JAH DYNASTY
DKR-075 - KEITHUS I - DREADLOCKS I / DREAD A DUB IT / DREADLOCKS IN THE ARK 10"
DKR-076 - KEITHUS I - SAVE THE CHILDREN 7"
DKR-077 - KEITHUS I - LIVING IN ILLUSION 7"
CHANNEL 1
DKR-084-JJ - LITTLE JOHN - FALSE NEWS 7"
DKR-085-JJ - LEROY SMART / SUPER CHICK - LOVE ME TONIGHT / BEES MAN 10"
DKR-086-JJ - COURTNEY PEDDLAR - JAH LOVE 7"
Milton "Keithus I" Samuels is simply put, one of the best yet least-known artists of the 1970s. In the latter half of the decade he self-produced six singles for his own JAH DYNASTY label, and every one is classic. Working at studios like the Black Ark, Channel 1 and Harry J, and mainly with his long-time spars, the Wailers' rhythm section of the Barrett brothers, the result was fantastic roots reggae, which has remained unfortunately unavailable...until now. Here's the first installment of our full Keithus I reissue program. "Dreadlocks I" was done at the Black Ark, and this 10-inch reissue includes the vocal & dub from the original 45, plus a second, wild Lee Perry mixed dub of an aborted do-over of the tune (for which the vocal version is sadly lost). "Save the Children" is prime '70s roots, killer horns, militant riddim, wailing vocals. This release features the awesome female harmony singers, dubbed the 'Voices of the Trinity.'
"Living in Illusion" is the most mellow of these three tunes, but no less powerful for it, with Keithus' heartfelt vocals and a great arrangement yet again.
The Channel 1 reissue program continues with more powerful early 80's music. Little John's "False News" is the rarest released cut on Channel's killer "fight fight" riddim, this time employing some great synth work. Those paying close attention will notice that this riddim is so good, it was licked over by the Choppper crew for our previously released Lionel Barrett and Bobby Melody tunes on that label. Next, a great double-sider, Leroy Smart's "Love Me Tonight" and Super Chick's "Bees Man." The Leroy is on the same killer riddim, which we call "Over Me", as tunes we've previously released by Barry Brown and Horace Andy. The Super Chick tune is the deejay cut to the "fight fight" riddim and one of our all-time favorite female deejay tunes. Both sides with dubs! Lastly, killer one-away roots from Courtney Peddlar, "Jah Love" is one of Channel's finest early '80s offerings, only released in JA on 45 and always hard to find.
Sound Clips:
Keithus I - Dreadlocks I
Keithus I - Dread a Dub It (Dreadlocks I DUB cut 1)
Keithus I - Dreadlocks in the Ark (Dreadlocks I DUB cut 2)
Keithus I - Save the Children
Keithus I - Save the Children DUB
Keithus I - Living in Illusion
Keithus I - Living in Illusion DUB
Little John - False News
Little John - False News DUB
Leroy Smart - Love Me Tonight
Leroy Smart - Love Me Tonight DUB
Super Chick - Bees Man
Super Chick - Bees Man DUB
Courtney Peddlar - Jah Love
Courtney Peddlar - Jah Love DUB
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4 comments:
looking forward to another year of great Digikiller releases! Fyi the later sound samples of these new releases seem to be having some troubles with the the audio volume being rather low. Not sure if there's a way to correct that.
Cheers,
David
dkr, you are insane!!! speciallu this new release, KEIHTUS I SAVE THE CHILDREN!!! thank you so much!
@david - i noticed this about the clips. not sure what went wrong. i'll look into it...thanks
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