Tappa Zukie is not only one of Jamaica’s greatest DJ’s, is also a much respected producer
and arranger. Looking back through his master tapes we have found a lost release that due
to being a worldwide recording artist and the pressures that this carries, it has stayed on his
musical shelf and been passed over... until now.
When rhythm was King way back in the 1970’s, the predominant feature of the final mix down
would in most cases be the drums and bass. Bringing drums and bass to the fore, the other
instruments that create the tunes mood would take a back seat in the mix. With such fine
musicians in the horn sections as Vin Gordon, Deadly ‘Headley’ Bennett and the unstoppable
Tommy McCook, it sometimes felt, their services if nothing else were slightly underused.
So one way of rectifying this situation was one that Tappa himself instigated, putting a
release together by picking some of his favourite productions that carried classic horn
lines alongside those tightly recorded rhythms. Pushing those horn lines up in the mix
and so making a feature of some of those touches that although added some colour to
the original cut, laid back in the mix to the more Sound System friendly drum and bass cut.
When looking at the music with this approach, some of the other influences that were also
in Tappa’s mind can be noticed more. Maybe it’s a Jazzier / Bluesy feel shining through.
A strange thing happens that almost takes the song down the avenue of a
soundtrack album. An unreleased film score to accompany an
unreleased film.
So sit back and enjoy a lost release that time and place did not find time to see the light of day.
As the opening track testifies and in the immortal words of Mr Tappa Zukie himself..
“Your Musical Daddy is back... Horns Up !!!!”
CD Track Listing
1. HORNS UP
Tappa gives us his musical lead, working over the 'Slave master ' rhythm and
allowing in this mix the horn section to take it some place else.
2. TAKE NINE
Working the timeless 'Take 5 ' rhythm in fine form.
3. GOING WEST
The 'Riding West ' rhythm gets a horn line that gives it a nice jazz feel.
4. ROCK THE ROCK
Here the 'Real Rock' rhythm that always relied on that classic keyboard line,
now has some fantastic trumpet soloing to add another musical layer....
5. 38th UPPER 1st STREET
This classic rhythm that the vocal group 'Knowledge', under Tappa's guidance
made their own with their 'Word,Sound and Power' cut takes on a new flavour
with Vin Gordons fine trumpet playing.
6. COURSING OIL INNA FIRE
A rhythm made for Knowledge's 'Good Luck My Friend' gets another lease of
life on this lost till now cut.
7. NATTY HORNS SHE WANTS
The Horn cut to Tappa's classic track with Horace Andy, 'Natty Dread a Weh She Want '.
8. WATER PUMP
Another timeless rhythm made famous on Junior Ross and the Spear's 'Babylon Fall Down'.
Sounds even more forceful with Vin Gordons and Deadley 'Headley' Bennetts great
Horn arrangement.
9.APARTMENT C
Originally the backing to 'A Fool and Their Money ' cut, here we have
Mr Tommy McCook adding a little magic.
10. HIT MAKER
This track cut by Doreen Shaffer, and also by 'Yampi and Ken' as 'Smile', sounds like
it belongs to a spaghetti western film on this haunting cut.
11. MALARIA
Prince Allah's 'Just One Way' provides the backbone to this instrumental horn cut.
12. RAGG
Tappa Zukie / Horace Andy's 'Raggamuffin' gets the Horns Up treatment.
13. 6th AND 3rd STREET*
Another cut Tappa worked up with Mr Horace Andy in mind cutting across Kingston Town
in fine 'Ragga' style.
14.LOVING JAH*
A lost horn cut to Junior Ross's 'Jah Love'. Nice....
15. PATTA CAT*
Last be not least we sign off with another 'Knowledge' rhythm to their classic 'Centry' cut,
sounding mighty fine on this Horn lead version.....
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. HORNS UP
2. TAKE NINE
3. GOING WEST
4. ROCK THE ROCK
5. 38th UPPER 1st STREET
6. COURSING OIL INNA FIRE
Side 2
1. NATTY HORNS SHE WANTS
2. WATER PUMP
3.APARTMENT C
4. HIT MAKER
5. MALARIA
6. RAGG
Musicians Include:
Sly Dunbar, Carlton 'Santa' Davis, Max Edwards: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare, George Fullwood: Bass
Earl 'Chinna' Smith: Lead guitar
Ansell Collins, Keith Sterling: Keyboards
Winston Wright: Organ
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Vin Gordon, Deadley 'Headley Bennett: Trombone
Lennox Brown: Alto Saxophone
Zoot ‘Scully’ Simms, Sticky: Percussion
Recorded at: Channel 1, King Tubby's
Mixed at: King Tubby’s
Produced by: Tappa Zukie
Design by: Gary @ Voodoo London
Manufactured under Licence from: Tappa Zukie
Made in the UK.