Sixteen At Thirteen On The Sixteenth

On 16th January 1996, the sixth highest new entry (at #13) in the UK Top 40 was Release The Pressure by Leftfield featuring Earl Sixteen and Papa Dee.

Between the four of them, Neil Barnes, Paul Daley, Earl Daley (no relation) and Daniel Wahlgren created something really rather special and which, thirty years on, sounds as fresh and relevant as ever.

I've got to stand and fight

In this creation

Vanity I know

Can't guide I alone

I'm searching to find

A love that lasts all time

I've just got to find

Peace and unity

As a Friday bonus, here's the original 12" vocal edit from 1992...

...and a more recent tune from Earl Sixteen with Poorman Dub Sound released last August, marking the 50th anniversary of Yabby You’s 1975 classic Run Come Rally.

Understand We Must All Live In Peace On Earth

Some Mandatory Monday Reggae for you, courtesy of Prince Fatty aka Mike Pelanconi, who dropped a couple of new singles last Monday (14th).

 

100 Weight Of Collie Weed was originally written and recorded by Carlton Livingston in 1984 and Prince Fatty delivers four versions as a name your price EP via Bandcamp: a vocal version featuring Earl 16, a Disco Mix with additional vocals from Horseman and instrumentals of both.

The lead release is another cover, available on 7" and digital single, offering reggae and dub treatments of Expansions, Lonnie Liston Smith's classic from 1975. Featuring regular collaborator Shniece McMenamin on vocals, backed by an all-star band comprising ON-U Sound legend Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie (organ & piano), Finn Peters (flute) and Horseman aka Winston Williams (drums), it's an uplifting take on a personal favourite.

 

Not that Lonnie Liston Smith's version was the first time time I knowingly heard Expansions. Oh no. It was this release on PWL back in 1991...

I used to have Xpand Ya Mind (Expansions) by Wag Ya Tail on CD single and Lonnie Liston Smith is credited on the front and as a collaborator on a couple of mixes, but it's a far cry from his original jazz-funk odyssey. Speaking of which...

 

I finally added the song to my collection when I purchased cheapo-but-excellent compilation CD Soul Brother from my local Woolworths in 1999 or 2000.

 

The original version of Expansions is unbeatable but, as ever, Prince Fatty, Shniece and co. have done the song justice. You can buy the singles via Bandcamp or for the real (Dub)heads, Prince Fatty is offering up stem packs for these and many others via his online shop.

On an unrelated but happy note, after I finish today, I'm not back at work again until next Tuesday. It’ll be business as usual here. I have a very special gig coming up which I'll write about later in the week, plus a few more Dubhed selections together with the usual nonsense. I will also have the chance to post more comments on other music blogs, which I have continued to enjoy but have sorely neglected in the past few weeks. 

Mostly though, it's a chance to relax and expand my mind by listening to some mighty fine music.

 

You Gotta Fight The Power

Dreadzone celebrate their 30th anniversary this year. Initially a duo of Greg Roberts (Big Audio Dynamite) and Tim Bran (who I knew of from his work with Julian Cope as Branno Of Gwernsey), Greg has remained the constant through three decades, along with former BAD bassist Leo Williams, who joined early on. 

The Dreadzone collective has seen an impressive number of people over the years, some briefly, some for a longer journey: Earl Sixteen, Alison Goldfrapp, MC Spee as well as former BAD compadres Dan Donovan, Mick Jones and Don Letts. The current line up for the 30th anniversary live shows is Greg Roberts, Leo Williams, Earl Sixteen, Bazil aka James Bainbridge and Blake Roberts (Greg's son).

 

I saw Dreadzone at the Bristol Community Festival aka Ashton Court Festival in July 1995. Sadly, none of the dates on their recent "Part 1" tour were relatively nearby but I'd be tempted to see them if "Part 2" offers up some accessible locations.

A new album will be landing this year. In the meantime, here's an hour-long selection of Dreadzone tracks and remixes to whet your appetite.

