REGGAE JEGGAE 1968/69
Wake the town, it’s Reggae Jeggae. One of our first blogs ever, dealt with the issue of the revival of Joe Gibbs as an imprint in business. At the time we were very pleased that some hard to find gems were made available again, but the new Crazy Joe Europe imprint apparently decided to take it to the next level. Sure, they said, it's nice that the "African Dub" series are, deservedly so, in print again, but there is more! More?? Yep, and the chance that you've heard these tunes before are pretty slim (the Royals recorded for Joe Gibbs??)...My oh my, this is good material….All music on "Reggae Jeggae" was recorded in-between 1968 and 1969 and at the time released as "Amalgamated" 7"s. Nowadays, they are worth a fortune if, and I mean IF, you are lucky enough to find only one of them in good condition, let alone the whole bunch. Info on their releases is not the strongest point of the Crazy Joe imprint, so couldn't tell you if there are some unreleased songs on this comp, but that really doesn't matter since this is so good a record with so much great songs, both classics as obscurities, that it leaves me with just one possible recommendation: ESSENTIAL.
Cold Sweat (lockitdown.blogspot.com)
REGGAE JEGGAE 1968/69
The compilation album "Reggae Jeggae" takes the listener back to 1968 and 1969, the years of the early reggae era when new producers -- including Joe Gibbs or Joel Gibson as he was known then -- started to make the strongest and most consistent impact in Jamaica. They successfully challenged the three dominant forces of the previous era -- Duke Reid, Prince Buster and Coxsone Dodd -- who were never again to lead the pack in quite the way they had done up to 1968, either in the studio or as soundsystem operators. During the times of the recordings included here Joe Gibbs had employed the very talented Lee Perry (up to mid-1968) and then equally mould-breaking Winston "Niney" Holness for production duties, while musicians who worked for him included George "Fully" Fullwood, Aston and Carlton Barrett, Clifton 'Jackie" Jackson, Ansell Colins, Gladstone Anderson, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Lyn Taitt, Bobby Ellis, Vin Gordon and Tommy McCook, to name a few. "Reggae Jeggae 1968/69", a worthwhile collection of early reggae tracks, provides a strong case for Joe Gibbs' most inventive period. This set showcases an adventurous instrumental track like "Reggae Jeggae" by Drumbago & The Blunders as well as glorious vocal harmonies by groups such as The Immortals, The Versatiles (fronted by Junior Byles), The Slickers, The Royals and the -- at that time -- very popular Pioneers. Furthermore fine vocalists like Ken Parker, Jackie Robinson and Errol Dunkley are around as well. Highlights include The Versatiles' "Lulu Bell", The Slickers' "Mother Matty", Errol Dunkley's "Love Brother", The Immortals' "Bongo Jah" Ken Parker's "It's Allright", The Pioneers' "Who The Cap Fits", The Royals' "Never See Come See" and "The Wicked Must Survive" by The Reggae Boys (who were probably The Pioneers).
SoulJah (reggae-vibes.com)
REGGAE JEGGAE 1968/69
Enregistrés par Lynford Anderson et produits par Joe Gibbs ou plutôt Joel Gibson tel qu'on le connait à cette époque, entre 1968 et 1969, les titres qui composent cette compilation sont tous des originaux et font partie des fondations du Rocksteady et du Reggae. Les sessions sont alors dirigées par deux futurs grands producteurs: Lee 'Scratch' Perry et Winston 'Niney' Holness, The Observer. On retrouve encore une fois la crème des musiciens jamaïcains dont, entre autres les futurs Wailers Carlton & Aston 'Familyman' Barrett mais également les guitaristes Earl 'China' Smith, Tony Chin et Lyn Taitt, Ansell Collins et Gladstone Anderson au clavier et aux cuivres Tommy McCook et Vin Gordon (Skatalites). La compilation s'ouvre sur le titre épponyme et la belle harmonie vocale que nous offre les voix de Drumbago & The Blunders, suivi du très énergique "Lulu Bell" des Versatiles. Vient ensuite le morceau d'Hugh Malcolm "Mortgage" qui est déjà beaucoup plus Reggae et fait la part belle aux cuivres. Il en est de même pour le titre d' Errol Dunkley "Love Brother", tout simplement magnifique. On revient ensuite dans le Rocksteady avec les Reggae Boys et "The Wicked Must Survive" ou encore The Immortals "Bongo Jah". Le titre des Destroyers "Rock The Clock" semble directement tiré d'un soundsystem de l'époque avec une instru Rocksteady et un DJ qui se charge de l'animation. Le rythme se ralentit de nouveau avec Jackie Robinson "Let The Little Girl Dance" et Tyrone Taylor "Delilah" et son excellent solo du clavier. Encore quelques titres Rocksteady et cette compilation se termine déjà, non pas qu'elle soit trop courte (16 titres pour minutes) mais simplement très bonne donc forcément trop courte! Une sélection parfaite pour un album que tout amateur de Rocksteady et Early Reggae doit se procurer au plus vite.
papa fab (jahsound.net)
REGGAE JEGGAE 1968/69
A new LP came my way this week that I almost dismissed. A good quality pressing from France: Reggae Jeggae 1968/69. Looking at the track list of I thought I had most of the 7" represented, but on closer inspection found this LP plugs a few gaps. There are some good tunes on here that will save you loads of dosh over tracking down the 7"s. Highlight ‘The Royals - Never See Come See’ which will get an airing this Friday at Chambers Cheriton Place Folkestone Kent (8pm till 12:30am free entry)
PortOJam (pama forum)
I can’t say it often enough: IT`S A KILLER TUNE !!!!!!!!! I get every time crazy while dancing. And Jam. Amalgamated is one of my fav. rec. hunting areas.
You will really get me with this clash! Great I’m really looking forward!
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