December 29, 2005

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yup, it's that time of the year again: time to make up a list of "best of's." A horrible task indeed, because it's never complete, it always lacks a few greats after publishing, it's bound to give credit to those who don't deserve it (that much) because of aforementioned reason and it's always narrowed down to a "top ten" or even a "top five" on most accounts. But here at LOCK IT DOWN we take things easy...we don't bother, we just want to give full attention to those who deserve or need it and we will take up to 20 posts to do so if needed. So here it is...my first attempt to list all worthwile tunes, reissues, albums or riddims of 2005...

ALBUMS


Bantu featuring Ayuba - Fuji Satisfaction
well, you read it before on this blog....this is a killer record featuring afrobeat, dancehall, hiphop, juju and more...KILLER!!!





Wax Tailor - Tales of the forgotten melodies
Forgotten melodies? yes that might be just the case here..DJ Shadow already did this kind'o stuff way back in '96, but Wax Tailor is a bit different. It sounds alike, but then again, it doesn't. This album's got that eerie vibe that can also be found on albums by french dubmasters High Tone. Now, mix that sound with a certain Tricky-like triphop flavour, or more specifically a Martina Topley Bird flavour, an up-to-date-but-refreshing hiphop sound, some real good juggling skills and a fine nose for samples and you'll get a slight idea of what I'm talking about here..

Modeselektor - Hello Mom!
Yes! Although made by one artist (a crazy German duo), this albums has got all the symptomes of a compilation. And a good one it is! It features all styles of music I like: beautifull electronica, deep 'n mellow dub (with Paul st.Hilaire/Tikiman on the mic), harsh but melodic techno and booty, BOOTY dancehall(featuring Sasha.) Modeselektor does it all, but never fails to provide the goods with quality. Quite impressive, indeed.

REISSUES


Various: Studio One Roots 2
Genuine masterpiece. Even better then volume one, which is quite an achievement by itself, this compilation is the ultimate roots rock reggae compilation that no one, and I mean no one, should miss out on. Don't boast that "you've already got all the tracks" because you don't. And even if you do, they will not sound like this, because this gem's got that great SoulJazz fat heavy bass sound that lacks the original 7"s..Reggae never sounded better. Got it? Go get it..

Various: Hit the Rhodes
Brown Sugar never fails to impress. Although I'm not too fond of late 70's funk, this label always succeeds in making me think otherwise. Instead of putting out releases stacked with all kinds of unreleased, very-hard-to-get-by stuff just for the sake of it, they release their albums with much devotion and a pure love for music. Even when that means including an evergreen. This one here is a highly recommendable, funky 'n disco-ish tribute to the Fender Rhodes organ, and that, my friend, I like! I don't like late 70's funk??? Hell, because of this compilation I just bought my first David Axelrod lp! And that is the true power of a good compilation.

Various: Soul Power, Funky Kingston 2
And even at the reissue-our-own-catalogue-over-and-over-again-factory Trojan they decided to put a little effort in it this year. And, sad but true, they should do it more often because they got the goods to back it up. This compilation of, mainly, English reggae goes funk is a true manifesto of groove! Every track on this double lp is right on the spot, and when it's done it still leaves you craving for more...MORE....MORE!!!

REGGAE RIDDIMS


In reggae, it's all about the riddim. Produce a good riddim, and you're bound to have a line-up of big artists waiting outside your studio, anxious to ride it. Here are my faves of 2005:

- WORLD A MUSIC: first a big hit for Ini Kamoze in the eighties (World a reggae), then a big hit for Damien Marley (Welcome to jamrock) riding the original riddim. But the first price goes to the Bad 2000/Maximum Sound crew for their heavier, faster and more brutal update of the riddim. Whooooha! Listen here

- PRESSURE AND SLIDE: A big hit for the Tennors in the rocksteady era (1967.) Lovely updated by the Down Sound Crew. Thanks to the big smash "Hungry" by upcoming superstar Fantan Mojah, it almost became THE anthem of 2005. Listen here

- TRUTHS AND RIGHTS: a big hit for Johnny Osbourne in 1981 on Studio One. In 2005 he hits again with an ultra heavy version by the Massive B crew. It's good, but the man who records faster than his shadow, takes the credit for the best cut: Chuck Fender (All about the weed) Listen here.

- HARD DRUGS: A big smash for Gregory Isaacs on the Taxi imprint, and now it re-appears as a HUGE one drop anthem by the Delperies crew. Listen to a combination drifter by Buju Banton and slick rick Anthony Cruz here

More to come, for sure! But first, why don't you share your list? we like to know!

