Keith Hudson ‘Melody Maker’ (TROJAN)
There is something really deep and hypnotic about this record. We often use it as an intro for Trojan Sound System but the big bass and spacey production mean it works on the dance floor, in the car or certainly back at mine.
Dennis Brown ‘Revolution’ (taxi)
Simple drum bass and piano Rhythm provides the bedrock for classic Dennis Brown song
‘Richie Spice ‘Living in Fear’ (INTOUCH MUSI)
Richie Spice is up there with Jah Cure for me and a champion of the new roots sound. Living in Fear was recorded on two different tracks and this one is on the Giddimani riddim. Intensely real and emotive lyrics with an underlying sense of the positive. Blaze Up!
Pharoah Sanders ‘The Creator has a Masterplan’ (impulse)
Every great tune tells a story. This truly beautiful, marriage of music and cosmic spirituality attempts to explain the meaning of life itself.
Johnny Clarke ‘Enter his Gates’ (Jackpot)
The finest flowering of the classic series of tunes made by Johnny Clarke with producer Bunny Lee. Would make a sideboard dance.
The Heptones ‘Through the Fire’ (TROJAN)
I have high hopes for this tune. We’ve featured it on the latest Trojan Sound System album and about half way through Brother Culture lets loose. The bass is relentless during the first half and Culture takes on the bass during the mixdown. Again, this record is crossover and works everywhere, on stage or at home.
Linval Thompson ‘I love Marijuana’ (Attack)
A direct and uncomplicated statement of belief. What reggae music does best.
Willie Nelson’s Countryman ‘Harder they Come (LOST HIGHWAY)
I think there are some real links between Country music and Reggae. Both are rebel music, lyrically and musically. Willie Nelson’s remake of Harder They Come is Country, is still Reggae. I’m still building up the courage to play this to a hardcore reggae crowd, but for now it’ll stay at home.
Johnny Osbourne ‘Truth And Rights’ (Studio 1)
Johnny Osbourne is one of my favourite reggae singers and here, he is at his inspiring best.
Anything by Joe Gibbs VARIOUS – My girlfriend (DJ Cosmo) and I have an A-class sound system at home that includes two Klipschorn speakers from the UK’s Loft sound system (David Mancuso hall of fame). Joe Gibbs productions stand up to this system’s quality and shine, whereas many reggae productions don’t hold their own and sound very flat. Joe Gibbs reigns supreme at our place. If I was to pick out a track Joe had produced I’d probably choose Chapter Three – a Loft classic.