Papa Moke Hi Fi was one of America’s top sounds in the late seventies and throughout the eighties. The set was based in New Jersey and they built up a good reputation as the state’s number one sound. They were also a popular draw in New York, regularly turning up at dances in the Brooklyn and Bronx areas often playing alongside sounds like African Love and Downbeat International.
Papa Moke aka the late Vincent Henry started his sound system circa 1971 and originally called it Sir Mokes Hi Fi and, like many sounds, the set gradually grew bigger in size and stature. One factor that probably helped Papa Moke expand was when electronics expert Stagga aka Young Tubby (b Leslie Ruddock) started working with the sound around 1977. The next year deejay Mikey Jarrett (b Michael Jarrett), who had moved to America from Jamaica in the early seventies, was to be found deejaying on the set, which had by now changed their name to Papa Moke Hi Fi.
By the start of the eighties a lot of Jamaican artists, in particular deejays, had taken up residence in New York and many of these could be heard chatting on the Papa Moke and other top sounds. Ranking Joe and Nicodemus were probably the biggest named artists to appear on Moke’s sound but there were many others who made their mark too. These included entertainers like rough talking Louie Ranking (b Leonard Ford), ex Jack Ruby man Bobby Culture (b Fitzloyd Billings), Reverend Badoo (b Horace Grossett) and local talent such as Gully General, Admiral Shirt, Colonel Dezie and Captain Ganzie. “Daddy” Moke also turned his hand to music production, recording some of these same artists for his Papa Moke Music label.
As the eighties progressed the sound found a new selector, the former Virgo soundman Tony Virgo aka Ayatollah and his love of Studio One rhythms can be heard on many Papa Moke sessions. Live artists were always a feature of this sound but as the eighties drew to a close and the juggling style took over it seems that Papa Moke’s time was up and they seemed to fade away from the scene. Here we present ten examples of one of America’s finest sound systems in action.
Session 1 – Savoy Manor, Bronx, NYC, March 1983
Featuring: Rev Badoo, Bobby Culture, Louie Ranking, Sassafrass, Nicodemus, Brimstone, Donovan, Welton Irie, Clive Field Marshall
Selector – Ayatollah
“Papa Moke travel to the Bronx for this dance held at Savoy Manor and features deejays, Nicodemus, Louie Ranking, Brimstone and Bobby Culture who all appeared on the “Tidal Wave” collective album on Unicorn records which came out in this year. Father Demus gets a good call and response from the crowd whilst chatting the “Murderer” rhythm and later he deejays the flyers for forthcoming dances in fine style. Ja veteran’s Sassafrass and Welton Irie both have harsh words for Yellowman with Welton calling him a “Brand New Second Hand Bwoy”. Ayatollah has selections from Sugar Minott, Leroy Smart and Hugh Griffiths and the versions provide a platform for Preacher Badoo’s “Cork The Dancehall”, Louie Ranking’s “Get Out Of Hand” and Brimstone’s “Scandal My Name”.
Session 2 – v Sons Junior, New Jersey, April 1983
Featuring: Ranking Joe, Nicodemus, Brimstone, Mikey Jarrett, Mikey Slew, Louie Ranking
Selector – Ayatollah
“This dance was held in New Jersey and has Papa Moke alongside the Sons Junior sound. Ranking Joe is in good form here coming with “Papa Moke A The A1 Set” in his trademark fast talk style. Mikey Jarrett and Nicodemus, now both residing in America, remember their homeland in “Nah Leave Me Yardie” and “Jamaica Rest Pon Me Mind” respectively. Roughneck Louie Ranking explains he has “Vibes In A Me” as Ayatollah lets loose with classic Studio One selection, which includes some top notch Carlton Livingston specials.”
