Tag: 1981

Little Roy "Columbus Ship" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #LittleRoy #ColumbusShip #Copastetic #1981 #Tafari #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Caribbean #IndigenousPeoplesDay

OLDIES SUNDAY: Little Roy – Columbus Ship (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Every year around this time for the past few years, we aim to put down the name of the once-famed Italian Explorer, Christopher Columbus. Whether through playing music that spoke against him, renaming locations that once shared his name, and getting rid of statues made in his likeness, people are doing more to put down a wicked Man who has been celebrated for so long. Tomorrow (Oct. 13) is celebrated as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in North America, which was originally “Columbus Day“, and we salute the original natives. Today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection comes from Little Roy, and we check out, “Columbus Ship“.

Released through Tafari/Copasetic in 1981, Little Roy sheds light on the experience of the Black Man during Slavery in, “Columbus Ship”. The song speaks on his experience from being held in captivity against his will, taken to new lands on a Ship belonging to Christopher Columbus, and being forced to slave on Plantations, and suffer through it all. The song is just one of many that pulled the wool from over the vision of the people who idolized figures who exploited nations, oppressed people of colour, and committed various crimes of Humanity. “Columbus Ship” was featured on Little Roy’s 1981 album of the same name, and was well-received by listeners over the years.

Since the release of “Columbus Ship”, Little Roy continued to have a successful music career, releasing more music, and performing on stages around the world. He is still active in some parts of the World, where tracks like “Columbus Ship” is still played to this day. Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day when it comes.

Thank You Little Roy For This Tune!

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Gregory Isaacs "More Gregory" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #GregoryIsaacs #Moregregory #1981 #IfIDontHaveYou #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Valentines #ValentinesDay #VDay #Caribbean #LoversRock

OLDIES SUNDAY: Gregory Isaacs – If I Don’t Have You (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

This Friday will be Valentine’s Day, and we know there will be many who will be in the loving mood, taking the time out to give their lover gifts, and take them out on dates. For the rest of the world, it’s just another Friday. We wanted to get ahead of the crowd with an “Oldies Sunday” selection that is nothing short of a classic. We go back to the 80s to tune in to “The Cool Ruler” Gregory Isaacs’ “If I Don’t Have You“.

The self-produced “If I Don’t Have You” was released in 1981 through the Pre and Charisma labels, Gregory Isaacs delivered a song so relatable with “If I Don’t Have You”. When it comes to someone you have a deep admiration and love for, you’ll want to do everything to ensure it’s perfect. For Gregory, he believes she is that one Woman that checks all the lists, is his ideal match, and his forever love. If he messes it up, he has no desire to seek another. “If I Don’t Have You” was an instant hit for Gregory locally and Internationally, and listeners fell in love with his signature smooth delivery, and the lyrics definitely connected. The track was included in his 1981 album, “More Gregory“. The track was also referenced in Brooklyn Rapper Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) in his 1999 single, “Ms. Fat Booty“. “If I Don’t Have You” is considered one of Gregory Isaacs’ most popular songs, and it ranks high among his extensive catalogue.

Since the release of “If I Don’t Have You”, Gregory Isaacs secured his place as one of the legends of Jamaican music, releasing many albums and singles over the years. His life was cut short in 2010, but his music continues to live on. Many of his love songs are played during the Valentine’s season, including “If I Don’t Have You”. Happy Valentine’s Day in advance.

THANK YOU MR. ISAACS! CHECK OUT OUR GREGORY ISAACS PLAYLIST!

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Love Joys – All I Can Say (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s a new month, and we’re glad to be here providing music for you to enjoy on “Oldies Sunday“. Since its inception, we’ve highlighted classic singles, guilty pleasures, underrated hits, and allowed our audience to get familiar with music they’ve never heard before. This Sunday is no different as today we feature UK-based Reggae duo Love Joys, and their single, “All I Can Say“.

Produced by Lloyd Barnes a.k.a. Bullwackie for the Wackie’s label and released in 1981, Love Joys were all about making the world a better place in “All I Can Say”. The cousin duo of Sonia Abel and Claudette Brown encouraged listeners to live a better life, call out those who do wrong, and hope and pray that things get better for us all. Over some solid production, the pair deliver conscious messages along with some melodies. “All I Can Say” was featured on their 1981 album, “Reggae Vibes“, and their official 1982 debut album “Lovers Rock (Reggae Style)“. The song became a hit for the duo, and became known in Jamaica, and various parts of the world. It was sampled in 2024 by Texas Rapper BigXThaPlug for his track “Havin Freestye“, which featured Ro$ama and Yung Hood, and produced by Tony Coles. “All I Can Say” was also featured on hit Video Game “Saints Row” through the in-game radio station.

Since the release of “All I Can Say”, not much was heard from Love Joys. The duo was recognized as one of the first all-Female Roots Reggae groups, but they disbanded in the 1980s. In the 2000s, Sonia Abel (now Sonia “Marla” Allen) would create the duo Natti Love Joys with her Husband Anthony “Jatti” Allen. “All I Can Say” is still remembered by fans, and “Saints Row” gamers.

