VA - Redman International Dancehall 1985-1989 (2017)

Killer, massive collection of Redman’s ’80s + ‘90s digidub productions, sourced from rare 7”s. This one’s a lot! Check for Tony Tuff’s ‘Careless People’, Admiral Tibet on the ruddy ride of ‘New Tactics’, and particularly the handful of dub versions!

“Two years after the release of Sleng Teng, a young vigorous producer, who was originally a sound system operator, was maturing his tactics to rule over Jammy’s position. His name was Hugh ‘Redman’ James. Soon the producer was in the limelight during the late 80’s to the early 90’s for releasing a number of hits from his own Redman International label.

The sound system operator turned producer employed Steely & Clevie for his rhythm section like other major producers including King Jammy, King Tubby and Winston Riley. But the rhythms he created were literally new when compared to the works of other 80’s labels. Many would still say that Redman’s style is very similar to King Jammys. But at the same time, he identified his music by dripping the essence of Jamaican roots music, which inevitably distinguished his sound and originality.

Themes that Redman accompanied were very obvious in titles, which he produced. Titles such as ‘Weh Dem Fah’ and ‘Danger’ by Carl Meeks, ‘Dangerous’ by Conroy Smith, ‘New Tactics’ by Admiral Tibett, ‘Careless People’ by Tony Tuff and ‘Concrete Jungle’ and ‘Runnings’ by Dave Bailey are considerably some of his best productions that featured those clear themes and conscious messages from those artists.

A major breakthrough came to Redman when he versioned a Studio One classic ‘Run Run’ by Delroy Wilson to create a massive hit ‘Koloko’ by Clement Irie. On the same rhythm, Johnny P, Daddy Lilly, Rappa Robert & Tippa Lee have also recorded other striving songs. In addition, he produced many talented artists like Red Dragon, Frankie Paul, Courtney Melody and released other quality productions.

Throughout the Redman’s catalogue, all of the songs and rhythms were basically created to target patrons at various dancehall venues as he was originally a sound system man. Also dub versions to his rhythms were very remarkable productions. For these reasons, his music is still highly demanded and respected from the day that Redman founded his label over twenty years ago.”

Tracklist:
01. Da Da Waps - Old Chain
02. Carl Meeks - Danger
03. Carl Meeks - Red Eye Lover
04. Dave Bailey - Runnings
05. Tony Tuff - Careless People
06. Wayne Palmer - Yu Nu Remember
07. Admiral Tibet - New Tactics
08. Horace Martin - Geow Now
09. Carl Meeks - Without Your Love
10. Dave Bailey - Concrete Jungle
11. Little John - Rub a Dub One
12. Little John - Ba Bat a Ba Bat
13. Puddy Roots - When I Release
14. Redman - When I Release (Dub Version)
15. Redman - Danger (Dub Version)
16. Redman - Runnings (Dub Version)
17. Redman - Old Chain (Dub Version)
18. Redman - New Tactics (Dub Version)