Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, A.K.A. The Observer, must be one of reggae’s finest Roots
Rebel producers. Capable of making some of the heaviest, innovative music, not only
in sound but also in the Cultural/Political sense.
Born George Boswell, Montego Bay, Jamaica,1951,and name checked ’Niney’, due to
losing a thumb in a workshop accident.He began his career in music by organising
bands to play at school dances. But his first steps learning the musical ropes came
working under the tutor ledge of producer Bunny Lee around 1967, organising sessions
for Bunny’s stable of artists.He moved on to work alongside Lee Perry at Joe Gibb’s
‘Amalgamated’ label setup, where on Lee Perry’s leaving in 1969 to start his own
‘Upsetter’ label,Niney became chief engineer.
Inspired by Perry’s success it wasn't long before his own ‘Destroyer’ label was under
way. It was 1970, and his first production entitled ‘Mr Brown’ by DJ’s Dennis Alcapone
and Lizzy, proved to be a minor hit,but his own ‘Blood and Fire’ track released in December
of that year would become a major hit.After initial problems with it’s likeness to
Bob Marley’s ‘Duppy Conqueror’, being ironed out , it’s reissue on his now named
‘Observer’ label, saw it go on to become, Jamaican Record of the Year 1971.
Far out selling Bob Marley’s track to the tune of over 30,000 copies in Jamaica alone.
A roots classic...
Niney's reputation for building great roots tracks, was furthered with more success working
with singer Max Romeo.Issuing cuts such as 'Beard man Feast', the great
'Reggae Matic' and 'Aily and Ailaloo' and renewing his relationship with Lee Perry
on the track 'Rasta Band Wagon' who's production credit read Perry, Niney,Maxie.
In 1973,Niney began working with Dennis Brown,who was already an established
star from an early age, they found a chemistry that went on to produce some of
Dennis's finest work.The 1973 hit 'Westbound Train' was followed in 1974 by 'Cassandra',
'I am the Conqueror' and the timeless 'No more shall I Roam'.Another important connection
around this time was the great King Tubby who Niney would take his tapes along to and
even record some of his tracks at Tubby's house, 18 Drummlie Avenue, Kingston, which
doubled as his Studio of Dub.
It's these tracks that we are concentrating on here.Tubby would strip the tracks back to
the bone and rebuild them sometimes leaving off the hook line. Weather that be the
horn line or keyboard line and adding effects over the top that could disguise the cut
even more.Even Niney stating that when Tubby had finished with a cut, he found it
hard to recognise the track himself.
It's these tracks as dub plate specials that Tubby would play on his Hometown
HI - FI Sound System and it's these such tracks that we have compiled for this release.
Dub Plates that have not seen the light of day since tragically the great Osbourne
Ruddock A.K.A. King Tubby was gunned down and murdered on the 6th December 1989.
For a few dollars and a gold chain, reggae music has lost one of it's most inventive, creative
forces.
Niney also cut tracks with many other reggae giants, Gregory Issac's,Michael Rose,
Junior Delgado,Horace Andy,Delroy Wilson to name but a few. As in house producer
at the legendary Channel 1 studio's and supervising sessions at Dynamic and Randy's
Studio17, his magic touched many. DJ, Arranger,Producer, his Roots Rebel Music still
stands the test of time.
Respect Jah Floyd.
CD Track Listing
1. SET DUB FREE.
An unreleased dub cut to the former Black Uhuru vocalist Michael Rose's 'Freedom'.
2. LATELY DUB.
A lost dub to Niney's and Dennis Brown's 'Lately Girl'.
3. DUB WITH TUBBY.
A dub cut to Dennis Brown's 'Westbound Train'. The track was originally cut at
Bunny Lee's studio when it was still owned by Joe Gibb's, and King Tubby cut five
versions. This is the exclusive slow cut.
4. DUB EXCLUSIVE.
A rare dub to Dennis Brown's 'I am the Conqueror'.
5. IN LOVE WITH DUB.
A lost till now dub cut to Michael Rose's 'A love between us'.
6. NO MORE DUB.
An unreleased dub cut to Niney's and Dennis Brown's 'No more will I Roam',this is
an alternative version that features a different bass line.
7. HERE COMES DUB.
A rare dub to Dennis Brown's 'Here I Come'. A classic that features Sly & Robbie
on drums and bass.
8. TENEMENT DUB.
Originally cut at Randy's Studio 17, this is a rare King Tubby dub to Dennis Brown's 'Down
in the Tenement Yard'
9. SWALLOW FIELD & DUB.
This is the original rhythm that The Mighty Diamonds came down on and made their all
time classic 'Right Time'. The rhythm was cut by everyone from Larry Marshall's
'Mean Girl', Junior Byles 'Sugar Sugar' and Big Youth amongst others. This is a raw
instrumental Tubby cut..Nice!!!
10. DUBBING WITH SALLY.
A rare dub to Delroy Wilson's 'Sally Baby'. The track was named after a girl that worked
at Randy's studio and record shop. This is a King Tubby mix...So this one's for Sally....
11. DARK SIDE OF DUB.
A rare dub and one of four different versions cut. The track was titled 'Out of Darkness'
although Max Romeo cut a version and called it 'This was Love'...
12.DUB IN SILVER.
A rare dub to Dennis Brown's 'Silver Words'.
13. TRUTHFUL DUB.*
Niney cut this track with the Soul Syndicate band and Max Romeo cut a vocal version.
This is the raw instrumental dub cut by King Tubby.
14. DUB BORN HERE.*
Last but not least a rare Tubby dub cut to 'Rasta No Born Yah'. The vocal cut featured
Sang Hugh... enjoy...
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. SET DUB FREE.
2. LATELY DUB.
3. DUB WITH TUBBY.
4. DUB EXCLUSIVE.
5. IN LOVE WITH DUB.
6. NO MORE DUB.
Side 2
1. HERE COMES DUB.
2. TENEMENT DUB.
3 SWALLOW FIELD & DUB.
4. DUBBING WITH SALLY.
5. DARK SIDE OF DUB.
6.DUB IN SILVER.
Musicians Include:
Carlton 'Santa' Davis,Sly Dunbar: Drums
George 'Fully' Fullwood, Robbie Shakespeare: Bass
Tony Chin, Earl' Chinna' Smith: Guitar
Bernard 'Touter' Harvey: Keyboards
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Vin Gordon: Trombone
Recorded at: Randy's Studio 17,
Joe Gibbs Studio Burns Avenue, & King Tubby’s.
Produced by: Niney the Observer.
Design by: Gary @ Voodoo London.
Photography by: Jah Floyd Archive.
All Titles published by Westbury Music.
Manufactured under Licence from Winston Holness.
Made in England.