One of the sweetest Roots vocal talents must belong to the vastly overlooked Barry Brown.
His militant conscious style has over time lost none of its appeal.
Born in 1962, Kingston, Jamaica he cut his musical teeth working under producer Bunny Lee.
There first release being a track called ‘Girl You’re Always on my Mind’, although a minor hit,
Bunny Lee saw his potential and was rewarded with his 1979 cut ‘Step it up Youthman’.
Which became a hit and has become a roots classic, leading to an album of the same name.
The late 70’s was a great period in Barry Brown’s career and its from this period that we have
culled this set of tracks. Straight from the master tapes,lost dubs of some of his finest moments
and some unreleased gems that we believe should be heard.
From his first release the above mentioned ‘Girl You’re Always on my Mind’ represented
here as the lost dub cut ‘A Lonely Dub Song’. Through his classic releases ‘Politician’
(Dub Confusion), ‘Mr Money Man’ (Money Wise Dub), ‘Leggo Jah Jah Children’
(Leggo Jah Jah Dub), ‘Step it up Youthman’(Step inna Dub). All roots classics that
work hand in hand as there dubbed form.
As with many of his artists Bunny Lee encouraged him to go into self-production,
and after a time spent with producer Linval Thompson ‘Separation’, and Sugar Minott
‘Things & Time’, he did just that and produced his first release ‘Cool Pon Your Corner’
in 1980 followed in 1981 by ‘Problems Get You Down’.
He has worked through the 80’s and 90’s with many labels producing high quality
work and is a popular face on the live roots circuit. We hope this set of some of his
finest work in the 70’s, will find a place and remind us of what a force Mr Barry Brown is...
if some what overlooked but certainly not forgotten...
Respect Jah Floyd.
CD Track Listing
1. MONEYWISE DUB.
A lost dub to Barry’s ‘Mr Money Man’. This was an original rhythm recorded and
voiced at King Tubby’s studio.
2. WHY FIGHT THE DUB.
Barry voicing over The Abyssinians ‘’Declaration of Rights’ rhythm.
A Dancehall classic .. ’Why fuss and fight..’
3. DUB CONFUSION.
Barry Brown works over Horace Andy’s ‘Money Money’ rhythm to produce his own
roots classic...’Politician’.
4. LEGGO JAH JAH DUB.
Another lost dub again recorded at King Tubby’s studio’s. An original rhythm that
became Barry’s classic ‘Leggo Jah Jah Children’.
5. A LONELY DUB SONG.
A dub to Barry’s first release ‘You’re Always on my Mind’
6. STEP INNA DUB.
A rare dub to ‘Step it Up Youthman’...Nice.
7. MEDITATE & CONCENTRATE.
An unreleased cut see’s Barry working over Horace Andy’s ‘Zion Gate’ rhythm.
Lost till now...you can here Bunny Lee on the run out confirming this point.
8. STRUGGLE SOME DUB.
A dub cut to Barry’s ‘It’s Struggling Time’.
9. LOVE IS THE DUB.
An alternative dub cut to Barry’s ‘True Love is the Answer’.
10.DUB CREATION.
A lost till now dub to Barry Brown’s classic ‘From Creation’.
11. ROCKY ROCKY DUB.
Another Barry Brown original ‘Rocky’. This is the lost dub version.
12. DUB CAN’T COME.
Barry works over Delroy Wilson’s ‘Better must Come’
in fine form. This is a lost dub again unreleased.
13. GOD FATHER DUB.*
Barry‘s cut over the original Gorgon Rhythm cut by
Cornell Campbell..this is a lost dub to ‘God father’.
14. CONTROL THE DUB.*
Last but not least Barry Brown’s cut to Johnny Clarke’s ‘Jah Jah We Are Waiting’,
which worked the Take 5 Rhythm to fine effect...this also features the mighty Tommy
McCook....enjoy.
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. MONEYWISE DUB.
2. WHY FIGHT THE DUB.
3. DUB CONFUSION.
4. LEGGO JAH JAH DUB.
5. A LONELY DUB SONG.
6. STEP INNA DUB.
Side 2
1. MEDITATE & CONCENTRATE.
2. STRUGGLE SOME DUB.
3. LOVE IS THE DUB.
4.DUB CREATION.
5. ROCKY ROCKY DUB.
6. DUB CAN’T COME.
Musicians Include:
Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis,Sly Dunbar: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare: Bass
‘Chinna’ Smith: Lead Guitar
Tony Chin: Rhythm Guitar
Winston Wright: Organ
Tarzan: Piano
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Bobby Ellis: Trombone
Lennox Brown: Alto Saxophone.
Recorded at: Harry J’s, King Tubby’s Studio’s.
Produced by: Bunny Lee
Design by: Voodoo London
Photography: Maverick, Jah Floyd Archive
All Titles Published by: Greenwich Farm Music.
Manufactured under Licence from: E.Lee.
Made in England.