Fades in Slowly

‘Every so often, John was pilloried for not playing black music – absurd, really, as reggae and, latterly, hip-hop, were a staple ingredient of his shows. (He was even driven to seek police advice after the National Front responded to his playlist with a letter: “We know where your kids go to school.”) John wrote in Sounds magazine: “Frankly, I listen to music with no concern whatever for the race, colour, religion, preference in breakfast foods, height, shoe size or whatever-you-like of the music makers. The only footling prejudice I do permit myself is this – musicians I suspect of supporting Everton or Arsenal have a bugger of a time getting their ponderous tripe on to the programme.” ‘

The early 1970s saw a rise in white-power skinheads who, for reasons best known to themselves, saw the masses of new immigrants as being the cause of most of their social and economic problems. By the end of the decade, this image had become widespread and the skinhead style had fallen out of favor.

The movement underwent a resurgence in the 1980s, however, with the creation of groups like SHARP (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) and others who spoke out against neo-Nazism and were either apolitical or moderate in their beliefs. Today, skinheads hold a wide spectrum of political opinions, dress styles, and musical preferences. This is the final Dancehall installment, although next up I’ll be moving on to Reggae.

Volume 4 (of 4)

01 The Music Doctors – Music Doctor, Chapter 1
02 The Rudies – The Split
03 The Cimarons – Kick Me Or I’ll Kick You
04 King Horror – Cutting Blade
05 Joe Mansaro – The Thief
06 Hot Rod All Stars – Return Of The Bad Man
07 The Des All Stars – Black Scorcher
08 The Music Doctors – Bush Doctor
09 The Rudies – Devil’s Lead Soup
10 Dice The Boss – Your Boss DJ

Skinheads wore Doc Marten boots in black or burgundy, with short cuffed jeans or corduroys, flight jackets, sweater vests, Ben Sherman button downs and suspenders. Girls wore short skirts and fishnet stockings. They listened to early reggae, soul, and ska music in youth clubs. Here are some more magic tunes for you.

01 The Soul Twins – Cherrie
02 Roland Alphonso – One Thousand Tons Of Megaton
03 The Hippy Boys – Reggae Pressure
04 The Reggae Boys – Ba Ba
05 Glen Adams – Power Cut
06 The Hippy Boys – Dreams To Remember
07 Max Romeo & The Hippy Boys – Clap Clap
08 Roland Alphonso – Musical Resurrection
09 Derrick Morgan – The Conqueror
10 Tommy McCook – The Saint (The Saints Go Marching In)

‘Peel’s championing of reggae was criticised by hippies and then punks. But the more hostile the reaction, the more Peel would play it, and the juxtaposition of different genres of music on his show inspired groups such as the Clash to experiment with different styles.’

The original skinheads were working-class British youths in the 1960s, influenced by the mod and Jamaican rude boy styles in their clothing and music. The subculture wasn’t based on politics or race in the early days, but more on the desire to rebel against the British class system, which greatly limited social and job-related opportunities for young people, and against the flower power and high fashion styles of the 60s. Here are ten more belters to help ease you into summer.

Part 2 (of 4)

01 The prophets – Revenge of eastwood
02 King horror – Zion i
03 Desmond Reily – Tear Them
04 The Des All Stars – Walk With Des
05 The Corporation – Walking Thru Jerusalem
06 Dandy – Shake Me Wake Me
07 Dice The Boss – Tea House From Emperor Rosko
08 Sir Collins – Black Panther
09 The Music Doctors – Going Strong
10 S. S. Binns – Bossa Moon

If you’re new to the world of ska, your life is about to be changed for the better. This is from the period just before Rasta took over, so there’s little talk of Babylon and the like, just great pumping dance songs and instrumentals which will get you turning up the volume and opening the window so the whole neighbourhood can hear.

Part 1 (of 4)

01 The Bunny Lee All Stars – Warfare
02 Busty Brown – Fight For Your Right
03 The Medetators – Soul Fight
04 The Victors – Reggae Buddy
05 Karl Bryan – Red Ash0
06 Hortense Ellis – My Last Date
07 What’s your excuse – Hippy Boys
08 The Bunny Lee All Stars – Annie Pama
09 Lloyd Charmers – In The Spirit
10 The Hippy Boys – Peace Maker