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Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 20, 2021 – NASA vs. The God of Covid

February 26, 2021 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

NASA rover Perserverance lands on Mars to do battle with Nergal, the Sumerian God of Covid

Greetings,

Congratulations to NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab. They landed their Perserverance rover on Mars and have been road tripping across the red planet sending back data.

NASA rover successfully lands on Mars

From previous fly overs and images captured there are a lot of strange anthropomorphic sites on the surface of the planet.

The most famous image is at Cydonia: The Face on Mars. In 1976, NASA’s Viking orbiter (couldn’t land a vehicle on the planet then) captured an image of a mesa with an obvious human face.

Cydonia – Rock face mesa (or temple?) on Mars. Not a trick of the light. Two eyes, bejeweled helmet, nose, two lips. Humanoid!

The unimaginative scoffers at NASA tried to write it off as a trick of the light and shadows. But another photo captured it with even more clarity. Even after more pictures surfaced the agency still adheres to the notion Cydonia is an optical illusion.

Now is the time to put up or shut up. Send Perserverance to the base of the mesa shaped rock formation and let’s get a close up.

But that strategy is not without risk. Many of the Russian rovers who tried to map the surface were mysteriously fried and knocked out just to be a Martian junk yard.

Could it be the Martians don’t want to be found? Ancient Astronaut Theory says yes!

Marvin the Martian gives the hairy eyeball to NASA planetary exploration

<NASA on Mars! For how long? 45 sec.>

What do I think? Thanks for asking! Mars has always been associated as a war planet of hostile intent.

Mars gets its name from the Roman God of War. The reddish hue of the planet gives off a malevolent vibe down below on Earth. Hindus called the red planet Angakara after their God of War and the occult. Wikipedia mentions that In ancient China, the advent of Mars was taken as a portent for “bane, grief, war and murder”.

Angakara – Hindu God/ancient astronaut. Mars and the God of war

My hypothesis is this. Cydonia is a temple to the Sumerian God Nergal. Consulting multiple episodes of Ancient Aliens, reading the text of my many Sumerian religion books (don’t call what came first mythology!), this is my analysis:

In the main 7 Ancient Astronaut pantheon of so-called Sumerian Gods, Nergal is the most malevolent. His planet is Mars.

Who is Nergal? The Greeks plagiarized him as Hades. God of the Underworld. Associated with fire, war, destruction, devastation, plagues, death. Pestilence. Consider him the God of Covid!

<Nergal (Mars) – The God of Covid; 2 min 55 sec>

The Martians who worship him, do not want their temple at Cydonia defiled. They can see what happens when mankind discovers/invades. Ask the Mayans and Aztecs the tender kindness shown to them by Conquistadors four hundred years ago. They are gonna protect what’s theirs. I don’t expect that cute little rover, Perserverance, to have a very long life.

Nergal on high alert since Trump created the Space Force

<Your Ace From Outer Space; 77 sec.>

China and Elon Musk are trying to get to Mars as well. I ‘n’ I play the song by Alpha Blondy “Interplanetary Revolution” on this Smile Jamaica Ark-Ive podcast. The Martians know we never come in peace and they will not allow Starbucks, McDonald’s or Amazon on the Red Planet. No strip mining for minerals for Iphones.

Heed my prophecy, this will lead to weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. And why does any of this matter? I ‘n’ I found a fresh stack of UFO tunes by Burning Spear, Alpha Blondy, Cornell Campbell and I ‘n’ I wanted to rinse them out on my typical UFOria sets on Smile Jamaica!

As I ‘n’ I always say: Look to the skies! Do not scoff!

Fly Me to the Moon? Mr. Spear needs to re-record as Fly Me to Mars

Reggae lost a giant this week. U Roy, age 78, joined Jah’s Heavenly Choir after a lifetime of diabetes. He wasn’t the first Jamaican to chant over Rock Steady riddims in the mid 60’s, but he was the most popular through his inventive lyrical style. He was the forefather to what came after: toasting (think Ranking Roger of the (English), Beat), 70’s Reggae deejay chanters, dancehall ragga and especially hip hop and rap.

Many of the NYC hip hop originators like Kool Herc came from Jamaican emigrants who brought their record collections north from the Island. His records helped develop the most successful new music format since rock or soul. No U Roy, no Public Enemy, Jay Z or Snoop Dogg.

The last song on this Ark-ive podcast continues his origination: Your Ace From Space which led indirectly to Neil Armstrong skanking on the Moon a year later.

Now Bob Marley and Peter Tosh have someone to chant over their riddims in Jah’s abode.

bless, Bobbylon

<RIP U Roy – inventor of toasting, deejay, hip hop and rap; 56 sec.>

U Roy – “I originate while others imitate”. Indeed

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Feb. 20, 2021

Set 1:

Sister Frica – One in the Spirit; Rockers All-Star Explosion (Alligator) ’78 Chicago vinyl; ’85 comp.
The Revolutionaries? – Ital Step; Vital Dub Strictly Rockers (Hitbound) ’76 Brooklyn vinyl dub album of the hour
U Roy – The Originator; Rock With I (RAS) ’78; RIP inventor of deejaying
Zema & the Gladiators – Trouble Never Set; Jubilee (Melchizedek) 2009 SoCal female artist
Jackie Opel & the Skatalites – Valley of Green (Take 2); 4 Track EP (Top Deck) ’65 UK green vinyl
Culture – International Herb; Livity (RAS) ’98 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement

Set 2:

Rico Rodriguez – Rico’s Special (Reloaded); 10” (Above Rock) ’76 NY picture sleeve; trombone
Horace Andy – Better Collie; Prime of Horace Andy (Music Club) ’75 herbtune
Barry Brown – Stand Firm; Far East (Hitbound) ‘81
L.S. Diesel Meets Digidub – Skunk Funk (The Mix); King Size Dub Volume 1 (Echo Beach) ‘95

14 down, 36 to go. Lost South Dakota legal/medical weed

Set 3:

Rockers Hi Fi – Transmission Central; Thievery Corporation: DJ Kicks (!K7) ’99 dub comp
Big Youth – Get Up Stand Up; Trojan Tribute to Bob Marley Box Set (Trojan) ’76 Marley/Tosh cover
Roots Uprising – Master Blaster Jammin’; 12” (Top Ranking) ’81 Miami – Stevie Wonder cover/Marley Tribute
Sly Dunbar – Sesame Street Theme; Front Line Dub (Virgin Front Line) ’79 comp; Dub Album of the Hour

Set 4: Jamaican Jukebox 7″

Susan Cadogan – Piece of My Heart; 7” (OB International) Janis Joplin/Erma Franklin cover ’80: 7” Jamaican Jukebox Set
Lui Lepkie – Tribute to Bob Marley; 7” (Joe Gibbs Ultra Sound) ‘81
Carlton Livingston – Cold Cold Winter; 7” (Grade One)
Benjamin Zephaniah – 13 Dead; Dub Ranting; 7” EP (Radical Wallpaper) ‘82 UK 8 track picture sleeve

Set 5: Vinyl is Vital

Ken Boothe – This Love of Ours; Reggae For Lovers (Generation) ’79 Missisauga, Ont. Canada
Prince Far I – The More We Are Together; Musical History (Trojan) ’83 UK herbtune
Gedeon Jerrubaal – Jedna Milosc, Jedna Nie Nawisc; Reggae From Around the world (RAS) ’88 DC; Polish Reggae mixed by Adrian Sherwood
Amjam – Every Little Thing; Live Off the Board (Celluloid) ’87 live at CBGB punk club
Baby Rose – Barb Wire; Can Jam Reggae Rockers Disco Style (Rocktone) ’81 Toronto, CA; Nora Dean cover

Set 6: Wailers Family Tree

Bob Marley & the Wailing Wailers – Stir It Up; Wail ‘N Soul ‘M Singles (JAD) ’67
Peter Touch – Selassie Serenade; Arise Blackman (Trojan) ’69 B-side organ instrumental
Marcia Griffiths – Steppin’ Out of Babylon; Women in Reggae (Shanachie) ’79 comp.
Bunny Wailer – Rise & Shine ; Solomonic Singles vol. 2 (Solomonic) ‘81

Short lived Wailers boutique label: Wail ‘N Soul ‘M (1966-1968)

Set 7: Best of Smile Jamaica 31+ Years

U Roy – Music Addict; Music Addict (RAS) ’87 RIP:
Aisha – Tribulation; High Priestess (Ariwa) ‘88
Black Uhuru – Sinsemilla; Tear It Up! Live (Mango) ’82 live in London
Dr. Alimantado – Sons of Thunder; Born For a Purpose (Greensleeves) ‘73
4^th Street Orchestra – Ah Who Seh? Ah Who She? Go Deh! (Rama) ’76 Dennis Bovell dub album of the hour

RIP at age 78. Inventor of toasting, deejay talkover, hip hop, rap

Set 8: UFO-ria. NASA on Mars

Burning Spear – Fly Me to the Moon; Mistress Music (Slash) ’88
Alpha Blondy – Interplanetary Revolution; Cocody Rock!!! (Shanachie) ‘84
Cornell Campbell – Stars; The Minstrel (Westside) ‘75
Laurel Aitken – Apollo 12; The Pama Years (Grover) ‘69
Bam Bam – Star Wars + Dub; Power of a Woman (Bam Bam International) ’87 LA Vinyl/Roots Dawta
U Roy – Your Ace From Space; Version Galore (Treasure Isle) ‘68

U Roy – Your Ace from Space joins Jah’s Heavenly Choir

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 6, 2021 – Happy 76th Bob Marley!

