In this section you will find sessions from the true foundation sound systems
Black Harmony Hi Fi Kingston 1977
“Here is the only recording we have ever heard of the Black Harmony sound system. Alas it is not a great recording but Jayman has worked hard to present this piece of audio history from 1977. I think Black Harmony operated out of the Greenwich Farm area of Kingston. The main deejay certainly sounds like Jah Stitch and there is also another unknown deejay present as well. The selector runs tunes of the day from artists such as Dennis Brown, Horace Andy and John Holt. “This one’s a Black Harmony Killer” as the man Jah Stitch would say.”
Earth Sounds International Hi Fi, College Common, University of West Indies, Kingston 1980
Featuring: Papa Michigan, Papa Jack, Jah Mike...
Operator: Willie Bop...
“Here’s a tape from a little known sound called Earth Sounds Int. Hi Fi. Recorded at University of West Indies campus in uptown Kingston in 1980 and it features the great Papa Michigan in top form, even without his regular sidekick General Smiley. There are a couple of other artists around the mic, including Papa Jack, who turns out to be none other than a very young Jack Radics. Selector Willie Bop spins the tunes on this great one away sound cassette. The sound was based in the Hope Pastues area of uptown Kingston. This has recently been cleaned up by Jayman since its first posting a while back.”
*Many thanks to "New World Sounds" from DHR for the additional info on this sound system and the original upload.*
Echotone Hi Fi – Harbour View, St Andrew, 1978
Featuring: General Echo
“Before joining Stereophonic, General Echo must have tried to forge ahead in the sound system business with his own Echotone Hi Fi. This 1978 session in Harbour View is the only recording of the sound that we have heard and the quality has been considerably improved from what it once was. At this time the General was still developing his style riding numerous Studio One rhythms here, but rarely straying from the original subject matter of the vocal. The slack lyrics are evident, but it’s on The Tamlins 12” of “Stars” that Echo really shines with his cultural “Jah Jah Is My Guiding Star.”
Echo Vibration Hi Fi Ochi Rios 1980
Featuring: Sammy Dread, Micheal Prophet, Ranking Reuben, Ranking Jerry...
Operator: Dexter Campbell...
“Echo Vibration was a popular sound in Jamaica around the mid 70’s to early 80’s. At the time of this session in 1980 it’s operator was Raymond and the selector was Dexter Campbell. It was “4 the Hard Way” for the Ocho Rios crowd , who were treated to two top singers in Sammy Dread and Michael Prophet, with the deejaying left to Ranking Reuben and Ranking Jerry. This is the only Echo Vibration tape I’ve ever heard and while the quality is not brilliant Jayman has improved it greatly. Dexter Campbell (aka Ska Professor) and Sandford Parchment still operate the sound system to this day and can be found touring playing Ska, Rock Steady and early Reggae sounds from their vast record collection.”
Kenyatta special featuring two dances from 1979.....
**Sound Quality is not great on these**
" Presenting not one but two sessions from Kenyatta Hi Fi, both from the year of 1979. The first one was recorded in Western Kingston and is the better of the 2 recordings. Kenyatta was operated and deejayed by Mikey Dread (It could possibly be Jah Mikey, but it really doesn't sound like it was THE Mikey Dread) and he’s assisted by Kelly Ranking. Papa Billy does the selecting and he has top tunes by Barry Brown and there is also plenty of Studio One too. The influence of General Echo is evident in the deejay's style here. The second tape is from around the same time and probably features the same deejays with the addition of Stereophonic regular Django. This second session, despite Jayman's best efforts, is still pretty rough unfortunately."
Kenyatta Hi Fi Western Kingston 1979
Kenyatta Hi Fi Kingston 1979
King Tubby’s Home Town Hi Fi – Kingston, circa June 1975
Featuring: U.Roy
“There was an air of great excitement around 1998 when rumours that an actual recording of the legendary Home Town Hi Fi was to see the light of day, almost 25 years after the event. Long time sound tape collector Dave Brown was the man responsible for sharing this treasure with the reggae world.
Not surprisingly the recording quality was not the greatest, with the speed varying throughout the C60. However Jayman managed to rectify that situation and made the audio clear enough to enjoy the mighty sound of King Tubby’s as it was in 1975.
We will probably never know if the man himself was selecting the music, but whoever it was they had some heavy dubplates and serious tunes from the likes of Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, Johnny Clarke. Bob Marley’s “So Jah Say” is also dropped, maybe even suggesting that the date is even earlier than 1975. Unmistakably it’s U.Roy holding the microphone, introducing the tracks and interjecting here and there, while the hit tunes of the day pound out of the Tubby’s speakers and rock the dancers feet.
This valuable recording is the reggae equivalent of an important dinosaur fossil find… and a major part of Jamaica’s musical history.”
