Page 55 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2018
P. 55
like Rico Rodriguez, who ska, rocksteady and
reggae fans may be more familiar with. For die-
hard ska fans, the chapter on The Skatalites,
delineating the ups and down of their many
twists and turns, is alone worth the price of
admission. To the best of my knowledge, this is
the first time anyone has ever put the incredibly
diverse catalog of recordings issued under this
band’s name into proper perspective.
Of major importance is the book’s focus on Small Axe Bookzines
musicians who were well known in Jamaica in 16, 17 & 19
their day but have slid into obscurity for various
reasons. Roberto Moore’s essay on Sammy Ismay By Ray Hurford
is a major case in point; I was amazed at how many (Muzik Tree, 2018)
of my favorite early songs he is credited with Three more issues of Ray Hurford’s marvelous
arranging and playing on. So little is known of so reggae Bookzines have just arrived. Publishing in
many of the artists treated, that the sections on a new format with additional graphics and cool
Raymond Harper, Harold McNair, Alphonso Reese color covers, these Zines feature interviews, which
and many others are invaluable contributions originally appeared in his long out-of-print Reggae
to the history of Jamaican music. Fleshing out Files, with singers Bob Andy and Willi Williams and
information on artists known and lesser known, foundational DJ Dennis Alcapone, respectively
the authors manage to convey both the dark and covering their early careers and offering a broad
light sides of a career in music in a way that stands overview of the music itself. Hurford’s insightful
alongside classic biographies like Bernard Wolf/ questions draw observations, memories, stories
Mezz Mezzrow’s Really the Blues. The “suggested and facts that illuminate the early history of reggae
listening” section near the back of the book is and shed light on the producers, studios, other
also a great asset. artists and milieu in which the music grew.
Though Alpha’s horn players often get the Each of the Zines runs to fifty pages and
lion’s share of attention, many great Jamaican contains excellent discographies on the artists
singers were schooled there as well, including in question. The format is stylized with cool color
Owen Gray, Leroy Smart, Johnny Osbourne covers, but it’s the content that makes them
and Apple Gabriel. DJ Yellowman, Jah Love among the more desirable publications currently
sound selector Ilawi (father of Hempress available dealing with reggae. Black and white
Sativa) and drummer Leroy “Horsemouth” photos highlight significant players, record
Wallace are among the other talents treated. labels and jackets, and other artists mentioned
All in all, the book is an excellent read and in the interviews. Most of the artists covered
the authors have gathered a great amount of have not been widely interviewed and Hurford
otherwise unavailable material together for always manages to bring out facts, stories and
an in-depth study of one of the major roots of observations others might have missed. The
reggae music. continuing series is available here.
Reggae Festival guide 2018 55