February 12, 2021 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

<28 days of Bob Marley T Shirts; 1 min. 44 sec.>

Bob baseball cap? Check!
Bob hoodie? Check!
Bob necklace? Check!
Bob ID card? Check!
Bob mask/face diaper? Check!
Bob lighters, stash tin and grinder? Check, check, check!

Wore a Bob watch for 20 years til the face faded out. Johnny Law got my Bob pipe and I ‘n’ I have never come across a Bob bong.

“Hello Bong Hut. Do you ship to zip code 84112?” CLICK. “Hello? Hello?”

Now let’s celebrate Bob Marley’s 76th birthday on Smile Jamaica on his actual birth date: Feb. 6, 2021 – Feb. 1945….carry the one, by I ‘n’ I liberal arts math: 76 years!

Last year when Rona was raging the most, since I ‘n I couldn’t go into work, I cleaned out my closets and pulled together a closet full of Bob Marley T-shirts. Feb. 1 to Feb. 28th.

It’s not Bob Marley birth day it’s Bob Marley birth month! Gwan see if I ‘n’ I have 28 T shirts. I’ll probably go up until Apr. 20th flying Bob’s visage on my person. (Never go on the Zoom camera at work. Hate Zoom. Hate. Hate. Hate it.)

Choice for Feb. 6, 2021 – livicated to the African Herbsman easy skanking his way through a crocus bag of Kaya

<Happy 76th Birthday Tribute to Bob Marley; 2 min. 29 sec.>

The Digital Millennium Copywrong Act makes this showcase mostly cover tunes. But I ‘n’ I do get to play 4 Bob tunes and stay legal. Back in the good old days I might have done Bob from Catch a Fire to Uprising or Bob A-Z (Ambush to Zimbabwe), but the love is there from Bob’s family and contemporaries and I ‘n’ I (the Royal Rasta we)

A couple stories from three decades of Bob’s life and works. I ‘n’ I been tracking the Wailers from before their main Island albums (Catch a Fire ’73 to Uprising ’80)

The group was tired of being ripped off. Selling 80,000 copies of a hit ska single and collecting all of $25 dollars. Latest Smile Jamaica chronological album is a collection of when the group started their own label in true independent spirit: Wail ‘N Soul ‘M. It lasted a couple years yet the vicious Jamaican record industry wouldn’t let them into the record shops, radio payola and pressing plant. It lasted two years, but had some great post ska pre-rocksteady gems and a brilliant logo. And I ‘n’ I will hear more in the months to come. Rare and fresh roots!

<Wail ‘N Soul ‘M label; 84 sec.>

<Bob Marley the perfectionist aka The Skipper; 49 sec.>

Another quick story: When Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer went solo, Bob became the captain. And much like James Brown, he would fine band members if they missed a note or were late for sound check. Even the I Three (Rita, Marcia, Judy) would pay up if they missed a dance step. They all called him The Skipper.

<Marley musical tributes; 32 sec.>

Most people didn’t know Bob was terminally ill. He was on a highly (ha ha) successful tour backing Uprising. Disco mixes of “Could You Be Loved” and “Comin’ in From the Cold” were finally being played in the black dance clubs. His show was a rock experience like any stadium white act. He had crossed over.

Then he collapsed while running in New York Central Park. But May 11,. he went up to Jah’s Heavenly Choir. A whole heap of Reggae stalwarts wrote up lyrics, went into the studio and record fitting tributes which are showcased on this podcast of Smile Jamaica.

<Bob as Prophet Joseph; 18 sec.>

What greater tribute to Bob’s life could there be when Judy Mowatt composed Joseph comparing Bob to the Biblical Prophet Joseph. Leading the people out of Babylon back to Zion. Tremendous ballad.

<Redemption Song the fitting end; 1 min. 34 sec.>

The fitting end was the last song on the last album Bob recorded while alive: “RedemptionSong” from Uprising. Two of my 4 Bob selections are the 12″ band mix, uptempo but the ballad version is sublime.

Bob and his acoustic guitar singing about:

Old pirates yes them rob I, take I to the merchant ship, minutes after they took I from the bottomless pit. But my hand was made strong, by the hand of the Almighty.

We forward in this generation triumphantly.

*****

As poignant an ending as John Lennon’s “Starting Over”. Had he lived and grew his audience through 80’s and MTV, touring, success in the black market, his world wide following for revolutionaries everywhere he would have been right up there with the Michael Jackson’s, Prince’s, Madonna’s and Springsteen’s.

Selah!

bless, Bobbylon

The Skipper leads the band of Jah’s Heavenly Choir

Smile Jamaica Ark-ives: Feb. 6, 2021 – Bob Marley Birthday Tribute

Set 1:

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Smile Jamaica; Pressure Drop (Island) ’77 UK Lee “Scratch” Perry mix
Chalawa – Natural Mystic; Exodus Dub (Weston) Canadian dub album of the hour
Cedella Marley Booker – He’s a Rastaman; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84 Bob’s Mom
Ijahman Levi – Bob & Friends Over There; Inside Out (Jahmani) ‘87
Ranking Joe – Tribute to Bob Marley; Rebel DJ (Jam Rock) ’81 Miami vinyl
Winston Reedy & Tim Hain – Reggae Man; 12” (Priority) ’85 UK

Set 2:

Ky-Mani Marley – Dear Dad; CD Single (Gee Street) ’99 child 10 of 11
Session feat. Azeem – Tribute to Bob Marley; Tribute to Marley (M. Al’s) ’81 Oakland, CA vinyl.
The Abyssinians – Jah Marley; Last Days (Tabou1) ‘97
Sue Chaloner – Missin’ Mr. Marley; 12” (CNR) ’81 Can.

Set 3: 7” Jamaican Jukebox Set

Faith D’Aguilar – Reggae Pioneers; 7” (Gorgon)
Lone Ranger – Tribute to Marley; 7” (Studio One)
Prince Ital Joe – I Miss Bob Marley; 7” (Royal Safari Music) Hollywood CA
Errol Scorcher – Sounds of Hon. Marley; 7” (Dance Hall)

Set 4:

Bobby & Carol Kalphat – Memories of Bob; 7″ (Hit Vibes)
Alpha Blondy – Mystic Night Move; Masada (World Enterprise) ’92 Ivory Coast
Macka B – Bob; Everybody Loves Bob Marley (Neos) 2006 comp.
Shaka Man – If It Wasn’t For the Rastaman (Tribute to Bob); 2030 A.D. (Majicaa) 80’s LA vinyl
Jah Thomas – Tribute to the Reggae King; 12″ (Midnight Rock) ’81 JA
Moods Unlimited Orchestra – Could You Be Loved; Get Up Stand Up (Image) ’95 mellow instrumentals

Set 5: Vinyl is Vital

Culture – Psalms of Bob Marley; Good Things (RAS) ’89 DC
Papa Finnigan & Junior Ranking – Tribute to Bob Marley; Two the Hard Way (Heartbeat) ’82 DC Cambridge, MA
Sister Carol – Dedicated to Bob Marley; Black Cinderella (Jah Life) ’84 Brooklyn
Horace Andy – Bob Lives On; Exclusively (Solid Groove) ’81 UK
Jah Batta – Great Superstar; 12″ (Top Ranking) ’81 Miami; dj to Horace Andy

Set 6:

Bob Marley & the Wailing Wailers – Freedom Time; Wail ‘N Soul ‘M Singles (JAD) ’66
Mikey Dread – In Memory (Jacob, Marcus, Marley); S.W.A.L.K. (Heartbeat) ’82
Bankie Banx- Remember Bob; Soothe Your Soul (Redemption)
Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin’) – Hotter Than July (Motwn) ’80
Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Dub); 7″ (Tamla) ’80 US

Set 7:

Judy Mowatt – Joseph; Black Woman (Shanachie) ’76 Bob as Biblical prophet
Toots & the Maytals – Marley’s Gone (HIs Songs Live On); Live at Reggae Sunsplash (Genes) ’82 Montego Bay JA
Winston Groovy – Night Shift; 12″ (Sound City) ’84 UK

Set 8:

Randeesh – Bob Marley Is a River of Love; Courage
I-Three – He’s a Legend; Beginning (EMI America) ’86
Everton Blender – Bob; Piece of the Blender (Heartbeat) ’96
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Redemption Song; 12″ (Tuff Gong) ’80 JA band version
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Redemption Song; Uprising (Tuff Gong) ’80

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-burary 22, 2020 – Reggae Apocrypha!

