The Lion In the Jungle Jus A...GRRRRRR

This is one of those cases where cool label art signifies a great tune. How can a reggae 7" with a lion's head image on a label called "The Guiding Star" be bad? The tune starts off with a lion roaring over of a well known Augustus Pablo Dub. The message here is to fling all those nuclear weapons, guns and ammunition in the garbage and live peacefully. Record is likely a US or Canadian Press.

Oral Bras

Here is a cool label design. It incorporates the Hindu OM symbol and the spinning wheel from the Indian flag . I found this one interesting because it is a Jamaican press. Also, the "Can Jam" writing might be referring to a CDN & JA connection. The tune is not so great. It is not the type of quality you'd expect from an artist with the moniker "Oral Bras," and production from Sal's Export & Import.

Flash Reggae Music You Can't Refuse

"Entertainer" (Mini Bus Record, Late 80s)
This record is a total enigma. It is not credited to any artist and all production, engineering and studio credits are scratched out. Unfortunately, there is no version on the flip. Popularized by its appearance on the Computer Style 3 mix, the tune is super-slick digital firebomb. listen

Rock It Over Here

"Cool Down The Pace" (Jedi, '84)

Pad Anthony double sided killer 12" ("Rock it Over Here" real rock riddim flipside). Tough Myrie & Marshall productions. "Cool Down The Pace," on a heavy lick of Cuss Cuss, is the shining star on this one. The dub to the track is extremely heavy and well mixed. listen

Problem.......

"Everything Yu See Yu Want" (Tulip, '86)
Here's a random UK label release that utilizes a heavy, swinging, bass-driven Jammy's digital riddim with some wicked hand claps. Artist is Errol Burrell. Admiral Tibett - "Feel The Vibes" (Jammy's 7", '85) & Leroy Smart - "Call On Me" (56 Hope Rd. 7", '86) also utilizes this riddim. listen

Turn On The Heat Like You Never Heard

"Turn On The Heat" (Jammys 10", '87)
You are probably thinking, "yea I know this one, NEXTTTT..I have other blogs on my agenda today." Well you are partially right. The intro comes in deadly and different (no drums, just bass), also massive reverbs on the claps. However, most crucially, the bass heavy mixing inna soundsystem style. listen

Babylon Pon The Corner Making My Life A Misery

"Mr. Officer "(Tono's, '85)
Heavy mid 80's tune from the underrecorded Wayne Blackstock. "Please Mr. Officer leave I alone, me just a hustle and a mek couple Pound." Pure felonious vibes. Better than 5 Stars. Rated the amount of stars as on the Tono's 12" sleeve. If you know anymore tunes by this artist, please post in the comments. listen

Pablo Nkomo - Dus Misa Gunman (Harry J)

"Du Misa Gunman" (Harry J, '84)
Pablo Nkomo, in a last ditch attempt, pleads to gunmen in order to spare his life. The early to mid 80s was the era of the Gunman/Robber Man cuts. Barrington Levy's - Robber Man and Nkomo's tune are couple of the best tunes that share this theme. If you know any more tunes by this under-recorded artist , please post in the comments. listen

Respect Due & It Can't Mildew

"Come Follow Me" (Jah Youth, '89)
Combine the voices of White Mice, Yami Bolo and Little Kirk and you will get Canadian artist Destry Don. "Come Follow Me" is a fun, uplifting tune backed with fresh sounding synths and a thumping bassline. All European , New York and Canadian massive gets a shout-out here. I first discovered this one about a decade ago and it hasn't got stale. Listen

Clash Of The Candy's

Can't Take It No More (EKO, Famous, '88-'91)
Ghetto youth struggler vibes by Courtney Candy. In both the 1st (EKO) and latter (Famous) version, the upbeat & bright riddim track is contrasted with the serious message in the vocals. Maybe the upbeat backdrop represents hope and reach, and the vocals portray a sad and unfortunate reality? Maybe I'm looking into this too deeply. listen

Miami Voice

Ever came across a record with a cool label and told yourself it had to be a killer tune? Sorry, this is not one of those cases. Don't judge a book by it's cover :). However, it's a very cool label design that makes the record worth keeping.

Horace Martin - Ruff We Ruff (Classic Sounds)

"Ruff We Ruff" (Classic Sounds, '88)
Only 2:30 long, Horace Martin's "Ruff We Ruff" is short but twice strong. The layered and at times discordant production features sleigh bells and other percussionary delights. Released on the the Canadian Classic Sounds (coolest design!) label, it is truly a rare digital gem. listen

A Conscious Dread is a Militant Youth

Righteous Rasta (Kingjam '84)
Early B clears up some misconceptions about Rastafarianism here. Contrary to what his mama told him, rasta won't "cut off your head and put in a kerosene pan," and "the thing them smoke" would not make you turn a madman. The 10" is an alternate and much rarer version of the Midnight Rock 7". listen

Teenage Lover Now A Teenage Loser

"Teenager Lover" (Youth Promotion, '86)
by Stevie Wonder is about the ills of teenage pregnancy. "She jus a teenage lover, but now she end up as a teenage loser." The sparse, dusty and gritty youth promotion sound provides a fitting backdrop for the lyrical content by Stevie. An alternate (different mix) version of this song is on the VA-Jah Children Invasion IV LP. listen

Travel Fox & Bally

"Wha Yu Wah Mi Do Bally?" (Romantic, '88)
by Dutch Man is dedicated solely (no pun intended) to Bally & Travel Fox shoes. Along with Clark's, Bally & Travel Fox shoes were very popular in the 80's among reggae and hip hop circles. According to Dutch Man, "Bally and Fox" will lead one to rob and steal so they can purchase a fresh pair of these possessive shoes. listen

Dub Poetry

"Grab and Flee" (Jah Live's Foundation, 1990)
performed by Dr. Gabre Selassie is categorized as dub poetry. Dub poetry is a genre of reggae where speaking is done over a rhythm track. The upful vocals by Dr. Gabre over hypnotic synths on top of a heavy digital roots riddim sure makes this an interesting piece. There is no version on side b. listen

Cool Runnin'

Miami Vice - Cool Runnin' (1984)
Crockett and Tubbs lay back waiting for the deal to go off, while the "Baby I Love You So" dub plays in the Background. "Did You Bring The Money Man?".........................brrr...brr...brrr