The Aggrovators were one of Jamaica's finest session bands. Many of the tracks you
know and love from the 1970's Reggae scene probably featured this group of musicians
in some shape or form. The band were put together by Bunny 'Striker' Lee one of Jamaica's
formidable producers,who with no studio of his own had to rely on buying studio time from
the existing establishments, such as Randy's Studio 17 and the Hookim brothers Channel 1.
This was an expensive task and he needed a pool of top musicians who could cut tracks quickly
and efficiently. Built around the cream of Jamaica's musicians namely; Carlton 'Santa' Davis,
Carlton Barrett [Drums], Robbie Shakespeare, Aston 'Family man' Barrett, Lloyd Parks [Bass],
Earl 'Chinna' Smith [ lead guitar ], Tony Chin, Winston 'Bo Beep' Bowen [Rhythm Guitar] Ansel
Collins [Piano], Bernard ' touter' Harvey, Winston Wright [ Organ ], Bobby Ellis [Trumpet],
Vin Gordon [Trombone], Tommy McCook [Tenor Saxophone ] and Lennox Brown [ Alto Saxophone ].
Vocal duties would usually feature two of Bunny Lee's favourite singers Johnny Clarke and Cornell
Campbell who would also fill in if the need arise on Piano and rhythm guitar respectively.
The forward looking Mr Lee was inspired by the English music scenes interest in reggae especially
the skinhead cultures adoption of all things ska-ish. So much so that he called his reggae shop
/ label 'Agro Sounds' after the skinhead term for fighting / trouble..'Agro' . Later when looking for
a suitable name for his group what else could it be....THE AGGROVATORS were born.
Mr Coxsone Dodd's STUDIO ONE opened its doors in 1963 at 13 Brenford Road Kingston,
Jamaica, it would become the name for all his future productions.Coxsone Dodd started out
with one of the first Sound Systems in Jamaica, called Sir Coxsone The Downbeat , importing
American R & B records to fill his dances. A lack of supply of new / original material which is
very important to sound system supremacy would lead him during the 1950's to produce
Jamaican hits of his own.The Studio One set up would allow the opportunity to experiment
and fine tune these recordings. It became a hit factory releasing songs like Alton Ellis's
'I'm just a guy', ' live and learn', Delroy Wilson's 'Dancing mood', 'Riding for a fall', 'Rain from
the skies' and Larry Marshall's 'Mean Girl' to name but a few.Versions of which feature on this
collection.
The updating of Studio One classics which in some cases were reworkings of American R & B
tunes [ 'foreign tunes ' as they were known in Jamaica ], was common practice. The rhythms
were much loved favourites and with the added incentive that the musicians knew the tracks
inside out .This set of dubs are straight from the master tapes of such sessions orchestrated
by the man Bunny Lee himself, no one knew better ...you can't keep a good tune down never
mind a great one. So sit back and enjoy The Aggrovators in fine Studio One style........
RESPECT..... JAH FLOYD.
CD Track Listing
1.THE SEARCH FOR DUB.
A lost dub of Johnny Clarke's version of Delroy Wilson's 'Searching for you'.
2. I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU.
The original vocal version by Alton Ellis 'I'm still in love with you' formed the basis for the
1978 U.K. Number 1 'Uptown Top Ranking' by Althea and Donna.Johnny Clarke again
sang the vocal of this rare dub.
3.AIN'T THAT LOVING DUB.
A killer lost dub of a well known foreign [U.S.A.] HIT 'Ain't that loving you', originally
made famous in Jamaica by Alton Ellis.
4.MEAN GIRLS DUB.
This popular tune 'Mean girl' originally voiced by Larry Marshall, became the backbone
of many classic tracks including The Mighty Diamonds 'Right Time Come'. Here we
have the rare Aggrovators dub.
5.LET HIM DUB.
A lost dub of 'Let HimTry', originally voiced by Alton Ellis, here in fine Aggrovators style.
6.NOT JUST ANOTHER DUB.
The original of this track was called 'I'm just a guy' by Alton Ellis, reworked and voiced by
Ronnie Davis into 'I'm just a man' here's the lost dub version.
7.HAPPY GO LUCKY DUB.
This dub of 'Happy Go Lucky girl' featured Johnny Clarke on lead vocals.The original was
cut by John Holt and the Paragons.
8.COME TO DUB.
The vocal version 'Come to you Darling ' featured Ronnie Davis on vocals, enjoy this lost till now dub...
9.ITS RAINING DUB.
An unreleased dub of Delroy Wilson's 'Raining from the skies', originally cut by Dennis Brown for
his 'If i follow my Heart' set.
10.THE DUB CONQUEROR.
A dub to 'Trying to Conqueror me' the original vocal version featured Delroy Wilson.
11.LIVE & LEARN DUB.
A lost dub of 'Live and Learn' originally cut by Alton Ellis.
12.UNDYING DUB.
Ernest Wilson sang the original version for Studio 1 called 'Undying Love', Cornell Campbell
sang lead vocal with Jackie Edwards and Barry Biggs providing harmonies on the vocal cut
of this rare dub.
13.DANCING MOOD OF DUB.*
Originally cut by Delroy Wilson as 'Dancing Mood', this is one of three rare versions cut at
Dynamic Sounds Studios, released here for the first time.....
14.RIDING IN A DUB GROOVE.*
Last but not least a rare dub of 'Riding for a Fall' again originally cut by Delroy Wilson.
A fine cut to end a fine set....
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. THE SEARCH FOR DUB.
2. I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU.
3. AIN'T THAT LOVING DUB.
4. MEAN GIRLS DUB.
5. LET HIM DUB.
6. NOT JUST ANOTHER DUB.
Side 2
1. HAPPY GO LUCKY DUB.
2. COME TO DUB.
3. IT’S RAINING DUB.
4. THE DUB CONQUEROR.
5. LIVE & LEARN DUB.
6. UNDYING DUB.
Musicians Include:
Carlton ' Santa ' Davis, Carlton Barrett;Drums
Robbie Shakespere, Aston 'Family man ' Barrett, Lloyd Parks; Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith; Lead guitar
Tony Chin, Winston 'Bo Beep'; Rhythm Guitar
Ansel Collins; Piano
Benard ' Touter' Harvey, Winston Wright; Organ
Bobby Ellis; Trumpet
Vin Gordon; Trombone
Tommy McCook; Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown; Alto Saxophone
Recorded at; Channel 1,Randy's Studio 17 & Dynamic Sounds.
Produced by; Bunny Lee.
Design by; Voodoo London.
All Titles published by Westbury Music Ltd.