February 28, 2020 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

I ‘n’ I know Black History Month (February) as Bob Marley Month (Bob-ruary). Born Feb. 6, 1945 he would have been 75 had he not died of melanoma on May 11, 1981 (36 years old.)

In the Rasta community, they avoid death. So part of that Ras’pect is to say “livicate” not deadicate.

As a major Reggae collector I ‘n’ I had picked up some Marley reissues in the past year.

Boston, ’78

Plus, a CD/DVD combo that was published on the West German rock television show Rockpalast. (See image at top.)

If you were a youth in the 70’s as I was, weekend night time rock and roll TV programs, like Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack fed viewers music television fix before the advent of MTV.

The Uprising disk/DVD = Rockpalast performance was recorded in Dortmund (West) Germany on June 13, 1980.

It was haunting. Bob was at his high point. I ‘n’ I always tell people you can gauge Bob’s age by the length of his dreads. The short and wiry, athletic Bob roamed the stage like a lion. Dreads flashing. Moving about the other group members. Full of energy and passion.

Bob’s nickname was Skipper. He was an exacting band leader who would even fine his wife Rita, among other band members, if they made a mistake. This was the video performance of a man and group leading Reggae into the mainstream.

The 80’s would have seen him at the top of the pop music pinnacle alongside stalwarts like Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, U2 and Madonna.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Almost 3 months later Bob collapsed running in New York’s Central Park. He performed one more show in Pittsburgh, PA (Sept. 23, 1980). And made his Exodus to Jah’s Heavenly Choir less than 8 months later.

As someone with a Ph.D. in Bobology, I was stunned. On stage in front of thousands, this was not the look of a many being ravaged by cancer.

<Bob’s Rockpalast performance; 72 sec.>

Bob’s passing shocked the Reggae world as well. In Jamaica, and elsewhere over the decades since May ’81, I ‘n’ I have culled nearly 50 Bob Tributes.

One thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain. Artists exacted their grief in an expression of platonic love. Every Bobruary, I’n’ I rinse out those songs throughout the 4 weeks of Smile Jamaica editions.

<Marley Tribute phenomena; 40 sec.>

***

For the past several months I ‘n’ I have been tracking through the Wailers’ early pre-Island label catalog. We are on the 1970 recordings for Chinese Jamaican restauranteur, Leslie Kong

The Wailers had huge ska success with Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label. But they would sell 80,000 copies of a record and be compensated $25.

Studio One owner made thousands on sales. The Wailers made $25 on 80k sold

So the group quit Studio One and created their own label: Tuff Gong. However, the Jamaican music business was cut throat. DIY groups like the Wailers couldn’t get their songs into the shops or on the radio as independents. So the label folded.

Thus they turned to one of Dodd’s competitors, Leslie Kong. Beverley’s, his label, was a successful Rock Steady label selling thousands of records in the UK, especially.

Record producer is the guy that funds the sessions.

Recording in a music studio; pay for time
Paying the musicians
Paying the sound engineer
Paying to mix the tape recording
Paying to press the records
Paying to distribute the records to shops domestically and internationally
Payola to get the song on the radio.

The Wailers recorded about 10 songs. What to call it. Since Kong knew the group was hot, but records by the Wailers were hard to find, he wanted to call it Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers.

The group were hostile to that notion and felt they were being ripped off again. These weren’t their best songs. “Best” signifies the group was at its end, not a re-boot. The album is not exactly filler, and there are some great performances. But Best was a misnomer…at best.

The group wanted the album to be called Caution. This is where the Reggae apocrypha sneaks in. The Wailers were sighting up Rasta. With all that mystical and magical revelation, they warned Kong this offense would not go unpunished….Caution indeed.

Here is how Bunny Wailer described what happened in the liner notes of the Bunny album I have introduced on this podcast edition of Smile Jamaica. As part of I ‘n’ I Wailers Family Tree selections.

<The mysterious death of Leslie Kong; 2 min. 48 sec.>

As Bunny noted, Kong wanted to exploit the group’s sales potential: notoriety + scarcity = $$$. Call it Best Of and watch the records fly off the shelves.

He wasn’t interested in “art” but commerce. The Wailers took their craft seriously. Here was another rip off. Call it black magic obeah, divine justice or just the eerie circumstance of timing.

On the very day the records were to be sent to the shops, Kong died of a brain aneurysm. He was 38 years old. Caution indeed!

Caution – the road is wet. Black soul is black as jet. Caution the road is hot. You can do better than that

How about one more story:

Haile Selassie visited Jamaica in 1966. For Peter Tosh it was a foundation moment in the development of Rastafari worship.

<Rasta Shook Them Up: Peter Touch & the Wailers>

bless, Bobbylon

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 22, 2020 Annotated Playlist

Set 1:

Jah Woosh – Love Jah and Live; D.J. Legend (Original) ’70’s UK vinyl
Scientist & Forces of Music – Marcus Mosiah Garvey; International Heroes of Dub (Tamoki Wambesi) early 80’s UK vinyl dub album of the hour
Horace Andy – Get Up; Living in the Flood (Melankolik) ’99 hidden track
Johnny Clarke – Hypocrites; Be Thankful (Foundation Music) 70’s Bunny Lee prod’n
Akabu – Blackbird; Warrior Queen (ON U Sound) ’89 UK roots dawta group
Prince Far I – Lambs Bread Collie; Ten Commandments (Rhino) ’79? 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement
I Roy – Rootsman; 10″ (Observer Gold) ’76 UK

Set 2:

Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths – Lean on Me; Sweet Memories (Nectar) ’76 married duo cover Bill Withers
Taxi Gang – Twilight Zone; Many Moods of Sly, Robbie & the Taxi Gang (Sonic) ’86 TV theme instrumental
Thievery Corporation feat. Black Uhuru – Boof ‘n’ Baff ‘n’ Biff; Abductions and Reconstructions (ES)
Ganja Tree – Hard Road to Travel; 10″ (I-Grow) 2006 Fr. militant steppers

Set 3: Best of Smile Jamaica 30+ Years

King Stitt – Fire Corner; Keep on Coming in the Dance (Trojan) ’69 comp.

<How King Stitch becomes King Stitt>

Zap Pow – Roots Man Reggae; Zap Pow (VP) ’78
Gregory Isaacs – Happiness Come; Love Is Overdue (Heartbeat) ’74
Judy Mowatt – Sisters Chant; Black Woman (Shanachie) ’76
Jah Power Band – No Formula Dub; Sensi Dub vol. 7 (Original) ’95 dub album of the hour

Set 4:

Bunny Wailer – Tread Along; Jamaican Singles vol. 1 (Solomonic) ’69
Triston Palmer & Jah Thomas – Give Me a Chance + Please Mr. Officer; In Disco Style Entertainment (Munich) ’80; Jah Thomas herbtune
Bedouin Soundclash feat. Vernon Buckley – Higher Ground; Street Gospels (Sideonedummy) 2008 vox from The Maytones
Abassi All-Stars feat. Minoo – December; No Answer 10″ EP (Deep Root) 2008 UK militant steppers feat. female vox

Set 5: Vinyl Is Vital

Ranking Joe – Tribute to Bob Marley; Rebel DJ (Jam Rock) ’81 Miami vinyl
The Blackstones – Soul Shakedown Party; Insight (Burning Sounds) ’81 UK red vinyl Bob Marley cover
Sophia George – Tenement Yard; Fresh (Winner) ’85 UK
Lee Milo – Hell is On Fire; Positive Movements (Rooney) ’89 Miami
Ini Kamoze – I Want it Ital; Here Comes the Hotstepper (Columbia) ’84 US comp.

