Honest Jons logo

The great reggae saxophonist surfing a dazzling array of immortal Glen Brown instrumentals and dubs, like Dirty Harry, Mr Bald Head Aitken, Merry Up, South East Music, Fathers Call, Music From South Side…
GB the Rhythm Master is right up there in the first pantheon of reggae producers, with the Upsetter, Niney and one or two others; stuff like Dirty Harry is the food of gods.
A deeply pleasurable set, warmly recommended.

Tasty rudeboy anthems from Cedric ‘Congos’ Myton, Devon Russell and co —  a dancehall tribute and a jailhouse portent. Double-bass in the place.

Killer.
Typically masterful, ultra-soulful singing, over a sparkling rhythm. It’s the last gasp of the swinging sixties; geezer is hurt but randy. His missus has scarpered, so the coast is clear for some of this in-ting debauchery he’s been reading about in the papers.
With a trombone-led moonstomp on the flip.
This first hit for Keith Hudson’s new label is a stone-cold re-wind in perpetuity. So play it back, Jack. Hook back on the track with a double attack.

Jen rides the dread Sidewalk Doctor rhythm, with Woman Of The Ghetto lyrics.
Jackie Mittoo puts any survivors to the sword.

Lovely Impressions impressions on the eve of the group’s departure from Brentford Road.

Sublimely versioning the almighty Curtis anthem; with another rocksteady clarion-call on the flip, brassy and more stern, by The Hamlins.

A Skatalites charger and a jolt of vintage Ethiopian ska rumpus.

Perfect uptempo rock steady from the Gaylad (copping a little British Invasion, a bit late in the day). The flip carries the swing, though: a magnificent horns cut to Delano’s Tell Me Baby, by The Gaysters.

God’s own ska. Cornerstone of the Far East in reggae. (No Augustus Pablo without it.) We put a dubplate mix on Studio One Scorcher; first ever time out for the second take here.

Beautiful mento sufferers for Ronnie Nasralla in 1966. ‘I am the man who fights for the right, not for the wrong.’
People say that’s the first deejay recording on the flip — the wonderful Lord Comic, and his cowboys. ‘Music is real sweet… For your dancing feet.’

Two fine sides of expert, Curtis-inflected soul-reggae.

Gorgeous…and backed with rudeboy anthem A Man Of Chances.
Two counts of murder.

‘You think you can hold me down, you think you can tie me down… I’m a man for chances.’

Outstanding roots by Noel Gray, at High Times in 1982.