Onward to 1973 and the year began the way all good years began in the early Seventies – with another T. Rex hit.

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Just when you thought Osmondmania couldn’t get any worse after Donny stepped into the solo spotlight, along came his younger brother, nine-year-old “Little” Jimmy Osmond.

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An important figure in the history of reggae, Lincoln Barrington Minott is credited with being the instigator of the Dancehall style that took over from roots reggae in the early Eighties. 

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The Gladiators were one of the best of Jamaica’s rich history of vocal harmony trios. Pocket Money was one of their finest tunes, with a wise message.

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Fred Locks recorded Black Star Liner, his tribute to Marcus Garvey and his dream of freeing Rastas from slavery, in this mid-Seventies rarity with a spacey dub. (more…)

Steve Priest (February 23, 1948 – June 4, 2020) (more…)

Michael Prophet has an unusual “crying” voice that can be heard at its distinctive best on his first hit, a cover of a tune by The Maytones. (more…)

A bit of a classic from 1979, as featured in the film Rockers, this is effectively a double-bill of vintage rocksteady duo The Maytones and the great toaster I-Roy.

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Ennio Morricone RIP

10th October 2020 · Music
 Ennio Morricone (November 10, 1928 – July 6, 2020)
 

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Sunday Times – July 10, 2011
 
Almost exactly nine years ago I was sitting on a bench in Washington Square Park in downtown New York, talking to Justin Townes Earle. He was a troubled young man who made music of searing honesty – the vital component of the hybrid of blues, country and folk that he sang and played.

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