A. Little John/Billy Boyo – What You Want To Be/Disc Jockey
B. Professor & Roots Radics – Combination
Label: Rusty International Records/Dug Out – DO-RI003
John McMorris, better known as Little John, is a beloved Jamaican dancehall artist. Born in 1970, he began his musical journey at the tender age of nine with the release of singles like 51 Storm, What Is Katty, and Robe. His remarkable ability to effortlessly sing over any riddim quickly made him a sought-after figure in the dancehall scene.
During the early 1980s, Little John released numerous acclaimed albums and became a prominent figure in the soundsystem culture. He was associated with renowned sound systems such as Sugar Minott’s Youth Promotion, Romantic Hi Fi, Kilimanjaro, Gemini, and Henry “Junjo” Lawes’ Volcano Hi Power. Little John seamlessly adapted to the emergence of digital riddims in the mid-1980s. However, his musical output became less frequent after the 1980s.
The songs on this record are set to a powerful version of Horace Andy’s Every Tongue Shall Tell riddim. Initially, we hear the captivating voice of Little John performing solo. Subsequently, in the second section, Billy Boyo joins him, adding his deejay chatter to the mix.
The B-side showcases the Roots Radics at their peak, with Professor, a protégé of King Tubby known for his extravagant mixes, taking the lead. The single saw release on Rusty International, a British reggae label from the early 1980s distributed by Jet Star.
This 1982 12-inch single features a young Billy Boyo, who was just 13 years old at the time of recording. Despite releasing only two albums, Billy Boyo gained recognition through his numerous 12-inch disco mixes released on Greensleeves. His popularity soared, and he was a frequent performer on the Jamaican live dancehall scene. However, his career slowed down after the mid-1980s, and tragically, he passed away from a brain tumor in 2000 at the age of 31.
A. General Saint & Clint Eastwood – Tribute To General Echo
B. General Saint & Clint Eastwood – Two Bad D.J.
Label: Greensleeves Records – GRED 49
The second 12-inch single showcases the dynamic duo of General Saint and Clint Eastwood. This talented pair featured Clint Eastwood, born Robert Brammer, a seasoned deejay with a significant musical history. As the younger brother of the renowned deejay Trinity, Clint Eastwood’s musical journey began in the late 1970s. His impressive career included the release of three albums in 1978, two of which were produced by the legendary Bunny “Striker” Lee. However, it was his collaboration with General Saint that propelled him to international recognition.
General Saint, born Winston Hislop, is a Jamaican native who relocated to the UK in 1977. While he had already made strides in the Jamaican music scene, his career truly flourished in London. His partnership with Clint Eastwood, marked by energetic and often humorous performances, brought them both to stardom.
The duo’s international breakthrough was fueled by the hit single Stop That Train and two successful albums, released by Greensleeves. In 1985, the partnership dissolved, and both artists pursued independent careers. The two tracks featured on this 12-inch single are taken from the album Two Bad D.J., produced by the renowned Henry “Junjo” Lawes and backed by the tough riddims of the Roots Radics.
[All tracks were ripped straight from vinyl using SoundForge. They’re in high-quality WAV format (24-bit/96kHz). I used a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable with an Ortofon cartridge.]