Over the past half-century cannabis has provided a major source of inspiration for many of Jamaica’s music-makers and many releases since the 1970’s have reflected this. An artist that sung the praises of cannabis was Bob Marley but was not alone as many other artists praised it. This collection effectively demonstrates the above on this 2CD set, bringing together 46 of the best-known recordings, that champion the drug scene of the 70’s and early 80’s. The first disc contains vocal recordings from such artists as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Horace Andy, Dillinger and Johnny Clarke. Disc 2 features some of the finest Dub tracks from this period and reference the hallowed weed in their titles. Now is the time to look at a selection of these.

DISC ONE

1. LICK THE PIPE PETER PART 4 – Jah T. Not sure why this was chosen to open the collection as it is a strange recording in many ways with 3mins 2secs of spoken vocal, no rhythm track in sight. The artist is one that doesn’t come up often and there is nothing more to say apart from it was released in Jamaica on the Justice league label in 1972 and produced by Lee Perry. 3. BETTER CALLEY aka BETTER COLLIE – Horace Andy. One of Jamaica’s most prolific recording artists on this mid-tempo number. The vocal comes clear and Horace sounds in his younger years in front of a straight Reggae rhythm track. Overall this is a very catchy track and was released in Jamaica on the Jackpot label, nothing to do with Trojan’s label of the same name. 4. BRING THE COUCHIE COME – The Reggae Crusaders. Giving its title to the collection this has a semi-spoken vocal with a slower rhythm track The backing is straight and the overall sound is not unlike ‘Pass The Dutchie’ by Musical Youth. It was released in Jamaica on the Destroyer label and can be found on the album Niney The Observer And Friends’ released by Trojan records. 6. COLLIE DREAD – Johnny Clarke. Johnny Clarke will be familiar to most Jamaican music fans and on this his vocal is good with a fast rhythm track and straight. Again this is a catchy recording and on 7″ vinyl it appeared on the Gordon label in Jamaica, 1978. 8. RIZLA SKANK – Trinity & Dillinger. This comes with a spoken vocal at times and some strange vocal sounds on-and-off, as one would expect on a true skank recording. Originally released in Jamaica on the Burning Sounds label as an album track, 1977. 11. SMOKE MARIJUANA – Big Joe. This is a strange sound with the vocal coming from an artist new to me. The backing track does nothing for the overall recording and one ends up listening to basically a talk-over with the artist shouting from the start to the finish. Not one of the best tracks on the collection by a long way. 13. KAYA – Ronnie Davis. This artist was much underrated and on this he gives a fine vocal in front of a fast rhythm track. Some fine organ playing on a very catchy recording, a top track on this disc. Released in Jamaica on Roots Label, 1978. This was written by Bob Marley who also recorded it. 16. COLLIE WEED – Barrington Levy. The vocal on this is typical the Levy sound a comes in front of a punchy and straight rhythm track. As usual the artist gives his all and the track is very danceable. A top track on the collection. Released in Jamaica on the Roots From The Yard label, 1979. 19. JOKER SMOKER – Tristan Palmer. This comes slower than previous tracks and again has an artist that may be unfamiliar to Jamaican music fans. The backing track comes with some percussion and Triston does a good job on the vocal. The backing band were The Roots Radics and it was recorded at Channel One in Kington, Jamaica. This was released in Canada on the Abraham label and Greensleeves label in UK. 22. 100 LB OF COLLIE – Cornell Campbell. This is another slow sound with a straight rhythm track. Cornell is helped-out by backing singers from time-to-time. Cornell was a prolific recording artist and usually gave a good vocal, as on this. Nothing special about this, just a good Roots sound. This was written by the vocalist, recorded at Dynamic Sounds studio and released in Jamaica on Gorgon Records label, 1982. 24. CHALLIS – Charlie Chaplin. Faster than the previous track and comes with the artists usual talk over vocal. The rhythm track comes straight and has a crowd sound at times in the background. If you like the talk-over sound then you will no doubt go for this, produced by Henry ‘Jungo’ Lawes and released in Jamaica on Volcano label.

DISC TWO

1. KUTCHI SKANK – The Upsetters. There have been many forms of The Upsetters over the years and here we have them on a mid-tempo, punchy sound and although it goes around-and-around it is nevertheless a very catchy instrumental and a fine way to starting off this disc. This was released in the UK on Downtown label, out of Trojan Records and produced by Lee Perry, 1973. 3. PEACE PIPE DUB – Joe White. Here we have a mid-tempo instrumental with Joe White on the melodica. The rhythm track comes with some percussion and is punchy and another catchy recording that was produced by Harry Johnson. 5. COUCHIE DUB – Niney & The Observers. This is a slowish track on which the rhythm track comes with some percussion. There is a spoken vocal from time-to-time and although the track has at times been credited to Niney & The Soul Syndicate on some pressings it is actually The Observers as credited on this collection. It was the b side to ‘Rring The Couchie Come’ and released in UK on Reggae label, 1975. 7. GANJA – Leslie Butler. This is a mid-tempo soundon which we hear Leslie Butler, as one would expect doing a fine job on the organ. This instrumental is very catchy and is Roots Rock Reggae at its best. This was an album track in 1975 and arranged by Harry Johnson. 9. LAMBS BREAD HERB – Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators. This comes as a Dub sound and has the feel of the music used in spaghetti westerns. The rhythm track is mid-tempo and some oscillation is present various times. Another catchy sound from a Jamaican legend, released in Jamaica on the album ‘Superstar-Disco Rockers’ the label being Weed Beat, 1977. 12. KAYA DUB – The Aggrovators. A fast-moving Dub sound on which the clavonia returns and is ever present. Osillation is heard at times and overall this is a good recording and found on the album ‘Kaya Dub’ which includes Dub versions of Bob Marley songs. The album was released on Jamaican Attack label, 2007. 18. MARIJUANA – Sly & The Revolutionaries. This starts with a spoken intro before going into a full-on Dub sound that has trombone at times throughout. The rhythm track comes with heavy bass guitar and ends up a very catchy sound. 20. HERB – Sly & The Revolutionaries. As with the previous track we hear Sly Dunbar who brings us a short-spoken intro. The track moves into a full-on Dub sound that can be found on the album’ Trojan Dub Box Set – Album 2′. Some percussion is present at times, nothing special about this but Dub fans will no-doubt go for it. This was released on the above-mentioned box set in 2007. 22. CANNABIS DUB – Scientist & The Roots Radics. Slowish full-on Dub sound with pounding drums and a small amount of horn work. Very simple in make-up and gets rather monotonous by the conclusion. 4mins 15secs is well enough for this and it samples from Don Drummond & The Skatelites “Havenless” are used. Recorded at Channel One Recording Studio and mixed at King Tubby’s studio.

CONCLUSION

Here we have 46 tracks covering the best Jamaican music with a ganga/marijuana theme by some of the islands best known artists. This collection will not be for everyone but high-praise to Cherry Red Records who have once again released a first-class collection on the Doctor Bird imprint. For those of you who are into Jamaican music with the above mentioned theme it will be worth considering at £14 99p.

Linval Thompson – I Love Marijuana