Happy 56th birthday to Junior Kelly. Junior recorded a string of conscious and uplifting singles and albums in the early 2000s. Here's a 7" from 2004 that's become a modern roots anthem... youtu.be/N778YqY7scA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Conroy Smith says he wrote Dangerous to perform at the Sting festival, but when Hugh 'Redman' James heard it he knew he had to record and release it asap. It became Conroy's biggest hit and a dancehall classic... youtu.be/N83GLU65lz8?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #dancehall

Give me Fever in the morning, evening and night... #reggae

Remembering the legendary U Roy who was born on this day in 1942. On this 'Skank' U Roy praises the 'higher rank' of King Tubby's Home Town Hi-Fi, where he was the No.1 DJ from the late 60s to the mid-70s... youtu.be/_qTDPpVr0AE?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #uroy #kingtubby

Niney talked about how when Santa went on “strike”—and wouldn’t play—and wouldn’t lend Niney his drum sticks, Niney broke a broomstick 🧹 in two, gave the two pieces to legendary percussionist “Sticky,” and pretty soon, Sticky was recreating the flying cymbals 🤣 🥁 www.reggae-vibes.com/articles/202...

I asked Johnny Clarke once about the day he recorded the 1st ´flying’ with Santa and he told me a funny story. He went to the studio early thay day and was alone with Duke Reid’s pigeons flowing around him. Duke Reid came and told him : « Don’t you try to thief mi pigeons deh bwoy » 😆 😆 (14e min)

In 1974, at the Treasure Isle studio, Soul Syndicate drummer 'Santa' Davis developed the flying cymbal sound with guitarist 'Chinna' Smith adding his distinctive licks. This Johnny Clarke 7" is one of my favourite flyers... youtu.be/-poeedevpn4?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

And there's no doubting this one www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRgz...

In 1967 Dobby Dobson recorded his signature tune Loving Pauper at Treasure Isle. The following year he matched it at Studio 1 with this sublime love song. It also features some nice touches by Jackie Mittoo on the keyboard... youtu.be/M1ZUzA6coOg?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

My father shot this photo of Charlie Ace's Swing-a-Ling mobile record shack on his first trip to Kingston, Jamaica. June 1976. #photography #film #reggae #jamaica

Remembering the foundation DJ King Stitt, who was born on this day in 1940. Stitt began toasting on Sir Coxsone Downbeat in the late '50s. He made his debut on record 10 years later for producer Clancy Eccles, as the 'Boss DJ'... youtu.be/FLhuVbZ4GCA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Tune for a Tuesday night #Reggae #Ska youtu.be/o2OM2nYKXag?...

Here's an earth shakin' 12" for #12inchtuesday Dennis Brown's cover version of Bunny Wailer's Armagideon. Bunny originally recorded it for his Blackheart Man LP. Dennis' version came out in '84... youtu.be/bChCvRaLSR8?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #dennisbrown

The reason the Abyssinians' "Mabrak" begins "Yu think Ah So? Hmm...A nuh so" is a riposte to Joe Gibbs; WE cut this rhythm first - he copied it. youtu.be/sbcHwlLnbLY?...

Great🧵alert! Multiple versions of Satta Massagana... #reggae #reggaesky

Remembering the Voice of Thunder, Prince Far I, who was tragically murdered on this day in 1983, aged just 38. Here's his legendary Heavy Manners, where he intones that manners and discipline is what the world needs... youtu.be/N5CXk7333QA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #princefari

Happy 85th birthday to Winston Jarrett. Winston started as a backing singer for Alton Ellis in The Flames before forming his own Righteous Flames in 1967. Here he is on a deep roots rhythm calling for revolution in 1975... youtu.be/b2MGqL-G28c?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Released on this day in 1973: Get Up, Stand Up #BobMarleyAndTheWailers youtu.be/RhJ0q7X3DLM?si…

Credited to Tuff Gong Allstars, this 7" features the Wailing Souls on vocals, Bob Marley on guitar, Bunny Wailer on bass and Peter Tosh on piano. Recorded at Dynamic studio in July '71, it's better known as Back Biter... youtu.be/qnjpxe9P3BU?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #bobmarley

Here's another version of the Real Rock riddim. This time Ansel Collins updates it for another rub-a-dub classic, as Errol Scorcher tries all different insect killers, including Baygon, to get rid of that Roach In The Corner... youtu.be/9FhBpe8qVnM?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Multiple versions of the Real Rock riddim blasted out of sound systems in the late '70s as a new generation of rub-a-dub DJs toasted over the legendary bassline. Here's Ranking Devon reporting about such a session in Halfway Tree... youtu.be/78mz2LiEaK0?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Fil Callender was the resident drummer at Studio 1 during its heyday, playing on countless riddims from Real Rock to Satta. After leaving Studio 1 he led his own band, In Crowd, and wrote roots classics like His Majesty Is Coming... youtu.be/X90eq9fBEf0?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Sonia Pottinger took over the Treasure Isle catalogue after Duke Reid's death in 1975. She asked engineer Errol Brown to remix many of the labels classics into 12" versions. Here's a great Alton Ellis 12" discomix for #12inchtuesday youtu.be/l2bI8xIi6OA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

