The credit for inspiring today's cornucopia of cool sounds goes to that crazy cat from the Cotswolds, Khayem.
Last Friday being Bandcamp Friday he very thoughtfully provided links to a selection of reggae releases that were available to download for free. I had some of them already but diligently checked out the others.
One of these was "Let's Make Waves", a truly splendid EP by an outfit called Creation Rockers. Originally released in 2012 on the defunct Springline label, it was reissued in 2022 with some extra tracks by the Dubphonic label in Cyprus. I have gone with the title track but could have picked pretty much any one of them.
I have not been able to find anything else by Creation Rockers but some international man of mystery style sleuthing - i.e. reading the blurb - revealed that the leading lights were Brad Τurner from the duo Foshan Roots and Alan Blizzard aka Yabass. So here is something from each of them.
There are several Foshan Roots recordings on Bandcamp. This track comes from their album "Sky Warrior Dub", another Dubphonic reissue and another that is available to download for free. Brad now goes by the name of The Manor and churns out reggae and ska releases on a regular basis from his studio in swinging East London.
As for Yabass, he has now extended his name and has released a couple of records in recent years - "Year Zero Dubb" in 2020 and the 2023 single featured below.
A final shout out to the other members of Creation Rockers, Drummie Dan and Papa D, whoever and wherever they may be.
"Let's Make Waves" - Creation Rockers
"Sifu Dub" - Foshan Roots
"Thanks and Praises" - Yabass Yaba Radics meets T-Jah
Needless to say I couldn't find any videos by Creation Rockers but I did find some by The Creation which I think will more than suffice.
As an English teacher, I have to tell you that excessive use of unnecessary alliteration will not get you into the top band.
ReplyDeleteBut who is determining what is 'unnecessary'? In this case I elected to endorse each and every example as essential.
DeleteKhayem from the Kotswolds, surely?
ReplyDeleteGreat to see and hear the Creation. Did they fulfil their early promise? Probably not.
I did konsider changing all the Cs to Ks but did not want to give poor Rol a fit of apocalyptic rage.
DeleteAlways good to see the Creation featured, oh yes! Hearing 'How Does It Feel To Feel' - I had no idea who they were before someone played that to me in the '80s - and being utterly blown away by it (how could you not be?!) was what was largely responsible for getting me into UK '60s psych/beat.
ReplyDeleteI did have you in mind when selecting the videos.
DeleteThank you, thank you, thank you, Ernie. And in true paying it forward style, you've introduced us (and me) to the Creation Rockers offshoots which are a real delight too.
ReplyDeleteAnd The Creation are welcome any day of the week, for any reason.
Great stuff Ernie. How Does It Feel To Feel blew me away on first hearing it too, that churning guitar sound especially.
ReplyDelete