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TROJAN RECORDS
and its logo are owned by
Sanctuary Records Group


Bill Laswell (remix producer)/
Various Artists:
Trojan Dub Massive:
Chapters One and Two
[Trojan-Sanctuary*BMG Music/
Bass Fiction, 2005]
The second Trojan America project set for release in 2005, is a DUB-ble collection for the long-time Dub enthusiast as well as the new fans of Reggae.
The first two of a multi-album deal between Sanctuary and Bill Laswell.
Trojan America: More Mystery MATERIAL for the MASSIVE

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch


--4/12/2005, NEW YORK: Before we go any further, a message to all those with a certain taste for what they have yet to know as Dub, as if it were the latest trend in music. Let the record show -- DUB IS REGGAE MUSIC, and if not in its particular state, it is Reggae from which it ORIGINATED! No right-minded individual should EVER think to separate Dub from Reggae!

No music lover, much less a Trojan head, could have ever expected this. Trojan America has commissioned a project with “Mr. Mystery” himself, the notorious multi-genre musician/producer Bill Laswell of the group Material, who has lately been making most of his rounds creating Dub fusion projects with ROIR (Reachout International Records), the current home of Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus, Badawi, NYC-based live Dub band Dub Trio, and of course, the John Brown’s Body spinoff group 10 Ft. Ganja Plant.

Laswell, as part of a multi-album deal he and his new Bass Fiction label signed with Trojan’s parent company, Sanctuary Records (now becoming a more publically-known force in underground music overall), was assigned to give his extra flavor of added ambiance to Dub versions of Trojan classics made between 1971 and 1982 (with two more recent pieces from 1999 and 2004), and he came up with two albums worth in a remix project called Trojan Dub Massive, Chapter One And Two.
While the two chapters are indeed side by side, the two bass-heavy chapters will be released as individual albums, both 18 tracks strong and also of which both chapters incidentally close with a chant by none other than Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus--probably the most consistent of the few Nyabinghi groups on Trojan, if not the only one. Just as well, many of the beloved remixes featured here (especially on Chapter Two) may call for a demand for vinyl single releases of them, as this should be a well-talked about project. Not only is Trojan Dub Massive the second original Trojan America release for 2005 (the first was the unannounced FIFTH installment of Reggae Pulse), but will be simultaneously released in America and England on May 16.

On Trojan Dub Massive, Chapter One, Sly & Robbie and The Revolutionaries, otherwise known as the Channel One studio band, take up most of the disc with their renditions of The Uniques’ “My Conversation” (“Acapulco Gold”) and Alton Ellis’ “I’m Just A Guy” (“Herb”). Other notables on the Trojan Dub Massive, Chapter One disc include Tapper Zukie’s hot number, “Man A Warrior” an exception in itself as the only deejay cut on the entire project riding over a rendition of The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, The Crystallites’ “Concentration (Version 3)" in which you can hear many parts of Dennis Brown’s original vocal track (more than usual for a Dub or a Version) but seems to be otherwise over extended to the point of the actual song being way out of sync (which has happened every rare now and then in Reggae). You’ll also get to hear special remixes of the Keith Hudson production “Don’t Worry About Me Version”, originally dubbed by King Tubby as well as “Leggo Beast”, probably Gregory Issacs’ most popular Dub classic today since its feature on Trojan’s Good Times Skank compilation in 2002, a DLC IndustryWatch Best Compilation Of The Year

The second chapter of Trojan Dub Massive is a heavy scorcher, which must have been the ultimate reason the Trojan logo was horribly disfigured at the top of the cover insert (which, by the way, for both discs is made of special hard cardboard--a first in the music industry on a major scale). Bill Laswell leaves a hot mark on even more well-known classics such as “Drum Rock”, The Upsetters’ rhythm template made famous by Junior Byles’ and Susan Cadogan’s respective renditions of Peggy Lee’s sexy classic “Fever”, plus funky remixes of Augustus Pablo’s “Java” [Impact (JA), 1971] and “Bedroom Mazurka (Version)” from the dark Rocksteady classic “Tonight” by Keith & Tex [Crystal (JA), 1967].
Need we mention “Buckshot Dub”, yet another version of Johnny Clarke’s “Everyday Wandering”, made famous by producer Rupie Edwards’ big-time melody-scatting hit “Irie Feelings (Skanga)”? Listening to this particular version still evoked sweet memories of the long-defunct Trojan Radio recorded webcasts which shut down in due time for the Sanctuary acquisition in 2001. And also, you cannot miss “A Noisy Place” a version taken from the Horace Andy session of a Bunny Lee-produced rendition of “Man Next Door (A Quiet Place)”, already voiced in this structure by its originator, John Holt.
After the shower is turned off in Lee Perry’s bathroom, it’s then time for the bath on “Washroom Skank”, the instrumental/Dub version of “Bathroom Skank” in which you can distinctively hear The Upsetters’ progress their trademark sound as the soon-to-be-international Wailers slowly but surely down the Island Records pathway.

