a hit. The popularity of an early release of the song was so huge, that it prompted James to leave his job with the Inland Revenue to pursue music full time. “Come To Me Softly” would appear on Jimmy James & The Vagabonds’ 1966 album, “The New Religion“.

Since the release of “Come To The Me Softly”, Jimmy James would go on to record more singles, and score more hits over the years. He took his talents to the UK and developed a following there, and shared the stage with the likes of Rod Stewart, The Who, Sonny & Cher, Ben E. King, and many others. Jimmy James passed away in 2024, and many still play his music including “Come To Me Softly”, which is his most successful release.

THANK YOU JIMMY JAMES FOR THIS TRACK!

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Busta Rhymes x J Dilla "Dillagence 2" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Brooklyn #HipHop #Dancehall #Music #13thStreetPromotions #BustaRhymes #JDilla #Detroit #Dillagence2 #ThisWoman #BamBam #Pliers #TootsandTheMaytals #TheMaytals #Riddim #Reggae #WhatABamBam #ByronLee #1966 #1993 #Caribbean #Sample #DAngelo

Pliers’ Version Of “Bam Bam” Sampled On @BustaRhymes & J Dilla’s “Dillagence II”

Posted on by swadedavillain


Earlier this week, Hip Hop legend Busta Rhymes released the long-awaited “Dillagence 2” project. Done in memory of the late Producer J. Dilla, Busta would record over a number of beats that Dilla left behind in his care. The project comes 18 years after the release of the first “Dillagence“, and he does the project justice with a number of tracks and collaborations. Busta taps into his Brooklyn roots, and even his Jamaican roots, and in the album, there was a familiar sound featured.

On track 7 of Busta Rhymes and J Dilla’s “Dillagence 2” called “This Woman“, the sound of Pliers’ “Bam Bam” was sampled. Featuring the late D’Angelo, the line of “This Woman, never troubled no one…” comes from the “This Man, don’t trouble no one…” line from “Bam Bam”. Released in 1993 and produced by Sly & Robbie, “Bam Bam” was a cover of Toots & The Maytals’ 1966 original (find the influence “Bam Bam” had in our Playlist here, and if you’d like, check out our Playlist featuring The Maytals), which was produced by the late Byron Lee. Pliers revealed that “Bam Bam” was recorded on the same day he and Chaka Demus recorded the classic “Murder She Wrote“, and both have found their own success. D’Angelo’s contribution on “This Woman” was rumored to be a part of his “Voodoo” album that never made the cut. Pliers’ version was featured on the 1993 album, “Tease Me“.

Busta Rhymes & J Dilla’s “Dillagence 2” is out now.

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The Soulettes "King Street" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Ska #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheSoulettes #KingStreet #SirCoxsoneDodd #StudioOne #1966 #RitaMarley #constantinewalker #MarleneGifford #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean #WomensHistoryMonth

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Soulettes – King Street (1966)

Posted on by swadedavillain

The Month of March is recognized as “Women’s History Month”. On “Oldies Sunday”, we highlight a number of Women who have made an impact, and significant contributions to music. For today’s selection, we look back at The Soulettes and their track, “King Street“.

Produced by “Sir Coxsone” Dodd and released through Studio One in 1966, The Soulettes were here to tell you where you need to be, and that’s on “King Street”. The group, consisting of Rita Marley, Marlene Gifford and Rita’s cousin (and the only Male in the group) Singer/Musician Constantine “Vision” Walker, invite you to a place where you’re gonna have a ball dancing the night away, making memories, and being in the center of one of the busiest streets in town. No reservation needed, just come with good vibes, and nighttime relaxation. “King Street” sounded like a Commercial, but it found popularity soon after its release. “King Street” would later be featured on the “Studio One Women” compilation project in 2005.

Since the release of “King Street”, The Soulettes would have a moderately successful career, but continued to work with “Sir Coxsone” Dodd, and a number of legends including Lee “Scratch” Perry, Tony Gregory, Lloyd Wilks, and a young Bob Marley along with The Wailers. The group would disband in 1966, but reformed in 1969 until disbanding for the final time in the 1970s. Rita Marley would go on to have a successful career as a member of the I Threes, and as a solo Artist, Constantine Walker would enjoy success over the years as the original member of the The Wailers, Jah Malla, I Performers, and The Rastafarians, and Marlene Gifford would leave The Soulettes in 1969, and provide background vocals for a number of Artists over the years. The Soulettes continue to live on through the music, and listeners still take themselves to “King Street”.

THANK YOU SOULETTES FOR THIS TIMELESS TUNE!

