Another scorcher for DJ superstar BIG YOUTH! Earlier this year, The 18th Parallel teamed up with Big Youth on the rockers one drop ‘Long Road’ released on Skankin’ Society Records. Now they are back together with a second single called ‘MAN WITH A MISSION’. Super heavy rub a dub riddim driven by a powerful bassline and none other than legendary Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace on drums. Horns blowing like the trumpets of Jericho, moog synthesizer lurking like a haunting ghost and thunderstorm spring reverbs create an apocalyptic atmosphere perfectly suited to Big Youth’s poignant vocals. The power of this song comes from the way it was recorded. March 2013, downtown Kingston, 45 Charles Street at night. Gunshot in the neighborhood, police in the streets. Big Youth was outside the studio. He went right through the recording booth, never gave a listen to the riddim, ask the engineer to roll and put his heart and soul into the song: no filter, no second thought, just pure inspiration and message in the lyrics. One take. This is the most spontaneous and genuine testimony you can get from the magic of studio vibes in Kingston. Another masterpiece from Master Jah Youth!

‘MAN WITH A MISSION’ is part of the upcoming 18th Parallel album ‘DOWNTOW SESSIONS’ to be released November 18th on Fruits Records. More

Second batch of releases for Fruits Records’ imprint label Skankin’ Society Records!
Vin Morgan is well known by record collectors for being the man behind Soul Defenders Band (Studio One in-house band after Sound Dimension) and most of all the writer and vocalist of Roots anthem ‘Jah Love’ (New Era, 1984). Even if the larger audience haven’t heard his name much, Vin Morgan is probably one of the greatest songwriters of Jamaica. Musical director at Studio One in the seventies, Vin knows how to combine good writing with catchy melodies to get hits. Shadow worker, he only released his first solo album in 2017. This gem album was produced by Iroko Records and Roberto Sa´nchez and it features killer song ‘Thanks A Lot’.
Beautifully sung by Vin’s falsetto, ‘I’ll Rise Again’ was recorded in Kingston under the musical direction of legendary bass player and producer Boris Gardiner. It also features guest drummer and longtime Studio One partner Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace. ‘I’ll Rise Again’ has a strong lyrical content that shall give hope and strength to all survivors: “I’ll rise again, in the sunshine, through the rain / I’ll rise again, patch up the bruises and ignore the pain / I’ll rise again, don’t let the system conquer me / I’ll rise again, I wanna choose my destiny”. Words, sound and power! More