RECORD MIRROR, JUNE 30, 1973 21 REGGAE SPECIAL The THIS is Brutus Crombie speaking. I go doolally for West Indian'60's, the general British public, as well as the critics, put it down reggae music. It shoots me into orbit when I'm down, andas a lot of trashy noise. Then the music went into its "Bluebeat" propels me even higher when I'm feeling fine. I am most pleasedstage, then to "Rock steady," and finally into its present highly and delighted to be compiling this supplement, partly because Isuccessful "Reggae" form. uncrowned really dig the music and partly because in 19'73, I shall have been a hobnail -booted reggae freak for four years myself.Itis, The current Reggae Boom poses a problem. It is this: which therefore, very important to me to advise any Non -Believers toartist or group leads the field? There are several artists who I king look around any club or ballroom-that is, any place where thewould personally recommend. Bob Marley is one. Judge Dread resident disc jockey spins a wide selection of popular records (Ais another. So is Dandy Livingstone. Desmond Dekker is good example is Mick Tee at Margate's Dreamland Ballroom).another. The Pioneers? They would be excellent. However, one Pick out any young pop fan, and it is certain they will know thatof their problems is that they have not got a hit record at the of Reggae - the music with a beat that is almost hypnotic in itsmoment. But right now is the time for me to do some work. So regularity - stems from Jamaica. However, I think I shouldI'm going to type as fast as I can, writing about Reggae's Big explain to young RM readers that when Ska began in the early -Twelve in this 4 -page special supplement. Reggae SINGER - SONGWRITER West Indian music is now sail- Dandy Livingstone, real name ing high in the popularity rat- Tito has a bright future Robert Thompson, was born in ings: its so unpretentious. Jamaica: he grew up in King- Dandy Livingstone, the un- ston Town. His friends still crowned king of sweet reggae, A LOT of Jamaicans sing reggae; Tito Simon, born Keith Foster, live there: he goes back tohas been around quite a few is no exception, but he sure as heck does it a lot better than most. visit them at least four timesyears, singing initially with And being born and raised in St. Mary, Highgate, Jamaica, the each year. But he was edu-Tito Simon ("Sugar & Dan- singer -songwriter, like so many Jamaican performers, acquired cated in Britain, and his per-dy") and then Audrey, inter- his style and love of singing in the church and from records by sonal and professional ambi-spersed with solo engage- R&B artists such as Fats Domino and Larry Williams. During tion is to become a successfulments and records. He has High School he was the lead soloist in the school choir and also its record producer with a stringalways been at his best on student director. His family was quite well known in Jamaican of his records. And in therelaxed, commercial songs, music circles. "My father was a professional singer in the non - colourful, competititive worldnot only his recent Suzanne pop field, but it was my mother, not herself a singer, who made of reggae, Dandy LivingstoneBeware Of The Devil and Big me practise and encouraged me. " But during those early years now rates high in the popu-City (Horse), for example, but he had ambitions to be an engineer, and studied for a while at the larity stakes (Judge Dread,also numbers like Come On Chester Vale Training Centre, accounting in part for his wide Desmond Dekker, and the Pio-Home, Touch Of Poison, and knowledge of engines. neers lead, with Greyhound,Here I Go Again, once avail- Bruce Ruffin, Nicky Thomas, able on the classic Dandy LP, In 1961, he came to Britain and teamed up with Dandy and Bob Marley not far be- Your Musical Doctor (Down- Livingstone, who was to become the "other half" of the vocal hind). Dandy's fans are whattown). It was Dandy who, on a duo, Sugar & Dandy. For a short while they performed and the soft-spoken performer -pro- tour with Tony Tribe some recorded together (Let's Ska, Only Heaven Knows, etc) prior to ducer calls 'kids who love toyears ago, told him that skin- pursuing solo careers. Tito has had a full and varied career, dance to music.' He says:head audiences would give singing soul, bluebeat, and reggae in ballrooms and clubs in "Reggae is what the young-him a bigger reception if he London, and up and down the country, and he is also well known sters want, on record and inwore boots and braces for his in Europe. He has made recordings with Carnival, Sue (King the ballrooms and clubs. " In-stage act. It worked out: Tony Without A Throne), CBS (the Vowel - produced by Mickey fluences? I like to listen to all was accepted by the then Ben Dillon), and Trojan ( Build It Up). Tito's personal philosophy is forms of music - R&B or Rock Sherman Boys, and his one of tolerance and belief in the ability, good works, and 'N' Roll, or anything - be-record, Red Red Wine, pro- independence of man (which includes women too). His optimism cause I simply love all music. duced by Dandy, shot into the is contagious; the road is clear, the Simon engine is firing on all It's not difficult to see whynational charts. cylinders, and great things lie just around the bend. THE COMPANY THAT GIVESYOU THE CHART SOUND SIDNEY ,GEORGE C JACKIE PEACHES 'SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS' ROLLING STONE' (SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT) ATI* 8054 EX 2081 TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS LLOYD CHARMERS LOWE LOUIE' 'IF LOVING HER WAS EASIER' TR 7863 HORS 32 BOB ANDY TITO SIMON ONE WOMAN' WILD IT UP' NOSS 31 MOSS 30 THE SKATALITES THE CLEMENT BUSHEY SET SHA (t2LA LEE EX MARKETED BY B&C RECORDS LTD..