Mr Richman

Congo Ashanti Roy - Mr. Richman - Starts off a little slow. The riddim drops at :15 in and it's pure heat. Some other cool cuts on the LP. Wicked cover art also.

Mr. Drug Abuser...You Are...A Loser

"Norcotics" (TB Sharp, LP, '88)
Peanie Peanie riddim cut by Papa Levi on this obscure UK pressing. Pretty humourous song, "like the sulfur pon a match stick, yuh body bun out quick quick quick." LL Cool J (reffered to as, LJ Cool J!!) and Slick Rick gets a mention here. If this song alone is not a good reason to get this LP, then you should check out the Sanchez track "Kill A Sound" also. listen

Young Girllllllll

Chuck Turner - Young Girl (Presenting LP - Trump Jack '89)
One of my favorite Chuck Turner tunes. Mr. Turner does a really fine job of singing on this one. Released on the easy to find Presenting LP (only $20 @ DeadlyDragon), it's shocking that this tune is not popular as it should be. If you love that late 80's New York digital (Witty, Park Heights....) sound, then you will like this one. Listen (FFWD to 22:00 mark into the mix). Seriously, don't miss this one.

We're Sailing In A Ship That's Sinking

"Sailing" (Park Height's LP, '87)
Great Tony Tuff LP on the legendary NY based Park Heights label. The title track, "Sailing," features a wicked latin influenced guitar intro as well as some nice lines.. "all of us are in the same boat together, none of us better off than the other." My fav cut on the LP is the empowering tune "Come Again," which is on a criss digital riddim. Don't miss this one. listen

ROCKERS

"Free Basing" "Crazy About You" (Rockers)
Two amazing cuts on the Rockers All Stars Compilation CD. "Free Basing" is by Rockers artist Ricky Grant, and it's a warning against "the order of the day," freebase. "Crazy About You" is by Delroy Williams and it is a sweet digital lovers tune. Other great cuts are "Jah Bless" by Spliffy Dan & "Jah The Creator" by Jah Bull. listen or buy

Can't Tek The Rip Off Possie

"Rip Off Possie" (Dance Hall Time LP, '86)
One of two killer Hopeton Junior tunes on this killer lp (scarface label). The other Hopeton Jr track is is "Tribulation Nuh Easy." Artwork on the front cover is done by the late-great Limonious. I love tunes of this production style, which includes a slightly depressing piano melody on top of some tight drums. listen

Pure Badness A Gwan, True Dem Have Dem Firearm

"Mr. Commissioner" (Jam Session LP, '88)
Winston Ossie makes a plea to the police commissioner about the "badness down a station." "...Peace officer is what they are, but when them carry me to the station, dem treat me like prisoner of war." Wicked King Jammy's digital riddim track. Appears on the compilation "Jam Session Vol 1." listen

Sugar Minott & Conroy Smith - Poor People

"Poor People" (Jah Children Invasion IV - LP)
Alternate cut to the Jah Life release. The late, great Sugar Minott provides haunting background vocals as well as production. His Youth Promotion digital riddims feature a gritty and unpolished sound, which represents the raw talent of the young artists he helped to become polished stars. listen

Fling It Up

"Take Your Time" (Style & Fashion, Nura LP)
Sweet Leroy Smart tune on the same riddim as Eccelton Jarrett's "Fling It Up." The "Style & Fashion" LP is full of Early-Mid 80's Jammy's riddims, but oddly enough he is not credited as the producer. Another nice selection from the lp is "Ethipopia is the Place," which is on the same riddim as Johnny Osbourne's "Angel In My Arms." listen

Dem A Fight Fight, But Dem Can't Ketch I & I

"Easy Mover" (Vena, LP, 1987)
Absolutely essential LP if you are 80s Digital and Frankie Paul fan. Produced by Fatis, the LP features some of the best Vena riddim tracks. Ones to check for are, "Keep On Running" "Call On Jah" "Dem A Fight Fight Fight" & "Midas Touch." An original press copy of the LP is not too hard to find and usually sells for cheap on ebay. listen

Living Inna Concrete Jungle, Too Much Trouble..

"Too Much Trouble" (Fatman, LP, '83)
Crucial Leroy Smart vocals on top of an electric guitar driven Prince Jammys dub (Next Cut King Everald - Don't Remember Me). Its surprising that such a killer tune by a well-known artist and producer is so obscure. Recorded almost 30 years ago, the message here is still strong and relevant. listen

Rather Die If We Can't Be Free

"South Africa" (Attic LP, '85)

In the 80s hundreds of "South Africa" themed songs were released. Leroy Sibbles version follows the same pattern, but with a lot of FX Gunshots and bunch of computerized effects thrown in. The tune is on the "Mean While" album, which is fairly easy to find online (check Ernie Bs). listen