Tag: 1974

The Merrymen "Drink A Rum" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Barbados #Calypso #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheMerrymen #DrinkARum #LordKitchener #1974 #Christmas #ChristmasSong #DrinkAhRum #Bajan #Oldies #OldiesSunday #Oldies #Caribbean #MerryDisc

OLDIES SUNDAY (Christmas): The MerryMen – Drink A Rum (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s December, and that means it’s Christmas time! No matter what has been happening in the year, we all look forward to this holiday season. With the holidays come time off for the schoolers, and for the older crowd it’s party time in every way, or an extra payday. For today’s Oldies Sunday selection, we head over to Barbados, who just celebrated their Independence Day, to check out The Merrymen’s version of, “Drink A Rum“.

Produced by The Merrymen for Merry Disc and released in 1974, “Drink A Rum” is a cover version of Trini Calypso legend Lord Kitchener’s 1959 track of the same name. The Merrymen group, which is consisted of 5 members, all performed the track, blending harmonies and instruments for a song that celebrated the drinking part of the holiday season. Rum in various forms are consumed, and they are sure to bring the joy, warmth into the chilly time, and “kick” into the joyous occasions. While the original “Drink A Rum” was a popular Calypso song, their version did well in Barbados, throughout the Caribbean, and other parts of the world, and became a song that enjoyed radio airplay around the Christmas season. The track was released on their 1988 Christmas album, “Caribbean Christmas Party“. The group have been enjoying a considerable amount of fame, and they performed the song on the road.

Stay tuned for another Christmas classic on “Oldies Sunday”!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY (Christmas): The MerryMen – Drink A Rum (1974)” →

Burning Spear "Marcus Garvey" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #BurningSpear #Reggae #MarcusGarvey #LawrenceLindo #JackRuby #Caribbean #Oldies #1974

OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Reggae Month and Black History Month, so we continue to honour those who have made strides in taking the music to another level, and those who have fought for the freedom of Black People. Today’s Oldies Sunday focuses on one of the most important voices in Reggae, and one of the most important Black figures in History. We check out Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey“.

Produced by Lawrence Lindo a.k.a. Jack Ruby and released through his Fox label in 1974, Burning Spear made a track to highlight National Hero and Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey. Garvey fought for Black Liberation, was a major influence in the Rastafarian movement and the Nation Of Islam, and inspired the Black Power movement. The song spoke of Garvey’s words and teachings coming to pass, while encouraging Black people to stand up and fulfill the prophecies from this great man. The song also made mention of Garvey’s Chauffeur, known as “Bag O’Wire“, who was responsible for betraying Garvey by reporting him to the Authourities. “Marcus Garvey” was the opening track for the 1975 album of the same name, which was been regarded as one of Reggae’s most important albums, and was celebrated as one of the 100 essential Reggae albums by Rough Guides Ltd., and one of the 1001 albums you must listen to before you die by Robert Dimery.

Since the release of “Marcus Garvey”, Burning Spear has went on to become an influential voice in Roots Reggae. With a heavy collection of albums and singles, Spear is also a two-time GRAMMY winner and 12-time nominee, and was active for years until retiring in 2016, and un-retiring in 2022. Celebrate the greats, and continue fighting for true freedom for Black People.

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1974)” →

Black Panther: "Wakanda Forever" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Wakanda #Marvel #Music #13thStreetPromotions #BlackPanther #WakandaForever #BlackPanther2 #BlackPantherWakandaForever #Tems #BobMarley #NoWomanNoCry #Caribbean #ChadwickBoseman

.@TemsBaby’s Cover Of @BobMarley’s “No Woman No Cry” Featured In “Black Panther Wakanda Forever” Teaser!

Posted on by swadedavillain

Yesterday, Entertainment giant Marvel unveiled the latest phase of their “Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)“. With plenty films and tv shows on the way, fans were looking forward to consume even more stories from their favourite Comics. The rollout included the announcement of the sequel to the popular “Black Panther” film called, “Wakanda Forever“. Announced in the form of a teaser, a familiar song was featured in its soundtrack.

