Lovers Rock Wackies Style

 

Black History Month

 

 

As the beloved Morgan Freeman sez: "I don't want a Black History month. Black History is American History."   But the greatest thing about Black History Month is that it is a time when the culture & contributions of African Americans take center stage. These contributions are highlighted in a variety of cultural institutions including theaters, schools, libraries, & museums. Nowhere are the contributions of African Americans more greatly showcased for me than through the voices of Black Musick.

 I have decided to concentrate my efforts this month on some of their music on this forum. Hope you enjoy.

One Draw

 

Since DUB is my lifeblood & Lloyd Barnes' studio at 4371 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY was probably the very first DUB studio in the USofA, good place to start this thing. 

 

I’ve covered a great deal of Wackies output here or here or here in the past.

 

 

The key to Barnes' Bullwackies sound was his unique use of relatively humble tools: a moog synthesizer; a DI box for that distinctive quaking bass: & a big Ampex machine for his eight track tape recorder (this machine now finds a home in the Les Paul Museum). Slight but significant innovations were also made with a special booth constructed for the recording of the drums which Lloyd covered in tailored padding & aluminum foil. Somehow, the process created a sound that still transcends.

 

I'm gonna start at the beginning, with the first album, Wackies #1...

Wackies Rhythm Force - African Roots Act 1, W-0001, 1975.

all decryption codes in comments

Side A -

Addis Ababa Dub
Rock Ago Rock
Undying Dub
Freedom Dub
Gem Rock Dub

Side B -
Wackies Rock Tune
Mozambique Trial
Always Dubbing
Betrayers Call
This Exit

Roots Underground - Tribesman Assault, Wackies Senta-L-0038, 1977.

Side A -
High Times
Makka Root
Tribal Rock
Dread Feeling
Wrong Cord

Side B -
Shotgun Skank
Disco Reggae Rocker
Black Brigade
Tribesman Assualt
Open the Gates (K.C. White & the Love Joys)

 

 

The Chosen Brothers -  Sing & Shout, Wackies W2457, 1985.

Side A -
There You Are
Sing & Shout
Jah Don't Like That
Hey Lady
Joy, Joy

Side B -
I Gave You Love
Dancing in the Rain
Mash Down Babylon
Back to Africa
All Things

 

Most of the rest of these are with non-JA, US-based artists 

 

 

Joe Morgan & Reckless Breed - Basement Session 7", Bullwackies Records Senta-0033, 1976.

 
Side A -
Basement Session

Side B -
Basement Scrub

 

Joe Axumite - No Equal Rights in Babylon, City Line Records SENTA-2004, 1978.

Side A -
No Equal Rights in Babylon - Joe Axumite

Side B -
No Equal Rights in Babylon (version) - Bullwackies All Stars

 

Itopia - Creation, Wackies-272A, 1981.

Side A -
Creation

Side B -
Creation Dubwise version

 

Itopia - Message from Jah, Wackies-273, 1981.

Side A -
Message from Jah

Side B -
Message from Jah Dubwise version

 

 

Junior Delehaye - Showcase, Wackies W-1382, 1982.

Side A -
Love
(I Love You) For All Seasons
All I Need is Jah

Side B -
Travelling Man
Sitting in the Park
Your All I Need (Movie Show)

 

 

Love Joys - Lovers Rock Reggae Style, Wackies W-2383, 1983.

Side A -
One Draw
Long Lost Lover
Stranger

Side B -
Let Me Rock You Now
Chances Are
All I Can Say

 

 

Jah Batta - Argument, Wackies W-2395, 1983.

Side A -
No Meat
Ten to Seven
Argument
I Don't Want to Wait
Mi Black

Side B -
Youthman School
Hold on 'Pon the Woman
Informa (Watch It)
Youthman Time
Out a Reach

 

 

Wackies Rhythm Force - The Dub Generals, Wackies W-2191, 1994.

Side A -
Brass Pipes
Rockfort Rock
Drum Song
Song Maker

Side B -
Pie Song
African Rootie
Music Man Rock
Version Pipe

 

& a few scattered left-overs...

 

Various - Wackies Showcase: Choice Cuts, NØ Comps, 2021.

Mango Walk (Dubwise version) - Chosen Brothers
Working Hard for the Rent Man - Junior Delahaye
Roots Rock Special (extended version) - Wackies
Gimme Back (Part 2) - Love Joys w/ Wackies Rhythm Force
Movie Show Dubwise - Bullwackies All Stars
Mystic Revellation - Junior Delahaye
March Down Babylon version - The Chosen Brothers

 

Let's end with Bullwackies All Stars one more time...scratching guitar & scorching street stride bass rhythm & horn, the kind which usually accompanies the deadpan cool of some mustachioed, ball-busting, honkey-slapping Blaxploitation vigilante. A surprisingly balanced mix of DUB & funk released on Aires, one of Wackies many sister imprints.

 

Bullwackies All Stars - Skin Tight, Aires BJ-119, 1975.

Side A -
Skin Tight Part 1

Side B -
Skin Tight Part 2

Enjoy,
NØ