|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7"
|
|
JR 7002EP
|
Tappa Zukie's classic "M.P.L.A." and its dub version, originally cut at Channel One studios in 1976. Still sounds as fantastic today.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
JRLP 015LP
|
LP version. 2017 repress; originally released in 2003. Tapper Zukie (born David Sinclair, 1955, Kingston, Jamaica) actually cut his first record in England, after being sent there at age 17. He was breaking from his troublesome past that found him running with the rough crowd on the streets of Kingston. Upon his arrival in sunny Ladbroke Grove, producer Bunny Lee called him up on stage at a local dance to sing a tune. Impressed with the results, fellow producer Larry Lawrence got the young Tappa in the studio the very next day and cut "Jump and Twist." This led to Zukie's acclaimed 1973 debut album, Man Ah Warrior (KSCD 058CD/KSLP 058LP), but he remained somewhat disillusioned and homesick and he returned to Jamaica shortly after recording the LP. Dub Em Zukie (Rare Dubs 1976-1979) collects some great lost treasures and alternate cuts from some of Tappa's better-known releases from the period after his debut.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
JRCD 032CD
|
2009 release. Tappa Zukie is not only one of Jamaica's greatest DJs, he's a well-respected producer and arranger. Looking back through his master tapes, Jamaican Recordings found a lost release that had stayed on the shelf and been passed over... until now. When rhythm was king way back in the '70s, the predominant feature of the mix was the drums and bass, with horns, organ, guitar, and other instruments pushed back. This album was Tappa Zukie's attempt to rectify the imbalance and shine a light on the other talented musicians involved. When looking at the music with this approach, you can hear some of Tappa's other influences coming through. Maybe it's a jazzier or bluesy feel, and this almost makes the album feel like an unreleased film score. Includes three tracks not included on the LP version (JRLP 032LP).
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
KSLP 014LP
|
2015 repress; originally reissued in 2008. The mid-'70s in downtown Kingston was a heavy time both musically and politically. The climate defined the music; dread was everywhere. During this time, Tapper Zukie was establishing himself as star on the DJ roots circuit, and would become a favorite with the UK punk scene. He was also gaining recognition for his production talents, showcased on the 1978 compilation Roots Man Connection. This expanded reissue includes 15 fine cuts, with singers such as Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, and Prince Alla, as well as such lesser known singers as Ba Wisdom and Putto Black. Of course, no Tapper Zukie collection would be complete without the man himself dropping some lyrics, so there are a couple of cuts from him, too, including a sound-clash with Jah Mikey. Also includes tracks by The Seekers, Errol Dunkley, Junior Ross, The Mighty Diamonds/Tullo T, Frankie Jones, and The Vibes Tone.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
JRLP 044LP
|
2014 repress. 2011 release. Tappa Zukie's In Dub album must stand as one of the great dub releases to come out of Jamaica. Originally released in the mid 1970s, a time some say to be the finest period in reggae and especially dub. It still holds its own many years later, even though it comes from that golden period when the competition was great and plentiful. Tappa Zukie (b. David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica) had become producer Bunny "Striker" Lee's right-hand man within the later night recording sessions that took place in the 1970s. A session would almost not begin until Tappa was by his side, initially for security purposes, as Tappa had garnered great respect amongst the ghetto youth, but also gradually he began to take over the task of session organizer, making sure all was in place for the recordings to run smoothly. Being in such an advantageous position led to Tappa wanting to run and produce his own sessions. Tappa Zukie had already released his first single "Judge I O Lord" for producer Lloydie Slim using Bunny Lee's version of the "Drum Song" rhythm as its backdrop. Bunny Lee had also released Tappa's "Jah Is I Guiding Star" and a cut that Trojan would put out, "Knotty Woman No Cry." But it was his work through the late night sessions that had shown Tappa was ready to produce on his own. So working with eight rhythms, one being from producer Jo Jo Hoo Kim (which would become "M.P.L.A") and the other from producer Ossie Hibbert (soon to turn into "Pick Up the Rockers"), these would become the backbone to Tappa's In Dub album.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
JRCD 044CD
|
