Black Emperor Hi Fi - Pascal Church Hall, Montreal, Canada, March 1984
Peter Metro, Daddy Fitzroy, John Wayne, Peter Gain
Operator - Nyron
"This tape starts with Peter Metro dropping some serious "History of
Jamaica" lyrics in a "cantankerous" style. Canadian sound Black Emperor is
the host for this church hall dance in Montreal. The selection on show here
is from Sugar Minott, Barrington Levy and Little John, but it's Papa Levi's
deejay tune "Mi God, Mi King" which causes a storm here, with Metro hailing
up the UK speed rappin' style. Fellow traveler John Wayne makes only a brief
appearance for "Bubbling Style" but really it's Metro's show and he stars on
the "Bobby Bobylon" riddim with his "Canada Cold" and a wicked recount of
how "Richard Pryor Catch A Fire".
Black Roots – Toronto, Canada 1987
Bobby Irie, Ricky Tuffy, Daddy Soljie, Risto Benji
Selector – Benji
“ This is another Canadian sound Black Roots in session in Toronto. Bobby Irie opens the proceeding here handling the mic well riding Admiral Tibet’s “Leave Peoples Business” on “Wrap Up”. It wouldn’t be right if Daddy Soljie wasn’t present and once again the man turns up for a big session. He is indeed a “Mic Magician”, demonstrating his skills with quick-fire lyrics tumbling from his mouth. Ricky Tuffy, ex Sturmars deejay and Risto Benji, King Jammy’s youth deejay, are in town for some appearances. Tuffy got the ragga chat and he rides some Jammy’s beats with pieces like “Nah Lef’ The Earth” and the slack “Bawl Fi Serve”. The selector draws the “Punanny” and Risto can’t leave this riddim without demanding “Give Me The Money”, his big Ja hit.”
Black Star @ Malton, Mississauga, 1984
Featuring: Buro Banton, Andrew B, Stamma Ranks
Crew – Darcell, Daddy Smoka
“A fine recording of the Canadian Black Star sound from the White Squall/ WCTD Connection featuring “The Original Banton”, Buro. He’s made the trip to Toronto, capitalising on his popularity in the Kingston dancehalls and the gathering crowd aren’t disappointed as he runs through a lot of his hit lyrics like “Give Me What Is Mine”, “Wah Dis, Wah Dat” and “Forward Through The Gate”. Andrew B and Stamma Ranks give able support with Andrew’s “Mix Me Down” and Stamma’s “Fight The Revolution” standing up well alongside the visiting supa.”
Entertainer Hi Fi @ Toronto, Canada 1987
Featuring: Daddy Tony Lickshot, Froggy, Skanka Ranks, Ricky Tuffy
Selector – Alpha Dreadlocks
Mixer – Colonel
“Here’s another addition to the Canadian sound section and this time it’s the Entertainer Hi Fi live in Toronto. Daddy Tony Lickshot oozes confidence throughout, deejaying at breakneck speed in lyrics like “Sing To Me”, “Walk & Talk” and “What A Gwan In South Africa”. Skanka Ranks gets slack with “Holla Fi Piece” as does ex Sturmars man Ricky Tuffy in his “What A Party Time”. Soundman Alpha Dreadlocks is up with the ’87 selection and an extended juggling, which includes vocals from Sanchez and Courtney Melody and deejay shots from the ruling Ninjaman, brings this session to a close.”
Jah Prophecy Hi Fi – Club Soca, Montreal, Canada, 1984
Feauring: Brigadier Jerry, Johnny Osbourne, Daddy SilverSelector - Ilawi
“This tape highlights the talents of two entertainers in this Twelve Tribes of Israel Organisation dance. One’s a singer and one’s a deejay, but both are consummate performers. Top vocalist Johnny Osbourne is no stranger to Canada having lived there for long periods of time. But a return to Jamaica in the early eighties saw him really come to the fore again scoring numerous dancehall hits for many producers and here he runs through many of them for the Montreal crowd. Favourites like “Lend Me The Chopper”, “Ice Cream Love”, “My God” and the dancehall classic “Reasons” all flow effortlessly. Leading Twelve Tribes deejay Brigadier Jerry is another highly respected artist and here he sounds inspired dropping conscious lyrics like “Selassie is I Man Daddy”, “Dreadlocks Kill The Barber”, “Jamaica, Jamaica” all heard over a variety of hard riddims supplied by legendary Jah Love selector Ilawi.”
Papa Melody International - Eglington West, Toronto, Canada, August 1980
Featuring: Papa Tubby, Mother Liza, Papa Michigan(?) and others
Selector - Errol
This is probably the earliest Canadian sound system recording we have heard and it dates from 1980. Papa Melody International sound system was set up in Toronto in the late 70s by Heptones main-man Leroy Sibbles while he resided there. Melody were one of the leaders of the burgeoning sound scene at the time of this recording. It’s easy to work out that the musical selection of the day is from Tony Tuff, Dennis Brown and Sugar Minott. Sadly, it’s difficult to truly identify the entertainers present here, but reportedly, Papa Michigan and Mother Liza join the local deejays for this lively ‘taped in the dance’ session.
