Arktober 77, part II: Native

Rockstone: Native's Adventures with Lee Perry at the Black Ark... September 1977

"Black Tracks" and "Late September in May"

On September 25, 2007, Pressure Sounds released this collection of tunes by Wayne Jobson, his brother Brian, and their band Native, unearthing a hidden treasure 30 years after it was recorded. The liner notes, insightfully written by Jobson, claim, "Native was the first rock reggae band out of Jamaica with our influences ranging from Sly and the Family Stone and War to Traffic and Pink Floyd." Though I'm not sure if they beat Jacob Miller & the Inner Circle at being the first to fuse reggae with rock, they definitely had a more original sound with at least some of those influences apparent. They were also one of the first multi-racial outfits from the island, the Jobson's themselves having a mixed heritage of English, African, Spanish, and Scottish, which also shows a bit in their songwriting. Check out the great guitar work in "Black Tracks", and the psychedelic rock influence that can be heard in the writing of "Late September in May." Jobson's voice is a little wobbly, but it fits the dark and murky feeling, plus there are some heavyweight instrumentals throughout.

After his first session with Scratch, Jobson took the tapes to London where they quickly created a buzz- John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, the lead singer of the Sex Pistols and a big reggae fan, apparently said it was "the best new stuff out of Jamaica." Scratch, however started to become more and more erratic and the Black Ark started to fall apart, so the tracks were finished at Dynamic Studios but never officially released until now. Jobson ended up becoming a successful DJ in LA, and also produced the award-winning (and pretty intense) documentary on Peter Tosh, Stepping Razor Red X.

This is really a lost gem that has Perry's signature all over it, but also stands out from other JA recordings of the time as something in it's own class.

Arktober 77, part I: The Holy Trinity

Junior Murvin - "Tedious" from Police & Thieves (1977)

The Heptones - "Mr. President" from Party Time (1977)

The Congos - "Open Up the Gate" from Heart of the Congos (1977)

Lee "Scratch" Perry is widely recognized as one of reggae's most inspiring and important figures, and the string of recordings he made at his own Black Ark studio from 1974-1978 is not only the peak of Perry's work, but some of the most creative recordings in the entire genre. I could go on about the relevance of Perry and the Ark, but enough has been written already, and if you're really interested in learning more about him I highly recommend People Funny Boy, written by David Katz, one of the most respected biographers of JA music. The book's not only an exhaustive history of Perry, but the entire JA music scene- get it.

This month the Beatdown will feature classic and rare cuts recorded and/or released at the Black Ark in 1977; Welcome to Arktober.

We'll get to the more obscure tracks later in the month, but first let's just cover the big 3; During the heyday of the studio, Perry produced tons of indispensable sides of wax, including somewhat of a holy trinity of LPs in 1977 (following Max Romeo's timeless War Ina Babylon and Perry's own Super Ape from the year before).

The first LP is Junior Murvin's debut and masterwork, Police & Thieves, probably the most well-known release from Perry. It's a shame that the title track is usually the only song known from this album (and probably even more popular is the Clash's brilliant cover) as every track is.. well you know. Murvin comes off as Jamaican Curtis Mayfield, and Mayfield indeed had a huge influence on him as well as reggae overall, not just the sweet falsetto, but his socially conscious writing and funky guitar work. The album has been remastered on CD with some great bonus tracks and on vinyl (tho EB's is often sold out).

The next LP is Party Time by the Heptones, one of the most important groups from the rocksteady era and one of the few to make a (very) successful transition to the roots era. Their album On Top is probably their defining record, but this one is right up there. Check out "Mr. President", a song still relevant today (fuck you, Bush). The album is available on CD and vinyl.

Last but definitely not least- in fact it's my favorite of them all (very close call), and many other reggae enthusiasts place this at the top of Perry's cannon- is The Congo's debut album, Heart of the Congos. Never mind reggae- if you're into any kind of creative music, this album is absolutely essential. Drenched in reverb, delay, and all of the distinct effects that make the Ark so great, Cedric Myton's falsetto and Congo "Ashanti" Roy's tenor voices combine with great songwriting and top players to make this unique, tripped out album. The definitive reissue of Heart of the Congos comes from Blood & Fire, and although is a little more expensive due to it's import status, it also comes with a bonus CD of great remixes and a beautiful booklet. Blood & Fire has apparently shut down for good, which is a huge loss for the reggae community since they, along with Pressure Sounds, have set the standard for essential reggae reissues. I would get this CD before it's too late (tho there is still the great VP Records version, also available on vinyl).

These three records alone are enough to put Perry in the top echelon of producers of all time. Stay tuned for further proof to come.

[The Scratch illustration at top is by LA artist Nathan Ota]

War is Not the Answer

Dillinger - Top Ranking (1977)

War Is Not The Answer


...Only love can conquer, baby!

JMack vs. the Stange Devil

Jackie McLean - Demon's Dance (1967)

Demon's Dance

Jackie McLean - Strange Blues (1957)

Disciples Love Affair

Throughout his long and extremely consistent career, Jackie McLean was known for one of the most distinct voices and truly pushed the boundaries of jazz. Taught in the school of Parker but quickly developing his own sharp and intense sound, McLean was responsible for more than a handful of the best creative jazz albums laid to wax. Maybe I'm a little biased- McLean was the founder and artistic director of the African American Music Program of the Hartt College of Music at the University of Hartford, and I was fortunate enough to take a course with him and hear stories of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Charles Mingus first hand. His untimely death last year marked the passing of one of the last original jazz giants.

