“This Lionel Town dance highlights the talents of the late Jim Kelly. He was a deejay that was most likely to rock a Killamanjaro session but here he is freelancing on the African Roots sound in Clarendon. Apart from a brief interjection from singer Merrick, its Kelly all the way. As he says here “I & I will never entertain the I with slackness, strictly culture”. So you get conscious lyrics a la Briggy in pieces like “Trod Along Roots”, “ Nuff Argument” and “Weh Dem Want” on the Police In Helicopter riddim. Sadly Kelly would lose his life in June of this year, another victim of Jamaica’s senseless violence, robbing the dancehall world of another talented deejay. Enjoy this tape, it’s perhaps the best extended example of Jim Kelly in action.”

Afrotone – Waltham Park, Kingston, October 1984

Featuring: Mellow Tuffy, Carlton Lafters, Papa Dimes, Bruce Lee, Copper Colour, Lion Melody

Selector – Commander

“Recorded in the Waltham Park area of Kingston and features some lesser known singers deejays in an entertaining session. Papa Dimes is perhaps the best known here but there are good performances from the likes of Mellow Tuffy and Copper Colour”

Aquarius Hi Fi Black Pepper Lawn, St Margaret's Bay, Portland 1981

Featuring: Courage, Ranking Dust, Barry White, Piper...

Selector: John Bob...

"Here's another one away sound, Aquarius Hi Fi , captured live in a 1981 session at Black Pepper Lawn, St Margaret's Bay in the parish of Portland. The main deejay here is Papa Courage, a regular on various Portland sounds. He's backed up by lesser known, but able deejays Ranking Dust, Barry White and Piper. The selector John Bob plays typical sounds of the day with Jimmy Riley on Taxi riddims being very popular on this session."

Bonafide Love - Dalvey, St.Thomas - March 1998

Featuring: Daddy Shark, Rhinestone, Bruk Back, Junior Cat, Marshall, Brigadier Jerry, Sister Nancy.

Selector Mikey Dread.

“Bonafide Love, a former London sound system, relocated in the nineties to Temple Hall in the parish of St.Thomas. This dance in Dalvey is a tribute to a Twelve Tribes brother, and has some big names in attendance, with some flying in from America. Mikey Dread's ragga selection precedes showtime, which starts with Daddy Shark - brother to Josey Wales, and Junior Cat with his fast talking rude boy chat over the original 'Punany' riddim. Back from foreign after eleven years is Bruk Back, an under recorded veteran from back in the days of Black Star, often alongside Tiger. In his many cultural lyrics he asks “What Kind of World” are we living in. Enter Brigadier Jerry and his sister 'Muma' Nancy, a foundation female deejay for over two decades, to pay their musical respects over some familiar Studio One rhythms. This session contains plenty of excellent roots and culture in the dance.”

“Not to sure of the venue of this one, although the parish of St Thomas is mentioned a few times. It does sound like a “country” session and it’s got a really good thing going for it....Professor Nuts at his dancehall best. You can hear him interacting with crowd, cracking jokes and telling stories. Sometimes slack and sometimes serious, but always with humour. Deejaying by his side is Michael Grant, better known then as Nigger Mikey. His contributions include “DJ Cussing”, “Spotty Leg” and the clever “Spelling Style”. Michael Buckley counteracts all the quick-fire lyrics offering some excellent vocalising on “My Baby”, “Pupa Lick” and “You Lick Me First”. Class One had some sharp specials and artists featured here on dubs included Malibu, Conrad Crystal and King Everall.”

Featuring: Bunny General, Colourman, Lady Lee, Super Cat, Early B, Junior Smart, Junior Demus

“Two big sounds in the area, Manchester’s Cosmic Force clashing Kingston’s Black Scorpio. Cosmic’s resident deejays Bunny General and Colourman are joined by big supas Super Cat and Early B and all combined they must have been quite a handful for General Trees and the Scorpio posse. In particular Apache Cat who causes worries in “Dead Already” on the “Get A Lick/Billie Jean” riddim. His sparring partner Early B voices his “Sunday Dish” and “Gone In The Army” in his unmistakeable rhythmic style. Colourman, a cultural chanter through and through, urges the crowd to catch his “Bible Style” on tape and cassette. Luckily somebody did just that and here is the resulting session to enjoy.”

