Anyone remember the legendary performance by the Blue Riddim Band from Kansas, Missouri? The first American reggae band, who performed at the legendary Reggae Sunsplash in 1982 and brought Jarrett Park in Montego Bay to a boil with a sensational performance in the early hours of the morning in front of around 14.000 spectators. The almost 36-minute LP "Alive in Jamaica' (Flying Fish) in 1986 documented this spectacular gig that would be voted the best performance of the four-day festival by Rockers Magazine and four years later would be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album of the Year.
Yes, but what do the Rougher All Stars have to do with the Blue Riddim Band? A whole lot. Both bands hail from Kansas and are basically one, like the 2013 album "Blue Riddim Band Meets Rougher All Stars: Enter The Riddim(Rougher Records) shows. Some of the musicians involved, like multi-instrumentalists Todd "Bebop" Burd aka "The Little General" and Emily "Goldie/Goldilocks" Madison, played in both bands. The two were also responsible for the co-production and mixing of the above-mentioned album, on which the song "Do Me Like That" is found, which in turn was the inspiration for the title of the new album that we are talking about here.
Another ten years later, “Rougher All Stars: Dub Me Like That(Rougher Records) and the Rougher All Stars have since shrunk to a duo. The eight carefully crafted Dubs and instrumentals were produced, written and arranged by Todd "Bebop" Burd and Emily "Goldie/Goldilocks" Madison. "Dub Me Like That" reflects the music of the pioneers of this genre. With due respect to the musical heritage, this album embodies the spirit of the greats of classic reggae. Todd Burd and Emily Madison's commitment to authenticity can be heard in every note on the album. From throbbing bass lines to intricate horn arrangements, each track was recorded in real-time with guest musicians. The DubEffects have been used sparingly but purposefully, and the tracks on offer range from faster ska-like numbers to classic ones Dub-Takes. In short, the result undeniably reflects the true essence of timeless reggaeDub-Sounds reflected. Burd explains in the interview: "We wanted to make an album that would commemorate the golden era of the Dub Pays tribute, but in our own way. While staying true to our roots, the subtle jazz nuances add a unique twist to the sound, which I think makes for an immersive experience.” Emily Madison adds, “We wanted to create an album that would stand the test of time. That's why we hope that people will be hearing these tracks for many years to come.” The Rougher All Stars would definitely like that.
10 replies to “Rougher All Stars: Dub Me Like That”
“The 36-minute LP Alive in Jamaica (Flying Fish) from 1986 documents this spectacular gig, which was voted the best performance of the four-day festival by Rockers Magazine and four years later for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album of the year should be nominated.”
Congratulations Ras Vorbei ! You saw through me completely ;-) ……. You seem to know exactly how to make me mad.
"Rockers Magazine" ???????????? What kind of newspaper was that? It's so typical (sob)...... a white Ami band comes to the Mecca of music in Jamaica and delivers the "best performance". Without being there, I know XNUMX% that that can't be true. Even if the Jamaicans had never seen each other before and hadn't worked together at all, they would have played these Americans to the core. But most of the Jamaicans were very well attuned and we don't need to talk about the singers or artists anymore - in my opinion. Even Beenie Man was better than the Americans.
Please do not get me wrong Ras Vorbei. My tirade is in no way aimed at you. You just hit my sore spot here by confronting me with the wickedness of Rockers magazin. For me it is a very clear case of everyday racism when this album was also nominated for "the best reggae album of the year" with the performance. Bombo Klaat !!! That doesn't make sense if only because these musicians
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdfZ3zESKGA everyone was there too.
Is it all so much with "Dub It Like That” I don't know but neither the band nor the DubTunes can do something for the general situation. The DubTunes are – for my taste – at least beyond any doubt. And "Dub Me Like That” is something that particularly appeals to me.
I didn't think "Alive In Jamaica" was as bad as it could have come across here - due to my "gasp". No, it was a great concert but..... the best? ………… ?
Yes I know ! Nowadays, it is no longer welcomed if one addresses or speaks out critical things. I know a lot of people don't care, but as long as people can still comment with reasonable impunity, I'll let you know what's brewing in my head at times.
See you soon …………….. lemmi
hey lemmi,
the Blue Riddim Band were not bottled off the stage like many Jamaican artists have been. No, she was invited again for Sunsplash 1983.
From the 1982 Sunsplash I know some recordings, like z. B. also the Chalice appearance. It makes you wonder if it's actually live. On the other hand, the Blue Riddim Band is in a really good mood and that in the early morning just after 5 o'clock.
Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTza-H-T5nY&pp=ygUYbmFuY3kgcmVhZ2FuIGJsdWUgcmlkZGlt
It doesn't matter, the prophet in his own country counts for nothing. Maybe that's why the Jamaicans are celebrating the Blue Riddim Band performance. Maybe also because the Blue Riddim Band knew how to serve the audience a clever potpourri of classics and their own material.
"the prophet in his own country counts for nothing"
Yes, that's how it is. Many Jamaicans tick like that too.
There are people who have "bottled" Bunny Wailer. They go dancing and listen to trap. I used to think that the Jamaicans were "cool", but in the sense of cool, they've only been cooking with water for a long time. The main thing is Instagram and this whole “soul robbery” on the net. I don't have to go there. I don't like people who "bottle" Bunny Wailer.
(Yes, I know, they are waiting for me right now, can hardly wait for my arrival).
"One day, I don't like, it's a monday, monday!" ………………… lemmi
“…..and delivers the “best performance”. Even though I wasn't there, I know XNUMX% that that can't be true.
Lemmi, I wasn't there either. But if I follow your link and watch the best of video, then the Blue Riddim Band puts the final point in it.
Now my question for you as a movie buff, lemmi: when does the big showdown happen in a movie? Right, in the end! Ergo, after watching the video one could also logically conclude that the Blue Riddim Band was indeed the pinnacle of the 1982 reggae sunsplash.
Isn't the video compilation rather chronological? And the Blue Riddim Band played as the last band? So I don't think it has anything to do with cinematic climax... but anyway, can an "old" white cis male give a rating at all? Why does it have to be evaluated at all? Well, these questions and others are going through my head right now...
Well, I think it's generally cool that the Rougher All Stars are good Dub produce... and to be honest, when I feel the sound, the reggae musicians can come from wherever they want... I don't really care... my experience is that there is good, authentic reggae music from many corners of the world... and also a lot of "junk ' from Jamaica.
No, Philipp, the compilation is not chronological. The Reggae Sunsplash was held August 3-7, 1982 at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay. The Blue Riddim Band's performance was in the early hours of August 6, just after 5:00 am. Incidentally, the Mighty Diamonds were the headliners.
OK, thanks for the correction.
Sounds more like a frame story ;-)
Hehe, that was too much on the tip of my tongue on Monday morning. I hope I don't get my pant leg wet with it.
Actually, I just wanted to write something about my “black and white thing”.
Philip is absolutely right. I basically feel the same way, but in the last 20 years it has tilted too much in one direction. It doesn't matter which concert, there's a white backing band. Burning Spear also no longer has his original band with him. For me, Burning Spear has always been not just Winston Rodney, but also fundamentally the Burning Band. And that's how it's been for me, unfortunately, for a long time, just all too often.
So, I'll lie down again first ………………….. lemmi
I first heard The Blue Riddim Band in Chicago in the spring of 1981 at Loyola University. I heard them again that summer and both times they played an absolutely great version of Take 5. This is not the same version as is on the Ska Inferno album and features the saxophone ala Dave Brubeck. Did anyone ever record this version?