Another gem by Vibracobra. This reggae band is not from Jamaica, but rather from the UK. Hailing from Wolverhampton, they were a big, eight piece group that mostly played in an easy skanking style. Smoking My Ganja and Fire were released as singles in 1978 and 1979 on Greensleeves label and both were included in the band's sole LP, Headline News in 1979. I can't find Rasta Say on any of their releases--maybe it's unique to this session. Not as famous as other UK bands such as Steel Pulse, Aswad and Matumbi, but their records are definitely worth seeking out if you love reggae. Capital Letters was joined by the three previously mentioned groups as well as Misty In Roots, Cimarons, Black Slate, Reggae Regular and Black Roots to prove beyond a doubt first class reggae could be created and played outside Jamaica. Throw in the great Linton Kwesi Johnson and you've got quite the bubbling reggae scene in the late 70's UK.
Peel’s musical radar and curation of music was as unique as his presentational style. Sadly no-one that i know of, touches him on any of those fronts. I guess we were lucky to have such a great musical inspiration in our lives…as indeed were so many of the artists he cast his light on. This session (and his exposure of Misty In Roots Live at the Counter Eurovision ‘79) was one of the key factors and tracks that drew me into Roots reggae music in the late 70’s… a deep love of which I’ve had ever since
Another gem by Vibracobra.
This reggae band is not from Jamaica, but rather from the UK. Hailing from Wolverhampton, they were a big, eight piece group that mostly played in an easy skanking style. Smoking My Ganja and Fire were released as singles in 1978 and 1979 on Greensleeves label and both were included in the band's sole LP, Headline News in 1979. I can't find Rasta Say on any of their releases--maybe it's unique to this session.
Not as famous as other UK bands such as Steel Pulse, Aswad and Matumbi, but their records are definitely worth seeking out if you love reggae. Capital Letters was joined by the three previously mentioned groups as well as Misty In Roots, Cimarons, Black Slate, Reggae Regular and Black Roots to prove beyond a doubt first class reggae could be created and played outside Jamaica. Throw in the great Linton Kwesi Johnson and you've got quite the bubbling reggae scene in the late 70's UK.
ooh thanks! keep them reggae sets coming if you got em puhleez!
Is there ANYTHING like John Peel's out there today?
I don’t think so
I’d say KEXP does a good job of producing quality live recordings of good modern bands
His son Tom Ravenscroft does a show on BBC 6 music which is pretty eclectic and good.
Noooooooooo there will never be another j.peel
Peel’s musical radar and curation of music was as unique as his presentational style. Sadly no-one that i know of, touches him on any of those fronts. I guess we were lucky to have such a great musical inspiration in our lives…as indeed were so many of the artists he cast his light on. This session (and his exposure of Misty In Roots Live at the Counter Eurovision ‘79) was one of the key factors and tracks that drew me into Roots reggae music in the late 70’s… a deep love of which I’ve had ever since