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Celia Cruz "Bemba Colora" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Cuba #CeliaCruz #AfroLatina #AfroCuban #QueenOfSalsa #LaReinaDeLaSalsa #Caribbean #WomensHistoryMonth #WomensMonth

OLDIES SUNDAY: @CeliaCruz – Bemba Colora (1966)

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This March on Oldies Sunday, we recognize it as Women’s History Month. We salute the many Women who have taken big steps, and left amazing legacies. Today, we head over to Cuba to salute the “Queen Of Salsa” or “La Reina De La Salsa“, and “La Guarachera De Cuba“, Celia Cruz! We look back at her single, “Bemba Colora“.

Originally composed by Jose Claro Fumero, “Bemba Colora” was released in 1966 through Tico Records. The song possessed a strong anti-racist message, a bit of storytelling, and celebrated a proud African heritage as “Bemba Colora” meant “big red lips/red mouth“, which is a distinct feature of many Black people. The song features a heavy dose of percussion and horns, and will have anyone breaking out in dance. “Bemba Colora” was a hit for Celia Cruz, later on becoming one of her signature songs. “Bemba Colora” was featured on Cruz’s 1966 album, “Son con Guaguancó“.

Celia Cruz would become one of the faces of the then growing Latin Music movement overseas, mastering many forms of Afro-Cuban music styles over time. Celia Cruz has inspired generations of Latin Artists, and her presence is still felt to this day. She is still celebrated around the world, with special tributes being presented yearly. “Celia Cruz Day” is celebrated in San Francisco, California on October 25, and she has a few Schools and roads named after her in her honour.

thank you celia cruz!

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Jamaica, Soul Music, Rocksteady, R&B, Music, Blog, 13thStreetPromotions, 13thStreetPromo, The Techniques, Pat Kelly, Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions, Duke Reid, Treasure Isle Production, Queen Majesty, Minstrel and Queen, Oldies, Oldies Sunday, Old School, 1966, 1967, Yanah, Kone, KoneLives, Think Again, Sample, Caribbean,

OLDIES SUNDAY: Pat Kelly – Queen Majesty (1966)

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Earlier today, we premiered Recording Artist Yanah’s new single, “Think Again“, now we’re gonna feature its sample. On today’s Oldies Sunday, we look back at Pat Kelly’s classic, “Queen Majesty“! Produced by Duke Reid, the song was recorded by Pat Kelly while he was a member of the Rocksteady group, The Techniques (hence why many releases used The Techniques’ name). It was released through Reid’s Treasure Isle Production in 1967, but was featured on The Techniques’ 1966 album, “Little Did You Know“. The song was a cover of the Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions’ single, “Minstrel and Queen (Queen Majesty)” which was released in 1963.

The story was Pat Kelly and his friends were huge fans of the original track, so much so that they’d stay up at night to hear it at various times on Miami Radio station WINZ. This was so because the signal from Miami to Jamaica was very weak, so they struggled at times. Pat showed interest in covering it, but had no means to get the Record. After hearing it multiple times, he finally caught all the lyrics to the track and made a Reggae version. The single was released various times since 1967, and was remixed by King Jammy’s in the mid 1980s.

Though Pat Kelly parted ways with The Techniques years ago, he is still an active Recording Artist having released numerous singles, and even handled recording sessions as an Audio Engineer for the likes of the late Gregory Isaacs and Johnny Clarke.

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NEW VIDEO: Hopeton Lewis’ “Take It Easy” Featured In @Corona Commercial!

Posted on by swadedavillain

Update: See the 2017 Corona Summer Campaign here!

Recently, Corona Extra, the product of Grupo Modelo in Mexico, recently unveiled their latest Commercial as a part of their Corona Summer 2016 campaign. The video, which features a travelling Corona Beer can, uses the late Rocksteady Artist Hopeton Lewis’ 1966/67 hit, “Take It Easy (Get It Here)“. The single was produced by Sam Mitchell for the Merritone Label and was considered the song that heralded the ascension of Rocksteady music movement. Hopeton Lewis was also known to record in Jamaica the first ever song about Marijuana (Cool Collie), and had a good run of hits in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Lewis was also the founder of the Hopeton Lewis Caribbean Gospel Music Awards and owner of Caribbean Gospel Jubilee (CGJ), an Online Radio Station. Lewis passed away in September 2014 as a result of Kidney Failure. Many thanks to the good folks over at Commercial Tunage for the assistance and Genelle Golding for the heads up! Check out the commercial below and share your thoughts in the comments section.

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