Randy’s Studio 17, North Parade, Kingston, Jamaica, in the heady days of the early
70’s was one of the main focal points for Reggae Music. All the top Producers loved
the sound the Studio gave and used it in favour over the bigger established Studios
of the time. Federal, WIRL, Coxsone’s Studio 1 and JBC were it’s competitors and
although they were in many ways better equipped, they came to Randy’s to get
THAT SOUND. Many reggae classics were laid down here including some of
Bob Marley’s early and some say finest work.
Randy’s record outlet opened for business in 1959 run by Vincent Chin on the
corner of East street and Tower street before moving to it’s present address in 1961.
The shop was proving to be very successful and played an important part in distributing
the hits of the day. When these records usually imported from the U.S.A. became
increasingly harder to obtain, the logical step seemed to be to branch out into Production.
So in 1969 Randy’s Studio 17, named after one of the American outlets that used to
supply the above mention records, opened in rooms above the retail outlet. Initially
built for their own use, but due to pressure from Producers who were crying out for
studio time, the studio became available for hire. The demand being so high that
on it’s opening, Producer/Manager Danny Sims booked it out for two months solid.
Vincent’s son Clive Chin [born 14 May 1956, Kingston, Jamaica] took over the running
of the studio working alongside engineer Errol ‘Errol T’ Thompson, who on his arrival
completely rebuilt the studio. Over the next six years prior to his moving on to work with
Producer Joe Gibbs, ’Errol T‘ would be responsible for engineering most of the recorded
product at Randy’s. We concentrate here on the work of Producer Bunny Lee who was
by far the most prolific at Studio 17. Choosing a fine selection of his work recorded at
the legendary studio we hope you enjoy the ride...
Respect Jah Floyd.
CD Track Listing
1. NATTY INNA BABYLON DUB.
A rare dub cut to ‘Natty Dread Ah No Mickey Mouse’ which was itself a cut to ‘Natty Dread
won’t Get a Witness’, over the classic Bangarang Rhythm.
2. JAH JAH’S DUB CHILDREN.
A lost dub to Cornell Campbell’s ‘Jah Jah Whip Them’, which works over
the classic dancehall rhythm ‘Freedom Blues’ also known as ‘MPLA’.
3. DUB BROKE MY HEART.
A lost dub to Delroy Wilson’s ‘Any Heart can be Broken’.
4. DUB DIRECTION.
Cornell Campbell’s ‘My Confession’ features on this lost till now dub.
5. HIGH ON A THING CALLED DUB.
A horn cut to Tommy McCook and the Aggrovator’s version of ‘Springtime’ Nice!!
6. DUB ME GIRL.
A dub to Ernest Wilson’s big late 60’s hit ‘Sentimental Man’.
7. CAN’T GET DUB OUT.
Cornell Campbell’s ‘Can’t Get me Out ‘ features on this lost till now dub.
8. AT THE TURNING POINT OF DUB.
Again Cornell Campbell’s dubbed vocal features over this version to Slim Smith’s ‘Turning Point’.
9. I NEED SOME DUB.
Cornell Campbell worked the ‘2 Bad Bull’ rhythm for his cut called ‘Need to Belong’ this is a lost till now dub cut.
10. A LAID BACK DUB TUNE.
A lost dub version to Byron Lee & the Dragonnaires ‘Way Back Home’.
11. GROOVING OUT ON DUB.
An unreleased Johnny Clarke dub to Hopeton Lewis’s ‘Grooving out of Life’.
12. GIFT OF DUB.
A Lost till now cut to David Issac’s ‘Gift of Love’. Nice !!!
13. IT’S A DUBBING LIE.*
This is an alternative unreleased cut to Ernest Wilson’s ‘It’s No Lie’ recorded way back in
1969....still sounds good.
14. DUB FEELINGS.*
•CD Bonus Track
Vinyl Track Listing
Side 1
1. NATTY INNA BABYLON DUB.
2. JAH JAH’S DUB CHILDREN.
3. DUB BROKE MY HEART.
4. DUB DIRECTION.
5. HIGH ON A THING CALLED DUB.
6. DUB ME GIRL.
Side 2
1. CAN’T GET DUB OUT.
2. AT THE TURNING POINT OF DUB.
3. I NEED SOME DUB.
4. A LAID BACK DUB TUNE.
5. GROOVING OUT ON DUB.
6. GIFT OF DUB.
Musicians Include:Sly Dunbar, Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis, Carlton Barrett: Drums
Robbie Shakespeare, Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, Lloyd Parks: Bass
Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith: Lead Guitar
Tony Chin, Winston ‘Bo Beep’: Rhythm Guitar
Ansel Collins, Winston Wright: Organ, Piano
Bobby Ellis: Trumpet
Vin Gordon: Trombone
Tommy McCook: Tenor Saxophone
Lennox Brown: Alto Saxophone
Recorded at: Randy’s Studio 17, North Parade, Kingston.
Produced by: Bunny Lee.
Design by: Voodoo London.
Photography: Bunny Lee, Jah Floyd Archive.
All Titles published by: Greenwich Farm Music.
Manufactured under License from E. Lee.
Made in England.