Timeline created by Nicholas in Switzerland and additional info by Dave Home. Posted on Blood & Fire forum
1 Horace Andy ... Something On My Mind (Studio 1) 2:14
2 Horace Andy ... I'll Be Gone (Studio 1) 2:39
3 Horace Andy ... Love Of A Woman (Studio 1) 3:36
4 Horace Andy ... It’s Gonna Be Dread 2:45
5 Upsetters/King Tubby's ... Spanglers Clap 4:36
6 Announcement 0:16
7 Cornell Campbell ... Dance In A Greenwich Farm 4:33
8 Aggrovators/King Tubby's ... "Riddim Section" (to Dance In A Greenwich Farm) 2:45
9 Announcement 0:20
10 Bob Marley ... So Jah Say 4:53
11 Burning Spear ... Ethiopians Live It Out (Version) (Studio 1) 2:08
12 Announcement 0:16
13 Johnny Clarke ... Everyday Wandering (Version) 3:53
14 Abyssinians(/King Tubby's) ... Issat (Satta Riddim) 3:41
15 Horace Andy ... Ain't No Sunshine 2:21
16 Jacob Miller ... False Rasta (Ain't No Sunshine riddim) 2:50
17 "Part 3" (Ain't No Sunshine riddim) 2:17
18 Cornell Campbell ... Queen Of The Minstrels 3:14
19 Cornell Campbell ... Stars 3:21
20 Studio 1 Dub ... Fight To The Top Riddim 3:12
21 Studio 1 Dub ... Party Time Riddim 2:56
22 Studio 1 Dub ... Pretty Looks Riddim 1:20
King Tubbys Hometown Hi Fi, East Queens Street, Kingston 197?
Featuring: U.Roy
“Once again, courtesy of Canada's Dave Brown we get another rare recording. It is the second King Tubby’s tape to surface and this time the quality is better. The difficulty here is pinpointing the exact year of this historic recording. The tape was dated 1976 but we reckon it could be even earlier.
The venue is East Queen Street in Downtown Kingston and King Tubby's mighty sound system is in full control. Dennis Walks perennial favourite 'Drifter' starts the tape followed by some pounding Tubby versions. The Godfather of all deejays U.Roy, with his quick jive talking takes over on combination four. Next Tubby runs what sounds like an I.Roy dub plate over the 'Satta' riddim, followed by heavy dub to 'Three Blind Mice' with U.Roy stating that the "King's sound leads the way" Selection turns over to Studio One style with a youthful Jacob Miller's 'Love Is A Message' over which the DJ Daddy sends his own musical message. 'Tubby’s is our name, and music is our game'.
Further Studio One cuts by Horace Andy and Nana McLean follow with matching dubs. U.Roy doesn't crowd the versions too much, leaving the Kings pounding dubs to mash up the venue. This tape although only 40 minutes long, is an another important jigsaw piece in the history of reggae music.”
Another Jayman restoration...
King Tubby’s Home Town Hi Fi @ U.W.I Students Union, 8 Cedar Valley Road, Standpipe, Kingston 6, July 1975
Featuring U. Roy
“From the Dave Brown’s archives comes this musical treat, the third and perhaps the clearest, recording of King Tubby’s mighty Home Town Hi Fi. It took place at the University of West Indies Student Union sometime in the last two weeks of July 1975 and featuring, of course, the “Godfather” U. Roy at the controls. Was Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock standing beside him selecting the music? Alas there is no way of telling. But what you do get is some fine tunes from Linval Thompson and Johnny Clarke and their King Tubby’s mixed versions. U. Roy is at his most talkative over the rumbling dub of Clarke’s “Love That Grows and Grows” and Dennis Brown’s Niney produced “So Long Rastafari”. King Tubby’s were playing out regularly at this time as U. Roy announces numerous dates for August including a Rita Marley dance at the National Arena on 29th of that month. Another dancehall resurrection.”
Thanks to Dave Brown & Sankofa for this one......
Another Jayman restoration....
King Twilight @ Montego Bay, St James, 1975
“Another vital piece of sound system history courtesy of the Dave Brown and Sankofa connection. It’s a mega rare recording of King Twilight from out of Montego Bay and it’s well heavy. Running almost pure dubplate specials with some truly exclusive dub mixes of music emanating from the studios of Black Ark, Channel One and Studio One. The vocals, from the likes of Cornell Campbell, Slim Smith, Bob Marley and The Wailers and Wailing Souls, take a back seat, drifting in and out of the dubbed out versions. The ferocious baselines boom from the speaker boxes and there are occasional interjections from an unknown deejay/MC. At one point he utters the line “King Twilight, the Almighty, taking over!” A mighty sound indeed!”
Here’s what Jah Wise, legendary selector for the Tippatone sound system, had to say about King Twilight in an interview with Rich Lowe in 2004.