For those familiar with Reggae (who wouldn’t at this point?), the lyrics from Bob Marley’s classic, “No Woman No Cry” was heard in the teaser for “Wakanda Forever”. Instead of Bob’s version, a cover by Nigerian star Tems was put in place. Throughout the over 2 minute teaser, Tems’ cover was played before being mixed into Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” single. “No Woman No Cry” was written by Bob Marley and Vincent Ford, produced by Chris Blackwell and The Wailers, and was featured on Marley’s 1974 album, “Natty Dread” with The Wailers. A live version of the single was released in 1975, and is considered one of the greatest songs ever made. The track was covered by many including The Fugees, Wizkid, Jimmy Cliff, and Sean Kingston.

“Black Panther” was released in 2018, and starred Chadwick Boseman, and Lupita Nyong’o among others. Boseman was set to reprise his role as the African superhero in the sequel, but passed away in 2020 after a long battle with Colon Cancer. “Black Pather: Wakanda Forever” will be released on October 11, 2022.

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

Continue reading “.@TemsBaby’s Cover Of @BobMarley’s “No Woman No Cry” Featured In “Black Panther Wakanda Forever” Teaser!” →

Jamaica Reggae Blog Music 13thStreetPromotions 13thStreetPromo Big Youth S90 Skank Honda S90 Bike Oldies Sunday Oldies Old School Manley Buchanan O.D.

OLDIES SUNDAY: Big Youth – S90 Skank (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Heroes Weekend in Jamaica, and we know many will find a way to have some fun during the Covid 19 Pandemic (Please be safe, and don’t add to the high positive cases). While there is a curfew implemented, that won’t stop the people from taking trips around the Island. Many would be looking forward to crews and gangs revving their choice of Bikes ranging from “Ninja Bikes” to “Yeng Yengs”, and today’s Oldies Sunday is a tribute to that, and honour a legend. Today’s selection comes from Manley Buchanan O.D. a.k.a. the great Big Youth with the track, “S90 Skank“.

Produced by Keith Hudson for his Imbidmts label and released in 1974, the track was inspired by the Honda S90, a popular Motorcycle in Jamaica at the time. The song featured Big Youth performing a series of half singing and toasting throughout the track, and you could hear the revving of a Bike at various parts. When recording, a Bike was brought into the Studio for added realism. The song turned out to be Big Youth’s first hit single, and was even used by Honda for a S90 Commercial. The track was featured on his “Everyday Youth (The Best Of Big Youth)” album in 1980, and “Cool Breeze – Ride Like Lightning: The Best Of Big Youth 1972-1976” album in 2002. Big Youth went on release many hits and projects over the years, and become an influence to generations of Reggae/Dancehall artists. This month (October 2020), he has been awarded the Order Of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica for his various contributions to the culture.

THANK YOU BIG YOUTH!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Big Youth – S90 Skank (1974)” →

Little Roy Jamaica Tribal War Politics JLP PNP 1974 Election Blog 13thStreetPromo 13thStreetPromotions Caribbean Oldies Oldies Sunday Old School Music Reggae

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.
Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Little Roy – Tribal War (1974)” →
Bob Andy - Fire Burning Jamaica Reggae Music Blog Oldies Sunday Wild Flower Marcia Griffiths Caribbean Old School Music 1974

OLDIES SUNDAY: Bob Andy – Fire Burning (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

On Friday March 27, the legendary Keith “Bob Andy” Anderson C.D. passed away at the age of 75. A great Songwriter and Vocalist, he is considered one of Reggae’s greatest influential figures. He was also the founding member of The Paragons, and Bob and Marcia with the legendary Marcia Griffiths. Today we pay tribute to him with our latest Oldies Sunday selection. Though his collaborations with Marcia Griffiths are some of the most cherished, today we look at one of Bob’s songs that Griffiths covered (which later included a version with Recording Artist Cutty Ranks), “Fire Burning“.

Released in 1974 through the Wild Flower label, this was produced by Lloyd Charmers. The track finds Bob Andy giving some social commentary on people turning to crime and doing all manner of wrongdoing, and emphasizes that the fire is burning for those involved. The track was featured on his 1975 album, “The Music Inside Me“, and became a hit for him. It was covered by various Artists over the years including the aforementioned Marcia Griffiths.

Thank you for the hit songs Bob Andy, you will be missed while your music lives on!

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

Continue reading “OLDIES SUNDAY: Bob Andy – Fire Burning (1974)” →