Count Bassie Hi Fi Redpond, Spanish Town, December 1984

Featuring: Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales, U Roy, Yellowman, Bammie Man, Ranking Joe, Courage…

“This session was promoted by Charlie Chaplin as a fund raiser for a community school project, and brought together the old ‘Sturgav’ team on the Spanish Town set Count Bassie.
Even though it’s a dance for charity, it doesn’t stop someone stealing a tyre from a vehicle parked outside the venue, which gets Josey mad and he tells the people so!
That aside the rest of the session runs nicely with ‘The Principal’ drawing nuff gun salute from the security with his ‘four wheel, wheely’ lyrics, making the ‘Colonel’ beg for a cease fire as “his heart is not in a good condition”
Other highlights include Josey & Charlie singing duet inna religious style over the ‘Shank I Shek’ rhythm and the arrival of Bammie Hi Power and his Human Sound system, making all supes line up to ride the rhythms from his stomach!
Personally the best moment for me is when Daddy Roy steps up to chant over the old ‘Jah vengeance’ rhythm…

This is another of Keiths tapes… Many thanks my friend…..

Featuring: Professor Nuts, Devon Irie, Singing Fish, Ricky Chaplin, Hornsman

A nice quality recording of Count Bassie inna soundclash style. For this dance they have employed the talents of the always hysterical Professor Nuts. Not really a lot more to say as you know with Nuts at the mic it is gonna be Wicked!

Featuring: Tiger, Super Morris, General Tex, Chakademus, Major Worries, General Bucky, Uglyman

“Presenting a night called “Hold Up Yu Hand To The New Champion” and featuring over two and half hours of Courage International in Moneague. The ever manic Tiger “Works Hard For His Money” and he rewards the Fleur De Lis crowd with some top notch songs in “No Wanga Gut”, “Give Me No Drugs”, “Sitting In La La”. Operator Papa Courage obviously has a good connection with the Jammy’s studio as Joel, the selector, has an impressive amount of “specials” cut on Jammy’s finest riddims from the likes of Johnny Osbourne, Superblack & Prince Junior. The connection doesn’t end there either, as Chakademus and Major Worries are in attendance too. The “Chaka” explains that he “Must Haffe Chat” and always “Come Original” in the dance whilst Daddy Major Worries shows his rhyming skills in “Girl Beg You Stay” and the excellent “Master Of Ceremony”. The line up also includes deejays like Uglyman and Generals Tex and Bucky and cameo appearances from Mr Wilkins, a human lickshot and the bottle top hornsman........ all contributing to an eventful evening.”

Featuring: General Trees, Everton Blender, Danny Culture, Little Meeky, Daddy Meeky, Lady G

“There’s definitely a full ninety minutes of this Destiny Outernational session floating around, but unfortunately all we have is a 45 clip to enjoy. This features a lot of artists associated with Kingston’s Black Scorpio, the most well known being General Trees. Always a good performer he works the crowd well flashing lyrics like “Dance A Fi Nice”, “Walkathon” and “If Me Wrong”. Selector Chubba Mellow was once a soundman, as Chubba Youth, for the Stereograph sound system in the UK, but now he’s pulling out all the tunes for Destiny. Everton Blender was a singer on the rise and his familiar tone can be heard as he runs through an early version of “This Old Man”. The Meeks, both Daddy and Little Meeky, are here as is “female cat” Lady G who’s always full of lyrics as her “Ghetto Rock” proves. Pure vibes from out of the parish of Manchester.”

Destiny Outernational v G.T. Hi Fi @ Taurus Club, Waltham Park, Kingston, January 1986

Featuring: General Trees, Kulcha Knox, Little Kirk, Tony Rebel, Everton Blender, Bimbo, King Everall, Jackie Knockshot, Super Black, Commander Banton

“It’s soundclash time at the Taurus Club in Waltham Park and Destiny, Mandeville’s finest have come to challenge Kingston’s G.T. Hi Fi, a relative newcomer on the scene. The personnel around the Destiny set is much the same as usual with singers Little Kirk, King Everall, Super Black and Everton Blender getting their chance. King Everall shoots straight to G.T.’s head in “Deadstock” and Super Black’s “Nuff Excitement” gets the whistle posse blowing. A visitor from London, radio personality Commander Banton, brings the fast style, and gets a good crowd reaction, in “Nice Up The Dancehall”. And with deejays General Trees and Kulcha Knox plus the roots duo of Tony Rebel and Bimbo also in the Destiny ranks, G.T. were certainly put to the test.”

