Nothin' Sez Somethin': Musick that Needed Work: N

25 April 2024

Musick that Needed Work: N - Noel Ellis

As I've stated before when I reopened this can of worms --- 2015 --- at the time I opened a folder (always a dangerous act) I had labeled: "Musick that Needs Work". It was a Pandora's box of files that needed some special attention, meaning anything from missing tracks to cleaning up the sound to fixing the tags to getting the art work, whatever.

Noel Ellis is the son of legendary Studio One/Treasure Isle recording artist Alton Ellis.

This self-titled debut was recorded in Toronto in 1979 by studio wizard Jerry Brown for the pioneering Summer Records, Canada's answer to Lee Perry's Black Ark Studios. This platter is the third release in the Summer Records Jamaica to Toronto seven album series.

This self-titled features six Dub-influenced, heavy yet ethereal tracks with contributions from OG reggae maestros Jackie Mittoo, Willi Williams, & Johnny Osbourne. "Rocking Universally" is rhythmically influenced by Willi Williams' "Armagideon Time" (covered by The Clash).

Here tasteful keys, varied percussion, essential echo, Dub changeovers along with Noel's impeccable mic control gives an otherworldly twist to Summer's remarkable drum & bass sound.

Sez to be: "an end-to-end burner for midnight tokers & cool rulers alike".