Set 6:

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Back Out; Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers (Beverley’s) ’70 JA vinyl
Chalice – Master Blaster Jammin; Best of Bob Marley Stevie Wonder Bob Marley Tribute
Aisha – Tribulation; High Priestess (Ariwa) ’88
Sane Inmates – Masquerade Dance; 10″ (Ariwa) 2006 UK
Burning Babylon – Roots Fi Kool; Knives to the Trebel (Mars) 2004 Dub Album of the hour

This erroneously titled LP got the producer, Leslie Kong

Set 7:

The Wailers feat. Peter Touch – Rasta Shook Them Up; The Toughest (Heartbeat/Studio One) ’66 about Selassie’s visit to Jamaica
Bobby & Carol Kalphat – Memories of Bob; 7″ (Hit Vibes) ’81?
Faith D’Aguilar – Reggae Pioneers; 7″ (Gorgon) ’83
Lone Ranger – Tribute to Bob Marley; 7″ (Studio One) ’81
Jennifer Lara – Natural Misty; 7″ (Studio One) ’81 Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic

Set 8; Mutant Dub

Dub Syndicate feat. Big Youth – Wake Up; Fear of a Green Planet (Shanachie) ’98 Mutant Dub Set
Aldubb feat. Longfingah – Straight From the Heart; Welcome to Bassland (One Drop) 2012 Germ.
African Heard Charge feat. Prof. Stretch – Brother of Reality; Drums of Defiance (ON U Sound) ’98 UFOria
Kid Loco – Three Foot High Reefer; Kill Your Darlings (Division One) 2001 Fr. herbtune
2 Badcard – Noise Polluters; Chainstore Massacre (ON U Sound) 2003 comp.
Alpha & Omega feat. Nishka – Stepping Up + The Firmament; Dub Plate Selection vol. 2 (A & O) 2001 UK trance dub w/ female vox

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 15, 2020 – Aliens Don’t Stream!

February 21, 2020 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

Sometimes I get asked: “What’s with all the UFO tunes on Smile Jamaica. It’s even been mentioned in KRCL staff meetings: “Does he really belief that stuff?”

I do. My code of life is – Your perception is not my reality.

From my Sumerian Fundamentalist heritage through Ancient Aliens, Reggae is right in the middle.

Those who don’t like it, can scoff on over to another radio station. Because I ‘n’ I am vindicated in my belief.

Radio SOS signals from the next galaxy. Radio. Just like Carl Sagan reached out in 1977, the Aliens heard his message and are calling back.

The Voyager mission when the 2 7’s clashed (1977) was meant to reach out to any sentient beings in the vastness of space. The gold record, which included Sumerian greetings: “May all be well” along side Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode.

Well, it appears they got our gift. And here they come…..

Deep space radio signals on 16.5 day repetitive cycle

<Radio signals from outerspace; 33 sec.>

“Mysterious radio signals from space have been known to repeat, but for the first time, researchers have noticed a pattern in a series of bursts coming from a single source half a billion light-years from Earth”

Not random. But on a cycle. Like we would do: Are You There?…(repeat). Now they are doing the same to us: We got your message (repeat). If you have ever seen the Jodie Foster movie, Contact, that is the plot.

The Bulgarian libertarians at Zerohedge muse:

So could it be aliens seeking to establish contact via hidden messages meant to be deciphered from rational patterns?

Naw. This is what I think happened. They got our package from the Voyager. But those fools at NASA didn’t include a record player. Plus zero gravity in space makes it impossible to “drop the needle pon the record.”

I ‘n ‘I think it is fascinating that the contact is by a “dead medium” of radio. In 10 years, on Earth, 70% of all media will be streamed. Not broadcast (radio, satellite radio, television).

Aliens, embrace my philosophy: No digital for I ‘n’ I.

So just like Pres. 45 listens to the Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives while watching CNN with the sound muted, maybe someway, somehow, some miracle, the Aliens found a fellow traveller, via I ‘n’ I Mixcloud archive, and appreciate the outer space inna terrestrial rub a dub.

Black wax. Shiny aluminum disks. No 1’s and 0’s. Why not?

Remember: Your perception is not my reality.

Smile Jamaica’s Three reasons why Aliens made radio contact; 1 min. 44

They need our gravity to play records

2. Qanon told I ‘n’ I that the radio signal on repeat isn’t an SOS but was deciphered as “Play more Bob Marley”

3. No oxygen in space to spark a doobie

bless, Bobbylon

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 15, 2020 Annotated Playlist; 61 sec.

Set1:

Dillinger – Rockers; Tribal War (New Cross) ’86 UK vinyl
Roots Radics – Roy Cousins Presents Kings and Queens of Dub (Tamoki Wambesi) 80’s UK vinyl dub album of the hour
Lorna Asher – It Comes From Afar; Straight to Your Heart (Twinkle) ’99
Bunny Lye Lye – Keep on Dancing; Protect Me Lord (Twin Bros) 80’s
Dubblestandart feat. Devon D – We All Have to Get High; Immigration Dub (Collision) 2007 Jah-stria: 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement
Junior Dan – Give Thanks No Skanks + Yanks & Ises; 10″ (Hi Try) ’76 JA

Set 2:

Hollie Cook – Vessel of Love; Vessel of Love (Merge) 2018 UK dawta of Sex Pistol Paul Cook
Sly Dunbar – Mr. Music; Sly, Wicked & Slick (Virgin) ’79 dub to Brothers Johnson “Strawberry Letter No. 23”
Asherman Meets Dub Street Rockers – Jah Seed + Seed Grow; Zion Ready (Jump Up) 2002 vox + dj
Max Romeo & Dennis Brown – African + I Am the Conqueror; 10″ (Observer Gold) ’75

Set 3: Smile Jamaica’s 30+ Years of Bob Tributes

Cedella Marley Booker – Mother Don’t Cry; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84 Bob’s Mom
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers – Lyin’ in Bed; Best of (EMI America) ’88
Lui Lepki – Tribute to Bob Marley; Latenight Movie (Joe Gibbs) ’81
Prince Far I & the Suns of Arqa – ’83 Struggle; Musical Revue (ROIR) 12/7/82 in Manchster UK
Aba-Shanti-I & the Shanti-Ites – Tower of Babel; Jericho Walls Verse III (Falasha) ’99 UK Mut tant dub album of the hour

Set 4:

Sister Carol – Man to Man; Lyrically Potent (Heartbeat) ’96 Marley cover
Horace Andy – Bob Marley (His Songs Live On); Exclusively (Solid Groove) ’81 UK vinyl
Ringo – Great Superstar; 12″ (Top Ranking) ’81 FL dj to Horace Andy

Set 5: Vinyl Tributes to Bob Marley Set

Yellowman – In Memory; Rides Again (RAS) ’88 DC –
Session feat. Azeem – Tribute to Marley; Tribute to Bob Marley (M. Al’s) ’81 Oakland
Roots Uprising – Master Blaster; Beautiful Music (Top Ranking) ’81 Opa Locka, FL
Psalm of Bob Marley + Dub – Culture; Good Things (RAS) ’89 DC

Set 6:

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Cheer Up; Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers (Beverley’s) ’70 JA vinyl

<Cheer Up; 97 sec.>

Carlene Davis – Harder They Come; 15 Classic Hits (Sonic) ’80 Jimmy Cliff cover
Cocoa Tea – The Weed; The Herbalist (Xterminator) ’98 herbtune
Doctor Alimantado – Nat King Cole/Bob Marley; 12″ (ISDA) ’80 UK
Bunny Wailer – Dub D’sco vol. 2 (Solomonic) Dub Album of the Hour

Set 7:

The Wailers feat. Peter Tosh – Sinner Man; The Toughest (Heartbeat/Studio One) ’66 gospel cover

<Sinner Man; 42 sec.>

Afro Omega – All My Love; Pick Up the Pieces (Afro Omega) 2006 SLC w/ female vox
R. Zee Jackson – Come Now Father; 10″ (Sip a Cup) 2006 UK militant steppers

Set 8: UFOria

Devin the Dude – Zeldar; Just Tryin’ to Live (Rap a Lot) 2002 herbtune
Nicky Thomas – Doing the Moonwalk; Love of the Common People (Trojan) ’70
U Roy – Your Ace From Space; Version Galore (Virgin) ’68
UFO feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater – Flying Saucer; Saint Germain des Pres Cafe’ IV (Wagram) 2004 female vox
Thievery Corporation – Stargazing; Culture of Fear (ESL) 2012
Tena Stelin – UFO; Lion Symbol (Jah Warrior) ’99

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 8, 2020 – From One Bob to Another!

February 14, 2020 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

Livicated, never dedicated to the life and legacy of Bob Marley. Born Feb. 6, 1945; 2020 would have been 75 years

<Livicated nah “dead” icated”; 61 sec.>

Let’s hear some Bob stories from Smile Jamaica’s 20+ years of Marley celebrations.

<Smile Jamaica’s Bob Marley 75 Tribute Show; 62 sec.>

First, watch this amazing clip of Redemption Song put together by the Marley Family

Bob and crew had really crossed over with Uprising. College kids and whites in America always loved Reggae, but blacks in America were rather cool to the music. It’s militancy and Old Testament songbook was out of step with 70’s secular disco and soul stylings.

But a disco mix of Comin’ in From the Cold was starting to be played at the end of the 70’s disco supremacy and even black radio was playing the album in limited rotation.

The year 1980 was gonna be the year the Wailers punched through. Blacks and whites at their North American concerts bringing the masses together in love and unity which would have probably lead to Ronald Reagan’s defeat in November that year and who knows what life would have been like had that scenario come to pass

He would have been on the pantheon of 80’s music titans like Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince. Of that, I am certain.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Bob collapsed jogging in Central Park….livicated nah dead-icate and come May, 1981 dozens of Bob’s contemporaries crashed the studios to pay homage.

