A. Ranking Devon – Carlene/Sandra Gone
B. Ranking Devon – If You Were Here
Label: Mighty Cloud – 002
This edition of Double 12” Spin features a nice twist: three tracks built on the same riddim. The riddim in question is the backdrop of John Holt’s Studio One classic, Stranger In Love, from 1970. The riddim is also known as Don’t Bother Me, after The Terrors’ version from 1977, more about this tune later. While not heavily recycled, the riddim found favor with Lloyd Campbell, the prolific producer behind labels like Spiderman, Joe Frasier, Eagle, and Rattie Soul.
Arguably his most famous productions on this riddim are Yellowman’s hits Mad Over Me and Shorties. Another notable track is Triston Palmer’s 1981 smash, Take My Hands, though reportedly not a Lloyd Campbell production according to the label info. In 2006, Lloyd Campbell revisited the riddim, this time calling it Fingerprint, and produced a fresh batch of tracks.
We kick off with the 12″ platter by Ranking Devon, an artist about whom little is known. Also known as Devon Douglas, he was active in the music scene until the mid-1980s, releasing only a limited number of tunes. He was an artist whose discography may be brief but features the impactful 1982 roots track All Nation Have To Bow, set to the popular Shank I Sheck riddim.
His 1982 12″ single, released by the Mighty Cloud label, who had a relatively small discography, features three tracks built on the Stranger In Love riddim. Production credits go to George McLean, associated with the Mighty Cloud Band, about whom further details are unavailable. A unique aspect of this release is Ranking Devon’s versatility. He showcases both his vocal and deejaying talents. The tune Carlene presents him as a soulful vocalist with a sweet love song, while the linked Sandra Gone finds him toasting energetically, drawing undeniable comparisons to Yellowman.
The B-side, Wish You Were Here, further highlights Devon’s vocal talents, subtly incorporating the melody of Kyu Sakamoto’s international hit Sukiyaki into its composition.
A. The Terrors – Don’t Bother Me
B. The Itals – You Don’t Care
Label: Spiderman
The second 12″ single introduces us to The Terrors, a lesser-known group, and the acclaimed reggae veterans, The Itals. The Terrors tune Don’t Bother Me, also known as Mr. Babylon, is widely considered the first release on the updated version of Holt’s Stranger In Love riddim. The Terrors’ rendition is exceptional, featuring powerful roots lyrics.
Active primarily in the late 1980s, The Terrors released a limited number of tracks before disappearing from the scene. Information on the group is scarce, with sources indicating that they comprised Donovan Brissett, Edmund Brissett, and L. Lewis. While unconfirmed, it is rumored that Lloyd Ricketts of The Itals may have briefly joined the group.
Flipping the record reveals The Itals, a legendary group that continues to captivate reggae fans worldwide. The name Itals, derived from the Rastafarian term for natural and pure, reflects their philosophy.
The group has a rich history, with several personnel changes throughout their career. Keith Porter, Lloyd Ricketts, Ronnie Davis, and David Isaacs were prominent members. Emerging in the 1960s, The Itals achieved their peak during the 1970s with a series of high-quality singles. Their debut album, Brutal Out Deh, released in 1981 in collaboration with American Nighthawk Records, became an instant classic. This success was followed by a string of well-received albums, primarily popular in the US and Europe. Currently, Keith Porter is the sole surviving member.
Their rendition of You Don’t Care, the iconic 1960s rocksteady hit by The Techniques, is featured on this single. This Treasure Isle classic has been covered numerous times over the years, and The Itals’ version offers a fine, quintessential example of 1970s reggae.
[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.]