RIP Lonnie Simmons, American record producer (“Don’t Stop the Music“).
Lonnie Simmons was an American record producer best-known for co-writing “Don’t Stop the Music” (1978).
In 1981, the song was successfully covered by Bits & Pieces [above].
Tag Archives: reggae
Another reggae hero dies violently
RIP Style Scott, Jamaican drummer, famous for playing in the Roots Radics and, later, with Dub Syndicate.
Above: Scientist Meets the Space Invaders (the cover and concept is an example of black science fiction).
The number of reggae musicians who have died of crime violence is high (think King Tubby and Henry “Junjo” Lawes).
It has parallels with the violence in hip hop (think 2Pac, think The Notorious B.I.G.).
Both are fueled by machismo and have homophobia and misogyny as side effect (see homophobia and black music and misogyny in hip hop culture).
RIP Prince Jazzbo (1951 – 2013)
Prince Jazzbo toasting on “Croaking Lizard“
Linval Roy Carter (3 September 1951–11 September 2013), better known as Prince Jazzbo, was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay and producer.
“Croaking Lizard” is a musical composition by Lee Perry, published on the 1976 Super Ape album.
On this recording, Prince Jazzbo is heard chanting (toasting is what the Jamaicans call it) over the “Chase the Devil” riddim. The lyrics are largely nonsensical. Shards of texts I recognize are “on the river bank” and what I believe is “it’s slippery out there.”
Super Ape is a seminal recording in the history of 20th century music.