Featuring: Kulcha Knox, Everton Blender, Little Kirk, Super Black, Tony Rebel, Bimbo, King Everall

“Here’s another Destiny dance held in Mandeville, the main town in the parish of Manchester. The star performers at the control tower are deejay sparring partners Tony Rebel and Garnett “Bimbo” Silk, who were often to be found on this sound. Rebel Tony’s pieces include “Riot Ina Mandeville” over the mighty “Sleng Teng and “Collect Me Money”. Bimbo chats a rapid “Chop It Up” before warning travellers that “London’s Pretty, But Cold”. Singers Everton Blender and King Everall are both “on plastic, and live”, with Blender shining on “Pretty Brown Eyes” and “Shirley”. Chubba Mellow has lots of digital dubplate killers to play and there is even time for Little Kirk to air his sought after “Killa Sound Bwoy” lyrics live and direct.”

Featuring: Chakademus, Little Kirk, Super Black, Danny Culture, Kulcha Knox, King Everall, Bimbo

“It’s now March 1986 and Mandeville’s finest Destiny are still on the go. This time Chakademus is the big name in the house with nuff dancehall hits on the local charts. When he takes up the microphone he questions “What Kind Of World” are the people living in. On a similar theme Danny Culture likens the world to “One Big Ghetto”. The underrated Kulcha Knox is always an entertaining deejay and he doesn’t disappoint the massive piling up lyrics in pieces “One By One” and fast paced “Follow Me”. Future star Garnett Silk is again present in his guise as deejay Bimbo. He too displays the fast talk style on “Police Brutalization” and “Aids Victim”. The singers are represented by King Everall, Super Black and the youthful Little Kirk and this gave Destiny a varied spread of entertainers.”

Featuring: Jim Brown, Culture Mikey, Danny Dread, Little Twitch, Tipper Lee, Rappa Robert, Empress Akila

“This Christmas morning session took place in the town of Summerfield and it’s a little known sound El Ringo running things here. DJ duo Tipper Lee and Rappa Robert trade lyrics for “Flash It Ina Christmas Style” as well as solo pieces such as “Lyrics Veteran” and “Landlord Pressure”. The “Reverend” Danny Dread has made the journey too and his typical deejay/singjay chat includes “Chant It Nyahbinghi” and “Don’t Follow Rumour”. Studio One mic man Jim Brown is strictly cultural in style on “Congo Drum” and “Love & Unity” as is Twitch’s chanted “Worries & Trouble & Boderation”. Culture Mikey steps up for “Knight Rider” and this gets large forwards from the country folk. Once again a good session from another one away sound.”

Heatwave Hi Fi Waterhouse 1990

Featuring: Ninja Man, Shabba Ranking, Risto Benji, Beenie Man, Scaley..

Operator: ‘Digital’ Bobby Dixon

Another later session, this time featuring Digital Bobby’s Heatwave set caught live n direct in the Waterhouse area of Kingston.
Live appearances from the ‘Don Gorgon’ Ninjaman and Shabba Ranking and the youth superstars, Beenie Man and little risto, make for a lively session..

Again, thanks to Keith for this one……………

“Here’s a great tape showcasing the emerging deejaying talents of Buro in the days before he worked on top sounds like Volcano and Killamanjaro. Performing on the Hot Sizzler set, from the Standpipe area and operated by Tony, “Papa” Buro’s lyrics flow over the B sides of tunes by the likes of Tony Tuff and Sugar Minott. General Landlord makes an appearance too but its Buro that steals the show here.”

Featuring: U.Brown, Ranking Joe, Junior Briggy, Brigadier Jerry, President Brown, Sister Nancy...

“This small session from 1993 features Integra Hi Fi, a country sound from Port Maria. Promoter for the dance though is Ranking Joe and he has managed to attract some big time veterans to the North Coast venue. U.Brown and Ranking Joe keep things bubbling along nicely over some Al Campbell revivals before Junior Briggy comes in announcing that culture music is back in the dances for 1993. Brigadier Jerry, riding high again with the success of “Bangarang”, here rides Garnett Silk’s “Zion In A Vision” for “DreadIocks Will Never Run Away”. It is clear that Integra’s young selector wasn’t used to working with such legendary artists on the set and the veterans get impatient with him at times. Towards the end of the recording President Brown, formerly known as Slim Brown when he started out on Jack Ruby, along with Junior Briggy, keep the flag flying for the next generation of cultural deejays.”