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"American Fiction" Film on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Hollywood #Music #Jamaica #Film #Movie #13thStreetPromotions #AmericanFiction #JeffreyWright #TraceeEllisRoss #SterlingKBrown #SonyaSpence #LetLoveFlowOn #ManchesterJamaica #Manchester #Caribbean

Sonya Spence’s “Let Love Flow On” Featured In “American Fiction” Film

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s awards season, and if you’re in Music or Film, chances are you’re one of the people who is a part of an award-nominated creation. One award show many look forward to is the 96th Academy Awards. One of the Films up for a few awards is “American Fiction“. “American Fiction” stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown, and it focuses on a Novelist/Professor named Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright) who out of frustration, wrote a satirical book on stereotypical Black people, that turned out becoming a success which has good and bad outcomes. The Film was released in December 2023 in Theatres, but was made available digitally on February 6. The Film features a selection of music that was played throughout, but in an important scene, a song from Jamaica was the soundtrack.

During a Wedding scene in “American Fiction”, “Let The Love Flow On” by the late Sonya Spence was featured. Produced by Sonia Pottinger and released through High Note Records in 1981, “Let Love Flow On” was a Reggae/Funk/Soul single that got Spence’s name out there. Sonya Spence was an Artist on the rise in the 1970s and 1980s, but her career was sidelined numerous times through a number of ways (You can see our Women’s History Month write up on her and this single here). (Editor’s note: I was happy and saddened by Sonya Spence’s song’s inclusion in the Film. Many Creatives worked hard for moments like these, but some of them never made it this far because they were robbed of it. Her story is truly a sad one. May she rest in peace.)

“American Fiction” is out now on your favourite movie streaming platforms. Will it secure any of the big awards? Stay tuned.

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Toyan "Spar With Me" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #Music #13thStreetPromotions #Toyan #RankinToyan #PupaToyan #SparWithMe #JunjoLawes #1981 #Caribbean #OldSchool #Oldies #OldiesSunday

OLDIES SUNDAY: Toyan – Spar With Me (1981)

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When it comes to Jamaican music, there is respect given to the Artist/Writer, and the Producer. What some forget about is the DJ/Selector who helps to break the Record. Before Social Media was a thing, it was the Disc Jockey who made sure your song got played. It’s still relevant in some scenarios today, and we still have to respect their role. Keeping with the theme of songs that may have been hits in the Summer, today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from Toyan a.k.a. Rankin Toyan a.k.a. Pupa Toyan with his single, “Spar With Me“.

Produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes and released through the Jah Guidance label in 1981, Toyan dedicated “Spar With Me” to the DJ, more specifically the legendary Barry “Barry G” Gordon. Toyan’s energetic delivery makes the song a very interesting one to listen to as he invites listeners to tune into the Barry G “The Boogey Man“, a name that has been one of the DJ’s trademarks, and invites the ladies to bubble with him as Barry selects the hits. Barry G has been a part of Jamaican music for nearly 50 years, and has used his platform and skillset to break Artists and Records, helped generations of Artist secure #1 chart success, and secured his place as one of the greatest Jamaican DJs whose name has travelled near and far.

“Spar With Me” became a popular track when it was released, and was featured on Toyan’s  1982 album of the same name. Toyan was one of the top Dancehall acts in the 80s, and he had a great following, inspiring a number of Artists. Since the release of “Spar With Me”, he went on to release more songs, and took his talents to various parts of the world. Sadly, he tragically lost his life in 1991, but his music continues to hold a significant place in the lives of many. Big up to the DJ.

Thank You Toyan For This Classic. Rest Well.

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Eek-A-Mouse "Ganja Smuggling" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Dancehall #Spain #Music #13thStreetPromotions #EekAMouse #GanjaSmuggling #Ganja #Weed #Marijuana #1981 #JunjoLawes #Volcano #1981 #Caribbean #OldiesSunday

OLDIES SUNDAY: Eek-A-Mouse – Ganja Smuggling (1981)

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It’s Oldies Sunday! Before “Chopping/Scamming” songs flooded the market, there were songs about the Ganja trade. Today’s selection comes from a pioneer of the “Singjay” style, Eek-A-Mouse with the track, “Ganja Smuggling“!

Produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes and released through the Volcano Label in 1981, Eek-A-Mouse goes into details of his life in the Ganja trade. For a long time, many would find success in Marijuana before it became illegal, and those who participated had to find different means and ways to make it happen under the nose of Law Enforcement. Eek-A-Mouse shares his episodes of early morning harvests, loading up vehicles and Planes with the product, and enjoying the spoils of his work when the necessary deals were made. He found an escape from poverty in the Ganja trade, and with its rewards, he was able to support his family, and make life better for himself, and those around him.

Eek-A-Mouse enjoyed success with the “Ganja Smuggling” track as it quickly became popular in the Dancehall scene. “Ganja Smuggling” was featured on his 1981 album, “Wa Do Dem“, which spawned a few more hits for the Artist. “Ganja Smuggling” joins the list of tracks that shared details of life in the illegal Marijuana trade, and is still being played today, even in parts of the world where Marijuana and conducting business in Marijuana has been made legal. Eek-A-Mouse went on to enjoy success in music in the 80s and 90s, and today he can be found releasing and performing his music, and sharing his opinions on Social Media. He can be controversial, but he can only be him, and his fans celebrate him.

Thank You eek-A-Mouse For This Classic!

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