a r t i s t : Steel An' Skin
t i t l e : Reggae Is Here Once Again
d a t e : 2008
l a b e l : EM (EM1075DCD)
g e n r e : Funk
r l s. d a t e : Feb/2008
t r a c k s : 07
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 51,8 MB
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*Ripper's note: Double-disc set, the second of which is a DVD,
not included here.
EM "Steel pan" series #3!
Steel pan + disco + dub from 1970s!!
Yet another lost gem from EM Records! Ultra-postive
consciousness from Afro-Caribbean London, circa 1979. Members
of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band (one of Grand Master
Flash's favourites) sailing Trinidad-wise over gratifyingly
intricate African ritual rhythms. Strong vocals compliment
reggae, funk, disco and soul influences to form a relentless
groove machine.
Steel an' Skin, a unit composed of young nightclub musicians
born in Ghana, Nigeria, St. Kitts, Trinidad and the U.K., who
once performed with Ginger Johnson's Afrikan Drummers, a
highlife band under the tutelage of the late Ginger Johnson
and played at Johnson's Iroko Country Club in Hampstead,
London. Steel an' Skin began activities giving concerts and
workshops in London schools, expanding nationwide to schools,
prisons, psychiatric hospitals and summer festivals, including
the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. The group combined an
admirably brave, open and unironic mix of musical forms with
community outreach, non-cynical and untainted by preachiness
or "social work." Good feelings from good hearts.
This EM reissue consists of Steel an' Skin's 1979 debut 12
inch single "Reggae Is Here Once Again", featuring "Afro Punk
Reggae (Dub)", a fine disco-dub workout, plus 2 tracks from
their 1984 LP ACID RAIN as well as one unissued track. Also
included is documentary DVD by Steve Shaw featuring perceptive
commentary from Steel an'Skin's founder Peter Blackman, killer
live and rehearsal footage of the band, workshop scenes (check
out the 1970s suits and parkas!) and devastating views of
inner-city Liverpool. Steel an' Skin soars above the 1970s
ruins!
http://www.emrecords.net/records/00090.html
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01-Reggae Is Here Once Again [04:35]
02-Gadzo Drumming [00:42]
03-Fire in Soweto [04:15]
04-Afro Punk Reggae (Dub) [06:42]
05-Acid Rain [08:46]
06-Hi Life [07:46]
07-John Belly Mama [03:02]
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35:48 min