Tag: Rocksteady

Tommy McCook & The Supersonics "Mabrouk" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TommyMcCookandTheSupersonics #TommyMcCook #JackieJackson #CliftonJackieJackson #Mabrouk #1970 #TreasureIsle #DukeReid #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Tommy McCook & The Supersonics – Mabrouk (1970)

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On September 23, renowned Musician/Producer/Bass Legend Clifton “Jackie” Jackson made his transition. Known for Basslines that advanced genres, his contributions to Jamaican music are in no way minimal. Today, we remember the late Bassist by featuring his work as a member of Tommy McCook & The Supersonics on, “Mabrouk“.

Arranged by Duke Reid and released through Treasure Isle in 1970, Tommy McCook & The Supersonics provided a sound that would wake up towns, and kept the streets moving with, “Mabrouk”. Also known as “Wailing” and “Wailing Mabrouk” with rereleases, the meeting of Instruments was not only soothing to the ear, but called for listeners to get into a groove. Jackie Jackson’s Bassline was prominent throughout, and kept the other sounds in check. Before it lived a life as “Mabrouk”, it made its debut in 1967 as the Instrumental for The Techniques’ “Queen Majesty” minus the horn section. Dennis Alcapone would take the reigns in 1972 with “My Voice Is Insured For Half A Million Dollars“, and it would go on to be sampled by Sugar Minott, Bobby Digital, Sonia Pottinger, Harry J, Bunny “Striker” Lee, George Phang, Prince Tony Robinson, Joseph Hoo Kim, and more.

Jackie Jackson’s work on “Mabrouk” would make him a sought after Bassist, and lead him to work with the likes of Toots & The Maytals who he would go on to tour with for 50 years, The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Paul Simon, Desmond Dekker, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and his late Wife Karen Smith. He would inspire the likes of Aston “Family Man” Barrett, and Robbie Shakespeare of Sly & Robbie. Clifton “Jackie” Jackson would pass away on September 23, 2026, but would leave behind a legacy that will be carried on by his family, and the true students of music. His Basslines permeate through Jamaican music to this day.

THANK YOU TOMMY MCCOOK & THE SUPERSONICS FOR THIS TRACK! SLEEP WELL JACKIE JACKSON

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Ernest Wilson "Money Worries" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #ErnestWilson #MoneyWorries #1967 #StudioOne #SirCoxsoneDodd #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: Ernest Wilson – Money Worries (1967)

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We’re in the month of September, and like other months, the bills are here. In the Caribbean, September starts the new school year, and everything from the tuition to the school supplies are pricey. Some parents have been saving for most of the year, and still come up short. No matter the year or decade, there has been a song about cost of living, and today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection covers one of them. Today, we go back in time to check out Ernest Wilson’s “Money Worries“.

Produced by “Sir Coxsone” Dodd and released through Studio One in 1967, Ernest Wilson cries at the rising costs of everything in, “Money Worries”. He shares how the everyday Man is affected as they work hard, only to receive so little in the end. He also sheds light on his family life as even putting gas in the car puts a major dent in the household funds. “Money Worries” quickly became a hit for Wilson, and spawned a number of remixes over the years, with other Producers getting involved. The relatable lyrics were true then, and still holds weight today.

Since the release of “Money Worries”, Ernest Wilson continued to release music. His music releases were short-lived, and he would work as an Aviation Supervisor at the Norman Manley International Airport. He was the founding member of The Clarendonians with Peter Austin, and he introduced a young Freddie McGregor (who was sometimes a member, and was a part of a duo with Wilson) to Coxsone Dodd, and the rest is history. Ernest Wilson passed away in 2021, but many still remember his numerous releases, including “Money Worries”.

THANK YOU ERNEST WILSON FOR THIS TRACK!

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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)

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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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The Heptones "Party Time" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheHeptones #PartyTime #CoxsoneDodd #SirCoxsoneDodd #CoxsoneRecords #StudioOne #1968 #OldiesSunday #oldies #oldschool #Caribbean #LeroySibbles #EarlMorgan #BarryLlewellyn

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Heptones – Party Time (1968)

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A few days ago, Jamaica celebrated its 63rd Independence, and we continue to celebrate the strives, the music, the culture, and the Island’s continued influence on the world. Of course on “Oldies Sunday“, we continue to bring the party to you. For today’s selection, we go back in time to check out The Heptones’ “Party Time“.