2011 release. Tappa Zukie's In Dub album must stand as one of the great dub releases to come out of Jamaica. Originally released in the mid 1970s, a time some say to be the finest period in reggae and especially dub. It still holds its own many years later, even though it comes from that golden period when the competition was great and plentiful. Tappa Zukie (b. David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica) had become producer Bunny "Striker" Lee's right-hand man within the later night recording sessions that took place in the 1970s. A session would almost not begin until Tappa was by his side, initially for security purposes, as Tappa had garnered great respect amongst the ghetto youth, but also gradually he began to take over the task of session organizer, making sure all was in place for the recordings to run smoothly. Being in such an advantageous position led to Tappa wanting to run and produce his own sessions. Tappa Zukie had already released his first single "Judge I O Lord" for producer Lloydie Slim using Bunny Lee's version of the "Drum Song" rhythm as its backdrop. Bunny Lee had also released Tappa's "Jah Is I Guiding Star" and a cut that Trojan would put out, "Knotty Woman No Cry." But it was his work through the late night sessions that had shown Tappa was ready to produce on his own. So working with eight rhythms, one being from producer Jo Jo Hoo Kim (which would become "M.P.L.A") and the other from producer Ossie Hibbert (soon to turn into "Pick Up the Rockers"), these would become the backbone to Tappa's In Dub album.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
KSCD 042CD
|
If any album could conjure up the revolutionary spirit of Jamaica in the mid-1970s, Tapper Zukie's invincible M.P.L.A. set would surely be a fighting contender. The coming together of great rhythms and meaningful lyrics in a time of unrest in the country seemed to have made the album all the more urgent and relevant. As time would tell, it would also prove to be a lasting success, not only with the hard core reggae fans but also their punk counterparts, who embraced its militant themes and crossed the album over to a whole new audience. Tapper Zukie (b. David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica) had already returned from a trip to London, England by the mid-'70s, initially sent with help from his parents, brother Blackbeard and producer Bunny "Striker" Lee to get him out of trouble on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. He had performed some live shows in London and made some recordings for Larry Lawrence, who produced his debut Jump And Twist. He returned to Jamaica in 1974 to work with Bunny Lee. His frustration over Bunny Lee's reluctance to record him led him cutting "Judge I Oh Lord" for producer Lloydie Slim. Bunny Lee finally recorded "Natty Dread Don't Cry." The eight rhythms and a further two from Jo Jo Hookim and Ossie Hibbert, alongside some free studio time at King Tubby's Studio would result in the M.P.L.A. album. The rhythm provided by Jo Jo Hookim was a Channel One studio cut by The Revolutionaires based on Little Richards' "Freedom Blues." The Ossie Hibbert rhythm again cut at Channel One based on The Royals' "Pick Up the Rockers" would provide the backdrop to Tapper's "Pick Up the Rockers." These and the remaining Bunny Lee rhythms, were all cut in a one-hour session at King Tubby's Studio. "Don't Get Crazy" was cut on a rhythm based on the Joe Frazier rhythm to Tony Brevett's "Don't Get Weary." "Go De Natty" was cut on Cornell Campbell's "Please Be True," originally a cut to Alexander Henry's "Please Be True." "Stop the Gun Shooting" runs over Horace Andy's "Skylarking." "Ital Pot" was cut on Johnny Clarke's version of Burning Spear's "Creation Rebel." "Marcus" sees Tapper professing over Johnny Clarke's "Poor Marcus." "Chalice to Chalice" pulls on Johnny Clarke's "Give Me a Love," "Don't Deal with Babylon" answers Junior Ross And The Spears' "Babylon Fall" and "Freedom" rides on the great rhythm of Junior Ross And The Spears' "Liberty." An outstanding and timeless album cut by one of Jamaica's finest DJs and producers, the mighty Tapper Zukie.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
KSLP 042LP
|
|
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
KSCD 014CD
|
"During the mid-'70s in downtown Kingston, it was a heavy time both musically and politically. The climate was defining the music and everything was dread. During this time, Tapper Zukie was establishing himself as named star on the DJ roots circuit and would become a favorite with the UK punk scene. Back home however, Tapper was also getting a name for his production talents, of which here we have 15 examples. Here Kingston Sounds have selected some fine cuts from this period with singers such as Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell and Prince Alla, as well as lesser known ones such as Ba Wisdom and Putto Black. Of course no Tapper Zukie collection would be complete without the man himself dropping some lyrics, so there's a couple of cuts from him, too, including a sound clash with Jah Mikey."
|
|
|
|