Older and Dubwiser indeed.

 

1) Zion Youth (Dreadzone Mix): Dreadzone (1995)

2) Gangster (She Is Danger Remix By Lena Cullen & Maya Jane Coles): Dreadzone (2010)

3) Lookee Here (Dreadzone Remix): Transglobal Underground ft. Natacha Atlas & Heitham Al-Sayed (1994)

4) The Good The Bad And The Dread (The Bad) (Remix By Tim Bran): Dreadzone ft. Alison Goldfrapp (1993)

5) Video Games (Lana Dub Rey) (Dreadzone Remix): Lana Del Rey (2012)

6) Stupid Girl (Dreadzone Dub Version): Garbage (1996)

7) Africa (Single Version): Dreadzone (1993)

8) Brazen 'Weep' (Dreadzone's Instrumental Mix): Skunk Anansie (1997)

9) Fight The Power 95: Dreadzone (1995)

You Gotta Fight The Power (1:00:41) (KF) (Mega)

Ultra Stereo Field Dub Mixes

Side 2 of a mixtape, compiled 23rd January 2002, and showcasing the remixing and production talents of Leftfield aka Neil Barnes and Paul Daley. 

 

Side 1 of Ultra Stereo Field Mixes was labelled 'Vocalfield', this side 'Dubfield' so you'll have a good idea what to expect from today's selection. Drawing heavily on debut album Leftism and their prolific remix period in the early 1990s when record label entanglements prevented Leftfield from releasing their own music, this is as good a snapshot as any of why the duo were at the forefront of electonic/dance music and remain hugely influential to this day.

The selection opens with the Leftism version of Release The Pressure, led by Earl Sixteen and one of the best opening album tracks ever. The remixes of Sunscreem and If? are (I think) ones that pop up infrequently, compilers opting for the longer main mixes with more vocals, but I have a great love for these variations. And the two remixes of Unforgiven compelled me to buy a D:Ream single against my better judgement at the time, and I wasn't disappointed. Add two other Leftism classics and a brilliant remix of React 2 Rhythm's Intoxication and how can you wrong? If your body isn't moved by these rolling beats in the next three quarters of an hour, you may need to check your pulse and seek urgent medical attention.

 

1) Release The Pressure (Album Version): Leftfield ft. Earl Sixteen & Papa Dee (1995)

2) Unforgiven (Leftfield Hands Mix): D:Ream (1993)

3) Melt (Album Version): Leftfield (1995)

4) Perfect Motion (One Down Mix By Leftfield): Sunscreem (1992)

5) Everything And More (Leftfield Dub Ranch): If? (1992)

6) Song Of Life (Album Version): Leftfield (1995)

7) Intoxication (Dubfield Mix By Leftfield): React 2 Rhythm (1992)

Side Two (45:55) 

You can find Side One here

Dubhed Excursion To The Outer Limits

There's something about Spring going into Summer that sees my playlist dominated by reggae and dub. I have collected many, many albums and compilations over the decades but I won't begin to pretend that I know what I'm talking about, other than how the sounds and words make me feel. 

 
I've hastily cobbled together a 10-song 'vinyl' sampler of albums I've been listening to this week, for your listening pleasure.

Side One (17:30)

1) Declaration Of Rights: The Abyssinians (1975)

2) Kung Fu Warrior: Lee 'Scratch' Perry & The Upsetters (1975)

3) Reggae Rock: Earl Sixteen (1982)

4) Blood Of My Blood: Keith Hudson (1974)

5) John Burns Skank (Live Good): Burning Spear (1976)

Side Two (16:01)

1) Strictly Dub: Black Beard aka Dennis Bovell (1978)

2) Forces Of Viktry: Linton Kwesi Johnson (1979)

3) Pick The Beam: Yabby You (1977)

4) Aso: Gregory Isaacs (1978)

5) I Shall Be Released: Keith Hudson (1974)

 

Side One (17:30) (GD) (M)

Side Two (16:01) (GD) (M)