Tag: Oldies

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OLDIES SUNDAY: The Blackstones – Best Love (1996)

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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)

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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: Josey Wales – Leggo Mi Hand Gateman (1983)

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Today’s Oldies Sunday selection highlights one of Dancehall’s greatest foundation artists, “The Outlaw” Josey Wales (Happy belated Birthday)! When you talk about “run Dancehall“, he was one of the artists who made it possible. We go back to the 80s to check out, “Leggo Mi Hand Gateman“.

Produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes on the popular “Golden Hen Riddim” and released through the Volcano label in 1983, Josey Wales gives an account of entering a street dance in Clarendon one night. Acknowledging that he was taking a young lady out for some fun, he was dealing with some opposition before entering the dance, and gives details on what happened. “Leggo Mi Hand Gateman” became one of Josey Wales’ biggest hits, and is still a crowd pleaser to this day. The single was featured on Josey’s 1983 album, “The Outlaw“. Since his hit, Josey Wales went on to influence generations of Dancehall artists, deliver more hits, and was even awarded the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica in October 2017. Real legend.

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: Junior Murvin – Cool Out Son (1979)

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Today’s Oldies Sunday selection comes from the late Reggae Musician, Junior Murvin. Today we hear his vocals on the classic, “Cool Out Son“. Produced by Joe Gibbs and Errol T. on their version of the “Real Rock Riddim” and released through the Heavy Duty label in 1979, Junior gives us a beautiful vocal delivery along with motivational lyrics encouraging us that the race is not for the swift, so be patient and build your way to the top. Where there is life, there is hope. 

“Cool Out Son” went on the become one of Junior Murvin’s most popular songs. It made an appearance on the soundtrack for the popular “Skate 3” video game which was released by Electronic Arts (EA) in 2010. Influenced by the late Singer/Songwriter Curtis Mayfield, Murvin would bless the world with his signature sound to what would later become classics. Junior Murvin made his transition on December 2, 2013 due to health problems, but his music lives on. Remember, good things come to those who work hard for it.

Check out the classic 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: @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!

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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!

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