Fellow Reggae enthusiasts may just as well be eager to check the four rare Dub pieces from the Digital Dancehall King, King Jammy from when he was the younger Prince Jammy, particularly “Shaolin Temple” from 1979. Prince Jammy has two pieces for each chapter.

Sanctuary is somewhat secretly pumping up the masses with heavy anticipation for this project, so much so, that special stores such as J&R Music World in the Financial District of New York City’s Lower Manhattan is conducting pre-orders. The start of a new year for Trojan/Sanctuary is beginning to look more like a ceremonial send-off, a send-off that has the usual celtic-type motif known to adorn Laswell's many projects on the front of the cover, and a BIG Trojan Records logo in Green in the lower center on the back of the cover, in which case... YOU CAN'T MISS IT!

Reggae Pulse 3: Third Time's So Charming

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch

--9/16/2004, NEW YORK: It was so nice, they had to do it thrice. It was also well expected.

While the previous Reggae Pulse sequel, the highly-promoted Reggae Pulse 2: Hit Songs-Jamaican Style [2003] was a makeshift Soul Reggae compilation of which the majority of were indeed love songs, The Trojan America team--Bas Hartong and Mike Jason have decided to up the ante and put together Reggae Pulse 3: Love Songs, released in June 2004, approximately a year since its predecessor.

This time around, the television advertising campaign, if any, seems as non-existent as the first Reggae Pulse . However, in a move to only s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y rival that of the original Trojan days in England pushing their "Tighten Up" series, they are promoting the Reggae Pulse trilogy on a attractive slip (with a bigger bolder Trojan Records print logo, no less) aside the inserts of their new releases on the West side of the Atlantic (which also adorn the bigger Trojan print logo these days).

Reggae Pulse 3: Love Songs begins with one of John Holt's BIGGEST UK hits, and probably his BIGGEST Trojan hit, "Help Me Make It Through The Night", from his 1973 classic One Thousand Volts Of Holt [Charaguamas (JA)/Trojan (UK), 1973]. Thank Goodness for good ears since Bas decided to also include Holt's inimitable version of Bread's 1971 soother "Baby I'm-A Want You".

Various Artists:
Club Dread: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[Trojan-Sanctuary~
BMG Music (U.S.)/Fox Music, 2004]
The fourth Trojan America original release is also the first Trojan soundtrack album from either side, and combines original vibes of Trojan with music from its sister label, RAS Records.
Trojan America Goes To The Movies
(Trojan Horse Leads To Club Dread)

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--6/21/2004, NEW YORK: Once again, Trojan makes history, and yet once again at the hands of the Trojan America team.

In 2003, DLC IndustryWatch® was notified on two occasions, one of which entailed an August 2003 interview, by Sanctuary's (for lack of a more original terminology) dynamic duo, Mike Jason and Bas Hartong that Trojan would be involved in a motion picture set on a tropical beach with nothing but Reggae or Caribbean-oriented music setting the scene -- basically your seemingly typical white-audience-targeted, island-fun-in-the-sun type flick...right? Key word at hand is "seemingly", since the film is almost the complete opposite of that.

The movie at hand is Broken Lizard's "Club Dread" [Fox Searchlight -20th Century Fox, 2004], starring Bill Paxton, Brittany Daniel, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, and Jay Chandrasekhar, part of (and more than likely the head of) the Broken Lizardcomedy troupe, who also serves as director and writer, just as he did in the previous BL film, Super Troopers [Fox Searchlight -20th Century Fox, 2002].

Unlike Super Troopers which was a hit with major promotion, Club Dread, which is a comedy/horror flick of sorts, was given the underground treatment, almost as if on purpose. Always in the traditional aspect of things on the West Side of the Atlantic, Jason and Bartong take the initiative to make for nationwide consumption of Trojan product by using the pop marketing strategy while only minutely sacrificing the ambiance of Trojan.

The soundtrack album to Club Dread (the fourth Sanctuary/Trojan America project) is a parent music company's dream come true in that it combines tunes from the catalogues of Trojan Records and Washington, D.C.-based RAS Records, which Sanctuary acquired in 2003 not too long before acquiring yet ANOTHER Reggae label--the legendary England-based Creole Records, whose roster included the likes of Bruce Ruffin and Judge Dread, and whose label imprints includedCactus and Rhino, way before the Warner-owned catalog label we know of from America.
The majority of the Club Dread Soundtrack, of course, features Trojan material, including an unusual choice of record the instrumental version of "Shocks Almighty" from Bob Marley & The Wailers featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry. Scratch is also heard on "Rub & Squeeze", a passionately racy tune performed with Rita Marley's former groupThe Soulettes which was produced by the late, great Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1965 and laid on the foundation of the original rendition (and the first of three) of The Wailers' timeless classic "Put It On". Just as well, Perry's collective, The Upsetters is included on the soundtrack with their infamous Soul groover classic, "Jungle Lion"

Also featured is the Trojan version of deejay legend Dillinger's "Cocaine In My Brain" (that is, the 1979 Peter Savitt-produced version as opposed to the 1976 Jo Jo Hookim production released on Dillinger's trademark album CB 200 [Mango-Island, 1976]) and two songs from Toots & The Maytals, the 2000 track "Broadway Jungle" and 1973's "Funky Kingston" which was simultaneously released through Trojan (by way of what was then its Dragon imprint) and Island Records (who originated the imprint).It was apparent that the first RAS artist on their mind was another deejay legend, Yellowman.

