Roots Archives Forum

OK, similar question, who do you prefer, Sly Dunbar or William Horsemouth Wallace? I know there are a lot of others (Winston Grennan, Paul Douglas, Carlton Barret,...), but it seems to me that these two emerged in the same period of time and are the two most influential...
So, I personally prefer early Sly Dunbar (pre 1980), but I think Horsemouth was more inovative. Somehow Sly was able to use Horsemouth's inovations in better way than Horsemouth himself.
But that's just my oppinion, what do you think?

Since there are tons of records that credit both, it's hard to always be sure who plays what. Can you provide examples of what you are talking about as far as Horsemouths innovations?

Seems strange to leave Santa out of this discussion too

Great drummers, but then again, Sly has so much more versatility. And can use the drum machine like no other, and can produce artists, and can do hip hop, pop, funk, rock with equal ease.

By the way, I am planning to record Horsemouth and Robbie with Chinna and probably Keith Sterling (the nucleus of Jack Ruby's Black Disciples) next time I'm in Kingston. I just need a good singer with roots ability and a couple of nice songs. Any ideas?

Dont forget Mickey Boo Richards.

As far as I know Horsemouth was the first who used steppers and rhytm, but Sly used them better... I don't know, I know who is playing from transitions usually, Sly is better in most cases...
Yes, Santa was great, but the only record where he shines is Deep Roots (mighty Dtamonds), can you tell me for any other?

I love Santa's drumming on Tosh's Live album from 1983

I can usually tell Sly and Style Scott pretty well, but Horsemouth, Mikey Boo, Santa, I'm not as clear on and I would like to be able to know! Can you give me specific examples that illustrates each style?
My general sense is that Sly is a great drummer but is less swinging/funky. He can come off kind of super precise and almost mechanical, to me. I feel like I prefer the looser feel and more kind of funky use of the kick that the person I always think is Santa has. But maybe it's not Santa! Like I said, so many albums list 3 or 4 drummers it's hard to know who is who

and let's not forget "Tin Leg"... Lloyd Adams


Sly certainly would be my vote for the best all-arounder... i got to tech a Sinead O'Connor show back a few years ago (2006?) with Sly and Robbie, so it was a treat for me. took all the bottom heads off the toms, and the front head off the kick, and taped the living shit out of the toms. the first half of the show was the band playing all the old Studio One/Channel One classic instrumental tunes.. Robbie used 4 SVT heads & 8x10" cabs!

my favorite Sly Dunbar track is "Double Barrel" by Dave Barker & Ansel Collins. the whole feel of the drums and bass kills me still, although it's not really representative of most of his work.

also got to tech what was essentially a Soul Syndicate band minus Fully playing for one of the Marley kids sometime in the early 2000's. Santa is no slouch, and as said above has a great feel. the man has played on many, many a classic tune - as a band, i'd probably pick Soul Syndicate over anyone else.

Funky Sly: Grace Jones, Gwen Guthrie, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, songs like Boops, etc...