“The hardest sound I play against was King Twilight from Montego Bay. It was the best sound that gave me a good fight. That guy had a lot of money when he came to Kingston he rent a studio for a month, his name was King Twilight, that was big sound. He was the first man that bring in sound clash like this. No 45, no LP, you have got to have pure dub plate."
Another Jayman restoration....
Lord Tippatone Hi Fi, Jamaica 1978
“Who Cork The Dance presents another piece of sound system history. This is a rare 1978 session which catches the legendary "Lord Tippatone Hi Fi" taped in the dance (so the quality is not great) at an unknown location in Jamaica. There are at least 2 deejays around the mic. We've listened very closely to the audio but can't make out who they are. One could be Tapper Zukie. Matador, run by Lloyd Daley, is the other sound in the lawn. This is the same Tippatone which was around in the early 70's and was originally started by Fingerman and was then passed on to Jah Wise, Cornell Campbell’s brother. It often featured deejays such as the massively influential Big Youth, and others like Ranking Buckers, Wong Chu and Dr Alimantado. Singers like Dennis Brown, Michael Rose, Gregory Isaacs and even The Heptones would pass through and they would sometimes sing tunes on the set. Apparently there are recordings of such events, but time is probably taking a toll on these old cassettes and they may never see light of day. The sound is still operated to this day by legendary selector Jah Wise in New York.”
Prince Jammys - Kingston, circa 1975
Operator: Prince Jammy.
“Lloyd James better known in the seventies as Prince Jammys returned to Jamaica in 1975 after residing in Canada for a number of years. This vintage tape features two deejays which could be U.Brown and Ranking Trevor. It is very difficult to say precisely. One of them could even be the deejay Carly, who was one of Jammy's earliest toasters.
Like almost all of these early dancehall cassettes they were taped from the crowd and not through the amps. The sound quality of this recording, although atmospheric, is often distorted particularly when the bass is pounding. A couple of Treasure Isle dubs, including the popular 'Travelling Man' by The Techniques, leads into The Gladiators Studio One cut of “Roots Natty”, which is announced as brand new. A Burning Spear selection follows with 'Old Marcus Garvey' and 'The Invasion' on which the deejay reminds the crowd to humble themselves.
U.Brown must have been present as an announcement tells him to report to the control tower. Once again Studio One features with Horace Andy's 'Just Say Who' and 'Love Of A Woman' with Jammy’s running the versions with some deejay chat interjected from time to time. This is oldest known recording of one of the most famous sounds in Ja history.”
Prince Jammys Hi Fi - Waterhouse, Kingston 11, 1980
Featuring: Kojak, Bobby Ranks, Louie Dread, Echo Minott, Jah Thunder, Papa Ruff
Selector - Danny Dread
"This a recorded in the dance sound tape featuring the great Prince Jammy's from 1980 on home turf in Waterhouse. Entertainers in the area include Louie Dread, Papa Ruff, Jah Bobby Ranks, Kojak, Echo Minott and Jah Thunder. Is that legendary selector Danny Dread taking the microphone just after the hour mark? Maybe. However it's his selection of tunes from the likes of Dennis Brown and Tony Tuff that makes this session entertaining."
Prince Jammys Hi Fi - Waltham Park, Kingston 11, June 1981
Featuring: Nicodemus, Ranking Toyan, Little John, Errol Shorter, Eek A Mouse, Lee Van Cliff
Selector - Danny Dread
“A year has moved on and the line up on Jammy’s has changed significantly. Nicodemus and Ranking Toyan are moving with the sound and “Papa Jammy’s Hi Fi” are getting ever more popular. Danny Dread is still selecting and he draws some massive Wailing Soul tunes like “Kingdom Rise, Kingdom Fall” and their Waterhouse anthem “Firehouse Rock”. This recording includes a rare appearance from the late deejay Errol Shorter and cameos from Eek A Mouse and youngster Little John doing his “What Is Catty”.
Prince Jammys Hi Fi - 82 Chisholm Avenue, Kingston 13, July 1981
Featuring: Nicodemus, Jah Thomas, Ranking Toyan
Selector - Danny Dread
“Over a selection largely made up of Tony Tuff, Mighty Diamonds, Nicodemus toasts in his distinctive way through pieces like “Rain A Fall”, “As I Trod Along”, “Who God Bless” and his take on Eek’s biggie “Wa Do Dem”. Briefly Toyan chants down the “Heathen” and Jah Thomas rocks in the “DJ Jamboree,” but for the best part of this crisp sounding “ghettoblaster” recording, it’s Father Demus controlling things here. As he says “Papa Jammy’s Haffe Conquer”.
Ray Symbolic Hi Fi - Bionic Club, 38 Hagley Park Road, Kingston 1977
Ranking Joe, Ranking Buckers?, Jah Mikey?
