Monday Long Song

A belated tribute to the great Robbie Shakespeare today, by way of 'Gates of Zion', a stand alone 1980 single from The Mighty Diamonds. The tune was cut at Channel One, so, given the time frame, my guess is that the backing is supplied by The Revolutionaries, though Robbie and his lifelong partner in riddim Sly Dunbar are in fact the only musicians officially credited, outside of the vocal trio themselves. Rest in dub Robbie.

The Mighty Diamonds - Gates of Zion

Saturday Scratch #24

Here's The Mighty Diamonds with their 1974 lament for lost love, 'Talk About It', together with a sweet version featuring Lee Perry's children, Marsha and Omar, chanting hypnotically over the rhythm.

Later that year, Scratch re-used the same rhythm for U-Roy's 'Yama Khy' and was clearly pleased with the efforts of his offspring, placing them high in the mix.

Previously on Saturday Scratch