| Tappa Zukie [
David Sinclair, b 1955, Kingston, Jamaica ] actually cut his first record
in England, after being sent there aged 17. Breaking from his troublesome
past that found him running with the rough crowd in the streets of Kingston,
Jamaica. On his arrival in sunny Ladbroke Grove, London, producer Bunny
Lee called him up on stage at a local dance to sing a tune.Impressed with
the results fellow producer Larry Lawrence got the young Tappa in the
studio the very next day and cut 'Jump and Twist '.This led to cutting
his 'Man I Warrior ' album, but somewhat disillusioned and homesick he
returned to Jamaica shortly afterwards.
His connection with Bunny Lee continued back in the yard.Working as Bunny's
minder, he would sit in on all his sessions, making sure everything ran
smoothly.It took some time before Bunny let Tappa loose on some tracks
to voice over.But the results would be worth waiting for.The eight tracks
he cut from Bunny's material plus a further two rhythms acquired from
Joe Gibbs, would provide the back bone to his mighty 1976 release 'MPLA',
a roots classic.Production work was to follow, which in turn led to the
formation of his 'Stars ' imprint label,again working out of Bunny's 101
Orange Street premises.His excellent production work on Prince Allah's,
'Bosrah', 'Daniel' and 'Heaven is my Roof ' alongside cuts by Junior Ross
and the Spears ' Babylon Fall ', ' Judgment Time ' would establish the
labels identity.
His earlier venture in the UK would also pay dividends, seeing his 'I
Man Warrior ' album receive great reviews on it's release. Building on
this a UK tour organised to support the 'MPLA' set and being championed
by punk poetess Patti Smith, whom he also toured with, would see his star
surely rising.Tappa's many talents would also lead to acquiring a record
deal for his then protege's,a roots group called 'Knowledge'.
It's from this period in Tappa's career, that we have compiled this set
.We have collected together some great lost treasures and some alternative
cuts to some of Tappa's better known releases.Like his mighty cut with
Horace Andy 'Natty Dread Ah Wey She Want ' [ Natty Dread Dub ] which was
a massive hit alongside his 'She want a Phensic ' in the late 1970's.His
cut to Jackie Edward's ' Invasion' [ Bagga Wire Dub ], and his version
of Johnny Clarke's ' Ballistic Affair ' [Ballistic Dub ] are also both
fine examples of Tappa's dexterity in the DJ arena. Mr Zukie, DJ / Toaster
/ Producer....Roll the tape one more time if you please.....
Respect Jah Floyd.
1. NATTY PRINCESS DUB.
Tappa's works over Delroy Wilson's 'Never will Conquer Me' rhythm
to fine effect, to make his ÔNatty PrincessÕ cut . Vibestone
are doing backing vocals on this lost dub cut.
2.BALLISTIC DUB.
Johnny Clarke's 'Ballistic Affair',is given the Tappa treatment.
3. DUB TO THE WEST.
A lost till now dub to Tappa's 'Riding West' track originally to be found
on his 1979 ÔTappa RootsÕ album. still sounds good !!!
4.BAGGA WIRE DUB.
Tappa's version to Jackie Edward's 'The Invasion',which in turn
was known for Burning Spear's cut 'Black Wa -Da - Da' .This is a lost
till now dub cut.
5.GIVE ME DUB.
Johnny Clarke's version to Slim Smith's 'Give me a Love' supplied the
musical bones to make Tappa's 'Chalice to Chalice' .cut,of which this
is a lost dub to....
6.GET READY FI DUB.
Tappa's roots version to the Rocksteady classic 'People Rocksteady'.
7.DUB SLAVE.
Johnny Clarke's 'Poor Marcus' provides the setting for Tappa's own 'Marcus'
cut.This is it's lost dub cut.
8.THROW ME DUB.
Tappa workÕs Larry MarshallÕs ÔThrow me CornÕ,and
dubs it up. Nice!!!
9.DUB NEXT DOOR.
The 'Man next Door ' rhythm made famous by John Holt and again by Horace
Andy gets reworked by Mr Zukie.
10.NATTY DREAD DUB.
A dub cut to Mr Zukie's and Horace Andy's 'Natty Dread Ah What She Want'.
11.CONVERSATION DUB.
Slim Smith's 'My Conversation' given the Tappa treatment.....
12.BLACK UNDERSTANDING.
Horace Andy's 'Zion Gate' gets a Tappa make over.
13.ROCK YOU ROCK DUB.
Tappa reworks this rare rhythm made famous by the Wailer's on their 'Bend
Down Low',to fine effect for his 'Rock you Rock' cut.
14.DUB HYPOCRITES.
Last but not least another Wailers rhythm 'Hypocrites' gets the Tappa
treatment...
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