Aside from the fact that on the movie trailer (of which the Trojan name and logo was sure to be made known, as well as their parent company -- "A division of Sanctuary Records Group"), Yellowman's name adorned on the screen along with The Wailers and The Maytals, there is a remix of his uptempo 1991 cut "Party" featured as a bonus on this release.

The sounds on this album should serve any listener with a pleasurable amount of vibes, although some might skip a couple tracks.

The Club Dread Soundtrack also serves as the first motion picture soundtrack probably in Trojan Records' entire history (definitely a breakthrough for the American operation).
And just as sure as RAS Records is finally unleashing releases in England, Club Dread Soundtrack, which was released in early March in America, was released inthe UK in late April, making this also the first Trojan America original release to be sanctioned for release in England, as opposed to the reverse.

The movie is said to be nearing home video release for around the Summertime.

Lee "Scratch" Perry's fun
"musical chair"-style track
"Waap You Waa",
a third rendition of his timeless
Soul Funk Reggae classic
"Justice To The People"
[Justice League-Upsetter (JA), 1972] was licensed by Trojan America to Nike to be implemented in a television spot just premiering in August 2003.
What historical breakthrough will occur next for the 35-year-old and 70-plus-year-old legends?
DLC IndustryWatch® NEWSBREAK SPECIAL

Lee "Scratch" Perry:
For God's Sake...JUST DO IT!

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--8/5/2003, NEW YORK: Just when you think things are getting better for Reggae music, it always tends to get far more interesting from there. Never in the history of Reggae music has a major unexpected bombdrop occured in major American media since the film The Sex Monster starring Mariel Hemingway, whose soundtrack boasted an entire collection of authentic Roots and Rocksteady music, until August 2003.

Selectors may be well on their toes to start putting an ultimate gem from Lee "Scratch" Perry catalogue in heavy rotation. The reason being the unexpected, but very reasonable, decision to implement "Waap You Waa", a third alternate version of Perry's timeless classic "Justice To The People" [Justice League-Upsetter (JA), 1972/official Trojan label release info unknown] in an advertisement for, of all companies in the world, Nike!
The music in this version, with occasional (and, in this case, rather appropriate) drops of "mmm-hmm" on the rhythm, serves as a backdrop for the backSIDE of a running female athlete, and makes for an unforgettable commercial with endless taste.

Why this particular song was used is currently unknown, and the recent Grammy award for Lee "Scratch" Perry is in serious doubt as one of those reasons, but we will update you with the answers when they arrive. Stay tuned!

((( NOTE: DLC IndustryWatch® brought this story to you FIRST!
Now, Trojan Records has just recently issued
a brief newsclip of this story on their website 15 DAYS AFTER OUR REPORT
with the brilliant title "Can The Upsetters Make You Run Faster?". )))

Various Artists:
Reggae Pulse 2: Hit Songs - Jamaican Style
[Trojan-Sanctuary*BMG Music, 2003]
(U.S. only)
The sequel to the first Trojan project made strictly in and for the American market is also the first Trojan release (of sorts) marketed on U.S. television
through the Castalian Music system.
Trojan's New "Pulse" For American TV

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--7/3/2003, NEW YORK: Who would have thought we would have Trojan Records in America? It makes me think back to an unfortunately brief and unsuccessful attempt that actually was made in the early 70s to open up Trojan operations in New York City, resulting in ultimately rare generic logo-on-white-label American pressings of but a few Trojan single releases, including Niney's "Blood And Fire".

Well, there could not have been a better compensation than to find its new-found parent, Sanctuary, operating in America. And it was during a period during the musically hot year of 2002 that a milestone was marked in Trojan history, when Reggae Pulse: The Heartbeat Of Jamaica (a special compilation which was being plugged throughout the heavy majority of its new releases, and most of all the "Trojan Box Sets" to finally be released for the first time domestically in America) was the very first Trojan 'various artists' compilation album to be compiled from and released in America, not to mention strictly for American consumption.

The actual first Trojan release of this kind dates back to late 2001 when a special Bob Marley & The Wailers compilation, titled The Best Of The Early Years with a brilliant cover design and an excellent selection of tunes, was released (in collaboration with Laurence Cane-Honeysett over in England). It was initially to be a Sanctuary proper release, as it was being compiled before the official inauguration of the Trojan brand was made, but when it was made, the Trojan logo was slapped on to the cover and disc next to the Sanctuary logo, seemingly in a rushful manner.

Back to the matter at hand, these two releases were sanctioned through the American Trojan team of Bas Hartong (a former compilation king at the former PolyGram) and Mike Jason. Reggae Pulse was released as a Trojan/Sanctuary joint brand project (hence the generic name "SANCTUARY" on the side identification spine of the jewel box), which would make one think this was more of a "special products" release, but it was a collection unlike any other Reggae collection.

