Skinhead Reggae...

dreskieboogiedreskieboogie 951 Posts
edited January 2009 in Strut Central
Do Jamaicans call it by that name?Are all of those Blue Beat, Rio 45s UK pressings of JA OGs or were they recorded in the UK or what?Im pretty confused by the whole skinhead / JA connection.Anybody knows something?Thanks in advance,Dress

  Comments


  • Some were recorded in UK, most in JA, some UK issues are the only issues of the records, others were issued in JA first... just depends on the record.
    The skinhead scene is British
    I don't think Jamaicans in JA were overly concerned with the scene or the name.

  • cpeetzcpeetz 2,112 Posts
    Boss Sounds by Marc Griffiths is THE book on the Skinhead genre.
    Unfortunately it's out of print and has been for years.
    Hence...

    http://www.popsike.com/php/detaildatar.php?itemnr=190228311606

    The Trojan Story book also has some info on the skinhead scene, if I remember correctly.
    Apparently I need to read it again.
    Plus a complete discography of Trojan and all the subsidiary labels 7"s and Lps, it's essential.

    I love lots of the stuff from that scene, although just like Northern, sometimes
    it's more about the "right" records than just about good music.

  • Looks like a cool book. Thanks to both of you.

    Peace,

    Dress

  • buttonbutton 1,475 Posts
    9 times out of 10 the right records sound a lot better than the wrong records.

  • stop_33stop_33 365 Posts
    Boss Sounds by Marc Griffiths is THE book on the Skinhead genre.
    Unfortunately it's out of print and has been for years.
    Hence...

    http://www.popsike.com/php/detaildatar.php?itemnr=190228311606

    or you could always look in sipreano's toilet, eh cpeetz...

  • cpeetzcpeetz 2,112 Posts
    Boss Sounds by Marc Griffiths is THE book on the Skinhead genre.
    Unfortunately it's out of print and has been for years.
    Hence...

    http://www.popsike.com/php/detaildatar.php?itemnr=190228311606

    or you could always look in sipreano's toilet, eh cpeetz...

    My offer still stands I'll swap mine for yours!

  • cpeetzcpeetz 2,112 Posts
    9 times out of 10 the right records sound a lot better than the wrong records.

    The point of my comment was that just cause it's got the word "skinhead" in the title doesn't
    mean it's a monster record.

  • stop_33stop_33 365 Posts
    or that it's a even skinhead record (re "monster" comment). lot of things get that label thrown at it to flip rex (sorta like "northern soul", etc...)...
    and just kidding xian... that was a hell of a time... shot vs peetz in a scream team session... i like the patina on mine...


    DISCO 1
    01. Skinhead Train - The Charmers
    02. Mix up Girl - The Creations
    03. Hee Cup - Sir Harry
    04. Overproof (Little Darlin???) - King Cannon ( Carl Bryan)
    05. Copy cat - Derick Morgan
    06. The Law - Andy Capp
    07. Soul Call - The Soul Rythms
    08. Music Street - The Harmonians
    09. V Rocket - The Fabion
    10. What am i to Do - Tony Scott
    11. Spread your bed - The Versatile
    12. John Public (Tom Hark) - The Dynamites
    13. Casa Boo Boo - Cool Sticky
    14. Smile (My baby) - The Tennors
    15. Zapatoo the tiger - Roland Alphonso
    16. Work it - The Viceroys
    17. Wiggle Waggle - The Wanderers

    DISCO 2
    01. Qua Kue Shut - The Creations
    02. Shine eye Gal - Vincent Foster
    03. History - Harry & Radcliffe
    04. Wha???pen - Sir Lord Comic
    05. Las Flight to Reggae City - Tommy McCook & Strangler Cole
    06. The Burner - Vincent Gordon & The Dynamics
    07. Tribute to Drumbago (Last Call) - The Dynamites
    08. Bigger Boss - Ansel Collins
    09. The Horse - Thep Beckford???s Group
    10. A Taste of Killing - The Upsetters
    11. Don Juan - Boris Gardner & The Love People
    12. Dollars and Bonds - Lloyd Charmer
    13. 2000 Tons of TNT - The G G Alls Stars
    14. Death in the Arena - Rupie Martin???s All Stars
    15. Motherless Children - Willie Francis
    16. Sweet Confusion - Elizabethan Serenade
    17. Pic out me eye - The Royals

    DISCO 3
    01. Skinhead a Bash Them - Claudette & The Corporation
    02. Trouble in the Town - Dandy
    03. Skinhead a message - Desmond Riley
    04. Reggae Fever - The Pioneers
    05. Night food Reggae - Des Alls Stars (aka The Rudies)
    06. Brixton Cat - Rico & The Rudies
    07.Skinhead Speaks Don???t
    08. Red Red Wine - Tony Tribe
    09. Loch ness Monster - King Horror
    10. Skinheads don???t Fear - The Hot rod All Stars
    11. Concord - The Propghets
    12. Funky Groovy - Winston Groovy
    13. Skinhead Moonstomop - Symarip
    14. Funky Duck - Count Suckle
    15. Skinead Revolt - Jote The Boss
    16. Queen of the World - Claudette

    9 times out of 10 the right records sound a lot better than the wrong records.

    The point of my comment was that just cause it's got the word "skinhead" in the title doesn't
    mean it's a monster record.

  • It seems that the JA musicians took their skinhead fans seriously looking at the titles on that comp.

