A. BB Seaton – Jah Helps Those WSho Help Themselves
B. BB Seaton – Aware Of Love
Roots International/Tabou 1
Our latest Double 12” Spin takes us back to the 1970s, a decade widely revered as the Golden Age of Reggae. While acknowledging the consistent brilliance of reggae throughout its history, this era undeniably placed roots reggae at its forefront. To fully capture that spirit, we present two seminal 12” singles: the soulful sounds of BB Seaton, followed by the powerful harmonies of the legendary Earth & Stone, whose music still resonates with power and truth.
BB Seaton, whose birth name is Harris Lloyd B.B. Seaton (born September 3, 1944, in Kingston), and widely known as BiBi (Bibby), was a key figure in several Jamaican vocal groups. He started as a solo artist in the early 1960s before teaming up with Delano Stewart as Winston & Bibby. This duo evolved into the renowned Gaylads with the addition of Maurice Roberts. Seaton’s extensive career also included stints with The Astronauts, Psalms, Conscious Minds, and The Messengers.
The career of Seaton extended beyond his own performances. He and The Gaylads released two albums on Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label, as well as an album on Leslie Kong’s Beverly’s Records, while also recording for other producers. Notable hits from this period include Lady With The Red Dress, No Good Girl, Stop Making Love Beside Me, and Africa (Studio One), Joy In The Morning and She Want It (Wirl Records), and Hard To Confess, Over The Rainbows End, and ABC Rocksteady (Sonia Pottinger). In addition to his singing, Seaton was a highly regarded songwriter. He played a crucial role in auditioning and mentoring artists at Studio One, Tip Top Records, and Beverly’s Records, including The Heptones, The Melodians, The Kingstonians, Lloyd Parks, and Fred Locks. Notably, he introduced Jackie Mittoo to Coxsone Dodd at Studio One.
He fostered a strong creative partnership with Ken Boothe, penning notable tracks like Freedom Street. His songwriting prowess extended to classics such as The Melodians’ Swing And Dine and Delroy Wilson’s Give Love A Try. In 1972, he embarked on a dedicated solo career, simultaneously engaging in extensive production work and providing backing for fellow artists. He also explored dub music, releasing two albums in the genre. Moving to the UK in 1974, he made history as the first reggae artist signed to Virgin Records, paving the way for the establishment of their influential Front Line label.
BB Seaton’s Soul Beat Records, established in 1969, was the heart of his musical world, allowing him to release new music and carefully curate his back catalog well into the 2000s. It was wonderful to see him performing again with the reformed Gaylads in 2010. Sadly, despite his significant accolades and essential contributions to Jamaican music, he remained largely unknown to the wider reggae audience. He passed away in London, England on March 4, 2024, at the age of 79, leaving behind a rich musical legacy.
His 12” single, featuring two exceptional tracks, was released in 2019 by France’s Tabou1 label in collaboration with BB Seaton’s Roots International. Jah Helps Those Who Help Themselves, a powerful roots anthem, originally appeared on a 1979 12” single, backed with Just Like A Shelter. The B-side features the 1979 gem Aware Of Love. This beautifully executed rendition of Jerry Butler’s 1961 classic, masterfully reinterpreted by BB Seaton, is truly a standout and deserves widespread acclaim.
A1. Earth & Stone – Three Wise Men
A2. Earth & Stone – Three Wise Men Version
B. Earth & Stone – Three Wise Men Version 2
Well Charge/Archive Recordings – BLXM005
For our second 12” single, we focus on Earth & Stone, a duo with a concise but impactful discography. Clifton Howell (lead vocals) and Albert Bailey (second lead/harmony) drew inspiration from Delroy Wilson and The Impressions. Initially performing as The Officials, they faced rejection at Treasure Isle before finding acceptance at Studio One. While they recorded several tracks there, only Ten Years Ago, from 1972, saw release.
It was through their work as background vocalists for Ronnie Davis that Earth & Stone found themselves at the doors of Jo Jo Hookim’s brand new Channel One studios. What started as Jailhouse Set Me Free was released as the powerful Jah Will Cut You Down, and it quickly became a massive roots hit in Jamaica. Jo Jo Hookim, recognizing their potential, suggested they change their name to Earth & Stone. The deeply moving lyrics of Jah Will Cut You Down were inspired by a particularly difficult time in Clifton Howell’s life. The Revolutionaries, with the band at that time lacking Robbie Shakespeare on bass, provided the music.
Following the success of their initial singles, Earth & Stone expanded their catalog at Channel One, leading to the development of an album. Their songs frequently addressed social and political issues, as seen in tracks like Run Home, Don’t Let Them Fool You (formerly Don’t Let Them Bribe You), and False Ruler. In large part, their songs were original riddims, setting them apart from the common practice of reworking classic riddims.
Earth & Stone’s recording history extends beyond Channel One, encompassing work with producers like Niney, Buster Riley, Joe Gibbs, and Ossie Hibbert. Their partnership with Hibbert resulted in the standout track Wicked A Fe Dress Back, which utilized Alexander Henry’s Please Be True riddim. Interestingly, Ossie Hibbert also released Back To Africa, a combined album featuring Earth & Stone and Phillip Frazer, which was done without the duo’s consent.
When Earth & Stone released their Kool Roots album in 1979, it was truly something special. A double album, with one LP dedicated to vocals and the other to dubs, was a remarkably bold move for the era, initiated by the Cha Cha label. Adding to its intrigue, the album didn’t even see a release in Jamaica. Sadly, the group parted ways in the early 1980s, and both singers moved to the United States. They openly shared that the financial injustices they experienced at the hands of many producers led them to prioritize their day jobs, relegating music to a secondary role.
Archive Recordings in the UK released this 12″ single in 2020 that brings together three distinct versions of Earth & Stone’s Three Wise Men, a song that draws inspiration from biblical stories. It uses the classic Drifter riddim. This track was first heard as a 7″ single, released on the Well Charge label back in 1977.
[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]