Musicians Include:
Carlton Barrett, Carlton ‘ Santa ‘ Davis, Sly Dunbar: Drums
Robbie Shakespere, Aston ‘Family Man‘ Barrett: Bass
Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith: Lead Guitar
Tony Chin: Rhythm Guitar
Winston Wright: Organ
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Vin Gordon: Trombone
Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso: Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown, Lester Sterling: Alto Saxophone.
Recorded at: King Tubby’s, Randy’s Studio 17 & Channel 1.
Produced by: Bunny Lee.
Design by: Gary Hall @ Voodoo London.
Photography: Maverick, Jah Floyd Archive.
All Titles published by: Greenwich Farm Music.
Manufactured under Licence from E. Lee.
The D.J. phenomenon has grown to such an extent that it has become common place
in todays musical vocabulary. But it’s roots go back to Jamaica and the Sound Systems,
that exploded in the 1970’s that got us to where we are today.
Although DJ’s was operating in Jamaica in the 50’s & 60’s with the likes of
Count Matchuki and Sir Lord Comic. It was mainly as selectors to the tracks on the
Sound Systems with a few vocal embellishments to instrumental cuts that they provided
and their work stayed mainly confined to the dances. The craze kicked off in 1969 when
D.J. King Stitt (Winston Spark), cut some popular sides like ‘Fire Corner’ and
‘Herbsman Shuffle’ for producer Clancy Eccles, the success of which got noticed.
But it was the originator as he was called U ROY (B.Ewart Beckfort,1942, Kingston, Jamaica)
that kick started the DJ artform. After a time toasting for Doctor Dickies Dynamic System and
Sir Coxsones Downbeat and having moved in 1969 to join King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi
Sound System that producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid, decided to take him into the studio.
The resulting releases like ‘Wake the Town’ and ‘Rule the nation’ would see him top the
Jamaican charts in 1970.
The producer to capitalise most on the DJ explosion was Bunny Lee. As the saying goes
‘If D.J. were your Trade.’ during the seventies you must have cut tracks with him.Using his
vast catalogue of hits by such vocalists as John Holt, Delroy Wilson, Johnny Clarke,
Cornell Campbell, as his back drop. Along with rhythms built at studio’s like Randy’s,
Dynamic and Channel 1, he produced hit after hit. ’Striker‘ as he was nicknamed ruled
the D.J. form from 1970 - 1977 until the wind would blow the changes and reggae....... more
The D.J. phenomenon has grown to such an extent that it has become common place
in todays musical vocabulary. But it’s roots go back to Jamaica and the Sound Systems,
that exploded in the 1970’s that got us to where we are today.
Although DJ’s was operating in Jamaica in the 50’s & 60’s with the likes of
Count Matchuki and Sir Lord Comic. It was mainly as selectors to the tracks on the
Sound Systems with a few vocal embellishments to instrumental cuts that they provided
and their work stayed mainly confined to the dances. The craze kicked off in 1969 when
D.J. King Stitt (Winston Spark), cut some popular sides like ‘Fire Corner’ and
‘Herbsman Shuffle’ for producer Clancy Eccles, the success of which got noticed.
But it was the originator as he was called U ROY (B.Ewart Beckfort,1942, Kingston, Jamaica)
that kick started the DJ artform. After a time toasting for Doctor Dickies Dynamic System and
Sir Coxsones Downbeat and having moved in 1969 to join King Tubby’s Home Town Hi-Fi
Sound System that producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid, decided to take him into the studio.
The resulting releases like ‘Wake the Town’ and ‘Rule the nation’ would see him top the
Jamaican charts in 1970.
The producer to capitalise most on the DJ explosion was Bunny Lee. As the saying goes
‘If D.J. were your Trade.’ during the seventies you must have cut tracks with him.Using his
vast catalogue of hits by such vocalists as John Holt, Delroy Wilson, Johnny Clarke,
Cornell Campbell, as his back drop. Along with rhythms built at studio’s like Randy’s,
Dynamic and Channel 1, he produced hit after hit. ’Striker‘ as he was nicknamed ruled
the D.J. form from 1970 - 1977 until the wind would blow the changes and reggae....... more