Junie Ranks, Bringing Love Inna Di Dancehall

For me the greatest era of dancehall music was in the 1980s to 1990s. My stake is that I was very active in several areas during that period. From Producer/Presenter (DJ) on Jamaica’s most popular radio station to newspaper columnist, producer of TV programmes, manager and booking agent.

I worked with every promoter of every show and with many record producers and artists. Many people from then knew my name. I knew theirs, from artists, managers and producers to business people and politicians.

Most of these artists are still around in various stages of activity. As is usually the case several new crops of stars have risen (and fallen) since then. Occasionally you get one of the [CLEARS THROAT - ahem!] old-timers comes along reminiscing. “Boy, yu member di good ol’ daze?” In other words, pay tribute to what they remember as the best years of their beloved music.

DJ Junie Ranks is one of these troopers. This video is her tribute to some illustrious names of dancehall past and still present. Or, as she puts it: “Ting call bring back di love inna di dancehall.” And for 5 minutes 36 seconds she does precisely that showing love for names in order of appearance or mention as follows:

Al Campbell, Michael Palmer, Lady G, Sister Charmaine, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, Brigadier Jerry, Lady Ann, Sister Nancy, General Trees, Admiral Bailey, Big Youth, I-Roy, Peter Metro, Ranking Joe, Jack Ruby, Beres Hammond, Glamma Wayne, Courtney Melody, Bingie General, Michigan & Smiley, Yellowman, Ninja Man, Johnny Osbourne, Gil Bailey, Sammy Dread, Tony Tuff, Carlton Livingston, Clinton Lindsay, Mikey Jarrett (Mack Daddy), Barrington Levy, Lord Sassafras, Barry G, David Rodigan, Boogie Gee, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Junior Demis, Pinchers, Eek-a-Mouse, Welton Irie, Triston Palma, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, Half Pint, Junior Reid, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, Ansel Meditation, Chip Smith, Michael Palmer, Little John, Burro Banton, Papa San, Major Mackerel, Lone Ranger, Scepta, DJ Roy, Ed Robinson, Chris the Dubmaster, Mykal Rose, Wayne Smith, Willow Wilson, Peter Ranks, Sharon Gordon, Sister Carol, Cornell Campbell, Keeling Beckford, Ras Splicerr, Tiger, DJ Bandit and Downbeat.

That’s quite an impressive role call. Coming out now it acts as a timely reminder to new and/or up coming reggae lovers of reggae’s rich history. Ed Robinson did a similar thing in his song Our Heroes. This is a welcome trend, of artists making tribute songs to past masters.

We hope this inspire others to revisit (or discover) these stalwarts and forward the reggae vibe. Either way it is good to bring back (or keep) nuff nuff love inna di dancehall.

Knuh true?

Tags: admiral bailey, al campbell, ansel meditation, barrington levy, barry g, beres hammond, big youth, bingie general, boogie gee, brigadier jerry, bring back di love inna di dancehall, burro banton, carlton livingston, chaka demus and pliers, charlie chaplin, chip smith, chris the dubmaster, clinton lindsay, cornell campbell, courtney melody, david rodigan, dennis brown, dj bandit, dj roy, downbeat, ed robinson, eek-a-mouse, freddie mcgregor, general trees, gil bailey, glamma wayne, half pint, i-roy, jack ruby, john holt, johnny osbourne, josey wales, junior demis, junior reid, keeling beckford, ken boothe, lady ann, lady g, little john, lone ranger, lord sassafras, mack daddy, major mackerel, michael palmer, michigan and smiley, mikey Jarrett, mykal rose, ninja man, papa san, peter metro, peter ranks, pinchers, ranking joe, ras splicerr, sammy dread, scepta, shabba ranks, sharon gordon, sister carol, sister charmaine, sister nancy, super cat, tiger, tony tuff, triston palma, wayne smith, welton irie, willow wilson, yellowman

Posted on 16 March, 2011 in Firestick, Videos | Comments: 4