Harold Davis CD launch: A groovy Musical Blend at Chaser's

Harold Davis' latest project is interesting as much for the sub-title as for its indisputably first- rate content. "Piano Ska" is what the multi-hyphenate artist (pianist-vocalist-bandleader-composer-producer) has dubbed this 14-track opus, dubbed "Something Special"

Harold Davis (right) watches Seretse Small get down on guitar during the listening party for his new Cd Something Special

And for those present at New Kingston's Chaser's Cafe on Sunday last, that's exactly what it proved to be. With sterling contributions from an expanded band and several special guests, Davis and "the crew" as they were referred to, more than did justice to the ska standards (Skatalites mostly) that constitute the bulk of this programme. I'll have a full review soon

vocalist extraordinare Pam Hall

Nina does Nina and More at Regency Bar

The counterpoint garland in her hair(going against her flowing back outfit) suggested Billie Holliday, but lounge singer Nina Karle delivered a sprightly cover of Nina Simone's "My Baby Just Cares" in addition to the obligatory Bob Marley numbers (it's February, after all)  during her stint at the Jazz Thursdays at the Regency Bar and Lounge at Terra Nova

Joining the vocalist in her exploits were Dwayne Livingston on  bass
pianist Anders Lopez and James Ferguson* on  drums

The repertoire, delivered with consummate skill, and with an Airy sound and  languid intervals also encompassed Andy Williams' trademark "Moon River"

the mood was extended with "The Way You Look Tonight" and completed with the bossa nova classic "girl from Ipanema", delivered vocally as the "boy from Ipanema" as well as Randy Crawford's sultry classic "Almaz" which got the bass-heavy treatment with a neatly ascending piano solo from Lopez to boot.

Then Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me"

Of course, one good "Jones" deserves another, so "Don't Know Why" followed.

For the Reggae King Tribute to Bob Marley, the group did "Is This Love" interspersed with freestyle quotes from "Jammin'"

And capped with "Redemption Song"

After the interval, they returned with a booming, funky yet swinging "Fly Me To The Moon"

"Summertime" followed in similar mode, if at a slower tempo

Killing Me Softly

Ska-inflected "My Baby Just Cares For Me"

Back to Marley, via Lauryn Hill, with "Turn Your Lights Down Low"

For Ansel Collins… DOUBLE BARRLE A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

It is one of those songs  Its spoken word intro (“I am the magnificent!!”) is among the most recognizeable lines in pop music. Both that intro and the fluid melody lines have been sampled and cited innumerable times by artistes in virtually every sub-genre of pop music.

But even as the Jamaican classic “Double Barrel” notches its 40^th anniversary of  release this year, keyboardist Ansel Collins still has mixed feelings about the tune which has essentially immortalized him among music aficionados.  It is a conundrum that’s heightened as he prepares to reunite with Dave Barker (born David John Crooks ), at the upcoming LONDON INTL SKA FESTIVAL, scheduled for April 21-24 in the British capital.  

Speaking by telephone, Collins recounted the genesis of the song, which he said was actually recorded back in 1969. “Well is me really put that tune together, you know” he recalls. “We went into what they then called Dynamic Sounds and the idea for the tune just come to me. Sly (that is reggae drumming legend Sly Dunbar, then a mere 14 years old) play on it, and From we set it I knew it was gonna be big,”  That prescience however, did not extend to him securing full rights to his creation, a fact which today dampens any celebratory feelings he may have given the song’s reach and longevity.  In fact, he states that barker’s now renowned vocal was added after the initial record was made. The song was credited to Winston Riley, of the Techniques fame.

Double Barrel, released on Techniques Records, part of the Trojan Records label, topped the Jamaican charts, and went on to further success overseas. The single reached #1 on the UK Singles Charts for two weeks in April 1971 and reached the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #22. A sequel of sorts, “Monkey Spanner” also enjoyed some international success, but Collins says he and Barker never again recorded thereafter. He has written nad recorded a considerable amount of new material. As a sessions musician, he has contributed to many of the biggest rocksteady and reggae tracks.

 The London International Ska Festival will be held at The Clapham Grand Theatre,  and will feature 37 bands & DJs from 11 countries, showcasing the very best of the music form that is the precursor to reggae. The festival will in fact encompass the whole spectrum of  Jamaican pop music, progressing from the  classic ska sound through rocksteady and reggae, and coming right up to today’s contemporary interpretations of Ska sounds. 

The headliners include Jamaican legends Ken Boothe, Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths as well as Collins. It will also feature bands from the UK, Italy and other countries.

The Spirit & the Riddim

After partaking in the festivities to mark the 15th Anniversary of Kingston watering hole The Deck (good food, the music of Andrew henry and others competing with the clack of pool balls smacking against each other), we then headed off to the Edna Manley College.

Professionals, music aficionados and others joined a raucous group of EMC students to winess the second of the reggae Month series of concerts hosted in the College Amphitheatre and presented by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA). last week's session, featuring mento kings the Jolly Boys (who wrote the book on raucous and raunch), was still being talked about.

But it was sanctification this week (at least to  start) as Minister Carlene Davis and her group took the gathering to church, albeit maintaining a strong and very persuasive reggae beat in tracks such as "Healing Rain" .

After a welcome encore that saw hubby Tommy Cowan getting in on the act with a ironically faithful DJ rendition of Papa Levi's "Mi God, Mi King" it was time for the horns. Nambo Robinson and Idren workshop, including the visiting saxophonist Michael 'Bammie' Rose and unleashed a fusillade of ska classics that defied initial resistance and eventually had many in the fair-sized crowd rocking and skanking away.

EMC director and music vet Ibo Cooper and singer-disc jock-soon to be arts manager Heather "Brown Sugar" Grant shepherded the proceedings.