December 23, 2005

Burning Spear Blog

Winston Rodney, Aka Burning Spear, who created some of the best roots music around, now even has his own blog. So Big Up to the Spear!

http://burningspearmessage.blogspot.com/

Ring the Alarm!: Tenor Saw Live in Japan!

Tenor Saw, appearing live (9:11) in Japan, very nice!
Check It if you like early dancehall reggae.....!

click here for the video

Thanx to Douwe Dread for the link!

December 18, 2005

20 BEST REGGAE SEVEN-INCHES by David Katz

As the Jamaican music industry turns 50, esteemed reggae fan, writer and all-round fountain of knowledge David Katz celebrates its jewel in the crown – the reggae seven-inch.
Click here to see his list of 20 golden tunes.......

December 15, 2005

A CHRISTMAS GOODIE FROM JAZZMAN

It's that time of the year again...Time to unwrap the presents and be happy! And ooh, would we be happy if Santa was to provide us with this gem...

Jazzman Records is offering us a funky holiday season again! Last year they pressed a 1000 copies of seasonal smash "soulfull christmas" by none other then James Brown to lighten up the celebration of Christ, this year it's up to "Santa's Got a Bag of Soul" by Soul Saints Orchestra to do exactly the same. Now, I had never heard of the Soul Saints Orchestra myself, but as it turns out, this combo is better known as german funkateers Poets of Rhythm, whom we all know for putting out great funk 45's and albums. This tune here was originally released as a christmas giveaway for the Hotpie & Candy record company in 1995, and, back then, only 250 copies were released (originally with "Working on the Line" as flipside, now paired with the previously-unissued-on-45 instrumental "Bag of Soul"). Indeed, way too less copies, because this tune is perfect to turn those dreadfull days into a woweeeeee party! .

Check it here

Merry christmas!

December 09, 2005

I CAN HEAR MUSIC!

Heya, time to lively up this site! From now on, this blog will not only be "talking music" it'll be "listening" as well! In the future we'll give you examples, snippets, intros, remixes, refixes, or complete songs to go with it all!
Nice one, huh?

For the disbelievers among us, enjoy this Out of Sight watermelon man, and convince yourself!

December 04, 2005

Last Night ......... I Made A Compilation Tape.........

Last Saturdaynight I decided to stay at Home a devote myself to my record collection instead of the usual party action. So this is what happened.

New York meets Kingston: Boo-Ga-Lo vs Impact!

The First Side: Hip-Shaking Boogaloo from NY Barrios
New York late sixtes, the boogaloo craze at its heights, young & wild Latin Soul. Fania and her sublabes rule the scene.


Flash & Dynamics – Electric Latin Soul (Tico ’70)
Chollo Riviera – Latin Soul Drive is Here (Cotique ’69)
Quetzy Alma – Deep (Tico ’69)
Joe Torres – Get Out of My Way (World Pacific ‘68)
Joey Pastrana – King of Latin Soul (Cotique ’68)
Mongo Santamatia – Groovetime (Fania ’68)
Joe Bataan – Subway Joe (Fania ’69)
Kako & Orchestra – Kako’s Boogaloo (Musicor ’68)
Larry Harlow Orchestra – Freak Off (Fania ’71)
Tito Puente & Orchestra – Hit The Bongo (Tico ‘70)
Eddie Palmieri – African Twist (Tico ’68)
The Alexander Review – I Want You (Vaya ‘73)
Chacon – Chacon Pata Pata (Alegre ’70)
The Lat-Teens – Mary Wanna (Cotique ’68)

The Other Side: Crunchy Reggae from Randy’s & Impact!

Mr Chin created some of the finest moments of reggae music in his studio Randy's, Kingston, Jamaica.


Winston Wright & Impact All Stars - Woodpecker
Augustus Pablo - Too Late
Alton Ellis - Too Late To Turn Back Now
Carlos Malcom – No Jestering
Big Youth – Natty No Jester
Lloyd Parks – We’ll Get over it
Dennis Brown - Cheater
Randy’s All Stars – Guns in the Ghetto
Hortense Ellis – Woman of the Ghetto
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Sugar, Sugar
The Wailers – Bus Dem Shut (Pyaka)
Jackie Mittoo – 30-60-90
Randy’s All Stars - Mission Impossible
Winston Cole - Black Magic Woman
Lloyd Parks – Ordinary Man