*Please note this is not great sound quality*
Road Runner Hi Fi – Toronto, Canada, 1986
Featuring: Josey Wales, Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin
“Anywhere the three a we walk, it’s pure worries”. So says one of the trio, Josey Wales, and this time they are mashing things in Toronto on the Road Runner set. The selector runs the “Sleng Teng” and this is Briggy’s cue for his “Gwan Go Tour The World” in a slow motion style. Josey’s in the mood to “flash pure lyrics” and favourites like “Undercover Lover”, “Bobo Dread” and “Kingston Hot” once again get an airing. Not to be outdone Charlie chants the cultural “Ain’t No Meaning” ina Studio One style and the slow rootsy “Sunshine” is chatted over the classic “Prophecy” riddim. It’s entertainment guaranteed when these three pass through any dance!”
Many thanks to Daddy White Squall for this one..
Tippertone – Regent Park, Toronto, Canada, circa March 1984
Featuring: Ringo, Daddy Soljie, Little Madoo, Screecha Nice
Selector – Victor
“Toronto’s Tippertone Hi Fi was seemingly unconnected with both the legendary Jamaican sound system and the UK set, both of which shared the same name. Here is a good session once again recorded in the city’s Regent Park area and we get to hear the excellent skills of Johnny Ringo corking the dance. He revels in bringing back some of his old lyrics in “Two Coxman”, some borrowed lyrics from Early B in “Visit Of King Selassie I” and some lyrics he’s learned on his travels in New York and London. Victor the selector runs tunes from Little John, Al Campbell and Barrington Levy, who’s “Money Move” is the inspiration for Daddy Soljie’s wild “Breakdance Move”. The same deejay’s “Weh Dem A Go Do”, over the “Stalag”, shows that his rhyming is on par with many of his Jamaican counterparts.”
Upsetter Hi Fi – Harborne, Toronto Canada 1982
Featuring: Daddy Soljie, Daddy Massive, Jughead, Peter Metro, Papa Wally, Bobby Zarro, Screecha Nice
Selectors – Tony & Leslie
“Hailing from Toronto, Upsetter Hi Fi were one of Canada’s top sets around this time. Their top deejay was undoubtedly Daddy Soljie and he could ride any riddim with confidence. Dual selectors Tony and Leslie have an extended Anthony Johnson selection and Soljie rightly claims to be a “Lyrics Machine” over the dancehall favourite “Gunshot”. Singers Jughead and Daddy Massive get to voice a few “adopted” cover versions and when the Unmetered Taxi rhythm drops, up pop deejays Bobby Zarro, with “Me Just Love” and Screecha Nice, with “Yard Skanking”. Peter Metro is the Upsetter’s special guest for the night and he’s as entertaining as ever with “Dedicated To You” and “Vote For We” deejayed over the ever popular “Full Up”.
Upsetter Hi Fi – Regent Park, Toronto, Canada, 1983
Featuring: Alan Ladd, Daddy Soljie, Linval Thompson, George Nooks, Daddy Bionic, Howie Chatter, Leroy Gibbon, Screecha Nice, Thriller..
Selector – Neville
“It’s another Ja showcase dance for Upsetter and this time its some singers from yard touching down in Toronto. Linval Thompson and George Nooks are veterans of the business and were occasionally found on the sound system microphone. Here they are riding Neville’s selection, and Linval versions his own “Touch Up The Key”, “Can’t Stop Natty Dread” and “Ease Up” whilst George is given some classic Studio One Rhythms for his “Criticize” and “Dem A Mascot”. When the visitors exit the talented Upsetter deejays take over. Alan Ladd proves himself on “Nothing Is Impossible To Me”, as does Howie Chatter on his warning “Nah Ramp With Entertainers”. Once again Daddy Soljie handles the mic more than competently, rocking the Regent Park posses through the night with vibes like “Chatty Mouth People” and “Daddy ‘Setter A De Best”.
Upsetter Hi Fi – Regent Park, Toronto, Canada, 1ST December 1984
Featuring: Jah Thomas, Phillip Fraser, Daddy Soljie, Screecha Nice, John Junior, Earl Sixteen, Earl Landlord, Little Roman
Selector – Leslie
“Some big name entertainers pass through this Upsetter dance the evening before a stage show held in Toronto. Jah Thomas controls the proceedings here presenting singers Earl Sixteen, who drops his popular in London tune “Batman & Robin” and a rather under the weather Phillip Fraser, to the Toronto massive. The veteran Jah Thomas proves he can still handle the mic, riding the “Herbsman Hustling” for his herb inspired “Under Mi Sensi”. Local chatters Daddy Soljie and Screecha Nice get a look in too, with the latter dropping nuff styles in pieces like “Rent A Car”, “Baby Mother Style” and “Culture Fashion”.
