Mi Revolutionary Friend

Linton Kwesi Johnson is the originator of a style of writing that came to be dubbed (bad pun intended) "Dub Poetry". The pic on the left is my illustrated version of The Man..

He began writing in his early 20's, when he joined the British Black Panthers:

"That's where I learnt my politics and about my history and culture," he has said. "That's where I discovered black literature, particularly the work of W.E.B. DuBois, the Afro-American scholar who inspired me to write poetry."

Together with his arranger and producer Dennis Bovell, he has produced some of the toughest, most critical and touching music in reggae.
Here, some of his songs, my favorites:

-The brutal "Sonny's Lettah"
- the happy-despite-the-lyrics -Di Good Life", about the state of socialism , as well as its corresponding dub version, Dubbing For Life"
- a sardonically catchy critique of "buppies",The Black Petty Booshwa,"
- then we have Indapendent Intevenshan,"
and finally, a sweet ass "Guayanese Dub."

I got to see him this week, reading at the 16th annual Medellín Poetry Festival. A strange surreal happening, I was able to meet him, briefly. A wiry, proud, overly serious and yet brilliant man.
This is his website and his own record label, where you can purchase all of his music: http://www.lkjrecords.com/

Thee Billy Childish

Apologies for my looong absence!! I intend on posting daily (or bidayly when i m busy) from now on.

To atone for my sins, i thought i would post a few from thee prolific garage punk purveyor that is Billy Childish: painter/poet/musician, he is both a revolutionary modern day renaissance man and a throwback to a conservative, anti post-modern point of view (especially when it comes to art). But more importantly, he makes and has made some great, dare i say, unforgettable music.

Here are a few choice cuts from his Milkshakes phase..

"the band was... impressive for the prodigious volume of its output (in 1984, its most productive year, the band released no fewer than seven albums — four of them on the same day)"
(from Trouserpress)

,.. as well as his Jack Ketch & The Crowmen incarnation doing a cover of the Buzzcock's "Boredom", one of the first 70's punk songs i ever heard, plus the original as lagniappe.

IF I GET YOU

LATE AT NIGHT

AFTER MIDNIGHT

SOMETIMES I WANTCHA

BOREDOM

BUZZCOCKS - BOREDOM

Long Live the King of Ska

Born Desmond Dacres, Desmond Dekker was the first artist, before Marley, to crack the US and UK markets with Jamaican music. Touted as his greatest achievement, it is in my opinion his least relevant. Dekker was a brilliant pop composer. His sense of catchiness- with- soul was unbeatable. If he didn't reach the wealth and superstar status that other of his peers did, perhaps it was because of poor business sense or bad management, or mere fate, but it had nothing to do with the quality of his work. His lyrics show a sensitivity and a sense of social and moral responsibility that matches the sweet funkiness and fun of his music. I was fortunate enough to see him in NYC in the 90's, all decked out in a shiny silver jacket. Like Toots Hibbert, of the Maytals, he was a fierce combo of religion, soul, showmanship and humanity.He passed away 3 days ago, on May 25, in his London home. Below, 5 of my favorite songs by DD, and one by Toots Hibbert, his friend, "Desmond Dekker Came First", referring to an annual song contest held in Jamaica:

Sing a song yeahreggae soul my brother
There is a right or a wrong wayJust to do everything There's a right or a wrong way Just to do everything
Desmond Dekker, he came first And The Techniques, they came thirdClancy Eccles, he runs fourth And Derrick Harriot, he came fifth So I came second....mmmmm mmm mmm...in the competition

Dekker was also the inspiration for the Beatle's feeble attempt at ska: "Obladi Oblada"

For your listening pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, I give you-

Mr. DESMOND DEKKER

ISRAELITES

SHANTYTOWN

PICKNEY GIRL

GET UP EDINA

FU MANCHU

TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS - DESMOND DEKKER CAME FIRST