Miles Aaron MussmanIntroducing Miles Aaron Mussman!

Miles joined us today at about 4:45 P.M. He weighed in at 7 pounds 5 ounces and 21.5" in length. Both Allison and Miles are doing great! Congratulations to Todd, Allison, Prior and Billi Mussman on the new addition to their family!

Mazel tov!



Miles Aaron Mussman
Miles Aaron Mussman



Mom
Dad

Audio

Adrian Sherwood mix + Sun City Girls mix (not archived)

Dub Syndicate (feat. Lee Perry)-Jungle Pt.4-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
New Age Steppers-Private Armies Dub-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Gary Clail-2 Thieves And A Liar-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Mark Stewart + Maffia-Liberty City-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Doctor Pablo-Man Of Mystery-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Dub Syndicate-Hey Ho-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Dub Syndicate (feat. Lee Perry)-Dubbing Psycho Thriller-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
African Head Charge-Hole In The Roof-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Noah House Of Dread-Stand Firm-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Dub Syndicate-Chemical Head-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Tackhead-Mind At The End Of The Tether-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Prince Far I / Creation Rebel / Bim Sherman-Frontline Version / Tribulation Dub-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Congo Ashanti Roy / Singers & Players-African Blood-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Prince Far I / Singers & Players-Virgin-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Creation Rebel-Beware-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Creation Rebel-Creation In A Iration-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Noah House Of Dread-Sellassie I-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
African Head Charge-Conspiring-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Mark Stewart + Maffia-Jerusalem-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Bim Sherman / Singers & Players-Revolution-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
New Age Steppers-My Whole World-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Mark Stewart + Maffia-Beneath The City Streets-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Gary Clail / The Barmy Army-Privatise The Air / Stadium Rock-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Gary Clail / Andy Fairley-Half Cut For Confidence / Jack The Biscuit-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Mark Stewart + Maffia-These Things Happen-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Congo Ashanti Roy / Singers & Players-Breaking Down The Pressure-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Creation Rebel-African Space-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Bim Sherman-Slummy Ghetto-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Creation Rebel-The Dope-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
African Head Charge-In The Air-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
African Head Charge-Dinosaurs Lament-On U Sound Records / Beat Records
Sun City Girls-Static from the Outside Set-
Shawn Rudiman-Second is First-Science Recordings

Its taken almost 6 weeks, but I'm down to two days of our trip left to post. Perhaps it will get done this week, now that I'm in Atlanta for a few days. When I'm done I will post a wrap-up of the trip and all of the links, in order. Soon...

-dhs

On Friday, Steph and I were out at our local supermarket picking up groceries for Alli & Todd's baby shower the following night. When I approached the cashier, the following exchange occurred:

Me: "I have 24 ears of corn here."
Cashier (in a very Southern accent): "What do you need 24 ears of corn for?"
Me: "I'm having a party."
Cashier: "What kind of party? A corn party?!"

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Audio

Respects to Hovis Presley

Wambaia-Droning didj-Regency Productions
Albert Ayler-Spirits rejoice-Water
Alice Coltrane-Going Home-Impulse
Harold Budd-Little Pearl-Samadhi Sound
Brian Eno-Large bell change impreovisation / reverse harmonics bells / Bells Improvisation-Opal
Matt Elliott-The maid we missed-Ici d’ailleurs
Fennesz-Live in La Petite Chapelle-Touch
The Necks-Mosquito-Shock Records
Hovis Presley-3 Poems-
Jimmy Cliff-Many Rivers to Cross-Trojan
Bob Marley -Small Axe-Sanctuary
The Amazing Pilots-Price of Winter-Decor
Motion City Soundtrack-Attractive Today-Epitah
T.Raumschmiere-Sick Like Me-Nova Mute
The Licks-This I Know-Hassle Records
Earl-What are you waitin’ for-Fat Northerner
Ben Weaver-El Camino Blues-Fargo
South San Gabriel-I am six pounds-Munich
Robbie Fulks-Where There’s A Road-Yep Roc
Clem Snide-End of Love-Fargo
Brooks-Toys out of Pram-Soundslike
Son Cubano NYC-Chocolate -Honest Jons

