reggae perspectives

[ks.kerenski]

I do not fully agree that things sounds all the same these days (to Dave K). In the mid-90's it was also easy to recognize different producers / labels like Xterminator, Penthouse, Star Trail, Digital B, Jammy's etc. Note that these labels also did not produced "slackness and gun" tunes alone. I remember buying "cultural records" from artist like Luciano (Xterminator), Garnett Silk (Digital B), Everton Blender (Star Trail), Jahmali (Penthouse) and in that days!!! And I could go on for longer (Prezident Brown, Ras Shiloh, Anthony B and even Buju Banton's impressive 'Til Shiloh album)

And even in recent years labels like DonCorleon (which produced the succesful Dropleaf, Heavenlym and Seasons riddims) are very easy to distinguish from other producers.

I agree in the mid-90's up to know there was too much slack an gun lyrics, but that was also present in the early '80 (yellowman, general echo). Needless to say, it is al about personal taste (and age). However, in my opionion the 'older' reggae fans are not fully aware of the "cultural roots rennaisance" that started in the 90. Hope this helps

[ks.kerenski]

Leggo, you hit the nail on the head! If you have no (musical) talent you can't make analogue or digital music at all. Once again, it's all about personal taste.

Hearing back those early digital tunes (mostly Jammy's), they really sound cheap and poor to me. However, in the early nineties production skills improved significantly in my opinion probably due to more competition of 'new and revitalised' producers (e.g. Gussie Clarke's Music Works and Donovan Germains' Penthouse label)and better equipment. I must admit that since the rise (and fall?) of the Burrell's Xterminator label the production level of (digi) tunes cut in Jamaice have stalled somewhat. But for (nu) roots fans there is still a lot to choose and to enjoy nowadays. Let people decide wat they want to hear and buy!! In my opinion the richman versus poorman story was ever present in Jamaican music scene (and the whole world) and will unfortunately never dissappear.

[flashman]

I agree with leggo.
I'm fairly competent on drums bass and guitar, but I have no clue how to program music. It would be much easier for me to layer track by track live than to program something. I recently bought a program for that, and to use it you definitely need to know something about music in order to communicate the vibe you want.

As for $$ my digital music set up was cheaper than a new US-made Fender guitar. Not to mention that it is possible to illegally download protools and all kinds of that software.
I would go so far as to say it's much cheaper to make music on a computer than with a full band!

And, responding to Aabby, I have to reveal my own level of snobbery: it will take quite a lot to get me interested non-Jamaican reggae (well, I mean of Jamaican descent, not necessarily that it has to be made on the island! Lots of great NYC, UK, Toronto stuff). Especially vocals. However, I do like stuff like what the German label PowPow is doing. I think they do the music production, but voice mostly JA artists. But, like an all Chinese or all European live reggae band? More power to 'em and I think it's cool that they're inspired to do it, but it'll take a lot for me to really spend much time or $$ on it.

Now that I think of it, though, I have liked some of the Alborosie and Gentleman stuff, so maybe I'm not so sure about that stance of mine.
What really irks me are american bands like Slightly Stoopid that basically take a classic JA riddim, change up a few notes in the bass and horn lines, write a catchy hook and then get mass airplay and dollars. They should be sending 75% of proceeds to JA!

Anyway, thanks everyone for replying with their interesting and thoughtful opinions.

[ks.kerenski]

@ flashman

Curiously, the new star Alborosie is recording with analogue equipment and mostly recording in Jamaica!!

[stepping razor]

I am not against computer made music but 99% of it is how I said earlier. Of course you can rig up a small set up for not much money. The problem I have is the rich ones who have all the gadets and software but are not using it to the full potential, and could set a new standard of reggae music, but once again its the minority and the quality computer music that is less likely to be released as a record.

peace

[h20]

.my old friend once told me the abysinnians were rich kids .i never thought of it too much untill reading leggos type words.it makes complete sense what you say.i finally agree with you.(jokes)....funny.. as well the person told me that is 50's something working on music just like your friend,..old pc,parts,actuall childrens cheap keyboards and a decent mic.and a believe it or not just sound recorder on win 2000..he truly knows how to make music.must be in his jamaica blood.

happy new year

[ital kemar]

was in london during the late 80s, just bought roots music, everything else could be heard on the radio. but lately i've been trying to catch up on some of the 85-89 tunes i missed back then. theres some great digi stuff imo. there wasnt much that excited me through the 90s, but like ks.kerenski i liked luciano, garnett silk etc. and since 2000ish i've been listening to morgan heritage, warrior king, i wayne etc etc. also recording through the last few years are sean paul, elephaht man, merciless etc. i cant listen to these artists. i'm not knocking them, it just dosent do anything for me. so i think for me personally, i like the conscious artists, whether they are backed by a band or not. but i agree the sound of a full band is better, no doubt about it.but singing the right songs i could easily listen to one man and his guitar.

ital kemar

[flashman]

Much as I like new roots, what I don't like is the slickness of some of it. It sounds too soft and polished. I wonder why the producers and/or engineers working with live musicians give it such a plain mix. Like the snare or rim shots often sound like they're just miked straight and not given much EQ or boost other effects like you find in a lot of dub and early dancehall.
I still like it, but...Scientist sounds a bit boasty in an interview I read where he says once he left Channel One, no one figured out how to get the sounds he got. But, listening to some of this live-band new roots, I'm tempted to agree. It does sound good and has its own kind of vibe, but I sometimes crave something more from the mix. And I could really do without the kind of soft r'n'b type vibe I hear a lot. Although I have to admit I'm pretty taken with Irie Love's "Put Jah First", so there's always an exception to the rule. If you haven't heard it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELYAvBmI_go

[flashman]

Oh, and since Irie Love is Hawaiian, I guess there's another chink in my armor about only liking Jamaican artists.

[flashman]

Here's an example of what I mean about rim shot and snare low in the mix and without much or any reverb or echo.
If this tune was done in the early 80's that rim shot would be booming way up front nice and crisp, right? It sounds better that way, I think. Why do they all mix it so low these days?

This is a Josie Mel track for an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVSmxwbIPPM