people might point to exceptions like bob marley but he was a special case!
can u imagine someone giving you, a yute from the ghetto, a reported £5,000
in the 1960s and saying to you, "yute go mek an album..." and you actually
going out and doing that!? then coming back with an album called "catch a
fire"
how about the jimmy cliff, third world, beres hammond, shabba ranks, buju
banton, beanie man, shaggy and the catalogue of others, what stories do u
think they have got to tell?
and what about the general reggae loving public: did we feel that these
artists output were up to standard as their "pre major label signing"
releases? or did we feel as if these recordings were watered down to reach a
wider (no, i did not say whiter) market?
forget about the period in the 1980s/early 1990s when labels like sony and
their offshoot labels, seemingly signed anyone who seemed like they were a
sure thing...an experient later abandoned whtn reality, as it often does,
set it and the numbers weren't adding up...
the question i'd like to ask to you esteemed folks is this: what good has
come out of major record companies' support (or lack thereof) of or for
reggae music, past, present or tomorrow?
YushDon
....none...none at all...
but worse than that it has created confusion about reggae up to this day in
the
public's mind...and that is a big part of reggae's problem today...
don't blame the public at all since the confusion still reigns today to this
very day....
---------
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"YushDon" <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d6245cf$1...@news1.homechoice.co.uk...
But when you look at the work the three labels above do for their artists --
it's amazing...and the people who run those companies are incredibly
professional and business-savvy. And -- miracle of miracles, they actually
PAY THEIR ARTISTS!!! Hmmm...I wonder if there's a connection there
</sarcasm>.
Carol
www.csottdesign.com
www.csott.com
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"Filthy Rich" <richard...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3q45mu4n1879j2oo1...@4ax.com...
> This has been discussed a few times over the years on rmr. My own
> view, without going into detail, is that companies signed up artistes
> to stifle them and keep them quiet by tying them into long contracts.
>
> Albums recorded were often released purposely with poor promotion or
> not at all. Many were very weak due to being forced to use alien
> producers or bland watering down in futile crossover attempts.
>
> The main reason they did it was because they knew the power of the
> music is a phenomenon they cannot otherwise control. The last thing
> the big companies want is having the sales of their own artistes being
> affected by independent labels.
> Filthy Rich
> Music House
>
that said, i agree with all your comment cos i've heard artists told me the
same thing. for instance, there is the case of a well known roots rock
reggae group whose biggest rivals with similar style was signed up by the
same label. the second group was subsequently quietened with a big advance.
that group didn't release another record for several years. by that time the
whirlwind that blew them into the record company's direction, had passed...
there are many such stories, in the twilight zone!
YushDon
"Filthy Rich" <richard...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3q45mu4n1879j2oo1...@4ax.com...
> This has been discussed a few times over the years on rmr. My own
> view, without going into detail, is that companies signed up artistes
> to stifle them and keep them quiet by tying them into long contracts.
>
> Albums recorded were often released purposely with poor promotion or
> not at all. Many were very weak due to being forced to use alien
> producers or bland watering down in futile crossover attempts.
>
> The main reason they did it was because they knew the power of the
> music is a phenomenon they cannot otherwise control. The last thing
> the big companies want is having the sales of their own artistes being
> affected by independent labels.
>
>
>
> On Tue, 20 Aug 2002 14:36:44 +0100, "YushDon"
> <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Filthy Rich
> Music House
very often the artists themselves are to blame for the way they are treated
by record companies because nuff of them treat their business like it's some
kind of hustle...the magic word you used in that piece is "professional"...
sadly many don't do that and see their recording as just a way of "making a
money". so they forget about the business side as long as they get paid for
the music.
i always say to anyone interested in the music that the music business is
more about the business than the music, if ur seriously into making money
and the otherway round if you care abut the artistic elements of it...
YushDon
your
"Carol Ott" <cs...@NOSPAMcsottdesign.com> wrote in message
news:S4x89.15140$LO1.1...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
but to a big degree i have to agree that generally speaking, signing to a
true major label spells the end of a reggae artists career at least as a
reggae artist. they generally attempt to "cross over" with the inevitable
result that they alienate their reggae fans and never pick up a substantial
crossover audience. the examples are legion.