Audio

Rick James-Stone City Band Hi-Motown
Average White Band-Stop the Rain-Atlantic
Kaos-Crab Buckit-Virgin
q-tip-For the Nasty-Motown
A Marie-Rolling Down the Face-Columbia
Mary Mary -Heaven-Sony Urban Music
Gladys Knight and the pips / The Randy Watson Experience-I heard it through the grapevine-Motown
Common-Go!-Geffen
James Brown-Blues and Pants-Polydor
Joe Swifts Internationals-Bell Bottoms-Ace
Prince Charly and the City Beat Band -In the Streets-Unidisc
Lalo Schifrin-Jaws-CTI
Missy Elliott-Lose Control-Atlantic
Kenny Dope-Sing-V Records
Jammers-And you know that-Salsoul / Sussed
Atmosfear-Outerspace-Elite
Crack Steppin-What are you going to do with this feeling-Get Down Records
Soul of Disco-Sampler-Z Records
Waters-My heart won’t let you go-Blue Note
Jaguar Wright-One More Drink-Aritmis
Kenny Lattimore-Change Moore-BMG
Gerald Levert-Ain’t Funny-
The Temptations-War-Kent

Audio

Alpha and Omega-Dub Masterpiece-Alpha and Omega
Junior Dan-This Foundation-Honest Jons Records
Junior Delgado-None shall Escape-Invisible Music
Harry Beckett-None shall escape his trumpet-On U Sound
Dub Syndicate w/Little David-Yes it is bless-Shanachie
Yabby You and King Tubby-Rock Vibration-Blood and Fire
Cornell Campbell-Please Be True-Trojan
Cornell Campbell-Jah Jah me no born yah-Trojan
Burning Spear-Rocking Time-Heartbeat
Dennis Alcapone-Master Key-Trojan
Freddie MacGregor-Make it snappy-Ras
Johnny P-Punky rooster-METRO
Lester Sterling with King Cannon-Man at work-Moll-Selekta
Tommy McCook-Caltone Special-Pressure Sounds
Charlie Chaplin-Live at Maypen, Clarendon-Dove
Bill Laswell-Babylon Site-Roir
Dub Gabriel-War in the Poppy Fields-Azra Records
Alice Coltrane-Love Supreme-Soul Jazz
Kirtan- The Great Mantra from the Himalayas-Maha Mantra 1-Karuna
Jon Hassell-Maarifa Street-Label Bleu
Lou Harrison-Bowl Bells-New Albion
Keith Jarrett-Part 9-ECM
Koji Asano-Sanctuary on Reclaimed Land-Asano

ALPHA & OMEGA

TRAMPLE THE EAGLE AND DRAGON AND THE BEAR

ALPHA AND OMEGA CD

Alpha & Omega, Christine Woodbridge and John Sprosen, have such a massive catalogue now they have become a durable nu dub institution. Like just a handful of other UK dub acts, On U, Zion Train and Jah Warrior immediately come to mind, they have a signature sound - largely based on their preference for insistent steppers rhythms driven by Christine’s slinky bass and the light swirling sound of John’s melodica. This new set, the first real new one for some time, is something of a departure as it takes the structure of a showcase set with vocal followed by dub. Scratch and the Mad Professor open the set with yet another undistinguished effort in ‘Dub Fire’ it’s a relief when the dub arrives, but the appearance next of Greg Isaacs on ‘Bush Ganja’ puts the set back on track as the Cool One dispenses weed reasoning in a voice not too distressed from its peak. Other fine contributions from Bunny Lie Lie, Horace Martin, Reuben Master and Sis Nya who recovers well from a wobbly start.

CORNELL CAMPBELL

NATTY DREAD – ANTHOLOGY

TROJAN 2xCD

Here’s one of the golden keys to all those Bunny Lee produced dub albums that have surfaced over the years, the original vocals of tunes that were versioned incessantly through the seventies and have since become roots reggae standards. The sweet falsetto voice of Cornell Campbell was nurtured as a member of the Uniques along with the great Slim Smith, he then went on to lead the Eternals returning to Studio One for the immortal ‘Queen of the Minstrels’ eventually joining the Bunny Lee production stable in 1971. Here he locked horns with Johnny Clarke and together they spurred each other to higher heights ruling the roots roost through the decade. All of Campbell’s hits are here on this double set plus some more obscure, but equally stunning, sides. Amongst the many tasty cuts essential consumption is the Ray Harryhausen inspired series ‘The Gorgon’, ‘The Conquering Gorgon’, ‘The Gorgon Is the Ruler’ and ‘The Gorgon Is Back’, Cornell’s inspired take on Gene Chandler’s ‘Duke of Earl’ and his tuffest tune ‘Boxing’ cut for Joe Gibbs.