<Bob Marley tribute songs; 27 sec.>

After Bob Marley was nearly assassinated by the CIA (According to Alex Jones and yours truly) at the….wait for it…..Smile Jamaica Concert, Dec. ’76. Bob made his “Exodus” to England.

While recording that landmark album, he was exposed to the punk rock movement happening. Rastas were outcasts in Jamaica. So were the punks in England.

<Bob loved punk rock; 36 sec.>

New wave, new rave
New wave, new wave, new rave
Let me tell you, we’re going to a party
And I hope you are hardy
So please don’t be naughty
For it’s a punky reggae party
New wave, new rave
New wave, new rave

Tell you what, take a joyful sound
To make the world go ’round
Come with your heart and soul
Come-a, come-a and rock your boat
‘Cause it’s a punky reggae party
And it’s tonight
It’s a punky reggae party
And it’s alright

Oh-oh-oh?

Rejected by society (do re mi fa)
Treated with impunity (so la te do)
Protected by their dignity (do re mi fa)
I face reality (so la te do)

New wave, new rave
New wave, new wave, new rave

Wailers be there
The Dammed, The Jam, The Clash
Maytals will be there
Doctor Feelgood too, ooh
No boring old farts, no boring old farts,…

Yet, Judy Mowatt, one of the songbirds in the I-Three, Bob’s female backing trio, thought Bob was more like the Biblical Prophet, Joseph. Leading his people out of bondage, not in Egypt, but Babylon. Heading to Zion in Africa.

<Bob Marley = Joseph; 34 sec.>

Last story was about the prodigious father Bob was. Eleven kids (two adopted from Rita) by seven different women. I give the scorecard:

<Bob’s brood; 46 sec.>

And let’s end with this couplet from Punky Reggae Party. Pure brilliance!

Rejected by society
Treated with impunity
Protected by their dignity
I face reality

If mankind gets 500 more years, they will still mention the 3 B’s. Not Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. It will be Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Bob Marley!

Selah!

bless, Bobbylon

Set 1:

Cedella Marley Booker – He’s a Rastaman; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84: Bob’s Mom: 3 hours of Bob Marley 75th Birthday Celebration
Chalawa – Natural Mystic Dub; Exodus Dub (Weston’s) ’78 Canadian dub of Bob Marley
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Smile Jamaica; Kaya (Deluxe) ’77 Lee “Scratch” Perry show theme!
Macka B – Bob; Hold Onto Your Culture (Ariwa) ’96
Culture – Double Tribute to the O.M.; Lion Rock (Heartbeat) ’82 – Order of Merit (Jamaica’s highest civilian honor)
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Easy Skanking; Boston ’78 (Tuff Gong) 6/8/78 live at the Boston Music Hall: 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement
Jah Thomas – Tribute to the Reggae King; 12″ (Midnight Rock) ’81 JA

Set 2:
Alpha Blondy – Mystic Night Move; Masada (World Enterprise) ’92 Ivory Coast
Ijahman Levi – Bob and Friends Over There; Inside Out (Jahmani) ’89
Brigadier Jerry – Tribute to Marley; On the Road (RAS) ’90
Sue Chaloner – Missin’ Mr. Marley; 12″ (CNR) ’84 Neth.

Set 3: Best of 30+ Years of Bob Marley Tributes

Mikey Dread – In Memory (Jacob, Marcus, Marley); S.W.A.L.K. (Heartbeat) ’82 Best of Smile Jamaica 30+ Years Set
Sister Carol – Dedicated to Bob Marley; Black Cinderella (Jah Life/Heartbeat) ’84
Bunny Wailer – Stay With the Reggae; Marketplace (Shanachie) ’85
Prince Far I – Tribute to Bob Marley; Voice of Thunder (Trojan) ’83
Barrett Brothers – Bradsta Dub; Macka Dub (Clocktower) ’80 Familyman & Carly of the Wailers. Dub album of the hour

Set 4: 7″ Jamaican Jukebox Bob Marley Tributes

The I Three – He’s a Legend; 7″ (Tuff Gong) ’86 7″
Prince Ital Joe – I Miss Mr. Marley; 7″ (Royal Safari Music)
Errol Scorcher – Sounds of Hon. Marley; 7″ (Dance Hall) ’82
Toots & the Maytals – Marley’s Gone (His Songs Live On); 7″ (Louv) 8/4/82 live at Reggae Sunsplash

Set 5: Vinyl Tributes to Bob Marley

Bankie Banx – Remember Bob; Soothe Your Soul (Redemption) ’82 Antigua
Papa Finnigan & Junior Ranking – Tribute to Bob Marley; Two the Hard Way (Heartbeat) ’83 Cambridge, MA
Shaka Man – If It Wasn’t For the Rastaman (Tribute to Bob); 2030 A.D. (Majicaa) 80’s Los Angeles
Carlton Livingston – Tribute to Bobby; Soweto (El Bebo International) ’81 DC

Set 6:

Judy Mowatt – Joseph; Black Woman (Shanachie) ’76 – Bob as biblical prophet
Ky-Mani Marley; Dear Dad; CD Single (Gee Street) ’98 Bob’s son
Abyssinians – Jah Marley; Last Days (Tabou1) ’99
Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin’); Hotter Than July + dub 7″ (Tamla) ’81

Set 7:

Randeesh – Bob Marley is a River of Love; Courage (Mountain Lion) 2004 Canada
Isaac Haile Selassie – Dear Bob; CD Single (Resin Music) ’99
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Punky Reggae Party; CD Single (Tuff Gong) ’77 Lee “Scratch” Perry mix

Set 8:

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Iron, Lion, Zion; CD Single (Tuff Gong) ’92
Everton Blender – Bob; Piece of the Blender (Heartbeat) ’96
Alpha & Omega – Freedom Fighters; Sound System Anthology (ROIR) ’95
Winston Groovy – Nightshift; 12″ (Sound City) ’85 Commodores cover

Words of Wisdom:

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 23, 2019 – From One Bob to Another!

March 1, 2019 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

<Black History Month = Bob Marley Month on Smile Jamaica; 21 sec.>

Greetings,

Indeed for I ‘n’ I and over 30 years, February (or Jah-bruary) is not only Black History Month but Bob Marley Month….Feb. 6, 1945

Therefore, during the last Saturday of February, I clipped out a couple of Bob Marley Stories.

Bob’s not a fan of space travel: 37 sec.

You see men sailing on their ego trips
Blast off on their spaceships
Million miles from reality
No care for you, no care for me

So much trouble in the world

In the mid 90’s, I had a student from Saudi Arabia who worked for me who said that nearly every government building in his home town was tagged with Bob Marley in Arabic. The Wahhabis were none too happy.

<Bob Marley would be Bwb MarLee in Arabic; 39 sec.>

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 23, 2019 Annotated Playlist: 56 sec.

bless, Bobbylon

Set 1:

Roots Uprising – Beautiful Music; Beautiful Music (Top Ranking) b’81
Black Uhuru & Sly & Robbie – Ion Storm; Dub Factor (Mango) ’83 US vinyl dub album of the hour
Barry Brown – Party Night; Reggae Heights (Mafia & Fluxy) 2001
Ayo – Who; Ticket to the World (Motown) 2013 Nigerian-German dawta
Junior Murvin – Lucifer; Police & Thieves (Mango) ’76 Lee “Scratch” Perry prod’n
The Nazarenes – Song of Mary Jane; Songs of Life (Heartbeat) 2004 Ethiopian/Swedish herbal ballad
Charlie Chaplin – Chalice Contest; Old and New Testament (RAS) ’92 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement
Dennis Brown & Big Youth – Running Up and Down; 12″ (Joe Gibbs Record Globe) ’81(?)

