Roots Archives Forum

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1976:

REGGAE BUSINESS: PT.4 -
BM takes a look at Trojan Records to find out how an established classical music company got involved with the world of rasta-rockers:

So Saga found themselves not in the rock but in the reggae business. With Bill Ross (a co-director of Trojan Recordings Ltd) allotted the mind-jarring task of wading through the mountains of contracts, statements, and correspondence acquired from the old companies, Rodd began to get the machine running.

His pressing plants got to work repressing the key discs in the old Trojan catalogue and new staff were taken on.The key man was Clive Stanhope a Britisher who`d previously been managing director of Dart Records.With the quietly effcient Stanhope as general manager the company began to take some semblance of shape.

The artists roster was trimmed, new acts were signed or resigned (including John Holt, Cornell Campbell, Derrick Harriot, Jah Woosh, Prince Jazzbo, Lloyd Parks, Gene Rondo, Ken Booth and Big Youth) and by `76 releases on Trojan, Horse and Attack were again flooding into the record shops.

But if there has been substantial progress (big sales on discs by Big Youth and Derrick Harriot) the image of Trojan Ripoff Merchants had become established too.
It is spoken by the artists who failed to grasp that their demands for monies owed to them for record sales by the old Trojan should be directed to the liquidator (whose address is 1, Old Bond Street, London W1) and not to be the harrassed accounts staff of Trojan Recordings Ltd. And it is spoken by business rivals or dishonest record producers who saw the basically white manned Trojan Recordings Ltd as a useful scapegoat to cloud the issues of dishonesty.

Now Trojan is trying to rebuild its "image". It is succeeding rapidly. This is because it`s ripped off nobody and, from what BM has found, hasn`t tried to.
In the dog eat dog mawl of big business, no company can suceed without being ruthless. And Marcell Rodd positively exudes efficiency in a subtle business of cultured old-English-gentlemanly charm and cast iron determination.
His background thousands of pounds contributed to the Arts Council together with the friendship and respect of many of Britain`s leading business figures causes the allegations against the new Trojan`s honesty both impossible to swallow or substantiate.

Maybe Bunny Lee (the recent producer of "Straight to Rodd`s Head") is right. Maybe Marcell Rodd is a "bandwagon jumper" .But he jumped on the JA music bandwagon by accident, not by design and this shrewd business genius will use all of his talents to ensure that Trojan reggae music continues to increase its sales momentum. That way he can make some more money for his company. And so too can the artists whose records his company releases.

Maybe a roomful of reggae artists two years from now will be a roomful of affluent men. If their music is on Trojan, that is. That, we will have to wait and see.

Article from Black Music Mag - Oct 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=3854,298][cover=6177,298]
The Upsetters: "Super Ape" (Island 9417)

Zion`s Blood / Croaking Lizard / Black Vest / Underground / Curly Dub / Dread Lion /
Three In One / Patience / Dub Along / Super Ape: -

* * * * *

The little upsetter, super ape, scratch, is beating down Babylon with his Black Ark. There he is at his console in his black iron vest. Some roast fish and cornbread in one hand and a croaking lizard in the other.He`s dubbing along. I can hear a voice in the background "toasting", but I can`t make out what he`s saying. Have patience. I pick up my pen and I write. The bass passes it to the drum and the drum passes it to me.
One good thing about collie, when it hits you feel ire . . . . Super Ape is good Colombian. The dread Lion lives. I hear the voice of Mr. Perry in the background and this is what it says. I forget what it says. Jah Jah arms are open . . . so I and I will never work in vain . Turn down that noise. Hand me that spliff. Hold your hands in front. Let`s go, you`re under a . . . Hand me five stars. Now get up and MOVE YA!
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=1565,1812][cover=4339,1812]
U. Roy: "Natty Rebel" (Virgin V2059)

Babylon Burning / Natty Rebel / So Jah Jah Say / Natty King Fu / If You Should Leave Me / Do You Remember / Travelling Man / Have Mercy / Badie Boo / Go Deh Natty /
Fire In A Trench Town: -

