Living In The Land Of Freedom, But It Is Prison Indeed

"When I Get My Freedom" (SOSee 7", '85-87)
Soulful digital roots tune by Michael Levy. "They are trying to kill the aspiration of the hungry one..How long the wicked reign over the humble one?" I think this tune is about South Africa, but the message is universal. SOSee: Save Our Souls from Evil Entities? for Everlasting Eternity? Who knows?. listen

When I Ask For A Raise,You Look @ Me Like I'm Your Slave

"Slave Driver" (EVA 7", '89)
The original "Slave Driver"by Hubert Francis was initially released on Tycoon 7." The EVA 7" is the digital update by Hubert under the moniker Robo Cop (FZ Francis). The production is top notch and clean. Overall a well produced tune. It's one of those tunes with a message that will be relevant throughout time in the world of the have and have nots. listen

Be Careful of The System or You Will Be A Victim

"A So The System Work" (Triumphant, 7", '85)
Soulful tune by Ruddy Simbal giving warning to those falling into the grasps of the system (workforce?). It's very reminiscent of Hubert Francis - Slave Driver , as in working hard for small pay and receiving "praise with no raise." Tight drum and bass riddim track. "A so the system work, if you nah check it out, you bound to get a jerk." listen

Anytime We Come A Pure Live Stock

"Late Night Attack" (10 Roosevelt Ave, 7",'87)
Wicked tune by Vichous Irie detailing a late night ambush by gunmen while riding around town in a Honda Civic with his girlfriend (who "screams like a damn parakeet"). Shares the same killer riddim as Sister China - Jam The Calypso, Flourgon - Come Mek We Dweet (non harry j prod. 12"), Foxie - Muscular Man & Irie Fernandez - So Wonderful. listen

Look Pon Di Sweet & Lovely Girls Jah Provide Fi We

"Aids Body" (FlashIT, 7",1987)

Obscure cuss cuss killer by Joseph McCalla. One of the many reggae tunes with the AIDS theme that were released during the 80's. 50's hollywood movie star Rock Hudson gets a mention here, "lay down pon me bed with mi radio pon me head, hear a newsflash seh Rock Hudson dead (aids)." Unfavorable Ruck Hudson lines pop up in some other songs also. listen

It's A Plot By The Wicked To Destroy Us

"War On Crack" (Strictly Roots 7", '87)
A well produced anti-crack tune by Aisha. The production is full and crisp. The intro has the same ominous feeling as the M*A*S*H theme song. A full digi onslaught at the wicked who plot to destroy us, "what now can they do to try to keep us down..just take a little crack & spread it around." Diabolical tune topped off smiley faces on the label. listen

Suddenly

"Suddenly" (Kulcha Sound 7", 1987)
I've must have came across about 20 copies of the "Suddenly" 7" in the past decade, however, the copy I'm writing about is one that is on a different mix of the same riddim (swing easy). I've never seen this version of the 7" before. This alternate version is more bouncy and upbeat, the known version features the rugged Youth Promotion sound. listen

Settle Steady

"Settle Steady" (10 Roosevelt Ave 7", '86)
Maureen Pearson drops some lyrical gems here. Her vocals are laid back, smooth and effortless. "Woman like me, nuh fi handle me man, me no cheat me no thief, me no trick up me man..as him slip-n-slide, meh deh by him side." The tune is about mutual respect & understanding in a relationship. Another killer Harry J's revolution cut listen.

Co Co Co Co Co Co Co Cocain..

Bob West - "Cocain" (Choice 7", '88)
Nothing like dropping the needle on a 7" of "cocain" and having flashbacks of Nancy Regan's "Just Say No" PSA's. Among social epidemic themed tunes, such as AIDS, the amount of anti-coke tracks released number in the hundreds, many were so bad that they had a reverse effect. listen (only a 1:00 long, if you want the full effect contact your local dealer)

A Dat She Want

"A Dat She Want" (Ghetto Youth 7", '86)
O'Neil Dyer's second appearance onthe Ghetto Youth label, the other is "Night Shift" and is equally as nice. The lyrics are very smilar to that of "Me No Wah No Bun" by Oral John. "Take her out of darker and put her inna light." Both tunes deal with refining a "bad ways" woman, however, the effort is in vain again. listen

Gunshot In A Me Foot, Me Get Clap

"Gun Shot" (Tesfa 7", '88)
Boom Box vividly describes an ambush by gunmen where he gets "clapped" on the ankle. This is a next cut to Tony Tuff's "Upside Down" also on the Tesfa label. I love the cartoonish advice on how not to get "clapped": "Move out of the way of an oncoming shot by running ziggy zaggy and keeping well flat." listen

Raggamuffin Soldier, Come Step It Across The Border

"Ragamuffin Soldier" (Ridim Force 7", '86)
Among "Robber Man" "Blow Your Nose" "Dollars Have Fi Strong,""Ragamuffin Soldier" is the rarest Steve Knight tune on the Ridim Force label. The horns sound a little odd & playful for a tune titled "Ragamuffin Soldier," but that could be intentional. Anyone have a spare of "Orphan Child" ? :) listen

Me No Want No Bun, M16, Bushmaster, Enforcer...

"Natty Dance Hall" (Jack Rabbit 7", '88)
This one looks innocent with the image of a pompous rabbit on the label. However, its a hard bass pounding gem by Frederick Lewis about not bringing the guns into the dance. "Me no want no n16 inna natty dance tonight...a strictly lovers to come inna natty dance." listen

"Me No Wah No Bun" (Cottontail 7", '87)
Amazing tune by Oral John. The production is very crisp and the lyrics are nice. "Take you out of darkness and put you inna light...take you out of bally (sneakers) and make you wear spike (high heels)." He refines her but then she turns around and takes advantage of him. listen

Youthman You Too Quick Fi Lick

"Quick Fi Lick" (Classic Sounds 7", '88)
Another great tune on the Classic Sounds label by an artist well known to digital reggae fans, Prince Junior. Today's theme is police ("mr commissioner") vs. bad boy ("quick fi lick"). This is one goes out to all them youth's who are too "quick fi lick", slow it down and rationalize your licking. listen

Pirates On Shore Searching For Gold

"Pirates On Shore" (Classic Sounds 7", '88)
Monstrous bass-driven digital tune by unknown artist Humble Lion. The tune is about the discovery of the new world by "pirates" (Columbus) & the exploitation of native peoples in the search for gold. It's hard to believe a reggae tune exists regarding such a random topic, but it does, have a listen.

Drum & Bass Like Oil To A Lamp

"It A Boom" (Out-A-Grass 7", '87)
Peformed by Swelele, this US 7" pressing (w/ pic sleeve) is hypnotic digital treat where you might hear something new every listen or so. If anyone has an idea of what "Out A Grass" means please let me know! Could it be music induced by the smoking of some good grass? Sure sounds like it. listen

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

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