Two Sevens Clash

(from the original album liner notes)"One day Joseph Hill had a vision, while riding a bus, of 1977 as a year of judgment -- when two sevens clash -- when past injustices would be avenged. Lyrics and melodies came into his head as he rode and thus was born the song "Two Sevens Clash" which became a massive hit in reggae circles both in Jamaica and abroad. The prophecies noted by the lyrics so profoundly captured the imagination of the people that on July 7, 1977 - the day when sevens fully clashed (seventh day, seventh month, seventy-seventh year) a hush descended on Kingston; many people did not go outdoors, shops closed, an air of foreboding and expectation filled the city."

Culture's album Two Sevens Clash has since become a roots reggae classic, having helped establish a vocabulary of terms that became the norm in reggae. It took inspiration from Marcus Garvey, Rastafarianism and Jamaica's reggae rhythms. It proved inspirational to the UK punk rock scene, with bands like the Clash and The Ruts embracing reggae rhythms. The music was impressive, making ample use riddim kings Sly & Robbie and their crack band, and production came courtesy of the legendary Joe Gibbs. The vocals are so sweet, with Joseph Hill's (RIP) lead working beautifully with the harmonies of Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes. This year is the 30th anniversary of this classic and Shanachie has remastered it and reissued it with a bunch of bonus stuff. It is a lovely record, low key and simple. Today's selections are the stellar title track, and two of the bonus cuts, both dub plate versions of album tracks. Sweet skanking...
Two Sevens Clash
See Dem Dub
Not Ashamed Dub

Lola Rastaquouere

The mid winter lull in musical new releases often finds me stocking up on the back catalogues - the oldies, greatest hits collections and remasters of the classics. The last few weeks has been no exception; recent additions include VU's 2 disc set Gold, the Essential Hall & Oates (an Xmas gift from the wife), Robert Palmer's The Best Of The Island Years, the expanded remaster of Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Schmilsson, and this splendid two disc, expanded remaster of Serge Gainsbourg's Aux Armes Et Cætera.

Originally released in 1979, the recipe is easy, and a good one. Serge takes his debauched act to Jamaica, where he hooks up with one hell of a smoking house band, essentially the Compass Point All Stars. Led by dub reggae's rhythm kings Sly and Robbie, they are the masters of establishing heady dub grooves. This is the band you heard on those Grace Jones tracks from the early '80s, and this is the band who backed up Black Uhuru on their first 3 or 4 albums. Then take it one step further by bringing in Bob Marley's backing vocalists, the I-Threes (featuring Bob's wife Rita), on harmony vocals. Lyrically Serge is in top scandalous form, and the grooves really sweeten it all. The remaster includes a second disc which collects dub, DJ & singer versions of every tune. It is top talent working at the top of their game, and it is smoking good. I particularly enjoy the dub versions, where studio trickery and effects are put to good use. Today I share all of the versions of Lola Rastaquouere, Serge's ode to sex with a mysterious, underage girl. Despite the dodgy subject matter, the tune is an unforgettable reggae groove, good in all of it's forms. Enjoy...
Lola Rastaquouere
Dub Rastaquouere
Lola Rastaquouere Is Back (featuring Lisa Dainjah)
Lola Rastaquouere (Version Anglaise) featuring Bruno Blum