Those who know reggae’s history, know that Niney the Observer is deeply rooted in the evolution of its sound. Niney came up from the streets with a rebel sound and attitude at a time when recording studios were accessible to the people for the 1st time. (Similar to independent labels sprouting up to reduce dependency on the majors…) Niney launched the Observer label in 1971 with “Blood and Fire” which in turn influenced the music of Big Youth, Burning Spear, The Wailers and more. (I credit Niney for the change in The Wailers’ sound when it became more militant, rebellious and dark – my favorite era of Wailers music.) Niney has worked with many of reggae’s most recognizable names like Lee Perry, Dennis Brown, Beenie Man and Freddie McGregor (father of Steven di Genius McGregor who’s killing it in dancehall today).
Almost 40 years later, 17 North Parade (a vintage imprint of VP Records) rewinds the reggae hits with 2 brand new Niney releases: Reggae Anthology – Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality (out Feb.3) is a compilation of BIG CHOONS featuring Niney at the controls with classic crooners on the mic including Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, I-Roy, Junior Delgado, Big Youth, Michael Rose, Ken Boothe and many (many) more! AND – for the 1st time ever on CD, the remastered reissue of Freddie McGregor: Mr. McGregor (out this week) featuring the production magic of Niney the Observer.
Freddie McGregor: Mr. McGregor
Hitting the streets this week, the reissue of Freddie McGregor: Mr. McGregor will be a treat for long-time reggae record collectors who listen to CDs now. The press release for the reissue describes it:
Debuting on CD for the first time and coming fully restored with original album artwork, digitally re-mastered sound and extensive liner notes…
While Bobby Bobylon is rightfully regarded as a Studio One gem and has long been considered an essential part of any respectable reggae collection, the more obscure Mr. McGregor is a diamond in the rough waiting to be discovered. Produced by the innovative Winston Holness aka Niney the Observer, Mr. McGregor has a raw, gritty edge in contrast to Coxsone’s carefully polished production on Bobby Bobylon.
Tracklisting for Freddie McGregor: Mr. McGregor:
1. We Got Love
2. Walls Of Gericho
3. Jah Can Count On I
4. Oh No, Not My Baby
5. Why Did You Do It
6. Zion Chant
7. Rastaman Camp
8. Do Good
9. Brandy
10. Rasta Have Faith
Reggae Anthology – Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality
Reggae Anthology – Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality will be released on February 3, 2009. VP and 17 North Parade Records describe the anthology:
This retrospective features the who’s who of roots reggae legends – Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Michael Rose, Junior Byles, Delroy Wilson, Sugar Minott, Leroy Smart and many others who were inspired to cut some of their best music for The Observer. Deejay versions and amazing King Tubby’s mixes are also in this package featuring the full story of one of the most inventive producers in Jamaican music.
Tracklisting for Reggae Anthology – Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality
1 BLOOD & FIRE – NINEY (DISC 1)
2 WHOLE LOT OF FIRE – BIG YOUTH
3 THE COMING OF JAH – MAX ROMEO & NINEY
4 RASTA BANDWAGON – MAX ROMEO & LEE PERRY
5 RASCAL MAN (FALSE RASTA) – DELROY WILSON
6 RASTA NO BORN YAH (EXTENDED MIX) – SANG HUGH & THE LIONAIRES
7 GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER/CLAP THE BARBER – MICHAEL ROSE
8 THE WAY TO REASON – DELROY WASHINGTON
9 BRING THE COUCHIE COME – REGGAE CRUSADERS
10 I NEED YOUR LOVING – SLIM SMITH
11 ROCK ON – GREGORY ISAACS
12 SILVER WORDS – KEN BOOTHE
13 MY BABY IS GONE – DELROY WILSON
14 HERE I COME – DENNIS BROWN
15 JAH COME HERE – I ROY
16 WARRIOR – JOHNNY CLARKE
17 WHIP THEM JAH – RANKING TREVOR
18 EVERY NATTY – JUNIOR DELGADO
19 WEEPING – JUNIOR BYLES
20 SUFFERATION – TYRONE TAYLOR
21 WOLF & LEOPARDS/NOSEY MAN – DENNIS BROWN & BONGO HERMAN (2)
22 SLAVE MASTER/CAPTIVES – GREGORY ISAACS & RANKING BUCKERS
23 CHANT IT DOWN – FREDDIE MCGREGOR
24 JAH IS MY LIGHT – LEROY SMART
25 NO MORE WILL I ROAM (EXTENDED MIX) – DENNIS BROWN
26 MATERIALIST – HORACE ANDY
27 MOSES – JACOB MILLER
28 PROPHECY CALL – GLASFORD MANNING
29 MUTINY – NINEY
30 I JAH I – THE JEWELS
31 SLAVE CALL – THE ETHIOPIANS
32 TEMPTATION, BOTHERATION – THE HEPTONES
33 ROOTS WITH QUALTIY – THIRD WORLD
34 TEASE MY LOVE – FREDDIE MCGREGOR
35 LOVER’S RACE – SUGAR MINOTT
36 MR. SUN – DON CARLOS
37 THANK YOU MAMA – BARRY BROWN
38 LOVER’S ROCK J.A. STYLE – FREDDIE MCGREGOR
39 SWEETS FOR MY SWEET – JIMMY RILEY
40 MONEY FRIEND – LEROY SMART & BABY WAYNE
(Sorry for the all caps, this was the only tracklisting I could find.)
You can read more about each album here:
Interview with Niney the Observer
What’s even more exciting is I’ll be interviewing Niney the Observer tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 20)!! I’m pretty excited to chat with someone who’s responsible for some of my favorite music of all time. If there’s anything you’d like to know, leave questions in the comments here.
Niney the Observer Links
VP Records
17 North Parade my$pace
2002 Interview with Niney (I had trouble listening b/c of the poor audio quality, but you might find it interesting…)
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