While companies like Razor & Tie Direct, a current major force in direct-to-TV music marketing with its own line of compilations (and ironically has a dance collection called Pulse), decided to go the stereotype route and mock Jamaican culture and music all together with its recent release, Rasta Jamz--an all-1990s (barely) Dancehall compilation (mostly from acts that were signed to major corporate labels) which featured absolutely NO actual Reggae music, and no conscious or Roots lyrics, and nothing involving Rastafari, Reggae Pulse, of which its TV advertising time in Summer 2002 was limited to approximately less than a month due to what Sanctuary sources referred to as incorrect timing, had a brilliant marketing strategy nonetheless--directly targeting the whole of America, utilizing the power of Trojan, with a little touch of Americanized artwork, and a few extra tracks chosen from other labels, which in this case is also a first for Trojan.

In the 24-track collection, 17 were of the extensive Trojan catalogue, and concentrated highly on original tunes and hits, hence the subtitle: "The Heartbeat Of Jamaica" (although Big Mountain, who have a new album out now, are admittedly from California!). Inner Circle's track on Reggae Pulse was probably their biggest one to date, "Bad Boys (Theme From Cops)", released finally in 1993 on the Big Beat division of Atlantic Records, and Musical Youth can be found on this collection with their late 1982 radio-friendly, redone smash "Pass The Dutchie".

Now in 2003, Trojan is making history yet once again, as a Trojan release is being marketed directly to American television on the well-intended large scale of viewership. And what better way to do that than with an unexpected sequel?
Trojan-Sanctuary America unleashed Reggae Pulse 2: Hit Songs-Jamaican Style, a collection of Reggae renditions of popular American hits (of which Trojan is no stranger), in June 2003 as a definite change of pace from its predecessor, giving the consumer and the Trojan fan what they need and deserve--real music and real Trojan vibrations.

Reggae Pulse 2 began its official airtime campaign during the week of June 16, 2003 marketing through Castalian Music, THE vital force in today's television music advertising
for all companies and labels in America (the most frequent client of which was Universal Music in 2000 and 2001).
Castalian recently added VP Records to that list for the first time with the unleashing of VP's fourth Atlantic Records joint release, Reggae Gold 2003, the first in the series under Atlantic.

Reggae Pulse 2, the hit-bound sequel, serves as somewhat as another one of Trojan's "Soul Reggae" collections, except that it is was compiled in America as mentioned, plus while the songs mostly originate from Soul/R&B, they also contain songs from Pop, Rock, and Contemporary genres, most of the songs from the 1960s and 1970s.
What's really impressive is the selection of tunes on Reggae Pulse 2, including the amazing Bruce Ruffin's unforgettable rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Cecilia" [Columbia-Sony Music (CBS Records], 1970], The Chosen Few's sweet take on The Main Ingredient's "Everybody's Plays The Fool" [RCA, 1971], The Maytones' bass-driven remake of Luther Ingram's "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right [Koko-Stax, 1972], and Ken Boothe's heartfelt, harmonic remake of Bill Withers' timeless classic "Ain't No Sunshine" [Sussex~Buddah, 1971].
Dare we mention Marcia Griffiths (whose had her fair share of Reggae cover tunes, many of which were done by female artists in America? Observe her identically-orchestrated renditions of Freda Payne's "Band Of Gold" [Invictus~Capitol-EMI, 1969] and The Three Degrees' "When Will I See You Again (Precious Moments)" [Philadelphia International Records~Sony Music (CBS Records), 1973].
While we're on the subject of female superstars of Reggae, Janet Kay was too busy "Lovin' You" (as in the Minnie Riperton classic [Epic-Sony Music (CBS Records), 1974]) before she started playing those "Silly Games" [Arawak (UK), 1979], if you know what I mean.

The collection gives us a triple dose of scorchers from The Temptations by way of The Pioneers ("Papa Was A Rolling Stone" [Gordy-Motown, 1972/1973]), Eric Donaldson ("The Way You Do The Things You Do" [Gordy-Motown, 1965], of which UB40 derived their rendition from in 1991), and Dave Barker & The Charmers ("Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" [Gordy-Motown, 1971], of which fellow group member, singer/producer Lloyd Charmers made his own rendition earlier).

One exception in the chronological factor of tunes in Reggae Pulse 2 is the late, legendary Dennis Brown's unbelievable remake of yet another Lloyd Charmers-produced tune, Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise (Think Twice)" [Atlantic-WEA, 1991], the only song to break away from the 1960s and 1970s.

Many people have not heard many of the tracks here on Reggae Pulse 2, making this serious collection an ultimate introduction to Reggae for those still yet beginning. It also makes it hard for me to implore the following--two of the songs should have been replaced (in sticking with the 24-track format) with Lee Perry's production of The Lewis Sisters' remake of The Moments' gem "Love On A Two Way Street" [Stang-All Platinum, 1969], and, perhaps more preferably, The Chosen Few's bomb-dropping scorcher rendition of Isaac Hayes' "Theme From Shaft" [Enterprise-Stax, 1971]. Maybe if there's a third Reggae Pulse installation, maybe we can work with that.

Reggae Pulse 2 is currently in stores now, as well as on TV, in which there are 1-minute and 2-minute versions of the commercial. The only drawback in a way for the ad is that while the announcer provides a few artist names vocally, the screen display does not indicate the artists next to their respective songs.

It does, however, proudly mention that it is from none other than Trojan Records, indeed a first on American television.

THE TROJAN DOUBLE HOT SHOT
Various Artists: Trojan Revive Box Set
[Trojan-Sanctuary, 2002]
Lovers of not only rare Trojan grooves, but also of the greatest tunes in classic Reggae, will crave this collection for sure!

Various Artists: Trojan Rare Groove Box Set
[Trojan, 1999 (UK original release)/
Trojan-Sanctuary~BMG Music, 2002 (US)]
Will Sanctuary do the inevitable this year and present an ultimate gift to DJs, collectors, and Trojan fans everywhere?
THE TROJAN DOUBLE:
Rare Grooves Galore
(*This double-feature story was revised
on April 21, 2004 for WAKE THE TOWN!*)


THE TROJAN HOT SHOT
The Hottest "Box Set" Ever To "Revive Reggae"

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, & CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--6/9/2003, NEW YORK: It took me a long time to provide this report, and for that I apologize. The reason for that is probably because I have been listening to and playing the Trojan Revive Box Set (originally known as Trojan Reggae Revive Box Set) [Trojan-Sanctuary, 2002] OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

There is much reason to celebrate, aside from the fact that chief Trojan Consultant Laurence Cane-Honeysett said himself in his recently released book, Young, Gifted, And Black: The Story Of Trojan Records (authored with a certain Michael De Koningh) that he had a lot of fun putting this "Box Set" together. Trojan Revive Box Set is not only the greatest of the latest in the Trojan Box Set Series of 2002, but it is indeed one of the greatest of all time, and obviously just as hypnotic inside the box as it is on the cover with an image of a majestic Red, Gold, and Green "recycle" insignia brilliantly wrapping the Trojan logo--SCORCHER!!
It is indeed a Highly Recommended!* DLC IndustryWatch ® Choice* 2002 Best Reggae Album of The Year 2002 and also a DLC IndustryWatch ®: Choice* 2002 Best Reggae Special Compilation Of The Year. Talk about 'rare grooves', a common element as well as topic at Trojan, it serves as a non-official companion to the Trojan Rare Groove Box Set [Trojan, 1999], and to top it off, the tunes on this collection may prove to be even more rare than on Rare Groove.

Revive takes us back to the period of 1967 to 1969, the days after Rocksteady, the days before Reggae became more lyrically conscious, and the days right in the middle of the Mod and Skinhead eras in England. While you will no doubt find a FEW familiar faces on this collection, the majority of artists/acts on Trojan Revive Box Set are relatively unknown and/or obscure. All the more reason why YOU NEED THIS COLLECTION!

Plus, for those who miss Trojan Radio on the Internet, which lived from about 2000 to 2002, many of the tracks can be found here, mostly on Disc 3, entirely covering rare classic Reggae from 1969, including Rudy Mills' beautiful rendition of Little Anthony & The Imperials' "Tears On My Pillow", The Clarendonians' soulful "Baby Don't You Do It (I Don't Like What You Did To Me)", Radcliffe Butler's sweet tune "You Got To Love Me", The Silvertones' "Intensified Change" (a Duke Reid production, not too long before they made hits with Lee Perry), and "Jay Fever (Shining)", which is , of course, Carl Bryan & The Jay Boys' crazy and notorious backing track to the adult classic "Hold The Pussy" by Kid Gungo, which can be found (naturally) on the Trojan X-Rated Box Set.

While Disc 3 is an ultimate conclusion to this set, my favorite is Disc 2, in which the best part is smack dab in the middle, where Trojan basically showcases the wicked music of a short-lived, incognito record label called Disclick Records in a very proper order--from best to better to unforgettable.
Look forward to The Band Of Mercy & Salvation, not even singing, but speaking as if in conversation (a lady runs the speech) of trials and tribulation of life with their wicked guitar-groove driven "Suffering Stink", which is incidentally was the A-side to the next Disclick track, a smooth Soul harmony-driven groover by Winston "Cobra" Francis, entitled "The Break", telling of his determination in the music business. Both tracks were released as a single in England on the Duke imprint of Trojan.
Saving the best for last in the Disclick set, my definite biggest favorite on this Box Set, "It Ain't" credited to Lloyd & Randolph, although it is said that Winston Francis (best known for his smash hit "Mr. Fix It" at Studio One) sang on this tune, a tune of a man liberated, finally leaving the stressful confines of his heartbreaking woman.

Speaking of Studio One, fellow alumni, the late Freddie McKay (who first recorded "Picture On The Wall" before Carl Dawkins licked it funky with The Wailers for Lee Perry), bids his lady "So Long, Farewell", and the legendary hornsman Theophilus Beckford is just as well "Easy Snappin'" on a vocal tip.
Those who love Keith & Tex will love the way their rare, lyrically mysterious scorcher "Let Me Be The One (This Is My Song)" opens Disc 2. Ironically enough, "Stop That Man (Easy Ride)", The Crystalites' backing track for the trademark Keith & Tex's "Stop That Train" and Scotty's "Draw Your Brakes", is the final track on the Trojan Revive Box Set. To top that off, the Derrick Harriott-based band also hit us off with "Splash Down", the organ-and-tambourine-laced, instrumental version of The Kingstonians' "Sufferer". And for those with deep true feelings for a love far away either physically or mentally, enjoy multitalented Boris Gardiner & The Keys' mellow, melancholy tune "I'm Alone".

This collection is also another one worthy of vinyl release, simply because record collectors and selectors will not be able to live with the fact that it's not in such a format, as extra sweet as these tracks are. The Trojan Revive Box Set is available on both sides of the Atlantic on 3 beautiful CDs in a lovely-coloured package with boss liner notes from Stephen Nye. Ask anyone who needs this collection, the answer is YOU! If anyone asks you the same question, give them the same answer!



THE TROJAN HOT SHOT
Trojan Rare Grooves: A Selector's Best Friend

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, & CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--6/5/2003, NEW YORK: In light of Trojan Records' acquisition by Sanctuary Records Group, it is probably the first time that most consumers in America have had access to Trojan's extensive and prestigious "Box Set" series, which somehow follows along in the tradition of the Tighten Up series back in the heyday (a total of eight between 1968 and 1973). While the "Box Sets" have seen more visibility and availability amongst consumers in the U.S. and the UK in 2002, vinyl availability of these same box sets have also become heavy priority at Trojan.

Early 2003 has seen the release of select "Box Sets" on vinyl for the very first time, including the Trojan Roots Box Set, Trojan Rastafari Box Set, and Trojan Dub Box Set, Volume 2 (previously released on CD in 1999 and the latter two in 2000).
At the current time, vinyl availability in America of all Trojan material is handled by way of import from the headquarters in England. But as we are bound to see some more "Box Set" releases on Vinyl soon, one comes to mind that I am making a clear suggestion that will be indeed boss to be one of the next ones!

Submitted for your approval, the eleventh release in the series, Trojan Rare Groove Box Set from 1999 (which ironically features absolutely none of the tunes in the "Rare Grooves Hour" on the unforgettable Trojan Radio, which was unfortunately taken offline since the upgrade of the Trojan Records website last year).
Nonetheless, this "Box Set" was MADE for the DJ, especially those obsessed with legendary and wicked rhythms alike.
Also, for music lovers and label freaks alike, while I am tired of people writing articles IMPLYING that Trojan actually OWNED certain companies affiliated with and released through Trojan (i.e., Upsetter [Lee Perry], Dynamic--[Byron Lee; originally WIRL (Jamaica) then owned by former Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga], and Amalgamated/Pressure Beat [Joe Gibbs], etc.), this is one of the very few "Box Sets", at a time where they were not printing producer credits in its inserts, where the liner note writer--in this case, Chris Prete (author of "Let's Catch The Beat")--puts emphasis on the many Trojan labels and affiliates these songs were released back in England.

As hard a record Lorna Bennett's smash hit "Breakfast In Bed" [Harry J (JA)/Blue Mountain-Island (UK), 1972] can be to hear every now and then, most people do not know that there is ANOTHER version of the wicked chunky bass-driven rhythm, in this case, one of many alternate culture drum recordings made throughout the 1970-1973 period by Bongo Herman "African Breakfast".

From the same man, along with his partners in culture, Bongo Les and the late Binghi Bunny, all best known for their slow-paced Derrick Harriott-produced groove "Know Fari" (1971), is a rare culture/deejay cut on Harry J's "Liquidator" rhythm called "Chairman Of The Board". Once again they shock us with "Ration", their rare version of the Dennis Brown's 1973 "Money In My Pocket" rhythm, credited this time without Les.

A lot of elements from Big Youth's unforgotten hit album Screaming Target [Trojan, 1972] are seen here, as with King Smiley's take on what we know as "Tippertone Rock" with "Tipatone". Just as well, we have a version from I-Roy called "High Jacking" on the Augustus "Gussie" Clarke-produced "Skylarking" rhythm where Big Youth licked shot with "The Killer". Incidentally, I-Roy did the same on Lloyd Parks' "Slaving" rhythm with "Blackman Time", which was borrowed into production by Gussie. The original "Anywhere But Nowhere" by K.C. White is here on this set, which Big Youth is famous for blazing us with "Lee A Low" and "Solomon A Gunday" on Screaming Target.
Instrumental versions of the "Anywhere But Nowhere" and "Skylarking" are featured on the Trojan Rare Groove Box Set, titled "Nowhere" and "The Murderer", respectively. All in all, a Screaming Target fan's dream come true, a means of closure, if you will.

Those who know the deep Roots anthem "Peter And Judas (Satan Side)" by Earl Flute and Horace Andy [Mafia (JA), 1973], will enjoy an original taste of the Keith Hudson-produced track, with Hudson's very own tune "True True To My Heart". As many different renditions have been made of one of the sweetest Studio One tunes, "Queen Of The Minstrels" from Cornell Cambell & The Eternals, including one produced by Joseph Hoo Kim of Channel One, here is a sweet Bunny Lee rendition of the rhythm with Cornell Campbell himself remaking "Queen Of The Minstrels" but appropriately retitling it "Girl Of My Dreams", a SCORCHER released not on Bunny Lee's Jackpot imprint through Trojan in the UK, but rather on Trojan's Duke label. Ironically enough, Pat Kelly remade the same song on the same rhythm with its original title intact, perhaps using an alternate rhythm take (this rendition is not included on Rare Groove Box Set). Just as well, The Eternals (without Campbell) have a track on the "Box Set" called "Pity The Children".

I could tell you more, but it's better to see than to just believe. I will tell you this much--this "Box Set" is READY high time for vinyl release. It is a perfect selection for the righteous riddim selector, and a perfect addition to any Original Reggae listener's collection.
Of the three discs in this Highly Recommended!*, Disc Three is definitely the sweetest piece of the cake here! Since it is just on CD right now, why not feel it out from there. Then contact Trojan Records and DEMAND the vinyl for it. When you look at it from such a standpoint, many parties, as ram jam as they may have been, have not exactly been complete just yet. With the Trojan Rare Groove Box Set in hand on vinyl, that is all bound to change!

Lee "Scratch" Perry:
The original extraterrestrial
vampire slayer
and veteran innovator
in Reggae music
wins the 2003 Grammy®
for the 2002 Trojan album
Jamaican E.T.,
co-produced by
Roger Lomas!
Call him Lee "Scratch" Grammy!

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--2/24/2003, NEW YORK: While DLC IndustryWatch® was well aware of the nomination only within recent months, we pretty much had this prediction nailed down to a tee, as to say the Grammy®* Award for "Best Reggae Album" would go to none other than the original Upsetter himself, Lee "Scratch" Perry.

If all the heavy attention and press on him lately wasn't enough for you, there will definitely be talk of this for time to come. The official ceremonies at Madison Square Garden in New York City, although obviously not announced ceremoniously, declared Scratch's last album, Jamaican E.T. [Trojan-Sanctuary, 2002], Best Reggae Album for 2003 against albums by Capleton, veteran African Reggae artist Alpha Blondy, Freddie McGregor, and Bounty Killer, who released two albums last year as part of one--Ghetto Dictionary [Scare Dem/VP, 2002], a move slightly similar to that of his breakthrough release, My Experience [Scare Dem/VP/TVT, 1996].

The win for Scratch was unsurprising considering indeed the legend that he is as an innovative, unorthodox Reggae producer, and is otherwise deserving of such an award after over three decades in music.
Since there is no Lifetime Achievement Award in Reggae at the Grammys® as of yet (as if), this award would have to be the best recourse, all things considered. Because anyone who has heard Jamaican E.T. will tell you, for the most part that, aside from his words, "this is NOT him" or they might ask "what happened?". The album almost completely abandoned any Reggae most people were looking for and did indeed sound like someone was drinking hot tea trying to get rid of a bad cold. If Scratch was being innovative, he was either going overboard or (knowing his infamous unorthodox personality) intending to have someone wonder what was going on in the studio. Part of this reason could be attributed to the co-production by Roger Lomas, an English-based producer, best known for his work behind Ska/Ska Rock specialty group The Specials, whose sound of Reggae and Ska tends to sound more "modern", so to speak, and often not as raw and authentic as in its original form. Many of Roger Lomas' productions are currently on release on Trojan, including Skinhead Girl and King Of Kings, both by The Specials, the latter of which was a project with Desmond Dekker.

Back to the matter at hand, Jamaican E.T. is an understatedly FAR CRY from its predecessor, On The Wire from 2000, his best solo album to and one of the DLC IndustryWatch® Choice Best Reggae Albums of 2002. On The Wire, was actually an album recorded between February and March of 1988 and was unfortunately never released until Trojan finally decided to release it in 2000. The album was also the preamble to the extremely rare From The Secret Laboratory in 1990, released on the former Mango imprint of Island Records and produced by Lee Perry alongside Adrian Sherwood and Style Scott of the infamous On-U Sound in England, and which also features the much-talked about crazy but catchy tune "Inspector Gadget", the only structured song on From The Secret Laboratory.

From top to bottom, On The Wire, which should have been the nominated release considering it was one of the first ten domesticated Trojan releases for America, contains mile after mile of Reggae enjoyment, constant traces of classic Upsetter and Bob Marley elements (including a hot rendition of "Exodus"), a hint of Rock & Roll on one track, wicked rhythms and basslines, and unforgettable memories.

The hold-back on the release of On The Wire from then till now could be regarded as good timing, considering the state of Reggae in 1988, in Reggae Dancehall pretty much took over and ruled. Now, in which the Roots/Original Reggae movement has surged and become stronger, this time would definitely have been better for such a phenomenal release!

Come what may, let us not forget that (unless hidden historical facts prove otherwise) the said Grammy® for Perry's Jamaican E.T. also marks the first award of its kind for Trojan Records. All in all, it's a win-win situation for all involved and all in the progression and history of Reggae music. So let's all jump for joy and kill some more vampires, shall we?


"Vict'ry, vict'ry...
...behold, it is said, and behold, it is done!"


"I am The Upsetter, and you will never get away from me!"


Lee "Scratch" Perry:
The man who speaks even when the music is not playing...forever "On The Wire"!


"Grammy" is a registered mark of
The National Academy Of Recording Arts and Sciences

Various Artists:
Trojan X-Rated Box Set
[Trojan-Sanctuary, 2002 (UK)/
Trojan-Sanctuary~
BMG Music, 2002 (US)]
A definitive collection of sensuous slackness, scorching sex, and soulful sin. This among many other projects released by Trojan already in 2003!
Trojan goes X-Rated (and back to its old formula)!

By Daddy Lion Chandell
Music & Entertainment Analyst and Historian/
Founder, Chairman, and CEO: DLC IndustryWatch®

--1/31/2003, NEW YORK: After almost a year and a half with the acquisition by Sanctuary Records Group, you would figure that Trojan Records would be having a ball by now.
And you'd be right.

In September 2001, immediately following the Sanctuary acquisition (which ultimately opened a long-awaited Trojan outlet in America), Trojan wasted no time in delivering the message to the world by releasing endless product that could otherwise be considered a Trojan collector's trip to heaven. A majority of the 75 or so releases from the September to December 2001 period were repackaged and updated with the words "Classic Reggae Recordings" on the side window of the CD jewel box case, plus they were mostly the actual albums themselves, as they were--most of those with unfortunately low sound quality.

In 2002, Trojan changed up the game a bit, as they indeed focused more on both quality AND quantity. Someone must have indeed been reading the story we at DLC IndustryWatch® broke first in December 2001 regarding the Sanctuary acquisition, where, at the very end of the story, I suggested that Trojan provide their upcoming releases with their classic white-and-orange vinyl label design on their CDs. Now almost every new release possesses the landmark design and will have now become ultimate favorite compact disc collectibles. They did away with the "Classic Reggae Recordings" last year, giving the impression they were done with that for good, all things considered. Trojan was heavily promoting their major 2002 campaigns to package their new releases and compilations with fresh, new designs, and to truly market the Trojan name and legacy, plus the fact it was Trojan's 35th year in existence, as well as Jamaica's 40th year in independence. One part of their marketing tactics included releasing a definitive series of "Best Of" compilations focusing on many of the special artists of Trojan, in almost exactly the same way Universal Music does with their 20th Century Collection series. For all "Best Of" albums, they all consist of 25 specific selected tracks, mostly hits, are packaged with a brown background cover, with the title in collegiate cheerleader font, and the CD with the Trojan vinyl design intact but with the top in beige cream and the bottom in navy blue. Imagine this on a new vinyl design!

In 2003, Trojan is pulling out literally ALL the stops this time around. While continuing with the new compilations, and new release formats, Trojan U.S. has returned to their 2001 "Classic Reggae Recordings" method, with hot new releases many for the first time on CD, most of which stem from the 1988-1993 period and after, and many others which may just as well be released for the first time on CD... PERIOD!
Among the new releases include those by Bob Andy solo as well as with Marcia Griffiths, The Ethiopians, Dillinger, Johnny Clarke, The Silvertones, Prince Far I, Lee Perry & The Upsetters, The Wailing Souls, John Holt, Sly Dunbar & The Revolutionaries, Clancy Eccles, and Jah Thomas with The Roots Radics.
Unexpected, but well overdue, was the US release of legendary toaster Dennis Alcapone's hot 1991 compilation, My Voice Is Insured For Over Half A Million Dollars, the aptly-titled album based on the confidently-titled version of The Techniques' trademark hit "Queen Majesty". It was released on CD with bonus tracks in 2000 in the UK* and now it will be available here.

Now that we are in the peak of the sexual revoultion where even teenage girls wear thongs pretty freely, a soundtrack of sorts could be quite fitting. Now available for what is probably the first time in the U.S. on CD period is the biggest shock of them all right about now, but still long overdue--the ultimately hard-to-find Adults Only, Volume 1 and Adults Only, Volume 2, the 1992 X-Rated Reggae collections that were the first taste of party records--Caribbean style--probably since the early 1970s. These releases can come in handy with the Trojan X-Rated Box Set, released in November 2002 in America. These are highly recommended compilations for historical and humorous, as well as hot and heavy reasons.


(*The correct dates will be updated as date facts are currently positive but inconclusive.)