One of his criminally overlooked albums celebrates it's 40th anniversary this year, Demon's Dance (well, it was actually recorded in 1967 but not released until 1970 and finally reissued on CD last year). The Francis Wolff-produced session included Woody Shaw (who contributes one of the albums most memorable tracks, "Sweet Love of Mine"), Lamont Johnson, Scott Holt, and Jack DeJohnette, so just by the roster you know it swings hard. It ended up being his last Blue Note session and the beginning of a 5-year hiatus from recording, where he made an effort to end his addiction to heroin and started teaching at the University of Hartford. Using less experimentation structure-wise compared to some of his earlier sessions from the mid-60's, the group focuses more on cohesion and pulsation. Check out the opening title track written by McLean- a jagged but swinging piece that shows all five musicians contributing but allowing enough space for adventurous solos.

McLean also released in 1967 New and Old Gospel, another superb but overlooked Blue Note session (reissued on CD this past March), especially of interest since it's the only time McLean recorded with Ornette Coleman, with him as a sideman on trumpet no less, as well as the classic 'Bout Soul, which is somehow currently out of print.

Going back even further to a record now 50 years old is McLean's Strange Blues. 1957 was a productive year for the young band leader, performing and recording with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and releasing several of his own albums with his first label, Prestige. As with other sessions from this time, these songs are notable due to the presence of a then 17-year-old Ray Draper, who plays tuba- a rarity in the world of jazz- and contributes his own compositions. Check out Draper's "Disciples Love Affair" where his tuba really makes for an unique listen- never mind the liner notes claim that Draper's performance is "an honorable failure, due to the brutish, unresponsive nature of the instrument. It's a stodgy horn that simply isn't designed for virtuoso ad-libbing." As long as you're not expecting Coltrane (whom Draper actually recorded with), it's still enjoyable. The CD reissue is out of print, but the album is now available on iTunes.

Blackbeard's Orchestra

4th Street Orchestra - Yuh Learn! (1977)

The Grunwick Affair
Forever Missing You

Dennis Bovell is the man. He formed one of the first major UK reggae groups, Matumbi, in the mid-70's, produced The Pop Group's Y and the Slits Cut- two of the best albums from the post-punk era- in addition to producing all of Linton Kwesi Johnson's classic albums among other timeless reggae titles. His own dub albums are also worth checking out. One overlooked part of his catalog is his 4th Street Orchestra project that released some great dub in the late '70s. Check out these instrumentals from the album Yuh Learn! from '77 that feature some tight horn arrangements.

This album was reissued last year by EMI with the follow up album from '78, Scientific Higher Ranking Dubwise. Check it out here. "The Grunwick Affair" and other 4th Street Orchestra tunes also appeared on the excellent Bovell collection titled "Decibel" released on Pressure Sounds a few years ago.

Ras Michael, Son

Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus - Kibir Am Lak (1977)

Zion Land
Wicked Men

Ras Michael - Zion Train (1987)

Youthman Sufferer

Ras Michael creates Nyahbinghi fusion- a mix of the spritual African drumming with roots, psychedelia, rock, and more. His album Peace & Love (under the title Dadawah) could almost be called prog-roots, with 4 tracks that are roughly 10 minutes each, but whatever you want to call it, it's a unique and sadly underappreciated masterpeice in the world of reggae. The Kibir Am Lak album recorded a few years later in 1977 has a remake of Zion Land (from Peace & Love), which is itself in debt to the deep, deep roots style perfected by Yabby You (especially on his legendary debut, Conquering Lion). Another highlight from the album is Wicked Men, with a synth sound that would make Dr. Dre drool, with a Biff! Baff! a Biff, Biff, Boom! (listen to the song...).


Another interesting album from Ras Michael is Zion Train, though I'll admit it's very uneven and only interesing becasue of it's connection with HR of the Bad Brains... and it was recorded on my 4th birthday. Released by SST Records in 1987 (most likley the only reggae album on the label outside of HR/Human Rights), it has a few tracks orinally from HR's Singing In the Heart, plus some new tracks that are really sub-par. The versioned tracks have a different mix and feature HR's lead and backing vocals. I'll just give you one track from the record; "Youthman Sufferer" features delay-drenched drums, a fat fuzz bass, and eventually ends in total chaos.

Trojan, Over the Hill

The Birth of Trojan (2002)
Dedicate My Song to You - the Jamaicans
Starry Night - Tommy McCook & The Supersonics

Rocksteady Rarities (2005)
The Good You Can - Charlie Organaire & the Carib Beats
Coming On the Scene - Johnny & the Attractions

2007 marks the 40th anniversary of one of reggae's most important labels, Trojan Records, but it was 5 years ago when Trojan released this compilation. The Birth of Trojan collects the first 11 singles (with their b-sides) recorded at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle in 1967. The first selection is "Dedicate My Song to You" by the Jamaicans, a short-lived group that is mostly known for their rocksteady classic, "Ba Ba Boom." "Dedicate" was actually written by Curtis Mayfield and recorded by the Impressions a couple years prior- Mayfield's falsetto, sparse guitar work, and socially conscious lyrics would eventually became a huge influence on Jamaican artists. Also posted from the comp is Tommy McCook's "Starry Night", a beautiful version of a tune I think was originally performed by Glen Miller & His Orchestra called “The Story of a Starry Night” that further shows the American influence on Jamaican music of the time.


While I'm on the subject, Trojan's Rocksteady Rarities Box Set is also an essential purchase. Usually "rarities" collections can contain a bunch of tracks that were left off of albums for good reason, but in the case of the singles-driven rocksteady market, almost all 50 of the tracks on the 3 CDs are good if not amazing. Most have never been re-issued and will appeal to the rocksteady beginner and expert. Check out "The Good You Can" by Charlie Organaire & the Carib Beats, and “Coming On the Scene" by Johnny & the Attractions- both very obscure artists, but both are absolute killers from '67.