Glen Washington
The latest edition of Tad’s International Record’s ‘Reggae Jammin’ compilation album was released on October 9. ‘Vol 6’ contains 17 songs, mainly by veteran artists.
Tad Dawkins, head of the label, co-produced the project with Tad Dawkins Jr., said the series has been well-received since it was first released in 2008. He and his team took a different approach for ‘Vol 6’.
“We wanted to make this one have the feel of real classic reggae music with a touch of the new stuff, hence the selection of Dennis Brown, Ranking Dread, Sugar Minott, Brigadier Jerry, Larry & The Mento Boys, Norris Man, Glen Washington, Richie Spice and Icho Candy,” he explained.
Brown and Ranking Dread, who died in 1999 and 1996, respectively, collaborated on ‘Unite Brotherman’. Sugar Minott and Brigadier Jerry share the mic on ‘Vanty/Ram Dance Master’.
An interesting inclusion is ‘Captain Selassie I’ by roots singer Icho Candy. First released in 1983, the song is a staple at Jamaican dances and has made him a cult figure.
Larry & The Mento Boys represent one of Jamaica’s oldest art forms with ‘Mento Boys Medley’.
Some of the musicians who played on ‘Reggae Jammin Vol 6’ are drummer Kirk Bennett, bassist Donald Dennis, guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin, saxophonist Dean Fraser and pianist/organist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul.
WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL