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Underground > Radio & Music >

Sir Coxsone RIP

12:35 / 17.05.04

Barbelith isn't the most reggaed-up of places otherwise I'd have started a thread about this when it happened. I forgot to do so but then I thought this deserved a thread of it's own.

Dor those that don't know his work, Coxsone Dodd was the head of Studio 1, responsible for producing some of the most stunning soulful music to ever have come out of Jamaica. I don't think it's a exaggeration to say that he was the most significant figure in Jamaica music after Bob Marley. Anyway, sad, sad news for reggae fans.

Story here

14:11 / 17.05.04

I sadly have to admit that I'd be lying if I claimed I knew who this bloke was before he died..

however;

During a lengthy drive in my Mum's car last week, the radio was tuned to Radio 2, and in a bafflingly incredible stroke of joyfullness, none other than TV arsewit Mark Lamar came on and respectfully played an entire hour of Studio One records in tribute to Coxsone, and every single one of them was AMAZING, making me think I should get my hands on some of those Studio One compilations..

It was so weird sitting there listening to Radio 2 with my Mum and suddenly being confronted with an hour of thunderous ganja-inspired grooves and revolutionary Rasta pronouncements.. my respect for Mark Lamar has increased by about 10000%..

15:56 / 17.05.04

Soul Jazz have put quite a few out, Riz, all of which are worthy of purchase. Studio One Story's probably a good place to start - a decent selection of tracks and a DVD with a whopping great documentary on it.

Which I've still not watched, thinking about it.

I quite like Lamar, tbh. He did a pretty good 'History of Reggae' series for BBC2 a few months back and he seems to have a real passion for the music.

But yeah, sad news.

17:05 / 17.05.04

I always thought Mark Lamarr was okay - he may have ridiculous hair but at least he has the music collection to match it. I've only heard it a couple of times, but his rock and roll show always impresses. And yeah, those Soul Jazz comps are alright actually, though there's plenty of other good comps on the market. Apparently Soul Jazz have brought up the rights to Studio One...

At least according to rumors at www.bloodandfire.co.uk - they've got quite a decent reggae message board. Been checking out the Coxsone tributes over there - people were saying that basically 72 is a ripe old age, and at least he got to reach it unlike so many other artists in Jamaican music. He went quickly and at least he hung on until seeing the street named after his label - the famus Brentford Road has now been renamed Studio 1 Boulevard. And last but by no means least - what a legacy! Someone over there put it best - "I bet they're having a hell of a jam session in Heaven!"

God Bless Coxsone - RIP.

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

00:42 / 18.05.04

Yeah, my thoughts exactly...a really good innings, and an incredible body of work left behind which guarantees he will stay forever young on the stereo...1xtra also did a fantastic tribute on Digital TV & Radio, in place of their usual dancehall slot on the 5th, which was excellent...

I've always marvelled that Lee 'Scratch' Perry is still going, he must be knocking 80 himself...Perhaps his body went a long time ago and his mind just hasn't cottoned on yet...He's a truly demented man, saw him at a few festivals, and he still smokes the living weed and drinks like a monster.

Respec' to Coxsone Dodd, rest in peace.

lord nuneaton savage

10:56 / 18.05.04

But enough of this misery, C'mon everybody, lets ska a pusscat...

11:49 / 18.05.04

I'll be lighting a candle on my altar, raising a glass of rum, and toasting Sir Coxsone Downbeat with the sound of The Skatalites filling the air.

The ancestors now have a wicked soundsystem. Expect cosmic transmission of skanking beats seeping through Ouija boards at an unpredendented rate. Spiritualist churches filled with table rapping to kumina drum patterns. Dread at the controls.

19:56 / 18.05.04

big ups.

Goodness Gracious Meme

22:58 / 29.05.04

can't believe I missed this. Thanks for the shout, Ill.

If anyone's able/inclined and fancies a bit of fitting memorialising, Toots and the Maytals are playing in Brighton on june 16th.

12:31 / 30.05.04

Toots and the Maytals are playing in Brighton on june 16th.

!

Do you know if there are still tickets left for this?