Thank You, CVille Weekly...

...for the timely interview, and Lem Oppenheimer of Easy Star Records, for the shout out.

Judge Not

Insane ranting about the supreme court nominee prompts yet another theme about "justice". Racism. Intelligence. Gender. Those with sin have no problem with casting stones, it seems.

If extremists on both sides of the spectrum can find their voice, where are the moderates?

"Sounds And Pressure" - Hopeton Lewis - Roots Of Reggae: Rock Steady [Rhino]
"Rock Steady" - Alton Ellis - Roots Of Reggae: Rock Steady [Rhino]

"Judge Not" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Sounds Of Freedom [Island]
"The World Has A Feeling" - The Three Tops - Run For Cover: Killing Rock Steady Shots [(Unknown)]
"Want Some Freedom" - African Brothers - Want Some Freedom [Easy Star]
"I Want Justice" - Delroy Wilson - Wailers And Friends [Heartbeat]
"False Preachers" - Itals - In A Dis Yah Time [VP]
"You Don't Care" - Itals - In A Dis Yah Time [VP]
"Rougher Yet" - Itals - In A Dis Yah Time [VP]
"Long Story Version" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Bad Mind" - Etana - Rock Steady [VP]
"Fire Bun A Weak Heart" - Bushman - DJ Andy Smith's Greensleeses Document [VP]
"War Is In The Dance" - Frankie Paul - DJ Andy Smith's Greensleeses Document [VP]
"Propaganda War" - Tak Weekes - Deidem [Sanctified Sounds]
"Tribal War" - George Nooks - 7" [Joe Gibbs]
"Get Up, Stand Up" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Sounds Of Freedom [Island]
"The Wicked" - Reggae Boys - 7" [Joe Gibbs]
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Getting Better" - Mighty Diamonds - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" - Alton/Hortense Ellis - Alton/Hortense Ellis [Heartbeat]
"Wherever I Lay My Hat" - Delano Stewart - 7" [Highnote]
"Left With A Broken Heart" - Paragons - Unearthed Gold Of Rock Steady [Ossie Music]
"In My Room" - Pericos - Yerba Buena [EMI Latin]
"When I'm Sixty-Four" - Sugar Minott - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]

"Street Life" - Richie Spice - MP3
"Creatures Of The NIght" - Bushman - MP3
"Street Life (Version)" - MP3
"Everything Crash" - Ethiopians - Trojan Explosion [MOJO]
"Botheration" - Meditators - 7" [Trojan]
"Keep On Pushing" - Lloyd & Glenn - Run For Cover: Killing Rock Steady Shots [(Unknown)]

"Mr Jailer" - Jah Cure - CD single [DZMG]
"None Shall Escape The Judgment" - Johnny Clarke - Trojan Explosion [MOJO]

Dr. Strangelove

Dueling press conferences on "torture", yesterday. One, hesitant, considered, resigned to repairing the irreparable. The Other: insane, recycled lies... supplanted with new ones. Either way: the "High Ground" is lost.

We begin with a music lesson about Paul Bogle, sacrificed for the Morant Bay Rebellion.

the "just"... pay.

the Unjust... play. For a while.

"Sounds And Pressure" - Hopeton Lewis - Roots Of Reggae: Rock Steady [Rhino]

"96 Degrees (1865)" - Third World - Reggae Box [Hip-O]
"So Much Things to Say" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Exodus [Island]
"Mr. Jailer" - Jah Cure - CD single
"Rat Race" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibration [Island]
"Hurt My Soul" - Joe Higgs - Lynn Taitt & the Jets: Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Smoky Places" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - Lynn Taitt & the Jets: Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Bad Lamp" - Richie Spice - Gideon Boot [VP]
"Words Of Divine" - Sizzla - MP3
"Pressure Drop" - Toots & the Maytals - The Harder They Come [Mango]
"No One" - Adele Harvey - From R&B To Reggae [Cousinsrecords]
"Hold Down Miss Winey" - Glen Adams - 7" [WIRL]
"Umbrella" - Sylvia Tella - From R&B To Reggae [Cousinsrecords]
"Morning Ride" - Yellowman - Mister Yellowman [Shanachie]

DJ Dave, Come Forward!