Set 2:

Alton Ellis – Lord Deliver Us; I’m Still in Love With You (Heartbeat/Studio One) ’70
Junior Delgado – Part Time Lover; Treasure Found (Incredible Music) ’79
DJ /Rupture feat. Sister Nancy – A Little More Oil; Special Gunpowder (Tigerbeat) 2004
Dennis Bovell – Za-ion; 12″ (Rama) ’76 UK

Set 3: Best of Smile Jamaica 29+ Years

Judy Mowatt – Mother Africa; Working Wonders (Shanachie) ’87 Best of Smile Jamaica 29+ Years
Horace Andy – Elementary; Reggae Dance Party (RAS) ’85
Freddie McGregor – Joggin’; Strictly Rockers (Mango) ’80
Earth & Stone – Three Wise Men + Dub; Kool Roots (Pressure Sounds) ’79

Set 4:

Dillinger – Ragnampiza; Bionic Dread (Mango) ’76
Lady Ann – What You Put Me Through; Bad Gyal inna Dance
Natural Roots – For My Sensi (Extended); CD Single (Solid Rock) 2011 SLC islander herbtune
UB40 – Don’t Break My Heart; Baggaridim (Virgin) ’85
UB40 – Theme From Labour of Love; 12″ EP (Virgin) ’85 UK dub

Set 5: Vinyl Is Vital

Everton Blender – Bob Marley; Piece of the Blender (Heartbeat) ’96 US vinyl tribute to Bob Marley
Annette Brissett – Freedom Fighters; Get Up and Dance! (Zodiac) ’91 NY
The Moody Boys – Free; Journey Into Dubland (XL) ’90 UK EP mutant dub
Fab 5 – What the Police High Command Can Do; Jamaican Woman (Stage) ’87 JA
Jacob Miller – Take a Lift; Mixed Up Moods (Top Ranking) ’79 Miami cream soda colored vinyl; herb tune
Roots Radics – How Long Version; Understanding (Tamoki Wambesi) ’79 Dub Album of the Hour

Set 6: Wailers Family Tree

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Cry to Me; Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers (Studio One) ’66 JA vinyl

<Cry to Me>

Peter Tosh – Don’t Look Back; Live at My Father’s House (Beat Club) ’78 Summer – Roslyn, NY
Bunny Wailer – Trouble in the World (So Much Trouble in the World); Hall of Fame (RAS) ’95 50 songs for Bob Marley’s 50th
Bunny Wailer – Rockers; 12″ (Shanachie) ’78 US

Set 7: Bob Marley Birthday Tributes

Anthony B – Marley Memories; Universal Struggle (VP) 2001
Brigadier Jerry – Tribute to Bob Marley; On the Road (RAS) ’90
Isaac Haile Selassie – Dear Bob; CD Single (Resin Music) ’99
Joel Zoss – Bob Marley International; Back to the Island (Rounder)
Delixx – Coming in From the Cold; Uprising in Dub (Micron) ’84 German trumpet covers of Bob Marley. Dub Album of the hour

Set 8: Mutant Dub

Bob Marley feat. Bill Laswell – No Woman, No Cry; Dreams of Freedom (Axiom) ’97 ambient translations
Thievery Corporation feat. Sleepy Wonder – Sound the Alarm
Morcheeba – Moog Island; Who Can You Trust? (Indochina) ’96 w/ female vox
Dub Syndicate – What Happened?; 10″ (ON U Sound) ’93 UK picture
2 Bad Card – Mentally Ska’d; CD Single (ON U Sound) ’96 UK

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Tributes to Robert Nesta Marley!

February 15, 2019 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

Technical difficulties. Alas, the digital recorder at KRCL puked on me and I lost last week’s annual 3 hour Smile Jamaica’s Tribute to Bob Marley on his birthday: Feb. 6, 1945.

So I hunkered down in my Secret Dubratory and blended all my CD tribute songs. Peppered in with my DMCA allotted Bob Marley selections – 4 choices.

Lost all the vinyl an no Reggae History Lessons, but almost got to my normal 3 hours. Enjoy!

bless, Bobbylon

0-30 min.

Bob Marley & the Wailers – Smile Jamaica (Lee “Scratch” Perry mix); Kaya (Deluxe Edition) (Tuff Gong) ’77 – Happy Birthday Bob Marley: 2/6/45
Cedella Marley Booker – He’s a Rastaman; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84 Bob’s Mom
Culture – Double Tribute to the O.M.; Lion Rock (Heartbeat) ’82
Ky-Mani Marley – Dear Dad; CD Single (Gee Street) ’99; child 10 of 11 (Anita Belnavis)
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers ‘ Lyin’ in Bed; Best of (EMI America) ’88
Toots & the Maytals – Marley’s Gone (His Songs Live On); Live at Reggae Sunsplash (Genes) 8/4/82 Montego Bay, Jamaica

30-60 min.

Bunny Wailer – Stay With the Reggae; Marketplace (Shanachie) ’85
Alpha Blondy – Mystic Night Move; Masada (World Enterprise) ’92
Macka B – Bob + Wailers Dub; Hold On to Your Culture (Ariwa) ’95
Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin’); Hotter Than July (Tamla/Motown) ’81
Chalice – Master Blaster (Jammin’); Best of Reggae (Sonoma) 2001
Mikey Dread – In Memory (Jacob, Marcus, Marley); S.W.A.L.K. (Heartbeat) ’82
Cedella Marley Booker – Redemption Song; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84

60-90 min.

Culture – Psalm of Bob Marley + Dub; Good Things (RAS) ’89
Judy Mowatt – Joseph; Black Woman (Shanachie) ’76
Abyssinians – Jah Marley; Last Days (Tabou1) ’97
Ijahman Levi – Bob & Friends Over There; Inside Out (Jahmani) ’89
Lui Lepki – Tribute to Bob Marley; Latenight Movie (Joe Gibbs) ’81
Randeesh – Bob Marley is a River of Love; Courage

90 min. – 2 hr.

Alpha & Omega – Freedom Fighters; Sound System Dub (ROIR) ’95 UK trance dub
Prince Far I & the Suns of Arqa – 83 Struggle; Musical Revue (ROIR) 12/7/82 live in Manchester, England
Brigadier Jerry – Tribute to Bob Marley; On the Road (RAS) ’91
Everton Blender – Bob Marley; Piece of the Blender (Heartbeat) ’96
Anthony B – Marley Memories; Universal Struggle (VP) ’97
Joel Zoss – Bob Marley International; Back to the Island (Rounder) 2001

2 – 2 and 1/2 hr.

Isaac Haile Selassie; Dear Bob (Tribute to Bob Marley); CD Single (Resin Music) ’99
Big Youth – Hit the Road Jack (Tribute to Bob, Peter, Bunny); Jamming in the House of Dread (Danceteria) 8/30/90 Reggae Japan Splash, Osaka Japan
Bob Marley/Bill Laswell – Rebel Music (3 0’Clock Roadblock); Dreams of Freedom (Axiom) ’97 Ambient translation
Cedella Marley Booker – Mother Don’t Cry; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Smile Jamaica (JA mix); Rastaman Vibration (Deluxe Edition) (Tuff Gong) ’76 benefit single

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: June 16, 2018 (Stream + Tracklist): Fathers, Daddys and Pops!

June 22, 2018 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Greetings,

And Happy Father’s Day to my Pops in Fort Benton Montana; 50 sec.

My Pops is pretty much the typical Dad. Stoic and serious but prone to the usual tried and true way of American Child Rearing:

<Do as I say. Not as I do! 17 sec.>

Love the guy.

So I spent last Saturday in the Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives harvesting Father’s Day tunes Had enough for 2 and 1/2 hour. (More Mother’s Day for some reason? Considering Jah the Father, that was surprising.)

All time favorite Father’s Day song is one that still brings a tear to my eye. Charlie Ace – Father and Dreadlocks

<Preacher’s son goes to college, returns a Rastaman 76 sec.>

Father and Dread Locks – Charlie Ace (lyrics transcribed by Bobbylon)

Hail Daddy-man!
Wha’ppen when him come for the Holidays
Yes-I! Whap’n rate up a draw of herb fi I place y’know!
Son – who dat? No Parson’s son turn Rastaman!
Yes-I! Man sight the fullness y’know?

Parson send him one son fi (to) college for the study of religious knowledge
Some day the boy decides to come home for Holiday
But when he enter him home something strange happen
He wasn’t wearing slicker suit
He wasn’t wearing big heel boots
He was wearing dungarees and sandals
And when he moved his tam from his head
Parson frightened til him was drop down dead
When him natty dreadlocks drop to the ground

So, his Dad looked at him and said:
My son, my son what comes over you? What happened?
You pass your GCE and sit upon University. What happened?
I work morning, noon and night to get you there. What happened?
He said, Daddy you don’t understand like I do
But Jah has called upon I
I have sight of the Promised Land

Daddy, I know the way you feel but one day you will understand

My son, what is the plan for the future?

He said: Daddy, I plan to use my education to defend human rights, equality and justice throughout the Universe

This time the Mother is in the kitchen cooking the best dressed chicken
So she run when she realize her one son was home to greet her one son
When she sight Natty Dreadlocks she nearly drop down dead
She said: My son, my son. What are we going to tell the people of the neighborhood?

He said: Mom, tell them that the power of Jah is moving on-ya!

Charlie Ace and his mobile record store selling 7″ 45’s

The power of Jah is moving on indeed. Enjoy these tributes to the Dads with some Aliencon UFOria in the last half hour

<Aliencon plus Smile Jamaica UFOria in July for Roswell; 1 min. 40 sec.>

bless, Bobbylon

Smile Jamaica Annotated Playlist: June 16, 2018; 106 sec.