* * *

An album of music to make you jump and shout according to the vibes. Now `n` then a man must jump and shout, let it out, as the music hits you. Let it hit you, pull harder, suck it in, puff it out. Now here comes U. Roy, rockin` and swing-in. Lift up your foot and rock you` body line, shake you` shoulders and flash you` locks. Now go deh natty dread! Natty get steppin`. Tune on this LP name` "Fire In A Trench Town".
It `ave a iry rydim wha` mek noise in a me head every time de chalice lick. Now turn de LP over on de odder side. Now bless the pipe. Babylon Burnin` but Proud Mary she keep on earnin`. Don`t spread no propaganda just take a glance over yonder . . . don`t you see dat Babylon burnin`! Big wheel keep on turnin`, so natty dread locks mek you keep on earnin`, but you no see seh Babylon burnin` . . . I`ve reached a turnin` point Lord Lord Lord in my life. Hard!
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=329,381][cover=4935,381]
Zap Pow: "Now" (Vulcan VULP 004)

Cry Inflation / System / Jungle Beat / Sweet Lovin Love / Them Lie / Trap /
Rock Your Bones / Overdoing / Sugga Pop / Sweet Reggae Music: -

* * * *

Zap Pow, consisting of some of the finest musicians in Kingston Jamaica, consistently deliver music of taste and originality whose breadth of appeal is due to their intelligence, their sense of humour, and to the fact that they make their own music instead of relying on session players. They`re from an older school of musicians bred in military bands, and have been playing through ska and rocksteady. They blend their reggae with styles pulled from outside Jamaica, instrumental soul for example. they`re not roots musicians, their songs are not of the ghetto. But they do comment, nevertheless, on their society, on life as a whole. And they do this best by reverting to everyday humour. But they do it with subtlety, they`re not here to play comedians.

Their music, regardless of the theme, is cheerful. And, as they say, it is reggae music. From their point of view the iniquities of their society are political which "System" and "Cry Inflation" prove. But the lack of spiritual inspiration renders the messages of those very songs inadequate."Cry Inflation", good as it might be, sounds three years late. The whole LP is a mixture of good songs and very good music with "System," "Sweet Lovin Love," and "Trap" shining brighter than the rest.
Nevertheless the album, release is (a little late) at a time when there is a wave of music more stylistically and thematically inspired, suffers by being a little too clever for its own good.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=743,866]
Delroy Washington: "I-Sus" (Virgin V2060)

Jah Wonderful / Generation Game / Midnight Ravers Stoney Blows / Freedom Fighters / Gotta Keep On Moving / Observance / Time Passage / Clean Hearted People / This Ya Reggae Music / The Streets Of Ladbroke Grove: -

* * * *

" . . . Selassie I is the Trinity, you`ve got to take this as truth, so look so look and you will see, I know I know you must agree the Lion the Lion prevail . . . "
Listen to this music, I mean listen, and you will hear something you`ve never heard before. Nor will you be able to put your finger on it. Is it the drumming, the bass playing, the keyboards? Is it the slow, deliberate pace? Is it those guitar spots, the horns, the harmonica? Or is it the singer, his voice, his songs, his observances?
It`s the music. I mean the inspiration that`s gone into its creation.
Don`t let the seemingly one paced-ness of most of the songs put you off, or you`ll be doomed. Listen again. Is it the quality of the songs or is it the melodies? The lyrics?
" . . . Your feet can go often walking, ha ha" Is he serious? "Pacing along great strides, ignorant to those warning pits, that`s a calling them to come inside . . . "
Watch out manhole, that ambush around the corner, that envious man. Listen again! Is It the front cover? Yes! I sus.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=695,3109][cover=5258,3109]
Linval Thompson: "Don`t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks" (Third World TWLP 010)

Don`t Trouble Trouble / Cool Down Your Temper / Black Princess Lady / Jezebel Woman / Blood Gonna Run / Money Money / Don`t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks / Jah Jah The Conqueror / Long Long Dread Locks / Natty Dread Girl / Ride On Natty Dread / No Escape: -