"Lean with It" - Mr. Vegas [Taxi]
"The Enemies" - Pinchers [Digital-B]
"Sweet Jamaica" - Luciano - Jah Is My Navigator [VP]
"One Two Order" - Tarrus Riley - Challenges [VP]

Goldfinger, returns:

"Skavoovie" - Skatalites - Skavoovie! [Shanachie]

"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Don't Let Me Down" - Marcia Griffiths - Reggae Anthology [VP]
"A Day In The Life" - Michael Rose - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]

"Speak No Evil" - Uniques - Best of... 67-69 [Trojan]
"Mad, Mad" - Alton Ellis - When Rhythm Was King [Heartbeat]
"Lesson Of Love" - Uniques - Best of... 67-69 [Trojan]
"Napoleon Solo" - Lynn Taitt - Lynn Taitt & the Jets: Hold Me Tight [Trojan/Sanctuary]

Soul Food

The first track, an obvious Lee "Scratch" Perry take on King Curtis' "Memphis Soul Stew". It's a rundown of new and old, particularly the excellent new release Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band: the tribute, not only palatable, but remarkable.

"Soul Food" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - ...Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Why Am I Treated So Badly" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - ...Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Wrap Up A Draw" - Richie Spice - Gideon Boot [VP]
"Catch A Fire" - Perfect - Born Dead With Life [Irievibrations]
"Slave Driver" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Catch A Fire [Island]
"Realization" - Dubconscious - Realization [(Self)]
...live @Tree Studios
"Storm Warning" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - ...Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Smoky Places" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - ...Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"A Day In The Life" - Michael Rose/Menny More - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Don't Let Me Down" - Marcia Griffiths - Reggae Anthology [VP]
"Fixing A Hole" - Max Romeo - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"She's Leaving Home" - Kirsty Rock - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"I Should Have Known Better" - Skatalites - Respect To Studio One [Heartbeat]
"Nice Time" - Lynn Taitt & the Jets - ...Anthology [Trojan/Sanctuary]

"Mr. Jailer" - Jah Cure - CD single [DZMG]
"Stand Up for The Right" - Stateside Lion/Myztik Vibrations - America's Reality [(Self)]
"All Is Vanity" - Tarrus Riley - Challenges [VP]
"The Scorcher" - Errol Dunkley - 7" [Trojan]
"Rastah Man Chant" - Sizzla - Biggest One Drop Anthems 2008 [Greensleeves]
"Rasta Man Chant" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Countryman [Mango]

"Work Song" - the Slackers - Better Late Than Never [MOONSka]

"Get On The Ball" - Roy Shirley - Lynn Taitt & the Jets [Trojan/Sanctuary]
"Run Man" - George Agard - 7" [Trojan]
"Is Life Worth Living?" - Prince Buster - ...Sings His Hit Song Ten Commandments [RCA/Sony]
"Queen Majesty" - Techniques - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Chalice In The Palace" - U-Roy - Original DJ [Caroline]

"Within You And Without You" - Matisyahu - Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"Peace Conference Inna Western Kingston" - Trinity - Shanty Town Determination [Blood and Fire]

Of Local Interest

Sunday, May 17th, James Madison's Montpelier estate will be presenting "A Freedman's Farm Tour And Confederate Winter Camp Site Walking Tour" opposite the grounds on Rt. 20, west of Orange, VA.

Taken from the Montpelier guide pamphlet, "Tour The Gilmore Farm, home of George Gilmore, born a slave at Montpelier. Then take a walking tour of the 1863-64 Confederate winter encampment site." 540-672-2728, ex 442

As written in a brochure for the Farm, "The Gilmore Cabin stands as the first preserved and interpreted freedman's home in the United States." Amongst many historic ironies, including how the Father of the Constitution was bound by contemporary economics in the ownership of slaves, is the fact that the original cabin was built from lumber salvaged from the aforementioned Confederate encampment.
A fitting tribute to enonomy... and survival.

And, standing proud across the road from such opulence, we are truly reminded that "he who does not learn from history is bound to repeat it." Or, as Marcus Garvey said, "A man without a knowledge of his history is like a tree without roots."

Crazy Baldheads

The original "baldheads", the skinheads, were British lovers of ska and rock steady. Their look was co-opted first by National Front racists, then neo-Nazis... now, by Wall Street vipers.

A natural progression, methinks.

