Reggae Fever New Releases December 2014
(3 x new 7" and 8 x 7" re-releases)
Top Smile Records and reggaefever.ch are back with the second batch of three 7 inch vinyls from High Smile Hifi. The Switzerland based production combo has teamed up with Birmingham/UK residents Tenna Star and Ras Negus I, who deliver two excellent conscious tunes on the riddim called Soundkilla. On ‹Be Smart›, Tenna Star give us guidance to withstand the babylon system and encourages the listener to waste no more time and make a start for a better tomorrow.
Ras Negus I delivers a similar message on ‹Seeking a way out› :To break free from babylon system.Two great tunes on a great riddim from two outstanding singers !
For the third 7 inch, the crew has worked with Jamaican reggaelegend Little Harry. No further introduction needed as I would say. The powerful digikal production is called ‹Hard Life› and comes with a Yamaha CS-01 bassline. On this one, Little Harry aka The Youngest Veteran, gives a deejay's insight into the struggles of everyday life facing many Jamaicans.
After umpteen years in the game, he's still standing strong with a positive message.
After umpteen years in the game, he's still standing strong with a positive message.
All three 7 inch singles are produced in the same modern and yet vintage digital style that we know from High Smile HiFi's previous productions and this batch continues that fine tradition.
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| High Smile Hifi Feat Tenna Star Be Smart |
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| High Smile Hifi Feat Tenna Star Be Smart Remix |
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| High Smile Hifi Feat Ras Negus I Seeking A Way Out |
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| High Smile Hifi Version |
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| High Smile Hifi Feat Little Harry Hard Life |
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| High Smile Hifi Hard Life Version |
Blue Bells Part 2
Two new Hector Wright productions are now available on reissue 7". "Love Time" was recorded in 1982 at Channel One, the riddim was done by Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Ansel Collins and Lloyd Parks.
The biggest Blue Bells hit was "Come Along". Written and produced by Hector Wright and recorded at Black Ark Studio, the Blue Bells were Hector Wright (Lead) + and Raphael Martin (Harmony). It was released in 1976 in Jamaica on the Upsetter label, in England on the Locks label and in the USA on Brad's Upsetters label. The Upsetters, in this instance, also feature Bobby Kalphat, Augustus Pablo, and Benbow and the Gladiators, with Lee Scratch Perry as engineer.
RF042
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| Blue Bells - Love Time |
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| Ecclesiastes Band - Part Two Dub |
RF043
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| Blue Bells - Come Along |
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| Upsetters - Along Came A Dub |
Kenneth "Drumbeat" Wilson, Producer and Artist Part 2
Four new Kenneth "Drumbeat" Wilson productions are available on reissue 7".
The selection starts with Kenneth's only record as a Singer/DJ, "Chapter of Life", recorded in 1971 at Randy's Recording Studio 17 Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Musicians: The Drum Beat All Stars (Hippy Boys/Upsetters). We are told that Drumbeat's voice was recorded only due to imbibing too much white rum!
The Clarendonians medley "What A Bam Bam" was originally called "Seven In One Medley". Drumbeat got £25 from his cousin Leroy Hanson to record the song. Musicians: The Drum Beat All Stars (Upsetters), Bass- Jackie Jackson, Quitan Hason, Lead Guitar- Hux Brown, Second Guitar- Reggie, Drums- Carlton Barrett (Carlie), Organ- Winston Wright, Piano- Gladston Anderson (Gladdie). It was recorded 1971 at at Randy's Recording Studio 17 and produced by Kenneth Wilson and Leroy Hanson.
The DJ cut was later recorded in 1974 at King Tubby's Recording Studio.
"A Day Will Come"by the Clarendonians was cut with members of the Hippy Boys/Upsetters and was recorded in 1971 at Randy's. Produced by Kenneth "Drumbeat" Wilson and J. Powell. Drumbeat gave Harry Robinson the songs to press and distribute in Jamaica. Harry Robinson operated the Carib Disco Record Shop and the Caribbean Distributing Company at 118 Orange Street. The song was also released in England on the Escort label. Robinson was an agent for Harry Palmer (Pama Records) and gave him "A Day Will Come" to release.
And finally the last 7", a co-production from Peter Austin and Drumbeat, "The Ghetto Can Be A Beautiful Place", was recorded at Channel One in 1975, but somehow the vocal tracks got lost, so in 1977 Peter Austin re-voiced the tune.
RF044
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| Kenneth Wilson - Chapters Of Life |
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| Drum Beat All Stars - Good Life |
RF046
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| Clarendonians What A Bam Bam Medley |
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| Prince Williams Big Bam Bam |
RF047
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| Clarendonians A Day Will Come |
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| Drum Beat All Stars A Day Will Come Version |
RF048
Lloyd Deslandes - Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Label Owner Part 2
First re-release in this series is "Hide And Seek", credited to Lloyd Deslandes (Mr Lonely) and Allah, along with the Fab 5 Band. Allah, keyboard player from Chalice, got to know Lloyd while playing in the Army Band. This record was released in 1972 in Jamaica on the Cancer label and in England on the Fab label.
The next release is a tune that achieved infamy as "Death Rides A Horse", recorded at Studio One in April 1969, and only ever released in Jamaica in 1969 on a small number of 7" pre-releases.
Trojan Records made a mix-up with the tapes and released "Bangalang Shangalang" on their Amalgamated 7" but retitled it "Death Rides A Horse". Flip side is "Lover Come Back" with Lloyd Deslandes on lead vocals and the Mellotones (Sammy, Wesley Martin (Wesley Nelson?) and Winston Francis) on backing vocals.
