Tappa Zukie [David Sinclair, b 1955, Kingston, Jamaica] actually cut his first record in
England, after being sent there aged 17. Breaking from his troublesome past that found
him running with the rough crowd in the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. On his arrival in
sunny Ladbroke Grove, London, producer Bunny Lee called him up on stage at a local
dance to sing a tune.Impressed with the results fellow producer Larry Lawrence got the
young Tappa in the studio the very next day and cut 'Jump and Twist'. This led to cutting
his 'Man I Warrior' album, but somewhat disillusioned and homesick he returned to
Jamaica shortly afterwards.
His connection with Bunny Lee continued back in the yard. Working as Bunny's minder,
he would sit in on all his sessions, making sure everything ran smoothly. It took some time
before Bunny let Tappa loose on some tracks to voice over. But the results would be worth
waiting for. The eight tracks he cut from Bunny's material plus a further two rhythms acquired
from Joe Gibbs, would provide the back bone to his mighty 1976 release 'MPLA', a roots classic.
Production work was to follow, which in turn led to the formation of his 'Stars ' imprint label,
again working out of Bunny's 101 Orange Street premises. His excellent production work
on Prince Allah's, 'Bosrah', 'Daniel' and 'Heaven is my Roof' alongside cuts by Junior Ross
and the Spears 'Babylon Fall', 'Judgment Time' would establish the labels identity.
His earlier venture in the UK would also pay dividends, seeing his 'I Man Warrior' album
receive great reviews on it's release. Building on this a UK tour organised to support the
'MPLA' set and being championed by punk poetess Patti Smith, whom he also toured with,
would see his star surely rising. Tappa's many talents would also lead to acquiring a record
deal for his then protege's, a roots group called 'Knowledge'. It's from this period in Tappa's
career, that we have compiled this set. We have collected together some great lost treasures
and some alternative cuts to some of Tappa's better known releases. Like his mighty cut with
Horace Andy 'Natty Dread Ah Wey She Want' [Natty Dread Dub] which was a massive hit
alongside his 'She want a Phensic ' in the late 1970's. His cut to Jackie Edward's 'Invasion'
[Bagga Wire Dub], and his version of Johnny Clarke's 'Ballistic Affair' [Ballistic Dub] are also
both fine examples of Tappa's dexterity in the DJ arena.
Mr Zukie, DJ/Toaster/Producer....Roll the tape one more time if you please.....
Respect Jah Floyd.
CD Track Listing
1. NATTY PRINCESS DUB.
Tappa’s works over Delroy Wilson’s ‘Never will Conquer Me’ rhythm to fine effect, to make
his ‘Natty Princess’ cut. Vibestone are doing backing vocals on this lost dub cut.
2. BALLISTIC DUB.
Johnny Clarke’s ‘Ballistic Affair’,is given the Tappa treatment.
3. DUB TO THE WEST.
A lost till now dub to Tappa’s ‘Riding West’ track originally to be found on his 1979 ‘Tappa Roots’
album. still sounds good !!!
4. BAGGA WIRE DUB.
Tappa’s version to Jackie Edward's ‘The Invasion’,which in turn was known for Burning
Spear's cut ‘Black Wa -Da - Da’. This is a lost till now dub cut.
5. GIVE ME DUB.
Johnny Clarke’s version to Slim Smith’s ‘Give me a Love’ supplied the musical bones
to make Tappa's ‘Chalice to Chalice’. cut, of which this is a lost dub to....
6. GET READY FI DUB.
Tappa’s roots version to the Rocksteady classic ‘People Rocksteady’.
7. DUB SLAVE.
Johnny Clarke’s ‘Poor Marcus’ provides the setting for Tappa's own ‘Marcus’ cut. This is it’s lost dub cut.
8. THROW ME DUB.
Tappa work’s Larry Marshall’s ‘Throw me Corn’,and dubs it up. Nice!!!
9. DUB NEXT DOOR.
The ‘Man next Door' rhythm made famous by John Holt and again by Horace Andy gets reworked by Mr Zukie.
10. NATTY DREAD DUB.
A dub cut to Mr Zukie's and Horace Andy's 'Natty Dread Ah What She Want'.
11. CONVERSATION DUB.
Slim Smith’s ‘My Conversation’ given the Tappa treatment.....
12. BLACK UNDERSTANDING.
Horace Andy's ‘Zion Gate’ gets a Tappa make over.
13. ROCK YOU ROCK DUB.*
Tappa reworks this rare rhythm made famous by the Wailer's on their 'Bend Down Low',
to fine effect for his 'Rock you Rock' cut.
14. DUB HYPOCRITES.*
Last but not least another Wailers rhythm 'Hypocrites' gets the Tappa treatment...
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. NATTY PRINCESS DUB.
2. BALLISTIC DUB.
3. DUB TO THE WEST.
4. BAGGA WIRE DUB.
5. GIVE ME DUB.
6. GET READY FI DUB.
Side 2
1. DUB SLAVE.
2. THROW ME DUB.
3. DUB NEXT DOOR.
4. NATTY DREAD DUB.
5. CONVERSATION DUB.
6. BLACK UNDERSTANDING.
Musicians Include:
Sly Dunbar, Carlton 'Santa' Davis : Drums
Robbie Shakespeare, Aston 'Family Man' Barrett : Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith : Lead guitar
Bernard ' Touter' Harvey, Winston Wright : Organ
Bobby Ellis : Trumpet
Tommy McCook : Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown : Alto Saxophone
Recorded at : Channel 1, King Tubby's,
Randy's Studio 17 & Dynamic Sounds.
Produced by : Tappa Zukie
Design by : Gary @ Voodoo London
Photography : Jah Floyd Archive
All Titles Published by : .......
Manufactured under Licence from Tappa Zukie
Made in the UK.