"With A Little Help From My Friends" - Luciano - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Dub Band [Easy Star]
"S-90 Skank" - Big Youth - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]

"Crazy Baldheads" - Bob Marley & the Wailers - Rastaman Vibration [Island]
"You Should Have Known Better" - Justin Hinds & the Dominos - 7" [Trojan]
"Offshore Banking Business" - Members - At The Chelsea Nightclub [The Members]
"The Wicked" - Reggae Boys - 7" [Amalgamated]
"Starring Dub" - Dub Specialist - DUB [Heartbeat]
"Dubbing Lecturer" - Dub Specialist - DUB [Heartbeat]

"Hurt Us No More" - Buju Banton - Rasta Got Soul [Gargamel]
"How Can I Be Ungrateful" - Fanton Mojah - Stronger [Greensleeves]
"Chase The Devil" - Max Romeo - War Inna Babylon [Island]
"30 Pieces Of Silver" - Perfect - Born Dead With Life [Groove Attack]
"Mixed Up Moods And Attitudes" - Jacob Miller - Mixed Up Moods [Top Ranking International]
"False Witness" - Kingstonians - 7" [Doctor Bird]
"Liquidator" - Upsetters - 7" Tougher Than Tough [Mango]

"Herbs Pirate" - Itals - Calling Rastafari [Nighthawk]
"Jah Will" - Tarrus Riley - Challenges [VP]
"Pick Myself Up" - Clinton Fearon - A Love I Can Feel [Mossburg]
"Is This Love" - Bob Marley/Dubmatix - MP3 [Dubmatix]
"Skavoovie" - Skatalites - Skavoovie! [Shanachie]
"Police Woman" - Skatalites - Skavoovie! [Shanachie]

"I'm Indebted To Someone" - Alva Lewis - 7" [Island]
"A De Pon Dem" - Hopeton Lewis - 7" [Island]
"Promised Land" - Shine & Bagga - 7" [Studio One]

"Cry Blood Africa" - Burning Spear - Fittest Of The Fittest [Mango]
"Mighty Long" - Judah Eskender - The Builder [Tan Yah]
"Let Me Down Easy" - Derrick Harriott - Johnny Greenwood Is Your Selector [Trojan]
"Runnings" - Dub Specialist - DUB [Heartbeat]

That's The Way You Like it

the fund-raiser is done, and so is the school year. it's Roots & Culture with no distractions, now, through the summer... my favorite time of year.

lots of music to catch up on. respect given to Mother Africa, new MP3s, many dusty singles begging for release. that's what today is all about.

"S-90 Skank" - Big Youth - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Groovy Little Thing" - Beres Hammond - Beres Hammond
"Everything I Own" - Ken Boothe - Tougher Than Tough [Mango]
"Million Dollar Baby" - Roy Shirley - Studio One 7"
"Happy Land" - Carlton & The Shoes - Studio One 7"

"Optimistic Soul" - Buju Banton - Rasta Got Soul [Gargamel]
"Words Of Divine" - Sizzla - MP3
"Music My Rock" - Bedouin Soundclash - MP3
"Rasta Shout Again" - Mr. Irie - MP3
"Street Life" - Richie Spice - MP3
"Street Life Version" - MP3

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" - Alton/Hortense Ellis - Alton/Hortense Ellis [HeartBeat]
"That's The Way You Like It" - Overtakers - 7"
"Let Me Down Easy" - Derrick Harriott - MP3
"How Long Do I Have To Wait For You" - Sharon Jones/Ticklah - MP3

"Sedjedo" - Angelique Kidjo - Djin Djin [Razor & Tie]
...with Ziggy Marley
"Watching The Wheels" - Victor Essiet & The Mandators - Crucial [Mystic]
"Congo Natty" - Bingui Jaa Jammy - Putumayo Presents African Reggae [Putumayo]
"Corinthiens" - Alpha Blondy - The Prophets [Capitol]
"Trinity" - Lucky Dube - Retrospective [Rykodisc]
"Together Dub" - Dub Specialist - DUB [Heartbeat]

"Big Van" - Everton Blender - MP3
"Mr. Jailer" - Jah Cure - The Universal Cure EP [SoBe]
"Dun Dem" - Fanton Mojah - Stronger [Greensleeves]
"Rude Boy Prayer" - Alton, Peter, Zoot - 7"
"Reincarnate" - Ras Tesfa McDonald - MP3

"Is This Love?" - Bob Marley - MP3
Dubmatix reMix
"Meditation" - Jackie Mitoo/Count Ossie - 7"
"Ain't That Saying A Lot" - Prince Buster - ...Sings His Hit Song Ten Commandments [SONY]
"You Just Can't Win" - Versatiles -7"
"Small Garden" - Zoot Simms - 7"