A1. Cornell Campbell – Jah Jah Me Horn Yah (Dubplate Mix)
A2. Cornell Campbell – Jah Jah Me Horn Yah (Original Mix)
B. Unknown – Jah Jah Me Horn Yah (Dubplate Version)
Label: Common Ground International – CGI12007
This Double Spin edition takes us way back to the first half of the 1970s, featuring two heavyweight names – Cornell Campbell and The Heptones.
Cornell Campbell has been blessing reggae fans with his heavenly falsetto since November 23, 1945, when he first entered the world in Kingston, Jamaica. The man they call “Don Gorgon” literally grew up in the music business, cutting his first record My Treasure at the tender age of eleven for none other than Coxsone Dodd at the legendary Studio One.
The 1960s found Campbell honing his craft with groups like The Sensations and The Eternals, creating timeless tracks such as Queen of the Minstrel and Stars that helped establish his reputation. But when the 70s rolled around and he went solo, that’s when the real fireworks started. His collaboration with producer Bunny “Striker” Lee was absolutely golden, producing a run of classics including Natty Dread in a Greenwich Farm, Dance in a Greenwich Farm, and the legendary The Gorgon – songs that really showcased why his voice became so recognizable and beloved.
Campbell’s never been one to get boxed into a single sound. His music moves effortlessly from spiritual roots reggae to romantic lovers rock, with essential albums like Cornell Campbell (1973), Natty Dread in a Greenwich Farm (1975), and The Gorgon (1976) showing his versatility. The 1980s brought more socially conscious material with releases like Boxing and Fight Against Corruption, proving his artistic evolution never stopped.
Recent years have seen renewed interest in his work through compilations like I Shall Not Remove and fresh collaborations such as 2013’s Nothing Can Stop Us with The Soothsayers. After more than sixty years in the business and still performing, Cornell Campbell continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Dating back to 1973, this amazing roots track features three mixes courtesy of producer Bunny “Striker” Lee. The 12″ we’re featuring is a repress from the UK’s Common Ground International imprint.
A. Leroy Sibbles And The Heptones – Give Me The Right
B. Leroy Sibbles And The Heptones – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
Label: Success – SUCCESS 170
Switching to our second 12″ single we meet The Heptones singing over the classic Conversation riddim. The extended version includes Joe White’s melodica cut President Rock.
The Heptones stand among Jamaica’s most influential vocal groups and their rich harmonies and contributions to rocksteady and reggae are just mind-blowing. Leroy Sibbles, Barry Llewellyn, and Earl Morgan formed this trio in Kingston back in 1965, and they were right there helping Jamaica’s music evolve from ska into rocksteady with their deeply emotional songs and arrangements that touched your soul.
Everything changed for them in 1966 when Fattie Fattie became a hit under Coxsone Dodd’s production at Studio One. From there, they unleashed a string of classics including Pretty Looks Isn’t All, Be A Man, and Ting a Ling. The connection between The Heptones and Clement “Coxsone” Dodd was pure gold, running from about 1966 to 1971.
Leroy Sibbles wasn’t just the lead singer – as the group’s bassist, he was instrumental in developing Studio One’s signature sound. His work on foundational tracks like Satta Massagana, Love Me Forever, and Full Up helped define what reggae could be. Barry Llewellyn brought his own special touch, particularly on songs like Book of Rules where he took the lead, and everyone respected his musical sensitivity and down-to-earth personality. Earl Morgan’s harmonies were the glue that held their sound together and helped shape their artistic direction.
When Sibbles temporarily left in the mid-70s, Naggo Morris stepped up as lead vocalist and proved he could carry the torch. Working with Llewellyn and Morgan, Morris recorded albums like Better Days and Street of Gold, delivering powerful tracks such as Holy Mount Zion and No Bread on My Table. We’ve lost both Barry Llewellyn (2011, age 63) and Naggo Morris (2020, age 72), which was heartbreaking for the reggae community.
Leroy Sibbles keeps the legacy alive, still active as a solo performer and continuing to record new music. When you look at The Heptones’ body of work – from those incredible Studio One recordings to albums like Night Food (1976) and Party Time (1977) – you can see how deeply they’ve influenced Jamaican music and continue to inspire new generations.
[These tracks were digitized directly from vinyl using a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable equipped with an Ortofon cartridge. The recordings were captured in 24-bit/96kHz WAV format via SoundForge]