King Bozak Hi Fi – St. Thomas, 1989

Featuring: Professor Nuts, Pig Man, Supervisor, Frogman

Selectors – Steve, Daddy Welton

“Carl Wellington, better known as Professor Nuts, is a criminally under recorded deejay who combines humour and storytelling, all delivered in a quickfire style. It’s always good to hear him in the dance and this session, in St. Thomas, is no exception. His lyrics pour out at breakneck speed on topics like “Bad Boy Jimmy”, “No Pancoot” and “Fling Dubpate”. Deejay Supervisor, who often could be heard at Killamanjaro dances around this time, is “On A Deejay Mission” and he’s shows he can rock a crowd. King Bozak have a good selection of customised dubplates from the likes of Bananaman and Pad Anthony, and this all adds up to a good entertaining session.”

King Bravel Hi Fi H.Q, Spanish Town Road January 1989

Featuring: Barrington Levy, Daddy Max, Max Romeo, Singie Singie, Daddy Bravel..

Selector: Daddy Bugs..

Mixer: Fenton...

Obscure sound King Bravel captured live in 1989. Amongst the standard juggling there's a "live" artist section which includes vocalist's Vincent "Singie Singie" Marsh, Barrington Levy and roots legend Max Romeo singing in a dancehall style....

“This is our earliest outing from St Thomas’ best known sound system, King Majesty Hi Fi, live at an unknown location in that region. The sounds owner Carly has assembled a good crew for this dance including U. Brown, Junior Demus, Shaka Shamba, Papa Tullo and Patrick Irie, although the latter two are not heard on this recording. U. Brown is the senior entertainer present but he doesn’t hog the mic. After previewing his “new” release “Cost Of Living” he hands over to Shaka Shamba who rocks the place with “Black Am I” and “Life Out A Sea No Easy”, his special request to the local fishermen.”

Featuring: Early B, Supercat, Don Carlos, Beenie Man, Boss N****R, Patrick Irie...

Operator: Danny Dread...

"King Majesty sound system hailed from the parish of St.Thomas and this 1983 tape captures them live in Portland and features Super Cat and Early B. These two deejays, who had started out on Soul Imperial, were now building a big reputation on the King Majesty set, prior to moving onto Killamanjaro. Other entertainers on this short session included Boss N***er, Patrick Irie, singer Don Carlos and the youthful Beenie Man, who even then in 1983 had been appearing at dances regularily for a couple of years. Once again the selector is the almost ever present Danny Dread."

“Early B and Super Cat first cut their sound system teeth on Kingston’s Soul Imperial disco but around 1982 Early B managed to arrange a residency on the King Majesty set which proved to be a stepping stone to greater things. The following sessions show their emerging talent as they honed their microphone skills at Majesty dances throughout the parishes of St Thomas and Portland. Highlights from the pair include Cat’s “What’s Mashing Up Our Island” and B’s “Bible Story” which causes rumpuss in the crowd. Selector Papa Sonny draws hot tunes from Don Carlos and Michael Prophet and Patrick Irie deejays “What An Excitement” when Majesty is in the area. Indeed!”

King Majesty Hi Fi – Port Morant Community Centre, Port Morant, St Thomas 1983

“Most of these King Majesty sessions seem to be recorded around the same time, late ‘82 or early ’83 and this short one takes place at Port Morant Community Centre. Super Cat really get’s into his lyrical stride on this tape, tackling the currently hot “Yo Yo” saga and running wild over an updated “Run, Run” riddim for “Super Dem Chat”. A major talent on the move.

“The country sound comes to the city, touching down at the Nice & Easy Club in the Tivoli Gardens area. Majesty have cut some crucial dubplates and they open up this recording in good style. Dual selectors Danny Dread and Papa Sonny flash Sugar Minott’s “King Majesty Is Coming” and Don Carlos’s “Majesty Is The No. 1 Sound” over which Early B comes with some expert Spanish chat. He also offers good advice to young girls in “Two Is Better Than Too Many”. But when you hear the opening salvo “... it was the year 1966” you know what’s coming and Early B doesn’t disappoint on “Visit Of King Selassie”, probably his most enduring tune. Great performance from a much missed deejay.”

