ONE LOVE: REGGAE: Ian Clarke: Co-Proprietor Digi Killer Records/Reco

“I picked Johnny Osbourne “Truths And Rights” which is one of my favourite reggae albums of all time. And it's definitely in the second era of Studio One, which is the mid to late seventies sort of roots era which has a special place for me and was one of the these records from this era - the first Sugar Minott Record, this record, first Freddy McGreggor record - these were basically using these old Coxsone rhythms which are wonderfull rock steady rhythms and it's Coxsones way of keeping up to the time of the day when these were released. And what I love about this record is it's wonderfully soulful reggae, there's a huge, you know, sort of Chicago sixties soul influence in his singing and I love the fact that it repurposes these rhythms and makes them quote unquote conscious kind of tunes and political tunes. Taking these old love songs and flipping them lyrically and the lyrics are just they're marvellous and so heartfelt. And I'm trying to think about what else I can say about this record - it just has so much soul to me.I think that's a very important aspect of reggae, you know, that some people appreciate and some people care less about but for me it's really important. And I'm trying to think about what else I can think of with respect to this record. It's the second wave of Coxsone.Well every time I pick it up I want to play it ( laughs) well that's a good sign. And “Truth and Rights” is still an anthem.And Johnny is still about and he's often in New York and he often will just pick up a microphone at, you know, small gigs. And his voice is impeccable, you know, fourty years after this record, he keeps it in good shape. And so you can actually still hear him sing these songs - especially “Truth And Rights”. And everyone always goes crazy because it's as if you're hearing him in his prime because he's still got that prime voice it's still amazing. So it's an extra component he's part of New York reggae culture for sure.”Ian Clarke: Brooklyn, NY, 7th February 2019Johnny Osbourne: “Truths And Rights” - released 1979DigiKiller RecordsRecord City
Ian Clarke: Co-Proprietor Digi Killer Records/Reco, Johnny Osbourne: Truths And Rights

 

“I picked Johnny Osbourne “Truths And Rights” which is one of my favourite reggae albums of all time. And it's definitely in the second era of Studio One, which is the mid to late seventies sort of roots era which has a special place for me and was one of the these records from this era - the first Sugar Minott Record, this record, first Freddy McGreggor record - these were basically using these old Coxsone rhythms which are wonderfull rock steady rhythms and it's Coxsones way of keeping up to the time of the day when these were released. And what I love about this record is it's wonderfully soulful reggae, there's a huge, you know, sort of Chicago sixties soul influence in his singing and I love the fact that it repurposes these rhythms and makes them quote unquote conscious kind of tunes and political tunes. Taking these old love songs and flipping them lyrically and the lyrics are just they're marvellous and so heartfelt. And I'm trying to think about what else I can say about this record - it just has so much soul to me. 

I think that's a very important aspect of reggae, you know, that some people appreciate and some people care less about but for me it's really important. And I'm trying to think about what else I can think of with respect to this record. It's the second wave of Coxsone. 

Well every time I pick it up I want to play it ( laughs) well that's a good sign. And “Truth and Rights” is still an anthem. 

And Johnny is still about and he's often in New York and he often will just pick up a microphone at, you know, small gigs. And his voice is impeccable, you know, fourty years after this record, he keeps it in good shape. And so you can actually still hear him sing these songs - especially “Truth And Rights”. And everyone always goes crazy because it's as if you're hearing him in his prime because he's still got that prime voice it's still amazing. So it's an extra component he's part of New York reggae culture for sure.” 

Ian Clarke: Brooklyn, NY, 7th February 2019 

Johnny Osbourne: “Truths And Rights” - released 1979 

DigiKiller Records 

Record City