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CD
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RR 327CD
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Radiation Roots presents a reissue of Dennis Alcapone's 1977 album, Investigator Rock. Dennis Alcapone was one of the first sound system deejays to rise to island-wide prominence, following the incredible success of U Roy's fluid toasting style, which took Jamaica by storm during the late 1960s. Alcapone, who was born Dennis Smith in the country town of Culloden in Westmoreland, southwestern Jamaica, first made an impact on a sound system called El Paso, based in the rough-n-ready west Kingston district of Waltham Park. Initial recordings for Keith Hudson were strictly underground, but an album for Studio One and popular work for Duke Reid significantly boosted his profile. Dennis Alcapone worked closely with hit-making producer Bunny 'Striker' Lee from the early 1970s, establishing a friendship that has lasted to the present day; Investigator Rock, which dates from 1977, sees the toaster riding Striker's rockers-styled hits, voiced by the likes of Cornell Campbell, John Holt, and Johnny Clarke.
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LP
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RR 327LP
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LP version. Radiation Roots presents a reissue of Dennis Alcapone's 1977 album, Investigator Rock. Dennis Alcapone was one of the first sound system deejays to rise to island-wide prominence, following the incredible success of U Roy's fluid toasting style, which took Jamaica by storm during the late 1960s. Alcapone, who was born Dennis Smith in the country town of Culloden in Westmoreland, southwestern Jamaica, first made an impact on a sound system called El Paso, based in the rough-n-ready west Kingston district of Waltham Park. Initial recordings for Keith Hudson were strictly underground, but an album for Studio One and popular work for Duke Reid significantly boosted his profile. Dennis Alcapone worked closely with hit-making producer Bunny 'Striker' Lee from the early 1970s, establishing a friendship that has lasted to the present day; Investigator Rock, which dates from 1977, sees the toaster riding Striker's rockers-styled hits, voiced by the likes of Cornell Campbell, John Holt, and Johnny Clarke.
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CD
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RR 314CD
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Radiation Roots present a reissue of Dennis Alcapone's Guns Don't Argue, originally released in 1971. Cementing his reputation as the star toaster with the small but popular El Paso sound system, based in the Waltham Park area, Dennis Alcapone was one of the first deejays to rise to prominence following U Roy's breakthrough in the late 1960s. Born Dennis Smith in the rural district of Culloden, he became immersed in sound system culture after settling in western Kingston. Once El Paso became big on the sound system circuit, dental technician-turned-producer Keith Hudson brought him into the studio for his debut recordings, which led to a debut album for Studio One and hit material for Duke Reid, some cut in concert with his deejay sparring partner, Lizzy. Alcapone's longstanding links with Bunny Lee yielded the excellent Guns Don't Argue album, first issued in 1972, on which the toaster raps with style over some of Lee's all-time greatest rhythms, including Delroy Wilson's "Better Must Come", John Holt's "Left With A Broken Heart", and Slim Smith's rendition of the Temptations' soul classic "Ain't Too Proud To Beg".
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LP
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RR 314LP
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LP version. Radiation Roots present a reissue of Dennis Alcapone's Guns Don't Argue, originally released in 1971. Cementing his reputation as the star toaster with the small but popular El Paso sound system, based in the Waltham Park area, Dennis Alcapone was one of the first deejays to rise to prominence following U Roy's breakthrough in the late 1960s. Born Dennis Smith in the rural district of Culloden, he became immersed in sound system culture after settling in western Kingston. Once El Paso became big on the sound system circuit, dental technician-turned-producer Keith Hudson brought him into the studio for his debut recordings, which led to a debut album for Studio One and hit material for Duke Reid, some cut in concert with his deejay sparring partner, Lizzy. Alcapone's longstanding links with Bunny Lee yielded the excellent Guns Don't Argue album, first issued in 1972, on which the toaster raps with style over some of Lee's all-time greatest rhythms, including Delroy Wilson's "Better Must Come", John Holt's "Left With A Broken Heart", and Slim Smith's rendition of the Temptations' soul classic "Ain't Too Proud To Beg".
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LP
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KSLP 036LP
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2012 release. Kingston Sound present a compilation of Dennis Alcapone's work titled Yeah Yeah Yeah - Mash Up The Dance. Dennis Alcapone initially inspired by DJ U Roy, was soon to challenge his crown in the early part of the '70s releasing over 100 hit tunes. He could weave his vocal magic over any tune/rhythm that came his way and take it to another place. Dennis Alcapone (b. Dennis Smith, 6 August 1947, Clarendon, Jamaica) began DJing for the El Paso Hi-Fi Sound System around 1969. His first releases resulted from working with producer Keith Hudson, a succession of hits followed, "Shades Or Hudson", "Spanish Omega", "Revelation Version", "Maca Version" and "The Sky's The Limit" all hit in 1970 alone. Dennis moved camp to work with producer Duke Reid reworking some fresh ideas over classic Treasure Isle rhythms. "Number One Station," "Mosquito One," in 1971 and "Rock To The Beat", "Love Is A Gamble", "Wake Up Jamaica", "Teach The Children" and "Musical Alphabet" in 1972. Dennis moved on to work with all the top producers through this period from 1970 to 1973, producers Coxonne Dodd, Lee Perry, Sir JJ, Winston Riley, Joe Gibbs and Prince Buster all provided an outlet for his musical endeavors. Another great relationship was his work for producer Bunny Lee, again scoring some big hits including, "Guns Don't Argue" and "Ripe Cherry" the later adding a twist to Bunny's massive hit of the time "Cherry Oh Baby." Kingston Sounds look to this period in Dennis's career where there is a wealth of great music. "Go Deh" (Leroy Smart's "How Long"), "Eternal Life" (Johnny Clarke's version of Peter Tosh's "Legalise It") "Steve Austin" (The Six Million Dollar Man tale over Leroy Smart's "Pride and Ambition"), "Wise Man From The East" (Johnny Clarke's "You Have Caught Me Baby"), "It Must Come" (Delroy Wilson's "Better Must Come") "Blessed Are The Meek" (Slim Smith's "Blessed Are The Meek") to name but a few. Dennis left Jamaica in 1973 just after being awarded the Cup for "Best DJ in Jamaica" by Swing magazine. With his signature shout of "Yeah Yeah Yeah" you knew he was going to mash up the dance wherever his musical talents led him.
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