Monday 12 August 2013

Nora Dean

Produced by Duke Reid in 1969, Nora Dean's 'Ay Ay Ay' (sometimes titled 'Angie La La) is one of the stranger records to fall under the reggae banner. The vocal is odd and disconcerting, full of squawks, whistles and ticks, while the tune itself has a claustrophobic arrangement that wouldn't seem out of place in a Mulatu Astatke release from the same period. Once heard, never forgotten.


5 comments:

Old Pa's Corner said...

Fantastic description of the record and as you say 'once heard...

Anonymous said...

This is utterly wonderful and I must track it down somewhere. Is it available on some sort of Duke Reid compilation? Truly weird. There is a tiny guitar part (?one note played with vibrato or similar) that sounds very much like it turned up again on Scotty's 'Draw Your Brakes'. Of course, this is quite probably just my ears playing tricks on me. Love this.

The Swede said...

Glad you both enjoyed this quirky little number!

(SB. I have the tune on a cracking Sequel compilation, 'Boom Shaka Lacka - Treasure Isle Reggae Hits 1968-1974'. Not sure if it's still available, but well worth keeping an eye open for.)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info sir. I have almost bought that collection on a number of occasions. Must actually do so!

flycasual said...

Yes, I heard this I think it was on Aquarium Drunkard website, I thought it was the most bizarrest reggae tune I have probably ever heard. I just had to get it.

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