High Stylus

Rodigan verses Barry G. Radio Clash 1985 part 1

it can be a bit of a problem finding these files in a good, quality format to download. this is one definitely a milestone in reggae history as well as for my own personal listening. I grew up on ska, rocksteady and roots reggae and sort of resisted most reggae produced after 1984. The digital age had some scorchers, and I loved the sleng teng etc, but my heart was still with mostly 70's roots and dubs. Having listened to it at least a decade and half after it originally aired, it really ushered in a new era of reggae. The heavy manners of conscious reggae, where dreads rivaled and competed over piety, subtly shifted first with the death of Selassie in 1975. Marley's death in 1981, and the foreign evils and drug wars all conspired against the truth and rights music. The emergence of slackness, with acts like General Echo, signaled a new era of party and punani tunes that continue today.
      Rodigan and Barry G. "the Boogey Man" exemplify the selector as alchemist. I have noticed a phenomena from many dj's and soundsystems, whereby a tune that is mediocre or fails to impress is transmuted in a display of pure sonic sorcery. It is as if the enthusiasm of the selector, and the skill to pull that tune, at that moment, with that sound effect and introduction that creates a perfect storm for the ears. The sparring back and forth in this soundclash, the playful verbal trash-talking, the jingles and skits...Its just perfect... Musical luddites are always talking of the lost golden age, usually to them the Rockers era of the 70's, but the music is like life: constantly reinventing itself to technology, social realities and the spirit of the times. The music presented in this 1985 clash is just as fresh, and exciting as it was then. The early Maxi Priest tunes (the horns of the Caution band are crucial)  that are as fresh as spring, the rough mixed classics by Gregory Isaacs and Cocoa tea. dubplates by pompidou and echo minott...punctuated by little vocal messages from Frankie Paul.  sting mi a sting

side note: Barry G. (RIP) took over the controls of of JBC radio from Mikey Dread (RIP) and the change really did signify a changing of the guard from the old school Rockers era crew to the new breed of soundsystem and clash. The story goes that Mikey Dread was not allowed to speak on air, but could broadcast jingles (famously sampled in so many mixes) and the wikepedia page says he quit in protest over disagreements with management. I spoke with Mikey Dread on quite a few occasions, and one time this clash was playing in the background. His version of the story was that Barry G. took over his position at JBC when Mikey Dread went on a weekend trip. Basically he said that when he arrived back to work, he was out of a job and Barry G. was dug in at the control towers. We mention this just as historical note, there was a bit of bad blood and grudge it seems (though not from Mikey Dread himself but relatives privy to the conversation) and never heard Mikey Dread say anything negative against any man even in relating some shady business deals. We certainly do not intend any disrespect to either of these gentlemen, and they are heroes.