Set 1:

Prince Alla – In My Father’s House; Evil Forces (Calabash) ’84

<John 14:2; 9 sec.>

Miami vinyl: Happy Father’s Day: John 14:2 In my father’s house there are many mansions
King Tubby – Many Moods of the King; I Am the King 3 (Sprint) Dub Album of the Hour
Charlie Ace & Scorcher – Father and Dread Locks; 7” (Studio One) JA
David Isaacs – Good Father; Complete UK Upsetter Singles Collection vol. 1 (Trojan) ‘69
Yellowman & Fathead – Baby Father; The Yellow, The Purple and The Nancy (Greensleeves) ’82 UK
Errol Dunkley – Created By the Father; Darling Ooh (Attack) ‘72
Israel Vibration – Universal Father; Why You So Craven (Arrival) ’81 JA vinyl
Alton Ellis – Papa; 7” (Clintones) ’75 US

Set 2:

Ky-Mani Marley – Dear Dad; CD Single (Gee Street) ’98, Bob’s son

<Ky-Mani born 1976, Bob passed May 1981; 28 sec.>

Gregory Isaacs – Created By the Father; Cool Ruler (Virgin Front Line) ’78 UK vinyl
Simple Simon – Obey Your Mother & Father; Reggae Move (Vista Sounds) ’85 UK
Desmond Dekker – Honor Your Father & Mother; Israelites (Trojan) ska
Dillinger – Daddy Joseph; 12” (A & M) ’81 US Biblical Prophet Joseph

Set 3:

Black Roots – The Father; On the Frontline (Makasound) ‘83
Freddy McKay – Father Will Cut You Off; 7” (Money Disc) ‘83
Capital Letters – Daddy is No Murderer; Headline News (Greensleeves) ’79 UK youth group w/ male & female vox
Cedric ‘Im Brooks – Song For My Father; Light of Saba (Honest Jon’s) ’75 horns instrumental
Scientist – 11 Guava Road Dub; King of Dub (Kingdom) ’81 Dub Album of the Hour

Set 4:

Derrick Morgan – Don’t Call Me Daddy; The Legend of Derrick Morgan (Imperial) ’80 Can. – Chinese baby to a dreadlock
Johnny Clarke – Don’t Call I Daddy; Don’t Trouble Trouble (Attack) ’75; cover of Derrick Morgan
Mighty Maytones – Father & Mother; Madness (Burning Sounds) ’76 UK
Big Youth – Mommy Hot, Daddy Cool; Reggae Phenomenon (Trojan) ’75 to Some Like It Hot
Dennis Brown – Created by the Father; Best of – The Niney Years (Heartbeat) ‘79
Jackie Mittoo – Dad Is Home; Macka Fat (Studio One) ’71 organ take on Shep & the Limelites Daddy’s Home doowoop

Set 5: Vinyl is Vital

Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus – Don’t Sell Daddy No Whiskey; Love Thy Neighbour (Jah Life) ’79 Brooklyn; Black Ark/Lee “Scratch” Perry mix
Michigan & Smiley – Sugar Daddy; Sugar Daddy (RAS) ’83 DC
Linval Thompson – Baby Father; Baby Father (Greensleeves) ’82 UK
Winston Reedy – Message to Father; Dim the Lights (Inner Light) ’83 UK
Don Carlos – Ababa John I (Father Majesty); Spread Out (Burning Sounds) ’83 UK

Set 6:

The Pioneers – Papa Was a Rolling Stone; The Best of (Trojan) ’77 Temptations cover
Big Youth – Papa Was a Rolling Stone; Reggae Phenomenon (Trojan) ’77 Temptations cover
African Brothers – Lead Us Father; Want Some Freedom (Easy Star) ‘74
African Head Charge – Healing Father; Songs of Praise (ON U Sound) ’81 UK mutant dub
Bunny Wailer – Rockers; In I Father’s House (Solomonic) ’80 JA
Prince Jammy – Conspiracy on Neptune; Destroys the Invaders (Greensleeves) ’82 UK UFO vinyl dub album of the hour

Set 7:

The Maytals – Daddy; Sensational Ska Explosion (Dynamic) ’65 ballad
White Mice – Love Mom and Dad; White Nice (Basic Replay) mid 80s youth singer
Fred Locks – Moving With the Father; Culturally (Tan-Yah) ‘95
R. Zee Jackson – Come Now Father; 10” (Sip a Cup) 2005 UK

Set 8: UFOria

Anubian Lights – Starvox; Outflight EP (Crippled Dick Hot Wax) 2001: UFOria set
Word Sound I Powa – Intro; Live at Planet Crooklyn (Wordsound) ’96 Aliens looking for weed in Brooklyn
UFO feat. DeeDee Bridgewater – Flying Saucer; Saint Germain des Pres IV (Wagram) 2004
Nicky Thomas – Moonwalk; Love of the Common People (Trojan) ‘71
Subway – Satellites; Soul Jazz Records 2006-2007 (Soul Jazz) 2007 dubstep
Tena Stelin – Cosmic Session; 10” (Roots Hi-Tek) 2006 UK

Ancient Aliens drinking game:

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: March 3, 2018 (Stream + Tracklist): Lemonhead vs. The Cheetolini!

March 9, 2018 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

Bad Vlad Putin or as I call him affectionately – Lemonhead

<World War III – soon come? 54 sec.>

Greetings,

My first semester at college – Montana State, Fall 1983:

Soviet Union shot down a Korean jet liner
Beirut bombing of US army barracks killing hundreds
America invaded Grenada

It looked like the Cold War was getting “thawed”. Yet, by the time I graduated from the University of Utah in 1989, the wall had fallen and the Cold War was over.

Not so fast….

Wheel it forward to 2016. Trump defeats Hillary. How could that have happened? Let’s blame the Russians. Add in Syria and Ukraine, the recent aggressive update of our Nuclear Response Review. And 1 Trillion in nuclear “improvements.” Mueller’s investigation and innuendo against Russian “hacking”.

Rachel Maddow might call me Ivan, but the reality is:

Rachel Maddow – peddling war for higher ratings

Russia, no longer the Soviet Union, is feeling the strain of a new Cold War. Their incumbent President, Vladimir Putin, has an election of his own next week. His State of the Nation was a warning to America and its allies.

I no longer do Radioactive political interviews on KRCL but I still follow the news. I am worried a confrontation in the Syrian Panhandle could lead to World War III.

See that splotch of Green in the Northeast. That is where World War III could start

Of course, my antennae is attuned to Reggae as prophecy. I played a Justin Hinds song on this Smile Jamaica Ark-Ive edition that brought me right back to Sept. 1983.

So until the bombs drop, enjoy this March edition of Smile Jamaica. Forward ever, backwards never. War Time is over!

bless, Bobbylon

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: March , 2018 Annotated Playlist; 100 sec.

Set 1:

Devon Russell – Homebound Train; High Times All-Star Explosion (Alligator) ’85 vinyl Chicago blues label
Scientist – Hail HIM Dub; High Priest of Dub (Tamoki Wambesi) ’82 UK vinyl dub album of the hour
Mikey Dread – Positive Reality; SWALK (Heartbeat) ’82
Cassandra – Thank You For the Many Things You’ve Done; Babylon Soundtrack (EMI) ’80 UK
Dennis Brown – If I Had the World; Reggae Sunsplash ’81 – Tribute to Bob Marley (Elektra) Aug. 1981, Jarrett Park Montego Bay, JA
Jah T – Lick the Pipe Peter; Jr. Byles – Curly Locks (Heartbeat) ’75 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement; dj to “Fever” riddim
Bushman & Alton Ellis – Back Weh Vampire + Jah Make Me Stronger; 10″ (Sting Ray) 2012 UK

Set 2:

Bunny Wailer – Roots Rock Reggae; Hall of Fame (RAS) ’95 dubble disk of Bob Marley cover
The Emotions – There Are More Questions Than Answers; Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles (Stax) ’74 female soul group in Jamaica
Eric Donaldson – Drug Addict; Oh What a Feeling (Rhino UK) ’97
Dub Syndicate – ’93 Struggle; 10″ (ON U Sound) ’93 UK Mutant Dub picture sleeve. Prince Far I cover

Set 3: Best of Smile Jamaica 28+ Years

Judy Mowatt – Screwface; Sing Our Own Song (Shanachie) ’86 Bob Marley cover

<Don’t give me your Screwface; 12 sec.>

Keith Hudson – Bloody Eyes; Rasta Communication (Greensleeves) ’78
Gideon Jah Rubbaal – Free Us Now; Free Us Now (ACL) ’77
Justin Hinds – War Time + Dub; Know Jah Better (Nighthawk) ’90
Mad Professor – Black Heroes; Afrocentric Dub – Black Liberation Dub Chapter 5 (Ariwa) ’99 UK Dub Album of the Hour

