“Welcome to the early digital era!”, a preamble to a brief presentation of the birth of the computerized music revolution in Jamaica. The arrival of this era was marked by a phenomenal song titled, “Sleng Teng Riddim” in the mid 80’s, which was produced by a a nobleman, King Jammy.
Born as Lloyd James, this legend started his career as an electronics technician and sound system operator who was mentored directly by the dub music god, Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock. In 1969, the man who was born in 1947, had left Jamaica and went to Canada with (at the time) his future wife. In Toronto – Canada, King Jammy learn more and get his deeper knowledge of sound engineering. Circa 1976, after returning to Jamaica, he was reunited with “the teacher”. King Jammy works and is even believed to be the “right hand” of King Tubby. The big step that then led him to the gates of the glorious Jamaican music world.
In the 1980s, King Jammy set up a modest studio in the area around St. Lucia Road, Kingston – Jamaica. In this small music room, he started his experiments and gave birth to many monumental singles. One of them is the song “Under Me Sleng Teng” sung by Wayne Smith which was released in 1985 through Jammy’s Records. This song was a success. A work that delivers the birth of modern dancehall.
Here is an introductory song list to enjoy the work of King Jammy, the mighty.
(Text: Keyko, Editor & Translation: Sam)
The legendary song that ushered in a "new era". “Sleng Teng Riddim” comes from Wayne Smith and Noel Davey. They were the ones who arranged the initial work of this riddim using the Casio MT-40 keyboard. Then King Jammy polished this song beautifully in his studio with additional piano and clap sounds.
In “Punnany Riddim” (the title of the riddim), King Jammy himself is the architect of the digital sound composition for this dancehall track. Admiral Bailey came to complete this tune with his vocals. One of the historical releases ever created by Jammy's Records Music Imprint.
The single from Sugar Minott's album “A Touch Of Class” is a thick digital dancehall track. Produced and released by King Jammy through Jammy's Records in 1990.
Cocoa Tea is one of the Jamaican soloists who at that time collaborated with King Jammy several times. The original riddim of this song was composed by Philip “Fatis” Burrell with the title “Tonight Riddim”. Through Jammy's Records, "Young Lover" was released and became an important song to listen to and enjoy.
The closed friendship between King Jammy and Dennis Brown also led them to a musical collaboration. King Jammy participated in Dennis Brown's single “Slow Down” by playing out the percussion track. The single was also released through Jammy's Records.
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