Bowie reached his creative peak in 1972-73 and this song – John, I’m Only Dancing – bridged the brief gap between Ziggy Stardust and the next album, Aladdin Sane.
Onward to 1973 and the year began the way all good years began in the early Seventies – with another T. Rex hit.
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.
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.
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.
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.

I see Neil Simon has died. I must say I had assumed he died decades ago but by coincidence last week I watched Murder By Death, a spoof whodunnit with an all-star cast.