In the 1980s, both old and new styles developed in Jamaica. Ragga evolved and electronic production tools found their way into studios, contributing to the establishment of the digital dancehall era.
A career in the music industry offered the chance to leave Jamaica’s omnipresent poverty and violence behind, prompting many producers on the island to turn their backs on it during this period. The London–Kingston axis in particular proved to be fruitful.
37 minutes with Bunny Lie Lie, Charlie Chaplin, Don Carlos, Johnny Clarke and others.
Featured cover art: Mad Professor – Beyond The Realms Of Dub
Playlist
Johnny Clarke – You I Love
Jamaica’s Artist of the Year in 1975 and 1976, he is known for his knee-length dreadlocks, so-called African Roots, and a repertoire ranging from dread songs to love songs. He moved to London in 1983. (1986, Mister Tipsy)
Half Pint – Desperate Lover (Dub)
The singer explored many aspects of dancehall together with the legendary rhythm section Sly & Robbie. (1987, Taxi)
Pebbles – Positive Vibrations
Produced by Dennis Bovell, born in Barbados, who moved to South London in 1965 at the age of 12 and immersed himself in Jamaican culture, dub music and sound systems. (1979, Arawak / RE: Trojan)
Bunny Lie Lie – Babylonian
An expression of aversion to the corrupt, capitalist and colonial world, which is referred to as Babylon in the Rastafari belief system. (1981, Greensleeves Records)
Don Carlos – Everyday in Dub
Don Carlos, who began singing in 1972 as one of the founders of Black Uhuru, released his first solo album, the LP Suffering, nine years later. (1981, Negus Roots)
Charlie Chaplin – Tony Welch
The DJ, dancehall and ragga singer emphasized cultural and social themes in his songs. (early 80s, Tamoki-Wambesi-Dove)
Earl Sixteen – A One Sound
Cut by Prince Jammy on a dubplate and tested on numerous sound systems, the producer made a name for himself with digital rhythm productions – a sound that would shape the modern dancehall era. (1985, King Jammy’s Dub)
Augustus Pablo – Rockers Comes East
In the 1970s, Augustus Pablo turned a children’s toy into his trademark with the melodica. Here, the producer and label owner explores the realm of digi-dub with it. (1987, Message / RE: Greensleeves)
Mad Professor – The English Connection
The Guyana-born dub music producer and sound engineer came to London in 1968 at the age of 13 and played a crucial role in the transition of dub into the digital age. (1982, Ariwa)
Deadly Headley – Little Dove
During a tour in Great Britain, the Jamaican studio musician came into contact with Creation Rebel and Adrian Sherwood’s label On-U Sound, for which the label owner produced Deadly Headley’s first solo album. (1982, On-U Sound)
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