Selector – Jah Screw
“The session was held at Hagley Park Road’s Bionic Club and features “the number one sound in the world” Ray Symbolic. There seems to be a number of toasters on this taped in the dance recording but it is difficult to pinpoint who they are. The possibilities include Ranking Buckers and Jah Mikey but nothing is definite. However one thing is certain though, this is probably the earliest recording of the long running partnership that was deejay Ranking Joe and selector Jah Screw. Ranking Joe and others can be heard over Screw’s vintage selections of the day, including Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke and Dennis Brown. Joe rides a steppers cut of Brown’s “What About The Half” for his “Old King Cole” while another deejay (Buckers?) is “Stepping Out A Babylon” over some heavy cuts of Horace’s “Love Of A Woman”. Another old time classic.”
Ray Symbolic - 82 Chisholm Avenue, Whitfield Town, Kingston, 1980.
Featuring: Ranking Joe, Lui Lepki
Selector: Jah Screw.
“The deejay/selector combination of Ranking Joe and Jah Screw were at their peak around the late seventies and early eighties. Firstly with the original King Sturgav and, as featured here, with the Ray Symbolic sound. Ranking Joe 'steps it in a Chisholm Ave', displaying his trademark quick talking style, as Jah Screw draws musical selections from the likes of Barrington Levy, Horace Andy, and in particular Sugar Minott. Dollars is the topic for his 'Money Man Skank' and he warns about 'Fussing And Fighting' over Sugar's 'Jah Shakey' cut 'Jah Jah Children. Towards the end of this rare tape, frequent dancehall performer Lui Lepki joins the proceeding urging “Jah Children” to unite. Not long after this session Ray Symobolic, with Screw and Joe become the first Jamaican sound to tour England in August 1980. The three month stay was a great success, but tragically in November, shortly after their return to Jamaica, the sounds owner Ray Symbolic was killed in a Kingston car crash.”
Ray Symbolic Bali Hai, Streatham July 1980
Featuring: Ranking Joe
Selector: Jah Screw
This tape is marked Ray Symbolic vs. Coxsone but it’s Daddy Symbolic all the way and they really do treat the UK massive to some real musical treats.
Jah Screw selects some true killers for the elastic mouthed Ranking Joe to ride. Joe really is at his peak in this era and he flashes lyric after lyric for the South London crowd.
There’s selection’s from amongst others Jacob Miller, Jimmy Riley, Johnny Osbourne & George Nooks. The Barry Brown selection is a particular highlight especially the ‘Ray Symbolic the roots man sound’ special which is a Killer! Jah Screw then drops the original Studio 1 piece and Ranking Joe chats “Cassette & tape a carry the swing” and the crowd go crazy, bawling for a forward.
Even though this is a taped in the dance one it’s very listenable especially after some work.
Ray Symbolic Hi Fi vs Frontline International Bali Hai 11-8-1980
Featuring on Ray Symbolic: Ranking Joe...
Operator: Jah Screw...
Featuring on Frontline: General Saint...
Operator: Natty...
This is another from when Jah Screw and Ranking Joe toured the UK in 1980 with Ray Symbolic sound from Jamaica. In this taped in the dance session they clash with one of Londons finest Frontline International.
we start off with Frontline & General Saint riding a couple of dub's of Aswads 'Warrior Charge' to good effect. Then in comes Ray Symbolic 'the bionic' with some Studio 1, Dennis Brown and Jacob Miller selection, with Ranking Joe doing the business inna fine style. Mostly Symbolic on this short but sweet piece of Dancehall history... I love when Screw drops the 'Father Jungle rock' rhythm.... A Murder!!!!
Soul To Soul Hi Fi Burnt Savanna, St Elizabeth 1980
Featuring: Ringo, Jah Grundy...
Operator: Grandmaster Rosa...
“Veteran sound Soul To Soul touch down in the small town of Burnt Savanna in the parish of St. Elizabeth. It’s 1980, and this dance features two top ranking deejays, Johnny Ringo, here recorded in his pre-Gemini days, and Jah Grundy, later to be known as Principal Grundy. Supplying the music for this session is selector Grandmaster Rosa, aka Carl Green, who has clocked up over forty years behind the decks of the Soul To Soul disco. The set, which started in 1965, is still active now operating out of Toronto in Canada.”
Soul To Soul @ Lovebird Club, Thompson Park, Spanish Town circa 1979
Featuring: Lone Ranger
Selector - Rosa
"This cassette was marked up as 1982 but is quite clearly from the late seventies and it's a true classic of the time. Ranger is on top form, bouncing from the outrageously slack "How Can A Man Be Happy" and "Gone A Singapore" to the more socially aware themes of "The System Weak" and "Su Su In A Babylon." Long time selector Rosa just keeps the tunes coming and Ranger definitely has all bases covered on the versions of this fine C90."