Produced by “Sir Coxsone” Dodd and released through Studio One/Coxsone Records in 1968, it’s all about having fun in, “Party Time”. The Heptones, consisting of Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan, and Barry Llewellyn, provide top tier vocals throughout as they invite us all for good times, good vibes, and joy in an event like no other. If you had a bad day, come to the party and feel alright. “Party Time” quickly found its fanbase during the “Rocksteady” era, and became one of the group’s hits. “Party Time” was included on their 1968 album “On Top“, and their 1977 album of the same name.

Since the release of “Party Time”, The Heptones went on to release more music. The group dealt with lineup changes a number of times which include member Leroy Sibbles’ emigration to Canada, his return, and his departure again to pursue a solo career. The group’s co-founder Barry Llewellyn would pass away in 2011, and introduce two new members, and would release a new project in 2016. There was also tension for a number of years between Earl Morgan and Leroy Sibbles, but no word on them burying the hatchet. “Party Time” would go on to become a classic from the group, and a part of the setlist for the past and present members.

Thanks To The Heptones For This Classic!

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The Paragons "On The Beach" (1967) on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Rocksteady #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheParagons #OnTheBeach #TreasureIsle #DukeReid #1967 #JohnHolt #BobAndy #HowardBarrett #GarthEvans #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Riddim #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Paragons – On The Beach (1967)

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It’s Summer, and it’s time to have some fun. How about some music to go with it? Today on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re highlighting a song that you could call a “Summer Song“. We go back in time to check out The Paragons’ “On The Beach“.

Produced by Sonia Pottinger with arrangement by Tommy McCook & The Supersonics and released through Treasure Isle in 1967, it’s time to revel in some fun with The Paragons’ “On The Beach”. The group, consisting of John Holt, Garth Evans, Bob Andy, and Howard Barrett, delivered harmonies and good vibes with their song that painted the picture of days at the beach with friends, playing music to dance all the time to, and having fun like it’s never gonna end. “On The Beach” quickly became a hit for The Paragons, and ended up becoming one of the group’s best releases. The single would later be featured on their 1967 album, “On The Beach With The Paragons“. “On The Beach” would later be sampled by Microphones Killarz, and covered by band member John Holt, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, and Wayne Wade.

Since the release of “On The Beach”, The Paragons would go on to release more music until John Holt left in 1970 to pursue a solo career. Garth Evans would also leave for solo endeavours, and The Paragons would go through a few band and name changes before disbanding. The group would reform in the late 70s, and would perform over the years. Evans, Holt, and Bob Andy would pass away in 2000, 2014, and 2020 respectively. “On The Beach” would remain one of their biggest releases.

Thank You The Paragons For This Classic!

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Johnny Nash "Hold Me Tight" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #USA #HoustonTexas #Texas #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #JohnnyNash #HoldMeTight #ReggaeMonth #Caribbean #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool

OLDIES SUNDAY: Johnny Nash – Hold Me Tight (1968)

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February is recognized as “Reggae Month” in Jamaica, and in parts of the world. It is also Black History Month, and on “Oldies Sunday“, we’re celebrating Black Music. Today, we highlight History as we go back to the 1960s to check out American Reggae/Pop/Soul Singer Johnny Nash and his track, “Hold Me Tight“.

Co-Produced with Arthur Jenkins and released through JAD Records in 1968, Johnny Nash is making up with him lady through song in “Hold Me Tight”. Nash admits his mistakes throughout the relationship, and realizes that his lady is the right one for him, so he’s going to do all the right things to make the their union better. “Hold Me Tight” created History as being one of the first Rocksteady singles to be performed and released by a non-Jamaican, and it went on to become a top 5 hit in North America (securing a #1 in Canada), and earning a top 5 placement in the UK. It also paved the way for Nash to release even more Reggae/Rocksteady singles. “Hold Me Tight” was used in Commercials for the Score brand, was sampled by Tanya Stephens and Spragga Benz, and covered by the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Eddie Lovette, Anthony Swete, and Anita Harris.

Since the release of “Hold Me Tight”, Johnny Nash continued to release more albums and singles until the early 80s where he seemed to have disappeared from the spotlight. His career enjoyed some resurgence during the 90s, and started singing again in the 2000s. Johnny Nash passed away in October 2020 after his health started to decline for years. “Hold Me Tight” remains one of his most popular singles to date, and a part of Jamaican Music History.

Thank You Johnny Nash For This Classic!

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