27 July 2022

Stop Goofing on Us

As the vultures of cultures ravaged my brain, I stumbled into Wax. I fantasized that some astute musicophile would enlighten me about the tailor of these threads. But I knew no astute student of sound would be slogging about this mire of noise. I was stuck in a Wax hole until a visitor on my last post brought me to my nonsenses.

Pal Joey commented:
     “...stop goofing...Get serious.”

The day I stop goofin' is the day I stop breathin', sucka, but I'll get serious. Seriously twisted Dubwise, that is. 

 



I've served up a couple tastes of Nick Manasseh in the past, two 45s from his vast catalogue. You can find the here & here. I just never allotted him the space he deserves. So I'll GET SERIOUS & remedy that right now.

Nick Manasseh is a UK dub producer/selector. Nick is widely credited for pioneering the 'UK Steppers' genre with Sound Iration's  'Seventh Seal' in 1988.  He co-founded Roots Garden Records in 2004. He has released records on the Acid Jazz & Riz Records labels as well.

 



Nick teamed up with schoolmates Ed Maiden & Billy T in 1985 & created Manasseh Sound System. Based out of West London in the Shepherds Bush area, they debuted on Sunday morning at the Notting Hill Carnival 85. Manasseh Sound System played root reggae, a style not prevalent in the UK scene at that time.

Nick started producing  that same year for Sound System Dubplates. His earliest productions with his partner Scruff (Steven Gilder) eventually became Sound Iration. Their first single, 'Seventh Seal' was issued on the Mystic Red label in 1988. Sound Iration went on to release In Dub for Youth (Martin Glover [Killing Joke]) & Alex Paterson's WAU MR Modo label. It was another huge success. The album was re-issued by Year Zero in 2010 & again on the 11th this month (7/22) on green vinyl for Partial Records.

 



In 1990 Nick set up his first studio. He also began a new label called Riz Records with co producers Gil Cang, Eddie Joseph, & Mak Gilchrist. The label ran for about 7 years, with many notable successes such as Earl Sixteen's "Natural Roots", Admiral Tibet's "Permission", Orville Smith's album Walking on Tightrope & Manasseh meets The Equalizer - Dub The Millennium.

Manasseh Studio (Brixton  1991-2000) was popular with many other musicians (especially visiting Jamaican artists. Manasseh recorded Dennis Brown, the Mighty Diamonds, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Brigadier Jerry, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, Johnny Osbourne, Junior Delgado, Tony Tuff & The Melodians. 

 



At this same time (starting in 1987) Nick, Ed, & Billy T started their radio show on pirate station Kiss FM run by brothers Norman & Joey Jay. They were given the 3-7am graveyard slot. 

 



When Kiss became a legal station in 1990, Manasseh occupied the 3-6am slot until 1999. Bearing in mind that in those days there was no internet, no file sharing, Nick's radio show, along with their Sound System, established Manasseh as a positive force in the reggae scene in the UK & internationally as well.

In 2004 Nick teamed up with Jon Jones, host of the long standing Brighton roots night, Roots Garden. Jon wanted to start a new label. Nick had a release that he thought would be excellent for the new label's premier. Nick & Gil Cang had recorded a tune with Johnny Osbourne originally intended for Riz Records that had remained un-released called 'Black Star Liner' (see first link paragraph 4). Roots Garden Records has continued to grow since then with releases from Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Brother Culture, Dark Angel, Ava Leigh, Kenny Knots, Bob Skeng, Cate Ferris, Mc Trooper, Ruben Da Silva, Jahmali, Danny Red, Vin Gordon & many more. 

 



In 2012, after living in the South West of England for twelve years, Nick returned to London. He opened a new studio, The Yard, in West London, just around the corner from where he first started with Sound Iration in the 80s. 

 



Nick continues to DJ & work as a selector throughout the world. He still finds time for the occasional radio (Passion Radio, the Sufferer's Choice show). 

 



Was that serious enough, Joey? But enough about the man, let's get to the music. Starting with one of my all-time favorite Manasseh releases. Here's The Missing Two Weeks (originally on Natural Response 1995) re-issue on Echo Beach with tracks 3, 5, 10, 16-18 as bonuses. Let's get Dubby. 

