Here’s the signature song from Johnny Clarke’s golden period in the mid-Seventies when he teamed up with producer Bunny Lee and The Aggrovators.

A militant rockers tune written by the splendidly named Earl Zero, it’s the first example of the funky “flying cymbal” sound which earned producer Bunny Lee the nickname ‘Striker’.

Inspired by the distinctive hi-hat sound on Phillly soul records of the period, Lee developed it with drummer ‘Santa’ Davis and it became his trademark. I’ve just found an interview where Clarke describes the day the technique was created: at Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle studio (because Lee did not have his own studio).

“We make that tune down at Duke Reid, Treasure Isle. Duke is a man whe spiritual, yunno. Yeah, because when that tune deh laid, the man jus’ come upstairs in the evening an’ we see ‘im start dance an’ say to Bunny, ‘Bwoy, you find somet’ing yunno’. And ‘im draw the gun an’ jus’ fire, bus’ a shot inna the wall, in the concrete, y’know.”

Clarke was a massive star in Jamaica, churning out hit after hit over a five-year period between 1974 and 1979 – and one of the first to be signed to Virgin’s Front Line label, releasing three albums in 1976 alone.

He was notable not only for his sweet voice but also his versatility, alternating between radical roots music and softer lovers’ rock, and recording a large number of covers – including a huge hit with a version of No Woman, No Cry.