Last night fueled by supermarket bottled lager, I decided to go through a few forgotten about second-hand singles found searching through boot sales and charity shops over the years. In amongst the pile I found some singles that would be worth a mint if they were in a half decent condition (which they ain’t!) but discovered this classic rock-steady guitar instrumental from 1969. Not exactly hi-fidelity but a tune all the same!
Voices of Jamaica – Heavenly Sweetness
I know I mentioned this last post, but I can’t stop playing this mix as it’s so good. If you love 70’s reggae you’re going to love this. Big up again to DJ Dick from Birmingham for the original mention and big up Blundetto and Heavenly Sweetness for the mix. As Tim Westwood used to say (pre-internet) “now press play and record”!
This morning I found out reggae legend King Stitt passed away the other day. He died from prostate cancer and was only in his early 70’s. Just a couple of weeks ago I was chatting to someone in Dub Vendor about the musical pioneer (he was one of the first DJs to be captured onto vinyl in Jamaica). Stitt’s attitude was classic reggae, where an artist would capitalise on whatever qualities they’ve got, no matter how unusual or obscure. He didn’t have Steve McQueen type looks but that didn’t stop him, he gave himself the nickname of “The ugly one” and the rest is history.
Stitt was a big hero of mine since the early 70’s when I saw the lyrics of his tune “Fire Corner” on the cover of my elder brother’s rough book; “No matter what the people say, these sounds lead the way, it’s the order of the day from your boss DJ, I King Stitt” Brilliant! Throughout the years I would be well chuffed if I came across any of his releases in second-hand shops and when it came to sample something for me and my mate’s first single it seemed King Stitt was a natural choice. When our track “Son of Stitt” by One Deck & Popular was released, I sent a 10” to Studio 1 in Jamaica where he worked with a note saying if he was ever in Camberwell Green and fancied recording a single to get in touch. He never did but it would be nice to think he actually read it. The last few years had seen King Stitt still in demand what with the ever growing interest in vintage reggae and at the end of last year doing gigs in France and Brazil to great acclaim.
I feel sad tonight of his passing and will drink a couple of mini-bottles of Sainsbury’s own brand lager to salute his passing. Big up the King!
One thing I’ve learnt over the last few years being broke, is to make the most of what you’ve got and to reuse as much as possible. Bob Flowerdew, gardener’s question time panelist and recycler to the max, always comes out with brilliant ideas, reusing something ordinary in an unusual way that’ll benefit his garden, from old fridges as cold frames, knackered radiators as garden paths and thin strips from old venetian blinds as plant labels. Inventive eh?
Being broke shouldn’t stop you gardening, if anything it should inspire you to be more creative with whatever material comes to hand. I compost my garden/kitchen waste, collect autumn leaves and make leaf mould, reuse all plant pots after giving them a good clean and save all my bamboo canes for next years runner beans like everybody else does but here’s a few more ideas:
The list is endless and the above is only a start. If you have any good recycling ideas post them up here as I love a good gardening tip like anyone else!
I was having a look at Scarlett Cannon’s excellent blog http://heavenlyhealer.blogspot.com/ and came across in her links, a great site of record sleeve art called record envelope http://crossedcombs.typepad.com/recordenvelope/ which led me to pull out one of my favourite reggae 7″ sleeves made out of a Jamaican Gold Seal margarine box, a great example of reggae recycling!
And if you love Reggae you’ll love http://www.iancauser.plus.com/jamaicanlabelart/
Weeds up to me knees 