Tag: Old School

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OLDIES SUNDAY: The Blackstones – Best Love (1996)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from UK based Reggae trio, The Blackstones! We go back in time with them to check out their single, “Best Love“. Produced by Bernard Collins, this was released in 1996 through Prestige Records. The track is dedicated to that special person who holds your heart, and The Blackstones speak for us when they say, “Your love is the best love for me…“. With their soulful vocals and a Riddim that you can’t help but slow dance to, “Best Love” is one that deserves plenty spins.

“Best Love” was featured on the group’s 1996 album, “Riding High“, and was well received in the Lovers Rock scene in Jamaica and the UK. The song was sampled for US Rapper Action Bronson’s 2020 single, “Golden Eye” which was produced by Budgie. Formed in 1974, The Blackstones is a group that showcases beautiful harmonies, and raises the bar for vocal styles and sounds that were set by groups before them like The Techniques, The Gaylads, The Wailers, The Paragons, and many others. Originally consisting of brothers Leon, Neville, and Byron Leiffer, The Blackstones has made changes over the years as Neville and Byron left to pursue solo careers. They were replaced with Tony Douglas and Ken Kendricks in the 1980s. Since then, more changes were made, and the group now consists of Leon Leiffer, Tony Mahoney, and Junior Bailey. Some of their most notable work involved them working with the late Sir “Coxsone” Dodd at Studio One, Phil Pratt for Channel One Studios, and the late Bunny “Striker” Lee.

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: 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.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: @MichieBadGalMee x L.A. Luv – Jamaican Funk (1990)

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For today’s “Oldies Sunday“, we’re going give it you Hip Hop style. For those unfamiliar, Hip Hop’s roots traces back to Jamaica. While many have done tremendous things for the genre and its culture, we have to remember the pioneers. Jamaica has DJ Kool Herc, and also Michie Mee, a Canadian Hip Hop pioneer. Today, we feature Michie Mee’s single, “Jamaican Funk“.

Produced by King Of Chill and released through First Priority Music in 1990, “Jamaican Funk” was a collaboration between Michie Mee and DJ L.A. Luv, and was a single that helped to spawn the growth of the Canadian Hip Hop movement. It was also one of the first singles that blended Hip Hop and Dancehall as Michie deejayed and rapped throughout the track. The single did very well for Michie Mee, and was given a remix called, “Jamaican Funk Canadian Style“. Both versions were featured on Michie Mee & L.A. Luv’s album, “Jamaican Funk-Canadian Style“, which was a success for the duo as the album crossed borders, charted on American charts, and was nominated for a Juno award. Since “Jamaican Funk”, Michie Mee went on to make more moves as an artist including founding the band, Raggadeath, influencing the new generation of artists, and kicking down the door for many of your favourites. She also dabbled in acting with roles in the film “In Too Deep“, and appearing in TV shows like “Soul Food” and “Da Kink In My Hair“. She is the Queen of Canadian Hip Hop, and a yaad she come from!

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: King Sporty – Thinking Of You (1973)

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Yesterday (September 19) marked the 77th birthday of the late Singer/Musician/DJ/Producer, King Sporty. A man who was never afraid to try new things, he was a man who mastered his craft well, and the world loved him. Today, we salute him on “Oldies Sunday” with the selection, “Thinking Of You“.

Released in 1973 through the Konduko label, it was a more uptempo cover of The Blues Busters’ 1971 track which was produced by the late Byron Lee. King Sporty handled production here as it was a smooth blend of Reggae, Funk, and Soul sounds. On the track, Sporty shares lyrics about a lost love who he misses dearly, how them separating affected him, and pleads they give their relationship another chance. The production was really good on this, and made many believe that Sporty was the original performer of the track. “Thinking Of You” was played at various gigs including the Gusman Hall in Miami, Florida, where King Sporty resided and became a pioneer for the Miami Reggae scene.

Prior to “Thinking Of You”, King Sporty was a DJ for the late “Sir Coxsone” Dodd’s sound system. In the 70s, he became a label owner, performer, and co-wrote the Bob Marley classic, “Buffalo Soldier“. Since the mid-80s, he was married to the late legendary R&B Singer Betty Wright until his death in 2015. “Thinking Of You” was sampled in 2010 by Hip Hop group Fun Lovin’ Criminals for their “Classic Fantastic” track.

Walk good, King Sporty!

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: @TootsMaytals – Do The Reggay (1968)

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Today’s Oldies Sunday is dedicated to the late Frederick “Toots” Hibbert. A man who knew a thing or few about longevity, Toots Hibbert is the originator of the genre we know as “Reggae“. A man who inspired generations, created hits, and looked good doing it all, the world was definitely rocked when he made his transition on September 11. As founder and member of The Maytals, today we highlight the selection, “Do The Reggay“.

Produced by Leslie Kong and released through the Beverley’s Records in 1968, “Do The Reggay” was made to accompany a popular dance of the same name. While the song didn’t feature complex lyrics, it provided fun sounds that prompted listeners to get into a groove. Through the release of the single, Toots Hibbert is named as a pioneer of Reggae music as “Do The Reggay” marked a shift from the Ska and Rocksteady eras of music into a new genre of more upbeat sounds, and generations of new artists.

Today, regardless of anything, we just want you to enjoy the music, and remember one of the greatest artists to ever emerge from Jamaica. Rest in Peace Toots Hibbert, and thank you for the classics! 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: 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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