--
one love
rasta 4 I
jah bill
"Rl...@bghost.net" <rl...@bghost.net> wrote in message
news:um4j3ip...@corp.supernews.com...
if youre referring to bob marley and island records...and islands signing up
a bunch of other artists and then not releasing stuff (like the famous
upsetter story), i put that off to perrys overactive imagination. imo he was
not making good enough music for island to put out (return of the super ape
being a good example of substandard stuff). and i think the other artists
they signed but then released were just economics...they decided to put
their money behind marley for better or worse. of course it was for better
and his success in part validates their strategy imo.
it is a business after all, not a religion. or as josie wales put it: you
mus think i come here fe love.
--
one love
rasta 4 I
jah bill
"Filthy Rich" <richard...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:3q45mu4n1879j2oo1...@4ax.com...
> This has been discussed a few times over the years on rmr. My own
> view, without going into detail, is that companies signed up artistes
> to stifle them and keep them quiet by tying them into long contracts.
>
> Albums recorded were often released purposely with poor promotion or
> not at all. Many were very weak due to being forced to use alien
> producers or bland watering down in futile crossover attempts.
>
> The main reason they did it was because they knew the power of the
> music is a phenomenon they cannot otherwise control. The last thing
> the big companies want is having the sales of their own artistes being
> affected by independent labels.
>
>
>
> On Tue, 20 Aug 2002 14:36:44 +0100, "YushDon"
> <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Filthy Rich
> Music House
i think the music public is aware when they are being fed bullsh*t and
reggae in its truest form is a true and pure (from the heart) music form,
just as how soul, r & b, hip hop, folk and any other "roots" music is
essentially heartical. it seem to become "tainted" when individuals or
corporations decide to "market" it to the masses. generally this means
subtracting the references to rasta, religion, bible, revolutionary and anti
establishment rhetoric.
these are the very essence of true reggae which is a people's protest music
at heart.
it's fair to say that chris blackwell's (and island's) independent
involvement with reggae has been exceptional and unique. but when island got
big it's curious to recount how reggae was ethnically removed and palmed
onto a new label offshoot called Mango. further down the line when the
majors gobble up island and now island is probably more known as a rock
label than the label that bob marley's success help built!
as for virgin, there's many a people who will tell you that virgin got big
off reggae then got out when the going was good, just before the bubble
burst, leaving many an artists with tales of woe.
nuff of them put their grievences on record...
to date i cannot think of one reggae artist who can say that major label
support has benefitted their careers because most reggae artists dont
usually last on a major label past a one or two album deal.
if anyone canshed any light on that, be my guest...
YushDon
"kd" <pap...@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:um6lh7n...@corp.supernews.com...
Do blues message groups refuse to recognize the hereditary nature of negro
spirituals? I don't really know the answer to that, but it reminds me of the old
adage about not knowing your future until you know your past. Reggae can and
should acknowledge the sum of all the parts that made it a whole. (IMO, of course)
In reggae, I agree, there has always been
reggae not related to Rastafari and a tremendous amount of early reggae
rooted
in Rastafari messages. They both are important and there is no need on a
reggae
group to divide and conquer.
...exactly...no separation, no division and for sure no divide and conquer
bizness...
=========================================================
--
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"Beverly Gould Shaw" <sis...@io.com> wrote in message
news:3D63A650...@io.com...
michele.
it's called........ "virgin" :-)
--and maybe it's on one of those
> singers & players lps--but anyway, he sure nails 'em.
it's on the Singers & Players compilation cd "Golden Greats volume 1". In
the liner notes it says "only previously available as a 10" single released
in 81".
Werner.
--
*********************************************
"Strickly Drum an' Bass mek yu wine up yu waist!"
*********************************************
Just my $0.02 worth
A.T.
"jah bill" <wj...@dgweb.com> wrote in message
news:ajvc8...@enews4.newsguy.com...
--
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"Werner de Bruijn" <wer...@akst.tn.tudelft.nl> wrote in message
news:ak0luq$s2k$1...@news.tudelft.nl...
mento, blues, ska, rock steady, dub, reggae, dancehall (the chronological
order and evolvement of reggae music) are still very much around and
probably will always be around as long as there is a heartbeat in jamaica.
selah...
divide and rule, in any format, is not an ideology that i & i endorse. if
nothing else marcus mosiah garvey done already tell us that "unity is
strength". and from you know that u tend to look upon divide and rule
practitioners, even if they are called major label or recod companies, as
just so much unwanted space...
YushDon
"Beverly Gould Shaw" <sis...@io.com> wrote in message
news:3D63A650...@io.com...
this whole ting is like the magician and the mirrors isn't it?
===============================================================
--
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"A.T." <and...@telus.net> wrote in message
news:YgR89.5030$bv5.4...@news0.telusplanet.net...
