A. Johnny Clarke & Lord Sassafrost – Take Heed
B. Johnny Clarke & Lord Sassafrost – Get In The Groove
Label: Black Joy – DH 819
This edition features two legendary reggae artists who have enjoyed sustained success since the 1970s: Johnny Clarke and Leroy Smart. We’ll kick things off with a 12” single from 1982 by Johnny Clarke, featuring the dynamic deejay Lord Sassafrost (also known as Lord Sassafrass).
Johnny Clarke was a prominent figure in the rugged Jamaican music scene throughout the 1970s. Following a song for Clancy Eccles, he achieved his first chart-toppers – Everyday Wondering and Julie – for Rupie Edwards in 1973. His career flourished when he embarked on a prolific and successful partnership with Bunny “Striker” Lee in 1974. Their debut album, None Shall Escape, released that same year, garnered widespread acclaim. Clarke’s dominance was further cemented by his consecutive Artist of the Year awards in Jamaica in 1975 and 1976, rapidly establishing him as one of the island’s most beloved vocalists.
Johnny Clarke’s musical repertoire was a dynamic blend of roots reggae, lovers rock, and captivating covers of both Jamaican and international pop/soul classics. He was a pioneer, becoming one of the first Jamaican artists to sign with the influential English Frontline label in 1976, resulting in the acclaimed albums Authorized Version and Rockers Time Now. While his success continued, it began to wane in the latter half of the 1980s. In 1983, he relocated to the UK, where he collaborated with a range of producers, including the renowned Mad Professor.
He remains active today, consistently recording new music and releasing compilations of his greatest hits, such as the 2018 double album Creation Rebel. Furthermore, he continues to tour the globe, sharing his extensive catalog of classic songs with audiences worldwide.
The A-side of the 12″ single features Take Heed, a roots reggae version of Alton Ellis’s Mad Mad. Recorded in 1968 at legendary Studio One, Ellis’s original featured the distinctive horn arrangement. Lyrically, Johnny Clarke closely follows Ellis’s version. The A-side also includes a deejay version by Lord Sassafrost, which is also featured on his 1982 debut set, The Horse Man Connection. The B-side presents Get In The Groove, another Studio One remake, this time of Ken Boothe’s 1967 hit Feel Good, featuring both Johnny Clarke and Lord Sassafrost.
A. Leroy Smart – The Don
B. Leroy Smart – Stronger Me Stronger
Label: Kaya Records – KA008
Leroy Smart, the self-proclaimed Don, is a legendary figure in Jamaican music. Renowned not only for his impressive musical output, he is also one of Jamaica’s most flamboyant and colorful personalities. His lively appearance in the classic film Rockers is a testament to this.
An orphan, Leroy Smart grew up at the Maxfield Park Children’s Home and honed his talents at the renowned Alpha Boys School, where he learned to sing, drum, and dance. While he began recording in the late 1960s, his breakthrough came in 1973 with God Helps The Man, produced by Bunny “Striker” Lee. His success soared further with Mother Liza, produced by Jimmy Radway.
Leroy Smart enjoyed a highly prolific period during the 1970s and 1980s. He frequently recorded at the Hookim brothers’ newly established Channel One studios, culminating in a 1976 compilation album showcasing his finest work from the studio, including the definitive version of his hit Ballistic Affair. This era witnessed a prolific output of albums and singles, with collaborations spanning a diverse range of producers, including Bunny “Striker” Lee, Alvin Ranglin, Prince Jammy, and George Phang.
Unlike many reggae artists, Leroy Smart seamlessly navigated the shift to digital riddims. While album releases became less frequent, he maintained his popularity with a steady stream of singles. Even today, he remains active, captivating audiences on stages worldwide and continuing to release new music. In 2022, he proved his enduring appeal with the chart-topping reggae single Always And Forever.
The song The Don, released in 1985, was produced by Jah Life and Percy Chin of New York, though Leroy Smart himself is credited as producer on some releases. It’s a fresh cover of his 1982 hit single, originally produced by Junjo Lawes. The B-side features Stronger Me Stronger, an equally powerful track.
[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.]