    Peace,

    Dress

  • stop_33stop_33 365 Posts
    the "tailor-made" skinhead tracks were predominantly (all???) from the UK (made by ex-pats)...
    here's some more background...

    think these are the liner notes from the trojan CD set...

    http://www.savagejaw.co.uk/trojan/tjetd003.htm


    TROJAN SKINHEAD REGGAE BOX SET (TJETD003) - Street fashion has always gone hand in hand with popular music, particularly among working class British teenagers, who over the years have used both look and sound as important unifying factors in the creation of nationwide youth movements. Early examples of this include the socalled Teddy Boys who became synonymous with Rock & Roll in the 1950's and the Mods, who championed the sounds of Modern Jazz and R&B early the following decade. But of all the cultural styles for which music and fashion were of equal significance, none have so far proved more enduring, not to say intimidating, than the movement that simply became known as Skinhead.

    The development of the skinhead movement can be traced back to around the latter half of 1967. By this time, the Mod scene had crumbled and a new generation of British working class youngsters began to embrace the prevailing sounds currently emanating from Jamaica. While their middle class contemporaries espoused high ideals and enjoyed getting high to the refrains of psychedelia, working class teenagers in Britain's inner cities sought solace in a sound and style that was almost the antithesis of Hippydom.

    As winter approached, the first signs of the new, distinctive look began to take shape among the more style conscious in and around London. Some began sporting 'College Boy' haircuts, with their high or centre partings, while Levi jeans, navy blue 'windcheater' jackets, Prussian-collared fly-fronted macs, donkey jackets and army surplus or 'Tuf' boots all became essential prerequisites for 'the look'.

    By the following spring, the style had become further refined. Hair length had gradually shortened and soon the 'crop' became standard for any selfrespecting trendsetter. In addition, Ben Sherman Oxfordweave shirts became fashionable, while jeans began to be worn hitched up. Before long, turnups were introduced to emphasize the footwear; of which the steel capped commandostyled Cherry Red boots or Italian leather soled shoes proved most popular.

    On the music front there were also changes. Around the summer of 1968, Jamaican music underwent a transformation, with the rhythms of Rocksteady superseded by the more rapid and aggressive metre of Reggae. This no-nonsense, uncompromising style perfectly suited the attitude of the new young stylists and over the ensuing months, it increasingly provided the focus for their growing movement. Soon their buying power had propelled Reggae from the peripheries of the UK music scene to its very heart and despite the reluctance of national broadcasters, increasing numbers of Jamaican discs found their way into the British Pop listings. The majority of these were issued by Trojan, which since its launch in the summer of 1968 had quickly dominated the rapidly growing Reggae market, releasing singles right, left and centre on its parent label and numerous subsidiaries.

    Meanwhile, on the fashion front, Dr Marten 'airwair' boots had become de rigueur, along with the wearing of braces and 'jungle greens' (army trousers), while for the first time, the term 'Skinhead' came into usage by those outside the movement. As the look spread nationwide, the fashion conscience originators continued to make further refinements, introducing Levi stapress trousers, sleeveless pullovers, Tonic suits (made from threeply iridescent mohair material), Harrington jackets, trilby hats, crombie or 3/4 length sheepskin overcoats, steeltipped brogues, smoothes, loafer and Gibson shoes. In addition, the 'Number One Crop' with razor cut parting became the hairstyle increasingly favoured among the young men folk. Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, Skinhead girls developed their own look, sporting feathercut hairstyles, monkey boots, tonic jackets and skirts.

    By the spring of 1970, those at the cutting edge of the scene had made further refinements to the style. 1/2 sleeve Ben Sherman shirts in gingham, large check or pyjama stripe were introduced, while similar designs by rival manufacturers, Brutus and Jaytex were also deemed acceptable. With the coming of summer, Levi jackets in denim or corduroy began appearing, with Polaroid sunglasses providing that extra bit of class. The socalled 'Skinhead look' was now a nationwide phenomenon, but its astonishing popularity ultimately resulted in its demise. Clothing manufacturers had quickly caught on to the commercial possibilities of the style and began making cheap, inferior clothing that could, to the less discerning buyer, be passed of as the real McCoy and with every fashionconscious workingclass teenagers jumping on the bandwagon, older stylists increasingly became disillusioned. They began growing their hair and revived the Prince of Wales dogtooth checked trousers that had first been made popular during the latter stages of the Mod era. Some even begin donning city gent bowlers along with the customary umbrella, but it was all to prove in vain. To add to their sense of dismay, the music that had bound them together was beginning to change, with Trojan the main culprits. In an attempt to boost sales even further and establish Reggae as a mainstream genre, the company had increasingly sweetened recordings with sophisticated arrangements, making the hardhitting style of earlier releases very much a thing of the past.

    By the time 1971 rolled around, only the naive or those too young to know better attempted to maintain the Skinhead look and soon even they had moved on. Reggae, of course remained, although Trojan's failed attempts popularise the music, allied to a change in political climate, ensured its alienation from most white, British teenagers.

    Sadly, new generations of white youths who have since revived the basic Skinhead appearance have blackened the name of the original movement and as a result, most people now associate the style with farright extremists. We hope that this collection, featuring 50 stomping tracks that first found favour among Britain's fashion conscious young lads and lasses, goes some way to redressing the balance and set the record straight once and for all.

    It seems that the JA musicians took their skinhead fans seriously looking at the titles on that comp.

    Peace,

    Dress

  • alieNDNalieNDN 2,181 Posts
    Qua Kue Shut - The Creations

    AWESOME SONG

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