FAMILY MAN BARRETT / ANSELL COLLINS / LYNN TAITT

SOUL CONSTITUTION / PORTOBELLO / WILLIAMSBURG
PK 10" VINYL

PK is an occasional imprint for the rarer side of reggae and dub that will never crossover into wider audience. This time Honest Jons, the people behind PK, team up with the Dubstore Records shop in Tokyo to mine three deep reggae instrumentals for which you would normally have to give up the proverbial arm and leg. ‘Soul Constitution’ has Upsetter and eventual Wailers’ bassman in the style of an easier JB’s jam but leaning more into Meter’s country, whilst ‘Portobello’ is a rare but funky Augustus Pablo melodica piece on top of a wah-wah guitar. But the concept becomes stretched with the inclusion of guitarist Lynn Taitt's unreleased ‘Williamsburg’ a sweet but chunky travelogue piece with a jaunty flute where you’re just left waiting for the commentary to begin.

HORACE ANDY / BULLWACKIES ALL STARS

SERIOUS THING / SERIOUS DUB
WACKIES 12" VINYL

Originally released in 1981 and itself a recut of an earlier Bunny Lee version, the Bullwackies produced version of Horace Andy’s "Serious Thing" is another unexpected revival classic. The Rhythm & Sounds boys have done a great job with the Wackies catalogue or perhaps the time just happened to be right to re-evaluate these tunes. Previous reissues have just not caught the spark whilst now, especially with the extra cuts on the 12" of horn and guitar dub mixes, plus an extra vocal version, Horace’s delicate singing floats dangerously on top of the broiling instrumental bed pumped back up to safety by the horns. Another good reason to keep collecting your dub in vinyl form.


VARIOUS ARTISTS

SAFE TRAVEL - THE RARE SIDE OF ROCK STEADY WITH PHIL PRATT AND FRIENDS 1966 TO 1968

PRESSURE SOUNDS CD/ DOUBLE VINYL

One time box carrier for Coxsone’s Downbeat Sound System Phil Pratt linked up with ex-road manager for the Skatalites Ken Lack to establish the Caltone, Jon Tom and Wiggle Spoon record labels as outlets for a music that became known as rocksteady. It was their partnership with guitarist and arranger Lynn Taitt, the man sometimes credited as the engine behind the change of the beat from ska to rocksteady and the introduction of the original drum and bass sound we still know today. This release from Pressure Sounds establishes another cultural landmark of Jamaican music along with their recent Herman Chin-Loy and Clive Chin sets. Between 1966 and 1968 it was the skeletal sound of rock steady that provided the framework for vocalists to step away from the frantic rush of ska and in turn form the bedrock for the eventual development of many of the great Jamaican vocalists. Here Ken Boothe, Horace Andy, Larry Marshall and the Clarendonians are all featured, and Phil Pratt himself is revealed as a singer of some talent. After so may Treasure Isle compilations this is a real treat.

BIG BUD

FEAR OF FLYING

SOUNDTRAX 2xCD

As Big Bud music producer and DJ, Robin O'Reilly was a stalwart of the foundation drum and bass imprint Good Looking. Since splitting with them a couple of years ago he has been DJing around the world. Judging by the throw away nature of the first CD on this set, generic d&b at best, its tempting to think staying at home was a better plan. Reinforced on the second CD especially with G Rhymes painfully arch and out of time ‘How I Make my G’s’, then the sun breaks through and birds begin to whistle as Dan Marcus, Big Bud’s Belize discovery comes with ‘Fan the Flame’ and Lugua Centeno, a vocalist and percussionist from Triunfo de la Cruz, a Garifuna coastal village in Honduras, with ‘Gimme the Woman’, both areas untouched by today’s musical conquistadors until now. Cleansing out the preceding stodge Big Bud are revitalised with ‘Stinkweed’ and ‘Lazy Iguana’ two dubby instrumentals, the first dope-ridden with ‘bone and the second trippy percussion with sparkling flute. Re-edited with the second half of the second CD occupying the core this album would have been a contender.

BURNING SPEAR

CREATION REBEL

HEARTBEAT CD/LP

Appearing at the same time as last year’s Burning Spear retrospective on Soul Jazz this can only really happen with Jamaican music. It must be that the late Clement Dodd would have ‘blessed’ this release containing as it does a rare original version of Spear’s ‘Rocking Time’ with Coxsone as DJ. Other than that many of the cuts are in common with its ‘competitor’ with the exception that a number bear the legend ‘alternate stereo mix’. As Heartbeat’s Chris Wilson has in the past not been able to resist the urge to remix original Studio One multi-tracks, notably on Willie Williams’ "Armagideon Time’ album, then I approached in trepidation. But no reason for reggae purists to get too paranoid as the sound is crisp, full and we are assured that everything is sourced from the "Studio One archives". Both ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ and ‘Weeping And Wailing’ are exclusive to this release, but if one were searching for exclusivity then the advice must be to go for the actual Studio One CD re-releases of ‘….. Presents’ and its follow-up ‘Rocking Time’. The uninitiated should beware, Burning Spear breeds these kind of compulsions.

