A1. Eccleton Jarrett – Turn On The Heat
A2. King Jammy – Dub
B1. King Jammy – Dubplate Mix
B2. Version
Label: Jammy’s Records – GGRS009
We reach the 36th installment of this series dedicated to exploring the history of 12-inch singles, and this time our focus falls upon the renowned producer, King Jammy, born Lloyd Woodrowe James in Montego Bay in 1947. Prior to a brief period of residence in Canada during the early 1970s, he honed his skills as a technician, repairing electrical appliances and constructing amplifiers. Upon his return to Jamaica in 1976, he established a sound system in the Waterhouse district, and when Philip Smart, a key collaborator at King Tubby’s studio, departed for New York, Jammy seamlessly stepped into his role, affording him invaluable experience in the intricacies of studio production.
Under the moniker Prince Jammy, he embarked on his journey as a record producer, with a diverse range of artists, including the iconic Black Uhuru, Sugar Minott, the talented Hugh Mundell, Johnny Osbourne, and Wayne Smith, among many others. His contributions extended beyond the realm of vocal sets and singles, as he also released several critically acclaimed dub albums, showcasing his innovative approach to sound manipulation. Furthermore, King Jammy’s Super Power sound system played a pivotal role in the dynamic and competitive landscape of Jamaican sound system culture.
The transition from Prince to King Jammy was a seismic shift, triggered by his revolutionary introduction of the digital Sleng Teng riddim in 1985. This innovation sent shockwaves through the Jamaican music industry, catapulting Jammy to the forefront of production. His influence soared, establishing him as a leading producer both within Jamaica and beyond. Throughout the 1990s, Jammy continued to reign supreme, collaborating with the most prominent artists of the era.
Following in his footsteps are his sons: Lloyd “John John” James Jr., Trevor “Baby G” James Jr., and Jammy “Jam 2” James, each carrying the torch of their father’s musical genius. A fourth son, Christopher “CJ” James, resides in Canada and has also embraced a career in music production. King Jammy’s impact on the music world remains undeniable. His most recent offering, the critically acclaimed dub album King Jammy’s Unites The Nations With Dub, serves as a testament to his enduring creativity and profound influence on generations of musicians.
The first 12″ single features Eccleton Jarrett, also known as Prince Jarrett. While remaining an active figure in the music industry today, Jarrett’s career reached its zenith during the vibrant 1980s, with his collaborations with King Jammy standing as a testament to his talent. Although his discography is relatively modest, encompassing a single album released in 2009, Jarrett’s influence extends beyond his recorded output. He contributed greatly to the lively Jamaican sound system scene. His musical journey took off in 1980 with a collaborative single alongside General Plough, featuring his song Too Crazy Girl. While not definitively confirmed, it is believed that Jarrett recorded a track for the renowned King Tubby in 1985, although this recording unfortunately remains unreleased.
The year 1985 marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Eccleton Jarrett and King Jammy. This partnership yielded significant results, culminating in the 1987 release of the electrifying track, Turn On The Heat. Riding atop the revitalized Tonight riddim by Keith & Tex, Turn On The Heat perfectly encapsulates the vibrant energy of the dancehall scene. Jarrett’s impassioned vocals urge the selector to elevate the atmosphere to unprecedented heights, igniting the dancefloor with an infectious fervor. This powerful anthem quickly became a resounding success within the sound system culture, finding its way into the crates of countless sound systems across the globe, where it was frequently employed as a potent dubplate mix. Building upon this success, 1989 witnessed the release of Rock Them One By One, another stellar production by King Jammy that propelled Jarrett to even greater heights.
The 12″ single I used is a 2022 reissue by Spain’s Capra Records. This release features four tracks, including the iconic original version and a previously unreleased dubplate mix by King Jammy himself.
A. Don Angelo – Love Feeling
B. Don Angelo – Don’t Move A Muscle
Label: Black Joy – DH837
Don Angelo, was born Donovan Smith in 1962 on Bond Street, the location of Duke Reid’s legendary Treasure Isle studio in West Kingston. His life was linked to the vibrant heart of Jamaican music from the outset. Like many of his contemporaries, he cut his musical teeth within the environment of various sound systems, honing his skills alongside talents such as Everton Blender and Hopeton Lindo. While it is widely believed that his debut single, Righteous Man, produced by Prince Far I, came out in 1977, definitive confirmation of this release remains elusive.
In the early stages of his career, Don Angelo forged a strong association with Sugar Minott and his influential Youth Promotion organization. This collaboration yielded notable successes, including the 1984 single Give Thanks And Praise, a minor hit that rode the popular Heavenless riddim, most likely produced under the guidance of Sugar Minott himself. His partnership with King Jammy proved particularly fruitful. Don Angelo became a frequent collaborator and a prominent performer on the powerful King Jammy’s Super Power sound system, solidifying his position as a respected figure within the Jamaican music scene.
Don Angelo’s recorded output primarily consists of singles. His sole album, Tenor Saw Meets Don Angelo – The Golden Hen, sees him in collaborative spirit. During the latter half of the 1980s, Don Angelo enjoyed a period of significant commercial success, achieving several chart-topping hits. Notably, he collaborated with Bobby Digital, a protégé of King Jammy, on the infectious Rosie. He also lent his vocals to Golden Touch for Prince Jazzbo, and Love Feeling aka Feelings, another collaboration with King Jammy. Furthermore, he voiced General under production of Kenneth Hookim for the esteemed Channel One studio. In the 1990s, Don Angelo relocated to the United States, where he continued to pursue his musical endeavors. His influence extends beyond his own career, as he is the proud father of Ishawna, a renowned dancehall artist who rose to prominence under the tutelage of the legendary Bounty Killer.
The 12″ single features two tracks. The A-side, Feelings aka Love Feeling is an undeniably captivating tune built pon the infectious Punaany riddim, a popular riddim that dominated the charts during that era, courtesy of King Jammy’s innovative production. Flipping the record reveals Don’t Move A Muscle, a powerful sound system anthem delivered with characteristic force by Don Angelo. This track rides the iconic Far East riddim, also known as the Jah Shakey riddim, expertly reimagined by King Jammy. This 12″ single is a true gem, showcasing Don Angelo’s versatility!
[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.]