Set 4: 7″ Jamaican Jukebox – Tributes to Bob Marley

<Extending Black History Month w/ Bob tributes; 37 sec.>

Prince Ital Joe – I Miss Bob Marley; 7″ (Royal Safari) Hollywood, CA
Lone Ranger – Tribute to Bob Marley; 7″ (Studio One)
Errol Scorcher – Sounds of Hon. Marley (Dance Hall) ’81
Lui Lepke – Tribute to Bob Marley; 7″ (Joe Gibbs Ultra Sound) ’81
Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Jammin) (Dub); 7″ (Motown) ’80

Set 5: Vinyl Is Vital

Eugene Paul – Blowin’ in the Wind; Sentimental Reasons (World) ’84 UK Bob Dylan cover:
Mighty Invaders – Evil Spirits; Invasion! (Rave) ’83 Syracuse, NY
Ranking Joe – One Draw; Rebel DJ (Jam Rock) ’82 Miami herbtune dj to Doret Myers cover of Rita Marley
Singers & Players feat. Prince Far I – Thing Called Love (Don’t Fight); Revenge of the Underdog (ON U Sound) ’82 UK Mutant Dub
Marcia Griffiths – Everywhere; Marcia (RAS) ’89 DC Fleetwood Mac cover

Set 6: Rockers do Reggae

Bob Dylan – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door; No More Trouble (Columbia) 6/27/81 London

<Bob Dylan – The Christian Era: 1979-1981; 87 sec.>

Eric Clapton – Swing Low Swing Chariot; Timepieces (RSO) ’82 Best of; Negro Spiritual
Prince Flo & Jah Edward – Happy Together; Rock Steady With Flo and Eddie (Epiphany) ’87
Bananarama – Tell Tale Signs; Deep Sea Skiving (London) ’83 UK female trio New Wave
UB40 – Present Arms in Dub; Present Arms in Dub (DEP) ’81 Dub Album of the Hour

Set 7:

Chris Hinze feat. Peter Tosh – Puss and Dog; Kings of Reggae (Keytone) ’83 Dutch jazz flautist w/ Peter’s band – Word, Sound and Power
Bob Marley & the Wailers – Jamming; Exodus 40 (Tuff Gong) Live in London – June 1977
Ayo – Down on My Knees; Ayo (Wrasse) 2008 Nigerian-German female singer
Max Romeo & Dennis Brown – African + I am the Conqueror; 10″ (Observer Gold) ’75

Set 8: Mutant Dub

Thievery Corporation – Passing Stars; It Takes a Thief (ESL) 2010 DC dubbers best of: Mutant Dub Set
Alpha & Omega – Moving Out of Babylon Dub; Legend of A & O (Dopic) 2006 UK trance dub
Bush Chemists – This Souond; Dub Fire Blazing (Dubhead) ’99 UK herbtune
Heavyweight Dub Champion – We Will Conquer; Rise of the Champion Nation (Champion Nation) 2009 Dub-hop out of Boulder, CO
Little Annie – Going For Gold; 10″ (ON U Sound)
Samia Farah – Personne; Many Moods of Samia Farah (SAM) 2008 Fr.Tunisian female

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 17, 2018 (Stream + Tracklist: Every Sat. is Black History Month!

February 23, 2018 Robert Nelson Leave a comment

<When every Saturday is Black History Month>

Greetings,

Have time for one quick update. My Pops’ 76th birthday was last Saturday. They are Snowbirds from North Central Montana living in the land of the Sun. Sun City West AZ that is.

Where next to the doggy hotel is a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. I helped my Dad go through the process of getting his medical card.

And for his birthday, as a good son interested in the health of aging parents, I sent him $50 to stock up on the Seven Leaf Relief.

Got Mom convinced to go 3/1 CBD to THC up to half and half. Stay tuned!

Free joint on his birthday? How come the Utah Liquor store doesn’t give me a mini bottle of bourbon on MY birthday

bless, Bobbylon

<Happy birthday Pops! 25 sec.>

Dad’s bounty for his pain. Notice free joint for his birthday

Smile Jamaica Ark-Ives: Jah-bruary 17, 2018 – Annotated Playlist; 56 sec.

Set 1:

Prince Far I – Read a Chapter; Jamaican Heroes (Trojan) ’82 UK vinyl

<Why I Read a Chapter a Day – UFOs in the Bible; 20 sec.>

Roots Radics – Conspiracy on Neptune; Scientist and Jammy Strike Back (Greensleeves) ’82 UK vinyl dub album of the hour
Cedella Marley Booker – He’s a Rastaman; Awake Zion (Rykodisc) ’84 tribute to her son Bob
Big Youth – Johnny Reggae; Reggae Classics (DCC) ’77
Groundation – Praising; Crucial Reggae From Outside of Jamaica vol. 2 (Skank) 2005 Sonoma, CA
UB40 – Mi Spliff; Credit to the Nation (bootleg) ’86 European Tour – 4:20 Cannabis Service Announcement
Clint Eastwood & General Saint – Healing in the Balmyard; 12″ (Greensleeves) ’81 UK

Set 2:

Dennis Brown – Slave Driver; Promised Land (DEB) ’79 Bob Marley cover
The Selecter – Deep Water; Celebrate the Bullet (Chrysalis) ’81 UK 2 Tone ska
Michael Rose – Short Temper; Happiness (Heartbeat) ’95 Best of
Barrington Levy – Tell Them Already; 12″ (Jah Life) ’84 Brooklyn

Set 3: Best of Smile Jamaica 28+ Years

Jimmy Cliff – No Woman No Cry; Follow My Mind ’75 Bob Marley cover
Sophia George – Honestly I Do; For Everyone (Pow Wow) ’86
Cultural Roots – His Majesty Reign; Running Back to Me (Mango) ’88
Bad Brains – Rally Round Jah Throne; Rock For Light (Caroline) ’83 DC punk dubbers
Chalawa – Natural Mystic Dub; Exodus Dub (Micron) ’77 Can. Dub Album of the Hour

Set 4: 7″ Jamaican Jukebox

The Lions – This Generation; 7″ (Lions Bread) 2010 LA

<This generation; 9 sec. >

Debra Keese – Travelling; 7″ (Orchid) ’79 UK – Lee “Scratch” Perry/Black Ark
Horace Andy – My Soul; 7″ (Clintones)
Alton Ellis – Confusion; 7″ (Venture) ’77
Cedric ‘Im Brooks – Theme From Shaft (Studio One) Isaac Hayes cover

<Talking about John Shaft! 13 sec.>

Set 5: Vinyl Tributes to Bob Marley

Toots & the Maytals – (Marley’s Gone) HIs Songs Live On; Live at Reggae Sunsplash (Genes) Aug. 4, 1982, Montego, Bay JA
Culture – Psalms of Bob Marley; Good Things (RAS) ’89 DC
Ranking Joe – Tribute to Bob Marley; Rebel DJ (Jam Rock) ’82 Miami
Sister Carol – Dedicated to Bob Marley; Black Cinderella (Jah Life) ’84 Brooklyn

<Livicated not Dedicate; 19 sec.>

Session feat. Azeem – Tribute to Marley; Tribute to Bob Marley (M. Al’s) ’81 Oakland

Set 6: Wailers Family Tree

Bob Marley & the Wailers – The Heathen; Exodus 40 (Tuff Gong) Live at the Rainbow Theatre, London June 1977

<From Smile Jamaica to Exodus; 54 sec.>

Peter Tosh – Brand New Second Hand (Version 2); Peter Tosh & Friends (Upsetter) ’70ish
Bunny Wailer – Trench Town; Hall of Fame (RAS) ’95 dubble disk of Bob covers
Anthony B – Memories of Bob; Universal Struggle (VP) ’97 Bob Marley Tribute
Burning Spear – The Ghost; Garvey’s Ghost (Mango) ’76 Dub Album of the Hour

Set 7:

Hollie Cook – Lunar Addiction; Vessel of Love (Mr. Bongo) 2018 UK dubstress
Joel Zoss – Bob Marley International; Back to the Island: Reggae From Martha’s Vinyard (Rounder) 2001
Lee “Scratch” Perry – One Drop; 12″ (Lion of Judah) ’81 JA Bob Marley cover, picture sleeve

Set 8: Mutant Dub

Morcheeba – Small Town; Who Can You Trust? (Indochina) ’96 trip hope w/ female vox: Mutant Dub set
Dr. Israel & Dreadtone International – Sensimilla; Patterns of War (ROIR) 2005 Brooklyn herbtune
Alpha & Omega – Lion’s Den; King & Queen (A & O) ’89 UK trance dub
Dry & Heavy – Reverse Again; From Creation (Beat) 2002 Jah-pon
Gorillaz -19/2000 – G-Sides (Virgin) 2001 UK cartoon

Words of Wisdom:

Smile Jamaica is hosted by Robert Nelson on 90.9 FM KRCL in Salt Lake City, Utah (Saturdays, 4-7 p.m. MT). Ark-ives available weekly here at the Smile Jamaica blog.

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