YushDon
"Rl...@bghost.net" <rl...@bghost.net> wrote in message
news:um7o7s2...@corp.supernews.com...
YushDon
"minidub" <min...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:tJQ89.121668$me6.17090@sccrnsc01...
babylon system is the vampire...
======================
--
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"YushDon" <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d63...@news1.homechoice.co.uk...
I really get ruffled when we blame only the "big bad" record labels, and
never the "poor ignorant" artist who signed the contract because all he was
hearing was "advance money"...and didn't have the sense to understand what
he was getting into. I don't deny that theivery goes on in the industry --
of course it does, as it does in every other industry. But let's be
realistic about where the blame goes....I think it should be shared most of
the time. And please don't prattle on to me about "babylon contracts" and
such... Here's a good example of what happens when you get stupid in a
business meeting:
Reggae Artist A: I don't want to sign your Babylon contract, I don't work
like that.
Record Label Guy: Well okay. Here's your $5000 advance.
Reggae Artist A (five years later to me on the phone): My royalties aren't
being paid on time. They're always late. Where's my money? I should sue.
Me: Yes, you could indeed sue your record label for breach of contract.
But guess what, idiot? You didn't SIGN the contract. There's no breach.
And frankly, if you complain, they could turn around and say they don't have
to pay you because you were too full of yourself to sign.
Reggae Artist A: Damn.
Carol
www.csottdesign.com
www.csott.com
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"Rl...@bghost.net" <rl...@bghost.net> wrote in message
news:um7pqjp...@corp.supernews.com...
CON = a trick or ruse of some kind
TRACT = piece of paper/pamphlet.
so basically a contract is a piece of paper designed to fleece you out of
something of worth! in this case your true value! if you view all such
documents in this light you would never be taken or surprised again!
only the hustler type of artist (and you'd be surprised the big name of such
these acts) fall for badly written or almshouse type recording contracts.
YushDon
"Carol Ott" <cs...@NOSPAMcsottdesign.com> wrote in message
news:25S89.904$yd1....@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
i am not saying that reggae artists have not been signed by major labels!
what i am asking is what do the major labels do with those artists once
they've signed them? is it enough? does it further or hinder their careers.
my research has shown me that very often it does not further their careers
at all. but some artists can actually use the experience to further their
own self development by using the money to build their own studios.
good cases in point are junior reid, tappa zukie, third world, sugar minott,
buju banton and several others.
YushDon
"rocksteady" <rockstea...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:1e59mu0418i34sovn...@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 20 Aug 2002 23:46:51 -0700, "jah bill" <wj...@dgweb.com>
> wrote:
>
> >well if you consider island a major label, then there is little doubt in
my
> >mind that reggae would not have left the island without that major labels
> >support. island broke bob marley world wide and followed up by signing
many
> >reggae artists and put out what i consider perhaps *the* international
> >reggae record, the harder they come soundtrack. and then there was virgin
> >who attempted the same thing but had much less success with the result
that
> >many ja artists felt done over when they were not allowed to release more
> >records and were not supported with tours etc.
> >
> >but to a big degree i have to agree that generally speaking, signing to a
> >true major label spells the end of a reggae artists career at least as a
> >reggae artist. they generally attempt to "cross over" with the inevitable
> >result that they alienate their reggae fans and never pick up a
substantial
> >crossover audience. the examples are legion.
>
> There are many other example that contradict this. Burning Spear, Joe
> Higgs, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots & the Maytals are all examples of JA
> artists that have had major label deals at one time or another. The
> promotional muscle of these labels no doubt helped to expose their
> music more widely in the US and elsewhere. This particular list of
> artists didn't seem to have suffered artistically from the major
> record deals.
>
> Al
Carol
www.csottdesign.com
www.csott.com
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"YushDon" <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3d64...@news1.homechoice.co.uk...
People start record labels, radio stations, promotion companies, etc -- to
make money. They're not charities. The artists expect to make money -- so
where do they think the money's going to come from? The sky? Good luck
with that one...
Carol
www.csottdesign.com
www.csott.com
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"Sista Irie" <sis...@io.com> wrote in message
news:3D6403CB...@io.com...
--
one, peace, roots-ee
http://reggae.thearkband.com
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_lo.asx ( windows media player )
http://radio.thearkband.com/radio_hi.asx ( windows media player )
"Carol Ott" <cs...@NOSPAMcsottdesign.com> wrote in message
news:DMT89.1733$HJ1.1...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
But the fans aren't getting what they should be getting from some record
labels and promoters who don't see the need to put their artists on tour and
live up to the terms of their contracts.
