Roots Archives Forum

2 Riddims:The first was nearly ubiquitous from around 1985;well into the nineties,and is still in use today. Countless version albums were produced from it but I believe it/they originated out of Jammy's studio ala Steely & Cleevy. The first was featured on such tracks as Gregory's,"My Pride';Frankie Paul's,"No Sound" and Terry Ganzie's,"Send Them Come".
The second, was used on Eccleton Jarret's,"Turn Up The Heat";Cultural Roots',"Running Back To Me",Beres's,"My Wish" and Wayne Wonder's,"Saddest Day".
What are the names of these riddims? What are their root songs and, could any one suggest the names of some version albums that feature these riddims? Thanks.

The first one is ["Far East"](http://www.reggaeid.co.uk/riddims.php?riddim=Far%20East) riddim.

I know the second, it was also used on Cocoa Tea's 'Too Young'.

Not sure what the original riddim/tune was.
I think this is a King Jammy production.

I think Horace Andy's "Tonight" comes closest. (for the 2nd riddim). And Pablo's "Bedroom Mazurka".

For the 2nd, the original tune is "Tonight" by Keith & Tex. And on the jammy's cut, wicked tune from Chuck Turner 'Run Around Girl'. Kinda the same riddim from 'Lots Of Signs' by tenor Saw.

Ron, you hit the nail on the head! At least as far as the first one's concerned.I know "Tonight and "Mazurka" and that's not it on number two.One of the reasons I asked was because I'm trying to track an old comp. I had and I now remember it was called "Going or;Moving East.Thanks.

Hmmm. I'd back Ron on that 2nd one. I think 'Tonight' is the original track. Though, the Jammy version is such an update that it barely resembles the original (I prefer the Jammy version). Kind of like how the Jammy 'I Know the Score' riddim is an update of Mean Girl, but barely even sounds like it. That was the genius of Steely & Clevie: taking these foundation tunes and updating them in a way that wasn't just a simple remake but a reinvention!

I do think 'Tonight' is the riddim name, though, despite how different it sounds.

http://www.algoriddim.com is a really useful website for finding out what tunes use which riddims. I had a quick look and cant find anything on any of the 2nd riddim you mention.

The Tonight riddim is amazing. Whats the technical term for the muted fast picking on the guitar which is used in lots of reggae?

Far East is usually linked with the Barry Brown tune of the same name. Don't know if this was an original lyric and riddim or a revive.

Another early cut is Tune In by Delroy Wilson done at Bunny Lee's. Later Cocoa Tea did a sweet take on this for Jammy's.

vtov wrote:Far East is usually linked with the Barry Brown tune of the same name. Don't know if this was an original lyric and riddim or a revive.

Another early cut is Tune In by Delroy Wilson done at Bunny Lee's. Later Cocoa Tea did a sweet take on this for Jammy's.

"Far East" is based on a Roland Alphonso rock-steady instrumental called "Jah Shakey". Brown's version is much slower, and has a different drum pattern, which has been copied many times since.