Selectors: Scratch Famous, Queen Majesty, Selector JD and Mr.K with Special Guest When: Thursday 28 October 2010 10pm - 4am Where: Happy Ending (302 Broome St, New York) Admission: Free Subway: Grand St (B,D)
This week: Tribute To Gregory Isaacs with Deadly Dragon Sound and Plenty of guests!!!!!!!!!!!!
This week we paid tribute in the first hour to the Cool Ruler in the only way we knew...digging deep into the vaults for some of Gregory Isaac's tunes that have most touched our hearts. Even though I, Scratch Famous, totally blundered by not playing "Babylon Too Rough" the vibe was nice and sweet!
For the second hour, Spragga Benz joined us in the studio to preview his new album "Shotta Culture," talk about some history and throw down a few freestyles. He was a super nice guy, so bless up Spragga and thanks for passing thru!
In a year when so many veterans have passed away, I have to admit I was totally surprised when I heard that Gregory Isaacs had died after a long battle with lung cancer. It always struck me that Gregory was one of those characters who spent soo long on the edge that I, as well as so many other people, just assumed that he could and would survive anything; so that, once he passed, we were all caught a bit unawares. And being caught unawares made us (or at least me) look back at his music with a fresh eye...And what music! Gregory had a unique and eccentric voice -- no one else sounded like him and try as they may, he had no imitators. From lovers to roots to the digital BOOMshots of the 80s and 90s, he put his stamp on timeless tunes with a plaintive lonliness that will wail away forever in the winds of our musical history.
portraits are from an apartment in Gloucester Road, West London 24 May 1984
Live shots The Venue, London, UK on 19 November 1982.
