Friday, January 30, 2015

Linval Thompson Meets Scientist

Linval Thompson Meets Scientist Mixtape

Linval Thompson's mighty roots & dancehall productions. Backing tracks mainly from the Roots Radics with a few by the Revolutionaries and date from 1979 to 1983 though some fresh vocal cuts were voiced around 2000 by the likes of Yami Bolo, Junior Reid & King Kong. The amazing energy and creativity of the period is reflected in the general heaviness of the music and the predominance of original rhythms used. Only one or two 'staple riddims' feature here. Although Linval shared the same rhythm section as Junjo Lawes and some of the same riddims his sound could hardly be more different, less polished with little use of horns creating a sparser, deeper vibe.

Thompson produced several fine Scientist lps in the early 80s; Scientist In Dub Vol. 1, Meets The Space Invaders, Dub Landing 1 & 2, Encounters Pac Man... These albums provide most of the dubs here which are paired up when possible with their respective vocal & deejay versions, finally making sense of some of those mystery Scientist dubs.



Part 1 starts with some tuff rootsy material, alternating between the Radics and Revolutionaries but the dancehall vibes soon take hold! Riddim like the Babylonian, Unfaithful Children, Jumping For Jah, Life Table (features the rare alternative take of Horace Andy's Spying Glass), Live In Love, Mr Officer, A Message, Dreadlocks Nah Run, Do You Remember, Follow Fashion, Pick Up The Pieces, Can't Stop Us Now, Too Poor, Rainy Days, Terrorists In The City, Rub-A-Dub Session, Everyday Rain.and a personal favorite of mine Ketch A Fire/Poor & Humble



 
Part 2. Heavyweight dancehall business with the Roots Radics. Riddim like I'm A Dreadlocks, Things Couldn't Be The Same, We Must Unite, Don't Worry, Waan Come, Rootsman Skanking, Holding On To My Girlfriend, Ringcraft, Sensi Party, Jailhouse, Rise In The Strength Of Jah, two Freddie Mcgreggor classics Short Man & Peaceful Man, Eek-a-Mouse's mournful Struggle and the sound system killing Curfew. Money Problem is a Revolutionaries rhythm track with cuts by Wayne Jarrett & Ranking Trevor/Superstar
 
Continuous mix total 3hrs10 -- 120+ tracks
-download part 1-
-download part 2-

Special request to Style Scott who was murdered October 2014. The Roots Radics, Creation Rebel & Dub Syndicate sticks man helped revolutionize reggae music with the Radics' stripped-down dancehall rhythm patterns and continuing to push the boundaries with On-U Sound. His drumming is consistently a key element in the Thompson sound here. Seriously one of the greats... RIP
 

6 comments:

  1. Siam - I really appreciate the time and care you put into this. It is a staggeringly good showcase and you've really increased my recognition of the musical and technical quality of these productions which I had taken for granted until now, as they were just part of my youth. Thank-you.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback spar. Its always great to get some vibes coming back... I did this mix precisely for that reason - after decades listening to these tunes many still seemed out of reach & shrouded in mystery (so unlike the Junjo productions of the time). The quality of the Thompson sound, the Scientist dubs and the Radics rhythms really stands out the more one tunes in... BIG UP!

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  2. Hard to believe that Barrington Levy's best-ever album, the raw and touching 'Run come ya', isn't a Thompson production.

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    1. Yes I, that is a great lp. Very similar sound though the vocals are a bit higher in the mix. He utilizes an LT Radics rhythm on there too on Not In Love. I personally still rate Levy's Time1 output - Here I Come, Murderer, etc as his best. BIG UP

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  3. Great to see you continuing with this blog. This is another superb mix. Many thanks.

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    1. hey thanks for the kind feedback spar. glad ur still tuning in. There are quite a few recent mixes scattered among the reposts. i'll up the raggamuffin mixes as soon as.... MAX RESPECT

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