Carol
www.csottdesign.com
www.csott.com
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"Rl...@bghost.net" <rl...@bghost.net> wrote in message
news:um82gok...@corp.supernews.com...
consequently many early music artists were not so much deliberately "ripped
off" but were not informed by producers and record companies of the best way
to exploit their craft. you can see whre the possibilities for exploitation
exists...
like i've said already the music business is more about the business than
the music if you're a serious commercial artist or a record company looking
to recoup your investment. for most artists it's more about the music and
the artistic (soul) side. unfortunately, not many artists possess the skill
to accomplish both simultaneously...
YushDon
"Carol Ott" <cs...@NOSPAMcsottdesign.com> wrote in message
news:DMT89.1733$HJ1.1...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
thanks werner. i was pretty sure it was associated with a singers & players
work. i *know* i've got the tune somewhere, but i'd swear it isn't on the
s&p comp (golden greats) you named. that title doesn't ring a bell with me.
i know i don't have the 10"--do you know of any other lp this tune is on?
maybe it's another s&p comp with a different title, or one of his own later
releases?? oh well, thanks again.
michele.
although i know certain information that would shed a different light on
things, i won't comment except to say this big record company did db no
favours and i don't think db did them any favours either to be honest...
YushDon
"rocksteady" <rockstea...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:rgobmuollj3st0615...@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 21 Aug 2002 22:08:42 +0100, "YushDon"
> <yushp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >al, it was an interview i did with jimmy cliff in the lat 80s/early 90s
that
> >first brought my attention to the revance of the thread question. jimmy
> >named me around 5 or so major labels he was or had been signed to at one
> >time or another and he was not very impressed with how he was treated
> >promotion and otherwise.
>
> You can find huge numbers of artists in every genre who are unhappy
> with their treatment by the major labels, and artists often blame lack
> of sales on their record companies. I'm not defending the practices
> of the big labels (who are mostly sleazebags more or less) but wanted
> to point out the fact that at least reggae acts signed to major labels
> tended to get more press than if they weren't on those labels, and
> also you could at least find their records in the racks. You can't
> say that about many foreign releases, which are much harder to find
> for the average record buyer.
>
> >i am not saying that reggae artists have not been signed by major labels!
> >what i am asking is what do the major labels do with those artists once
> >they've signed them? is it enough? does it further or hinder their
careers.
> >my research has shown me that very often it does not further their
careers
> >at all. but some artists can actually use the experience to further their
> >own self development by using the money to build their own studios.
>
> I don't think it hinders their careers at all, although I agree it
> probably doesn't help many of them all that much, I still think there
> are a few benefits. The first reggae act I ever saw live was Dennis
> Brown touring with a full band (horns, percussion, two guitarists etc)
> to promote his album "Foul Play" which was released on A & M, who were
> also supporting his tour. There was no way DB could have afforded to
> bring that big band on tour without the help of the record company.
>
> Al
YushDon
"rocksteady" *snippedd*
> Yeah? So why the secrecy? Dennis certainly won't care at this
> point... Most reggae bands that play on the club level in the US
> cannot afford to bring a 7-8 piece band out. In the early days you
> did see it happen but the vocalists soon realized there was a lot more
> money to be made if you could pull it off with a four-piece backup
> band.
>
> Al
so dub came after rocksteady? ....... interesting
Well it is on my copy of "Golden Greats Volume 1", and it's also on
"Disco Plate Collection Volume 1".
--
John
michele.
"John Foster" <this.address...@limax.co.uk> wrote in message
news:fmjtSVPi...@news.limax.co.uk...
it is significant that King Tubby et al is one of the major proponets
associated with "inventing" dub in the late '60s round about the same time
when:-
beats were slowed down in counterpoint to ska
there was very hot summer (too hot to play ska paced rhythms)
to give the musicians a chance to play their instruments.
again, take your pick as to what, which or any version you believe...
fiction and rumour is similar but a fact is a fact. but due to how reggae
music has evolved there is room to interpret things when you consider "i was
there" accounts from pioneering practitioners . perhaps you have a different
view. if so that would be interesting to hear...
YushDon
"Bjahn1" <bja...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020824112750...@mb-mh.aol.com...
<< again, take your pick as to what, which or any version you believe...
>>
I prefer to believe their version
<< stick dub anywhere u care to choose because before the vocals usually come
he raw instruments, the heart of dub. >>
so anything without vocals can be considerd dub, or the begining of dub?