Session 3 – Superstar Social Club, Williamsbridge, Bronx, NYC, May 1983
Featuring: Colonel Dezie, Little John, Lui Lepki, Lee Van Cleef, Sassafrass, Nicodemus, Rev Badoo, Lone Ranger
Selector – Ayatollah
“Here’s a good session recorded at the Superstar Club in Bronx and has Papa Moke and its posse of entertainers rocking the place. It has Lui Lepki and Lee Van Cleef passing the microphone to each other and coming strong with pieces like Papa Lee Van’s “Too Hot” and Lui’s “Shame & Scandal” lifting the crowd. Little John, already a veteran on the scene, asks the massive “Posse, When Last You Dance” over the dancehall classic riddim “Unmetered Taxi”. With Ayatollah selecting and Lone Ranger on the mic it’s coming like a Virgo reunion when Ranger deejays “Daddy Moke Control You”.
Session 4 – v King Sturgav, Empire Roller Disco, 200 Empire Blvd, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, 7th August 1983
Papa Moke - Ranking Joe, Nicodemus
Selector – Ayatollah
King Sturgav – Josey Wales
Selector – Inspector Willie
“This, taped in the dance recording, took place during King Sturgav’s 1983 USA tour and features both U.Roy’s sound and Papa Moke. Lining up for Moke are Nicodemus, who hails all the posses in the area and Ranking Joe, himself a veteran of many Sturgav sessions, urging the “Yankee & Yardie” to come together as one. When Sturgav takes centre stage, the spotlight falls on Josey Wales who deejays over Inspector Willie’s Cornell Campbell selection for his “Jamaican Girls”. The “Colonel” also causes uproar in the venue when he flashes his “It A Fe Burn” lyrics. The recording quality is not great but in a way the vibes make up for this.”
Session 5 – Alexander Hamilton Hotel, 55 Church Street, Paterson, New Jersey, August 1983
Featuring: Nicodemus, Ranking Joe, Sister Carol, Sassafrass, Louie Ranking, Bobby Culture, Jah T
Selector – Ayatollah
“Papa Moke regularly played at Alexander Hamilton Hotel, a once luxurious hotel, which by the time of the eighties had seen better days. However this is a fine session with good performances from all the DJ’s. Ayatollah keeps the musical selection flowing with hits of the day from Barry Brown, Little John and Sugar Minott. He also runs classic roots rhythms and roots daughter Sister Carol chants “Sounds of Reality” over the mighty “Satta”. Sassafrass laments the youths turning to crime in his “Waan Some Money” and Bobby Culture’s “From The Ghetto” is delivered over the ruling “Entertainment” riddim. Nicodemus and Ranking Joe boss the microphone as usual and their quality shines throughout this top notch recording.
Session 6 – Alexander Hamilton Hotel, 55 Church Street, Paterson, New Jersey, 1984
Featuring: Ranking Joe, Sassafrass, Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales, Colonel Dezie
Selector – Ayatollah
“Another dance held at Alexander Hamilton Hotel, which was to close later in this year after an arson attack. Once again Papa Moke shook the place with some heavyweight deejays in attendance and Ayatollah lays down a solid dancehall selection with musical treats from the likes of Leroy Smart, Sugar Minott and Michael Palmer. Josey Wales rides a General Plough dubplate for his “New Jersey We Deh” and Charlie Chaplin shows he has absorbed the UK fast style talk, doubling up his lyrics on “Taking Pigeon”. Charlie also hails up Ranking Joe as the first deejay “to hand him the microphone in a dance”. Michael Palmers “Lick Shot” is hitting big in the dances and Colonel Dezie rides the version and gets nuff forwards from the crowd for his Early B inspired “Bicycle” observations.”
Session 7 – v Downbeat International v African Love, Club HQ, 476 White Plains Road, Bronx, 26th May 1984
“This recording, from the audience, captures the 3 biggest American sound system at this time in a “3 The Hard Way” soundclash in the Bronx. Included in this near 4 hours recording there are present some of the biggest named deejays in the business spread evenly between the 3 sets. African Love have roped in sparring partners Super Cat and Nicodemus for the night and they work well together, with Super Cat in particular causing “Worries, Trouble and Problems” over Frankie Paul’s Channel One killer “Worries In The Dance”. Tony Screw’s Downbeat has culture king Brigadier Jerry and the versatile Shinehead to spearhead the veteran sound in the showdown. Papa Moke’s crew is here in force and Ayatollah announces their intentions with an opening volley of custom made specials straight to the heads of the opposing sounds. Stalwart Ranking Joe is once again the main man but he’s backed up well by Colonel Dezie, who rouses the crowd with his deejaying on the “Herbsman Hustling” riddim. It’s just a pity the recording isn’t a bit clearer because this dance was a great showcase for the dancehall scene in America.”