$4 show

Happy 54th birthday to Richie Spice. Here's the 2005 acoustic remix of Richie's Earth A Run Red. It's one of the most moving and beautiful 45s I own. Strangely, the only clip of it I can find on YouTube is in this riddim mix... youtu.be/sJokAvL5BMc?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Joe Gibbs really liked the "Mag Dog" riddim. He produced several versions : "Skanky Dog," "Boney Dog," "Maingy Dog," and "Hot Dog." Here's a DJ version of "Skanky Dog" by U-Roy's brother-in-law, Winston Scotland, aka "Bunny Flip" youtu.be/3hmHuJ2lDu4 #JoeGibbsVibes #ReggaeSky #VersionSky

Peter Tosh recorded 3 versions of Maga Dog across 3 decades (1964, 1971 & 1983). Here is the '71 version which he recorded at Joe Gibbs studio. It became a huge hit and one of the biggest selling tunes in JA that year... youtu.be/YqtI9Q58PhI?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #petertosh

Cornel Campbell transforms Ken Boothe's immense My Heart Is Gone into a late 70s roots rocker. The UK 7" here was the first release on the short-lived Daddy Kool label set up from the legendary Soho record shop of the same name... youtu.be/BIp1qlV20Fg?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Remembering keyboard ace Winston Wright who was born on this day in 1944. Winston played on many classics in the 60s & 70s from Liquidator to Heart Of The Congos. On this 7" he really lets loose in this wild Upsetter instrumental.. youtu.be/GPWrFCjtvrA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Laurel Aitken was a massive star in Jamaica when he moved to the UK in 1960 to further his career. He briefly returned to JA in '63 to record a bunch of ska sides, like this gospel inspired hand-clapper... youtu.be/cQyyV2a9ZHg?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #ska

Remembering the great BB Seaton who was born on this day in 1944. Here's an early 7" that he originally made for Sir Coxsone Dodd to play at an upcoming soundclash with Duke Reid. And yes that's Sir Coxsone himself on the intro... youtu.be/-AKHTJpBwTw?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

A mighty 12" for #12inchtuesday Mighty Diamonds backed by Sly & Robbie at Channel One in 1980. Together they deliver a bass heavy meditation of Psalm 87... youtu.be/Hc6dGwn8wyQ?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #dub

Remembering the legendary Alton Ellis who was born on this day in 1938. Best known for his many rocksteady hits, Alton also recorded some really strong roots reggae tunes in the 1970s. This is one of my favourites... youtu.be/x6uPm4TbjVM?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #altonellis

Love all the eras of Al Campbell. This album is a great listen and a fabulous album cover as well

Happy 71st birthday to vocalist Al Campbell. He began as a teenager at Studio 1 in the late '60s and is still going strong today. He's recorded over 30 LPs and dozens of singles. Here's a great 12" discomix from 1980... youtu.be/zmDwofQU9EI?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Beautiful and rare Cornell Campbell/Prince Jammy dubplate. Santa on drums - my idea of steppers. Bunny Lee tapes ❤️‍🔥

And here he is playing rhythm guitar with the Heptones, the Congos, Wire Lindo, Boris Gardiner, Mikey Richards and Ernest Ranglin youtu.be/BjZAnrIoZKc?...

Do you know this version? youtu.be/luNXIdsosys

Two more Black Ark cuts on this 45 youtu.be/QSpUJW0uX2k?...

My favourite Murvin is actually this one youtu.be/qzhqp1O1MHE

On this day in 1976 Junior Murvin's Police & Thieves was echoing out from the sound systems of London's Notting Hill Carnival, transferring its warning about tensions in the streets of West Kingston to West London... youtu.be/ZGmKryMjCc8?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #carnival

#OTD 2021 Lee Scratch Perry was away to the cosmic dub in the sky. Few, if any, left such mighty vibrations as he did. Dub on, always, Scratch 🖤😎 leeperry.bandcamp.com/album/heavy-...

remembering the great Lee Perry who passed away on this day in 2021 R.I.P ❤️💛💚

Remembering Pat Francis who was born on this day in 1947. Pat had many DJ aliases during the 1970s... Jah Lloyd / Jah Ali / Jah Lion The riddim on this 7" was originally produced by Lee Perry for Shenley Duffus' To Be A Lover... youtu.be/L9oRg2EsrGA?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Happy 70th birthday to the legendary Beres Hammond. One of my favourite reggae singers who even in his 70th year is still regularly touring and releasing great new tunes. Long may you continue Beres... youtu.be/XzbuhaH5ABE?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #bereshammond

This book on Jackie Opel that I co-edited has just been published!

Remembering Jackie Opel who was born in Barbados on this day in 1937. Jackie moved to Jamaica in '62 where his soul-drenched voice was an instant hit during the ska years. He tragically died aged just 32. 🙏 youtu.be/0iBeQG6Ige4?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky #ska

Belated happy birthday to Roy Cousins who turned 76 yesterday. Roy wrote, recorded and released some classic roots reggae in the 1970's with his group The Royals. This one was a big sound system favourite... youtu.be/7KZ6oCbNKTE?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky

Remembering Junior Delgado who was born on this day in 1958. Junior possessed a unique voice, a hoarse cry of the sufferer, in tunes like Sons Of Slaves and Fort Augustus. In this tough dub stepper he was crying out for unity... youtu.be/AWi46gTEAdM?... #reggae #reggaesky #vinylsky #musicsky