 

Manasseh presents Spectre - The Missing Two Weeks (Covert Dubs), Echo Beach EB024, 1999
all decryption codes in comments

Covert Dub
Spectre Overseas
Dub Overseas    
The Missing Two Weeks
The Missing Dub
Throw Down Spears
Spectre in the Dance
Mad Frank Lends a Hand
Blow    
Blow (alternative Dub mix)    
Vibration Version
Tribute to Scratch    
Errors    
The Prez    
End Games    
Covert Drum & Bass    
Covert Dub (Youth emix)
Spectre Overseas (The Orb remix) 


Now some of Nick's fantastic Dubplate stylee.
 
Manasseh - Dub Plate Style 1990-1999, Hammerbass BASS CD 008, 2002.

Clash Version
Clash Version Pt. 2
Creation
Creation Dub - Nick Manasseh
Rise Up
Rise Up Dub - Manasseh & Johnny Osbourne
Skenga 12" mix
Masaï Get a Bly - Manasseh & Natty P
Mind the Gap Version
Jungle Trees Dub
Pharoah's Dub
Good Stepping Pt. 1
Stepping Pt. 2 - Manasseh
Natural Roots Original 12" Mix
Natural Roots Sound 12" mix
Natural Dub 12" mix - Manasseh & Earl 16
I Planet Humanity
Humanity Dub - Manasseh & Ras I
Walking on Tightrope
Tightrope Version - Manasseh & Orville Smith 
 
 
 
 

In part two, all songs by Nick except Clash's "Guns of Brixton" Dub (& no, not that MAGA). 
 
 
Manasseh - Dub Plate Style Vol. 2, Hammerbass BASS CD 019, 2004.

Thunder Roll Dub
Challenging Version
Maga Man
Maga Dub Part 1 & 2
Science Part 2
Zion City (featuring Earl 16)
Zion Dubbing
Western World Version (featuring Ras I)
Tear Down
Dub Down
Don Gorgon (featuring Danny Red)
Dubbing the Gorgon
The Next Step
Next Version
Dubs of Brixton

But seriously folks,

15 comments:

  1. Thanks for the always sharp approach, Never heard this music and i'm diving into it.
    Turbulent times in Argentina.
    However, and since my childhood this song helped to soothe things through hard times,
    A soft machine we are indeed.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owDUpvCit7o

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the comment. Also, thanks for the link(s) that you always supply. I always check them out & find them most enjoyable. Did you ever think about contributing a post for this blog?

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    2. Thanks for the kind (and flattering)offer. I'll find it a sacrilege to interfere with your magick.
      I'm happy enough throwing some idea every now and then.
      If inspiration knocks at the door I'll let you know.
      Cheers.

      Delete
    3. Thanks. Just enjoy your contributions & thought I'd offer. The bonus links you give are good enough.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for this, new to me

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  3. Hey NØ.What a surprise.I had these dubplate series on cd but somehow I lost them many years ago.Since then I am trying to find them.Many thanks.You can check one not so easy to find track from Manasseh to my youtube channel!.Keep on goofin and dubbin in the free world!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpV8rCFB29I

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  4. Alway Goofin', always Dubin'. Glad I could offer up something you were looking for. Thanks for the link. Heading over there now.

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  5. Real good Stuff.Didn't know the Man.Thanks for that

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    Replies
    1. Now you've met the Man. Hope you enjoy.

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  6. Hi NØ, Thanks for the work… I get an "invalid key" error for the three of them:( Please check when you have time… great dubbin day to you and your folks

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    Replies
    1. Don't really know what was going on with MEGA. I checked & the files were still there & the codes were correct, but I got the same "invalid key" error you mentioned. I have re-upped all three & am providing new codes. Thank you for letting me know & let me know if problem is fixed, please.

      Two Weeks
      V1hEeVMpGWF0r-KdpZ2oIt2_9YtbvtotG9Z5DGn2vOE
      Dubplate 1
      O49RMAlmX6vhfZwKNlSeME95SNPOmfH9pQg1t7kMIwA
      Dubplate 2
      PrEQZ67Xxih9_we--MzYVAI8KssNrITJ-pQWxKKDYkc


      Delete
  7. @NØ thanks for your the re-up… works ok. Couldn't dub this w-e but Monday will rub this dub

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    Replies
    1. Excellent. Sorry about the no-new-Dub week-end. Now I owe you one. Let me know what payment is due.

      Delete
  8. NØ greetings all the way from my night shift, where Im listening to Manesseh live at Glastonbury 2024!!!! Massive sound system!!!!

    ReplyDelete