JUNIOR DELGADO

INVISIBLE MUSIC

INCREDIBLE MUSIC CD

As this column is being written and Junior Delgado’s new album is released comes the sad news of his untimely death at the age of just 46, passing away in his sleep whilst in a diabetic coma. Truly a singer with the voice of a lion and magisterial delivery demanding attention and commanding respect. Junior, or Jux as he was often known, had worked with all the great producers, most notably Scratch, Augustus Pablo, Sly & Robbie and most memorably his great friend, the late Dennis Brown. This album is a mix of productions from Jux himself, Adrian Sherwood and Skip MacDonald whom he had worked with extensively over past ten years or so. His rich, resonant voice is often a challenge to listen to through a whole album – like an endless gourmet meal with each course more delicious but also more difficult to consume – but each track taken alone is a thing to marvel, none more so than ‘None Shall Escape’ a song of faith, spiritual uprising and revolution in the mind. Incredible Music was Junior’s own label and most of his exemplary back catalogue of roots, lovers and conscious music is still available.

KING STURGAV SOUNDS

CHARLIE CHAPLIN LIVE IN CLARENDON

DOVE CD

The availability of quality sound system recordings outside the collectors market is scarce, so the reappearance of this set capturing U Roy’s King Stur Gav Hi-Fi, the primary deejay academy of the early eighties where microphone talent of the era’s finest DJs was laid on the line. First came Ranking Joe with Jah Screw on decks. When that duo defected for Ray Symbolic up stepped ‘Colonel’ Josey Wales, partnered by ‘Principal’ Charlie Chaplin and selector Inspector Willie at the control to challenge the pre-eminent slack styles of General Echo and Yellowman. As entertaining as Daddy U Roy’s cultural rhythm picks here is Charlie Chaplin’s between tune chat giving a flavour of the times (1983). Not for a hi-fi audience, although the sound quality is excellent for a sound system session we can hear the grit jumping out of the grooves as needle hits the records and the selector changes the pieces over, as one by one classic version follows version

FREDDIE McGREGOR

PUSH COMES TO SHOVE

RAS CD

Although Freddie McGregor started at Studio One as a member of the Clarendonians and recorded some of his greatest solo tunes there his classic ‘Bobby Babylon’ album was only released to cash in on the success of his later success with Niney in the late seventies that provided great lovers and roots versions of Jah Bob’s ‘Chant Down Babylon Kingdom’ and Sugar Minott’s ‘Lovers Rock inna J.A. Style’; and its this period running through to the late eighties from which this selection is culled by John Masouri. A jazzier relick on ‘Rastaman Camp’ and the dubbed up ‘Make it Snappy’ in combo with Capleton are highlights but the cover of Buffalo Springfield’s ‘For What it Worth’ is signally dispensable and the title track always springs questions as to why the song wasn’t a major crossover hit. The fact there are no production, musician and engineer credits is an error that compounds the feeling that somehow a mere great vocalist does not deserve the serious treatment that’s usually accorded to strict dub sets – or laziness on behalf of the label.

VARIOUS ARTISTS

RUN IT RED – MICK HUCKNALL SELECTS FROM 10 YEARS OF BLOOD AND FIRE CLASSICS

BLOOD AND FIRE CD

The boys down at Blood and Fire continue to tread water with the delay, or is it cancellation, of the promised modern ‘Congos set’ from Cedric Myton and come up with this obvious but forgivable transparent marketing ploy as Mick ‘Simply Red’ Hucknall picks his choice tracks from the catalogue. However Mick does not get as far as making any comments on the tracks – hard work! – that’s left to a quote from Red to the effect that a statue of King Tubby in Kingston would not go amiss. Twenty tracks gathered together most of which reggae fans would have killed for 15 years ago, as a primer to roots and seventies dub there can be no argument, drawing attention to ‘123 Beat Street: Ja-Man Special’ and the Freedom Sounds’ ‘Only Love Can Conquer’ is a social service. But the opportunity for nod to the late Roger Eagle, the ultimate dub champion who did so much to inspire in Mickie and others yet another peculiar strain of North-West musical fanaticism is passed over.