Lightning Hi Fi – Thompson Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine, Jan 1985

Featuring: Major Worries, Joe Mannix, Lt. Stitchie, Wolfman

Operator – Dennis Star

“Lightning Supermix operated out of Spanish Town and here’s a recording of a 1985 session they held in the Thompson Pen area of the old capitol. Operator Dennis “Star” Hayles has all the latest Half Pint and Junior Reid tunes and he’s surrounded by clutch of, then, upcoming Spanishtonian deejays. Lt.Stitchie and his spar Jonathon Wolfman are here captured live before they made the breakthrough with Stereo One. Stitchie’s lyrics include “Give A Little Help” to the struggling people and Wolfman shocks out on “Unmetered Taxi” for his “New Obeah Man” piece. Outlaw Mannix’s “Human Style” shows him to be a good rhymer and it’s also very early days for the talented Major Worries, prior to his breakthrough on Jammy’s, and he offers up advice to the youths in “Learn Up A Trade”

Featuring: Lover Leon, Early Black, Singing Melody, Daddy Freddy, Nally Banton, Hammermouth, Shaka Indian, Daddy Moon, Daddy Logan, Joe Mannix, Nail Point

“Here’s a dance held down on Shortwood Road in the Arcadia Gardens area of Kingston 8. Papa Carl’s disco Daddy Merchant has a host of artists taking their turn to “shock out”. Jaro’s Hammermouth passes through with some rough rude bwoy chat. Selector Kirky throws in tracks by Tenor Saw, King Kong and Echo Minott into the mix but it’s on the Agony riddim that we get to hear future world record holder Daddy Freddy alongside his cousin Shaka Indian flinging down lyrics like there’s no tomorrow. But the biggest surprise of the night is unheralded deejay Lover Leon who on this performance should have gone on to far greater things. Pure entertainers all the way, from a time when things were changing in the dances.”

“At the time of this tape Nicodemus was number one deejay for Prince Jammy’s sound. Father Demus had a style of building lyrics, line after line, rhyme after rhyme, and he was always an easily recognisable voice. Here he is guesting on the Magnum Force sound in Lionel Town. Selector Kirky draws tunes from Wayne Jarrett, Barrington Levy and Dennis Brown. Eek A Mouse’s “Operation Eradication” was a huge hit and Nico D rides the version, letting the country folks know what was going on in Kingston city. The fragile voice of Clarendon’s Merrick is heard warning the gunmen in “Talk About The M16” while deejay Pretty Ranking realises the importance of the country ganja farmers in “Herbsman Planting”. The quality of this tape was really poor and we nearly gave up on it, but Jayman persevered, and has managed to archive another one away sound.”

Mercury Hi Fi – Waltham Park, Kingston, 1989

Featuring: Elfigo Barker, Shabba Ranks, Devon Clarke, Jessie, Professor Cornbread, Lesley Thunder, Ruddy Irie

“At the time of this recording in early 1989 Hurricane Gilbert was still very fresh in the minds of all Jamaicans. For this dance on the Mercury sound, the main deejay here is Shabba Ranks, a star very much on the rise. His records have been ruling the airwaves and here he displays his slackness and gal talk lyrics on tunes such as “Punany Full We Head” and “Love Punany Bad”. But Shabba also comments on the “Apartheid” situation, and along with former Volcano deejay Elfigo Barker, they urge the people not to get involved with the politics business. Lesley Thunder, another fine deejay who never really made that big breakthrough, shows his lyrical prowess in “Pretty Gal” over the dancehall staple “Punany” riddim.”

Thanks to our good friend Keith for this one...

Featuring: Bammie Man, Clement Irie, Yellowman, Commander Shad, Cocoa Tea, Red Dragon, Presley, Robert French

“Rambo Mango was a sound that was active in the latter years of the eighties and this finds them rocking Lionel Town in 1989. Clement Irie, riding high in the charts at this time, deejays his big anti drugs tune “Koloko” and urges the youth to leave the drugs alone. Another deejay hitting big is Red Dragon and he comes with all things “Dibby Dibby” which goes down well with the massives. Clarendon’s local and international star Cocoa Tea passes through the dance and runs through a few of his many hits like “On Top Of The World” and “Lonesome Side”. With Yellowman also holding the microphone throughout and plenty of tunes delivered in a “combination style” Rambo Mango produce a very entertaining recording.”