Part 1
African Love – Nicodemus, Super Cat
Selector – Claudie
Downbeat Int. – Shinehead, Santa Ranking, Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Tony Screw
Papa Moke – Ranking Joe, Gully General, Colonel Dezie, Ringo, Lui Lepki, Lee Van Cleef, Madoo
Selector - Ayatollah
Part 2
African Love –Super Cat, Simeon, Nicodemus
Selector – Claudie
Downbeat Int. – Shinehead, Santa Ranking,
Selector – Tony Screw
Papa Moke – Ranking Joe, Madoo, Colonel Dezie,
Selector - Ayatollah
Part 3
Papa Moke – Colonel Dezie, Ranking Joe,
Selector - Ayatollah
African Love –Super Cat, Nicodemus, Rev. Badoo, Lee Van Cleef
Selector – Claudie
Downbeat Int. – Shinehead, Brigadier Jerry, Santa Ranking,
Selector – Tony Screw
Session 8 – New Brunswick, New Jersey, June 1986
Danny Maestro, Ranking Joe, Gassy Ranks, Captain Ganzie, Ranking Larry, Victor Ranking, Sammy Culture
Selector – Ayatollah
“Papa Moke’s crew travel south to New Brunswick for this 1986 session. Ayatollah selects an array of fine dubplates from the likes of Trevor Levy, Little John, Tenor Saw and in particular he flings down some good specials from King Kong. Ranking Joe’s “Rumble Ina New Brunswick Jungle” is chatted in his very best Big Youth style aboard the classic “Satta” riddim. Local deejays help him along the way, with Sammy Culture chatting his “Style & Fashion” over Kong’s “Legal We Legal” and Gassy Ranks voicing his singles “Beeper” and “Lyrics Chemist”.
Session 9 – v Downbeat International, St Michael’s Hall, Paterson, New Jersey, December 1987
Mikey Jarrett, Admiral Shirt, Puddy Roots, Daddy Abdul, Captain Ganzie, Sleepy Wonder, Gully General, Culture C, General Trees, Dust To Dust, Danny Maestro, Tonto Irie, Echo Minott
Selector – Ayatollah
“It’s soundclash time in the Paterson area with Moke up against New York’s Downbeat. The police are on the scene, wanting them to turn down the sound, but Mikey Jarrett’s having none of it and he defends his sound in pieces like “Nah Ramp With It” and “Idiot Soundbwoy”. Admiral Shirt voices out the rough “Cant Tan You So” over the Jammy’s “Sweet Reggae Music” riddim and there’s also support from Captain Ganzie and the upcoming “They Call Me” Sleepy Wonder and they all rock the place with quick fire lyrics. Lieutenant Stitchie must have been on Downbeat’s side as the Moke deejays have plenty of lyrics aimed straight to Stitchie’s head. Jamaican supas General Trees and Echo Minott pass through and they work the crowd well in a “Raggamuffin” combination style. If that wasn’t enough, they are then joined by lyrics man Tonto Irie who urges the crowd in “Don’t Follow Me”.
You can find the Downbeat side Here
Session 10 – New Jersey, 28th October 1988
Ranking Joe, Brigadier Jerry, U.Roy, Baby Whitey, Peter
Selector – Papa Moke
“This is Papa Moke’s musical tribute to the late Tenor Saw and it has three legends paying their respects to the fallen dancehall singer. It’s great to hear Godfather U.Roy and deejay disciples Brigadier Jerry and Ranking Joe, touching down on original and re-cut Treasure Isle rhythms such as “Queen Majesty/Roll Is Called” and “Mood For Love”. U.Roy is in particularly good form, bringing back some of his classic lyrics for all to enjoy. Owner Papa Moke is at the controls of his set and he has current musical selection from dancehall dons Courtney Melody and Pinchers and with Hurricane Gilbert having just torn through Jamaica, there are lots of “Gilbert A Mash Up” lyrics from Ranking Joe and singer Peter.”