* * * *

To my surprise, not an album to be ignored. Linval seems to sing about the same thing all the time but it`s not so. It`s just that he uses some words very often. That`s just his way.He has a good voice - with a Johnny Clarke air - but isn`t noted for his songwriting. He puts words together.This album is in his favour for the variation of rootsy themes in which he is well versed.
". . The poor man need a helping hand, the poor lady need it, the rich man have it and don`t want to give it up, blood gonna run. ." He sings of money, that everybody needs it, yes it is the root of all evil. He sings of evil women, he warns the youth `cool down your temper` for there will be no escape from Jah Judgement. He praises Jah. I don`t know whether Bunny Lee`s aggressive "steppin" rydims hinder or help the singer but Linval is at home with Lee`s style. This music is ok.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=3751,3963]
Various Artists: "The Front Line" (Virgin 503)

Right Time - The Mighty Diamonds / Natty Rebel - U. Roy / Declaration Of Rights - Johnny Clarke / Don`t Touch I Man Locks - I. Roy / Looks Is Deceiving - the Gladiators / Freedom Fighters - Delroy Washington / The Great Pslams - I. Roy / Civilisation - Keith Hudson / Know Yourself Mankind - The Gladiators / Africa - The Mighty Diamonds: -

* * * *

For the price of one you get ten. The best of Virgin Rockers. It`s a bargain, and a very good album.One good thing about this set, it has two tracks from the gladiators new album (one of the very best of the year) "Trench Town Mix Up". Check dem. Buy dis!
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=28,28][cover=7515,28]
Burning Spear "Man In The Hills" (Island 9412)

Man In The Hills / It Is Good / No More War / Black Soul / Lion / People Get Ready / Children / Mother / Door Peep / Groovy: -

* * * *

Not as inspired, nor distinct, nor compact, nor enjoyable an album as Spear`s first, `Marcus Garney`. Thematically, the inclusion of the song "Spear Burning" seemed natural. Its omission is differcult to understand especially as it`s so good. Its variation of pace would have been welcome. Variety, that`s what Spear need. Rodney`s singing is superb, the music is tightly played, the production is clean and accurate. Nevertheless, the sound now needs a change of mood.Bassist Robbie Shakespeare tends to repeat himself, as do the brass arrangements. Some of the songs need developing though Rodney is a chant singer not a writer of songs. The title song, plus "It Is Good", "Children", "Door Peep", and "Groovy" are the ones that move me.
There is some disappointment but this is still a very good album.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC: OCT 1976:
[cover=11,7][cover=7811,7]
Aswad "Aswad" (Island 9399)

I A Rebel Soul / Cant Stand The Pressure / Ethiopian Rhapsody / Natural Progression / Back To Africa / Red Up / Ire Woman / Concrete Slaveship: -

* * *

Aswad, the youngest British reggae band currently recording, are a promising find. Their 45 "Back To Africa", a song composed by keyboard player Courtney Hemmings, was a popular song, a good enough seller to make people aware of them. I don`t know how well their album is doing but its sales must suffer since there are a few LP`s available, of real good quality, by much better known artists.
This album is as good as can be expected even though its emphasis is on sound instead of on songs. Both sound and song structures are definitely influenced some by what the band have heard of the Wailers and the like. But there`s more Aswad than that.They can play whose flair need direction. They also need to think of songs and concentrate on more imaginative arrangements. "Can`t Stand The Pressure" is amoung their best songs while "Ire Woman" is quite nice.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music October 1976:

peace

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1976:

UK REGGAE CHARTS OCT 1976:


REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin (Island 6316).
2. Gee Baby - Al Campbell (Sunshot 003).
3. MPLA - Tapper Zukie (Klik 619).
4. Keep On Riding - Eric Donaldson (Dynamic 107).
5. Stop The War In A Babylon - James Browm (Mango).
6. Rasta Business - Gregory Isaacs (Olympic).
7. Cool It - Bill Campbell (BB 0016).
8. Sufferers Time - The Heptones (Island).
9. Misty Blue - T.T. Ross (Lucky 6017).
10. Who Are You - Keith Poppin (Sunshot 004).
11. Sweet Feeling - The Abbyssinians (Nationwide 009).
12. Who Have Eyes To See - Errol Holt (Olympic).
13. Work All Day - Barry Biggs (Dynamic 101).
14. Judgement Time - Junior Ross & The Spears (K and B 1015).
15. Kiss And Say Goodbye - Cassandra (Lucky 6013).
16. White Bird Come Down - Thunderball (Attack 8128).
17. Stop - Pat Rhoden (Jama 28).
18. Time A Go Dread - Llyod Parks ( Love 31).
19. Discipline - The prophets (Dynamic).
20. Wasted Days And Nights - John Holt (Caribbean).
21. Stealing - Prince Jazzbo (Third World 040).
22. The Children A Cry - Owen Gray (LOve 30).
23. Back To Africa - Aswad (Island).
24. Madness - The Mighty Maytones (Mango).
25. Chase The Devil - Max Romeo & The Upsetters (Island).
26. Roast Fish And Cornbread - Lee Perry (Island).
27. Child From A Broken Home - Sidney Rogers (Ethnic Fight 048).
28. I Man Naw Run - Owen Gray (Third World 39).
29. No Weak Heart - Ronnie Davis (K and B 5530).
30. Spinning Wheel - Delano Stewart (Third World 43).

REGGAE PRE-RELEASE SINGLES:
1. I`m Still Waiting - Delroy Wilson (LTG).
2. Step On The Dragon - I. Roy (Observer).
3. Under Heavy Manners - Derrick Morgan (Justice).
4. Universal Natty - I. Roy (Well Charge).
5. Black A Kill Black - Gregory Isaacs (African Museum).
6. Zion Call - Prince Far I (Cry Tuff).
7. Babylon Queendom - Peter Tosh (Intel. H.I.M. Diplo).
8. Jah Will Guide - Silver Shadows (Well Charge).
9. Respect - Hugh Norris (Telegraph).
10. Weeping - Junior Byles (Thing).
11. Our Heart Is Clean - Cornell Campbell (Observer).
12. Feelings - Sharon Isaacs (Upsetter).
13. Have No Fear - Dennis Brown (Observer).
14. Ain`t Too Proud To Beg - Llyod Parks (Parks).
15. Stop The War - Dillinger (Forward).
16. You`ll Never Need Another Love - John Holt (Justice).
17. Ten Years Ago - Tall Dread (Heavy Duty).
18. Love Light Burning - Gregory Isaacs (African Museum).
19. Ketchy Shubby - Peter Tosh (Intel. H.I.M. Diplo).
20. Sitting In The Park - Dr. Alimantado (Adastra).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. The Front Line - Various Artists (Virgin 503).
2. Natty Rebel - I. Roy (Virgin 2059).
3. Super Ape - Lee Perry & The Upsetters (Island 9417).
4. Satta Dread - Various Artists (Klik 9018).
5. Man In The Hills - Burning Spear (Island 9412).
6. Before The Next Teardrop Falls - John Holt (Klik 9021).
7. Rastaman Vibrations - Bob Marley & The Wailers (Island 9383).
8. Rockers Time Now - Johnny Clarke (Virgin 2058).
9. Kick Boy Face - Prince Jazzbo (Third World 109).
10. Aswad - Aswad (Island 9399).
11. Legalize It - Peter Tosh (Virgin 2061).
12. Trench Town Mix Up - The Gladiators (Virgin 2062)
13. I Sus - Delroy washington & I. Sus (Virgin 2060).
14. On The Rock - The Cimarons (Vulcan 501).
15. Right Time - The Mighty Diamonds (Virgin 2052).
16. Dreadlocks Affair - Jah Woosh (Trojan 133).
17. Tears On My Pillow - Barrington Spence (Klik 9014).
18. Black Heart Man - Bunny Wailers (Island 9415).
19. Crisus Time - I. Roy (Virgin 2011).
20. Zap Pow Now - Zap Pow (Vulcan 004).

Reggae charts compiled with the assistance of the following record shops:
Lee`s Sound City, Model Market, Lewisham, London.
Joe`s Record Shop Brixton Market, London.
Daddy Kool, London W1.

peace