Featuring: Ashman, Wayne Ranks, John Wayne, Anthony Redrose, Blacka Ranks, Rappa Robert, Don Yute, Leslie Thunder, Super Barry, Louie Culture

“Two sounds meet up in Southside lawn, one is pioneering juggling set Klassique and the other is the Redman Hi Power who have entertainers galore for this friendly clash. Singer Quench Aid, is selector for the night and it’s pure digital that he runs. Nitty Gritty’s big tune “ Run Down The World” sets the tone for the night and its followed up with more computerised classics such as “Agony” and “Punanny”, both riddim rulers in the dancehall in 1987. John Wayne states that “Redman Deh Pon Street” and that the sound is moving up in the business. Rappa Robert is always good for lyrics and his pieces “Big & Broad” and “Sickness” show just why he’s rated. The same can be said about Leslie Thunder who pleads his cause in “Give Me A Fair Try”. Deejay duo Louie Culture and Wayne Ranks showcase their single “Rat A Bodda Me” towards the end of this lively session.”

Featuring: Little John, Daddy Iron, Larry D, Jah Screw, Elfego Barker, Baby Bam, Shadowman, Tipper Lee, Johnny Blacka

“Enjoyable session from the Romantic sound, which existed in the eighties and was owned or part owned by Little John McMorris. Not sure if he does the selecting himself here but he does pick up the mic when the mood takes him. “Ooh Wee Baby” and the conscious “Babylon Try To Stop Me” are some of the highlights from “Little Johnny Wonder”. He’s surrounded by a number of lesser known, but more than competent, deejays on this 45 minute session. Larry D has got food on his mind while Daddy Iron is a deejay influenced by Yellowman, but he’s still got some good lyrics. Jah Screw rides the classic Studio One riddim “The Answer” urging the youth to “Learn Fe Read, Learn Fe Write”. Elfego Barker and Shadowman have connections with both the Romantic and Volcano sound systems and Shadow’s “What A Struggling” is a stand out moment.”

Featuring: Baby Bam, Mr Lee, Shadowman, Jah Screw, Squiddly Bam, Brownie, Tenor Saw, Little John

“A next Romantic selection, courtesy of Ruffhouse, featuring perhaps the earliest Tenor Saw performance. One of the tunes selector Everton draws is Al Campbell’s “Trouble In the Dance” and it seems trouble is exactly what’s happened to Tenor Saw before he grabs the mic. But the man’s adamant he’s a “One Man Army” and he won’t be pushed around by anyone in the dance. Shadowman’s a revelation on this tape, his aim is to “come to teach, culturally”, and he does this in fine style in passages like “What Kind Of World”, “Day Of Creation” and the impressive “Blackman Liberation” voiced over the Riddim Twins version to “Have You Ever”. Deejay Jah Screw, who also calls himself Ranking Screw, gets in the spirit with “Dance The Kumina”. The boss Little John steps in with some “Oldies But Goodies” towards the end and this combined with crisp Romantic musical selection from artists like Leroy Sibbles, Carlton Livingston and the ruling singer Frankie Paul, results in a bubbling dancehall night.”

Featuring: LittleTwitch, Monksman, Multi Blind, Daddy Meeky, Little Meeky, Chronicle, Bullman

“A dance at Herbie’s Lawn in the Greendale area of Spanish Town finds ex UK sound Small Axe in session. Surrounding selector Inspector Ras is a talented crew of mic men which include Monksman, the deejay chemist, Bullman and the popular dancehall duo of Daddy Meeky and Little Meeky. Judging by their lyrics, The Meeks are obviously great lovers of cooked food. There is fine selection of dubplate to be heard from the likes of Malibu and Chronicle, who also appears live, bigging up the Small Axe sound. Multi Blind causes worries aboard the pounding “A Get A Lick” riddim. Little Twitch is a deejay who was schooled on the Sturgav sound is here freelancing. He was to step up to top sounds like Killamanjaro and King Jammy’s, but here he displays his talents even quoting “The Owl & The Pussycat” in a poetry style over the “Kouchie/Full Up” rhythm.”

Featuring: Bammy Man, Chronicle, Bullman, Monksman, Everton Frae, Ranking Desi, Multi Blind,

Here's another session featuring Small Axe sound and this time special guest is the human sound system Bammy Man and you know when Bammy is in the session it is going to be MURDER!

Thanks to brother Keith for this one...

Download 2016

Soul Imperial Hi Fi 'Brockbacks Farewell dance' Bamboo Lawn January 1986

Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Edi Fitzroy, Johnny Osbourne, Earl Cunningham, Brockback, Philip Fanna, Junior Cat, Hopeton Lindo,

Iron Man, 2 x Hornsman, Joe Lickshot....

Operator: Germie Lee

A real nice session this, full of Supes all passing through Bamboo Lawn, in the Cockburn Pen area of Kingston, to say farewell to Brockback who was about to leave for foreign to tour with Blackstar Hi Fi.
Plenty of Vibes and a top drawer roll call of entertainers make for a crucial session....

Soulville Hi Fi - Organizer Club, Ocho Rios, St. Ann - May 1980

Featuring: Nicodemus & Andrew Ranking

Selector: Miguel

"Soulville Hi Fi touches down for a dance at the Organizer Club in Ocho Rios. Nicodemus is the senior deejay here and he delivers the goods over selector Miguel's choice tunes of the day. Andrew Ranking is the other present and he shows he can ride a rhythm well too. This excellently recorded tape was labeled 1981, but Soulville's selection suggests that it is more likely to be a year earlier"

“This is the Soul Symphony sound live in Spanish Town and they were the sound that gave future UK radio host Chris “Goldfinger” Clarke his start in the dancehall business. Popular singer Pinchers passes through the area and he doesn’t let the crowd down, keeping them happy with hits like “Don Is Don” and “Borrow No Gun”. In contrast to his Pinchers’ vocals, rough voiced Junior Demus deejays his tale of a petty thief called “Johnny Bop” and dancehall squeeker Major Mackerel reprises his hits “Dutty Bungle” and the self depreciating “Pretty Looks Done”. An all too short appearance from long talking chatter Papa San precedes some juggling business from Chris Goldfinger and the crew.”

Stereo Passion Cockburn Pen, Kingston May 1994

Featuring: Josie Wales, Little Twitch, General B, Thriller Black, Captain deuce, Fuzzy Jones..

Selectors: Glamma D, Jack Fire....

This is an unusual tape of the Stereo Passion set, an almost exclusively hardcore juggling sound. But here, amongst a barrage of Bounty Killer and Beenie Man specials, we get a top notch mid-nineties performance from the "Outlaw" Josey Wales, ably backed up by Little Twitch. There is also a brief live introduction from the late Fuzzy Jones.

Studio One Hi Fi Lacovia Community Centre March 1983

Featuring: Rappa Robert. General Willie....
Selector: General Willie
Operator: Tony

“Next is a recording of a country sound called Studio One, which is not to be confused with Coxsone Dodd’s famous label. However there is a Studio One connection with the featured deejay here, Rappa Robert, who runs this session almost single handedly. His combination records with Jim Brown were recorded at Studio One. Here an earlier version of his “Pirate” lyrics are featured. He also made solo records and appeared in a next deejay combination with Tipper Lee. This is an excellent one away session recorded in March 1983 at Lacovia Community Centre, Lacovia in the parish of St Elizabeth. Willie, the selector, runs plenty of tunes by the likes of Tony Tuff, Sammy Dread, Little John and Sugar Minott with the versions expertly deejayed by Rappa Robert and aided by General Willie.”

“Excellent one away selection featuring the little known Superphonic set recorded in May Pen. Just two deejays run things here, the first being Danny Culture who was usually to be found on Barry G’s Wah Dat sound. The other is Bunny General, the goat man himself, in what could be his earliest taped session. Superphonic’s selector has all the current riddims for this Christmas dance and the chatters take turns to fill the versions with lyric after lyric. Danny “comes to teach” over the “Diseases” riddim in the complex “Discovery Of Jamaica” passage, while Bunny’s repertoire includes “Credel”, “Unite” and “Don’t Bring Your Guns To Town”. Great vibes on this one.”

Survival Faith Hi Fi Golden Touch Centre, Boscobel Beach, Near Oracabessa, St Mary 14 - 2 - 1988

Featuring: Charlie Chaplin, Brigadier Jerry, General Trees, Michael Buckley, Horace Martin, Little John, Culture Lee

“The Golden Touch Centre at Boscobel Beach plays host to Survival Faith’s Valentines night dance. It’s “3 The Hard Way” as veterans Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin and General Trees line up together. On more than one occasion here Trees lashes out at the lyric pirates and the get rich quick producers who are blighting the music business. Charlie Chaplin is in good humour and Briggy takes time out to hail up the “The Teacher” Daddy U.Roy. It’s King Jammy’s rhythms leading the way and there’s a clutch of dancehall singers, including Little John, Michael Buckley and the seldom heard Horace Martin. They ride the riddims well, adapting current R&B and pop hits alike, and they, alongside the deejays, provide a very entertaining late eighties session.”

