Ronnie Davis is another mighty Jamaican singer, whose talents have been greatly
overlooked. His rootsy yet soulful voice have been in demand by many of Jamaica's
producers, and have graced their catalogues over the decades, yet outside of the
close reggae circles he has remained a closely guarded secret.
Born Ronnie Davis, in 1950 [Savannah La Mar, Jamaica ].His singing career began
in the 1960's and like many aspiring young singers, the Talent contests taking part
around the Island, was his first introduction to the music scene. This lead to him
joining the vocal group, 'The Tenors'.Who shortly after his arrival, released their
debut 'The Whole World is a Stage'. This was the beginning of a run of Jamaican
7'' releases that did quite well in the domestic market place. But Ronnie had set
his sights on a solo career,which came to fruition in the early 1970's,with two big
hits for him in the guise of 'Won't You Come Home' and 'Stop Yu Loofing'.Running
on through to the mid 1970's with such hits as 'Jah Jah Jehovah','Forget Me Now',
'On and On' and 'Babylon Falling'. Building up to the 1976 classic, 'It's Raining'.
Around this time Ronnie's path would cross with Keith Porter and with his childhood
friend Roy Smith they would form one of Jamaica's foremost vocal groups 'The Itals'.
A group who would run until the 1990's and evolve into 'Ronnie Davis and Idren'.
Ronnie's releases are very sort after among the reggae aficionados and any tune
carrying his vocal talents rarely disappoint. We have compiled some rare roots dubs
to many of his finest cuts.Such gems as 'Chasing You', 'What You See is What You Get',
his take on the timeless cut 'Tribal War', 'Tell You' and the a fore mentioned smash
'It's Raining'. A version of Gregory Issac's 'Love Over Due ' is also present.
Ronnie cut an albums worth of material with Mr Issac's, testimony surely to
Mr Davis's standing in the Reggae community.
Lets hope that this release spreads the gospel according to Mr R.Davis, a little wider.
A wicked set by one of Jamaica's finest .....
Respect Jah Floyd.
CD Track Listing
1. RAINING DUB
A rare cut to his 1976 classic 'It's Raining'.
2. CHASING DUB
Ronnie's 'Chasing You' shines through on this lost until now cut.
3. DUB OVERDUE
Ronnie works over Gregory Issac's 'Love Overdue' in fine style.
4. COVER DUB
A great version to Mr Davis's 'Cover Me'.
5. EVILMEN DUB
Yes evil men indeed, who get chanted down on this rare dub.
6. TRIBAL DUB
The 'Tribal War' classic cut by many gets the Ronnie Davis treatment.
7. WHAT YOU DUB
The honest 'What You See is What You Get' never sounded so true...Nice.
8. DARLING DUB
This time it's 'Come To You Darling',that gets the dub treatment.
9. HARD TO DUB
A fine version lost till now of Ronnie's 'Hard to Believe'....
10. CONTROL DUB
'The Controller' which is itself a version to 'The Gorgon'
gets worked on here with a little help from Mr Jah Stitch....
11. LIVING IN DUB
Ronnie's 'Living in a World' gets stripped back to it's dub bones...
12. RIDE THE DUB
The many versioned 'Ride the Donkey' gets a dubbed outing here...
13. TELL DUB
Ronnie's classic 'Tell You' features on this lost till now treasure....
14. DUB NOT REMOVE
Last but not least the reverend church sermon
'We shall not be Moved' gets 'Removed',
in fine blessed style..Hope you enjoyed the dub set...
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. RAINING DUB
2. CHASING DUB
3. DUB OVERDUE
4. COVER DUB
5. EVILMEN DUB
6. TRIBAL DUB
7. WHAT YOU DUB
Side 2
1. DARLING DUB
2. HARD TO DUB
3. CONTROL DUB
4. LIVING IN DUB
5. RIDE THE DUB
6. TELL DUB
7. DUB NOT REMOVE
Musicians Include:
Santa Davis,Sly Dunbar: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare,Lloyd Parks: Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith,Tony Chin': Guitar
Winston Wright,Gladdy,Tarzan: Keyboards
Scully, Sticky: Percussion
Recorded at: Harry J's Studio,Channel 1,
King Tubbys Studio
Produced by: Bunny Lee
Design by: Gary Hall @ Voodoo London
Manufactured under Licence from E.Lee.