Tello Vibration hi Fi North Coast, Jamaica December 1982

Featuring: Papa Tullo, Jockey Rider, Little Jerry, Jesse James...

“To start this atmospheric, taped in the dance, session the Tello Vibration crew of Leroy and Natty draw Icho Candy’s “Captain Selassie I “ and Triston Palma’s “Entertainment which both ride the ever popular “Heavenless” riddim. The senior deejay is Papa Tullo, later to become a Jammy’s regular as Tulloch T, and here he dispenses good advice to the masses in “Badness No Pay” as well as commentary on world events such as the war in Lebanon. Jockey Rider, a regular around the Montego Bay sound systems, deejays well too, requesting “No War in This Dance”. There’s a couple of “little MC’s” here with youthman Little Jerry saluting his mother whilst the even younger Jesse James predictably gets forwards from the crowd when he reaches up for the microphone. Dubplates from the like of Eek A Mouse and the then currently hot singer Don Carlos complete this excerpt from a long lost sound.”

Terminator Hi Fi – Lionel Town, Clarendon, 26th January 1994

Featuring: Sanchez, Cocoa Tea, Lukie D, Luciano, Little Twitch, Daniki & Steady Ranks, Shadowman, Stingaman

Crew – Bad Indian, Kirk, Blacka, Donovan Sikladeen

“When this was recorded in 1994 Terminator was the new name for the old African Roots sound which operated in the 80's and judging by the artists appearing here and the numerous shout outs to Phillip “Fatis” Burrell this sesion had to be a showcase night for Fatis’s Exterminator label. The top singers featured here, like Luciano, Cocoa Tea and Sanchez all came up through the dancehall ranks before progressing to stage shows. But this takes them back to their roots and it’s good to hear Luciano and Cocoa Tea duetting their hit ”Mr Governor” over the Exterminator cut of “Sleng Teng”. Luciano also revisits his “Neighbourhood Watch” with Little Twitch filling in with the deejay chat. Sadly the live artist section of this tape is far too short, and unfortunately this is the only Terminator session we have ever heard”

Featuring: Chakademus, Echo Minott, Anthony Malvo, Brigadier Jerry, Tonto Irie, Danny Dread, Sister Nancy, Daddy Jam

“This is a recording of Travellers Hi Fi in the Tavern area of Kingston city and looking at the line up of artists you could be fooled into thinking it was Black Star in session. Singers Echo Minott, with “Saddest Day Of My Life” and Anthony Malvo, interpreting “On and On” sing sweetly to the Tavern crowd. Sister Nancy struts her stuff with “You’re Too Greedy” over the “Real Rock” and her massive “Bam, Bam” on the ever present “Unmetered Taxi” riddim. With appearances from her big brother Brigadier Jerry and future stars Tonto Irie and Chakademus, this Travellers dance must have gone down well.”

Featuring: Philip Frazer, General Lucky, Peter Ranking, Fletcher D, Shadowman, Don Carlos, Gold, Larry D

“Greenwich Farm meets May Pen in the parish of Clarendon. Farm-ites Phillip Fraser and deejay duo Peter Ranking and General Lucky are Ultrasonics’ guests for the night. Fraser runs through a nice selection of his dancehall favourites like “Please Stay”, “Sharing The Night” and of course the mighty “Never Let Go”. Ranking and Lucky perform some numbers solo with the versatile Peter Ranking standing out on pieces like “Beach Party”, “Chemist Ina Dis” and Shoulder Move”. Don Carlos, aided by Gold, also passes through singing “strictly roots and culture” on “Not Giving Up”, “Lazer Beam”, “Travelling Man” and “Hog & Goat”. Some wicked one away vibes on this tape.”

Zion Train Hi Fi - Old Harbour Road, Old Harbour, St Catherine 1986

Featuring: Brigadier Jerry

Selector - Chaka Chaka

Operator - Ricky

"This is a previously unheard of JA sound, Zion Train, but you could swear
this was a Jah Love session with Brigadier Jerry controlling the microphone
all night. He rolls out all his favourite lyrics and matches them up with
original and re-cut rhythms. With an enthusiastic whistle blowing crowd in
attendance and Briggy giving his all, we are treated to an excellent 1986
session."