RANDY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY: INSIDE THE STUDIO WHERE REGGAE FOUND ITS VOICE
17 North Parade returns with another crucial double-vinyl release. Randy’s 50th Anniversary: Reggae Anthology – Chapter Two captures the golden era of Clive Chin’s productions from 1971 to ’76. This is the blueprint that gave rise to VP Records.
Randy’s 50th Anniversary Chapter Two tracklist reads like a roots reggae hall of fame. Augustus Pablo‘s visionary Java sits alongside Carl Malcolm’s infectious UK chart-botherer Fattie Bum Bum. Black Uhuru, Horace Andy, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, The Heptones and Big Youth all bring heat.
Originally issued on CD in 2008, these rare recordings finally hit vinyl. Reggae historian David Katz provides deep liner notes. Rare photos fill the inner sleeves.
RANDY’S WAS CONJURING PURE FIRE FROM JAMAICA’S FINEST TALENT
Randy’s Studio held special magic. Vincent ‘Randy’ Chin built it above his record shop in downtown Kingston. He was a pioneering Jamaican entrepreneur who released music during the ska era and found success with the Trinidadian-born Lord Creator.
“The foundation of the studio started during the rock steady era, that’s one of the reasons you never come across any rock steady tunes on the Randy’s label,” explains Vincent’s eldest son Clive Chin.
By late ’68, the studio was ready, built above his popular record shop at 17 North Parade. Its sparse, distinctive sound became legendary.
The rhythm section was incredible: Sly Dunbar on drums, Lloyd Parks on bass, with Skin Flesh and Bones holding it down. Engineer Errol Thompson and producer Clive Chin pushed boundaries together. They created something beyond standard reggae formulas.
Both Chapter One and this Reggae Anthology: Chapter Two document when Randy’s was conjuring pure fire from Jamaica’s finest talent.
CHAPTER TWO TRACKLIST
SIDE A
1. Java – Augustus Pablo
2. Hospital Trolley – I Roy
3. King Of Babylon – Junior Byles
4. Don’t Go – Horace Andy
5. A Little Love – Jimmy London
6. Cheater – Dennis Brown
SIDE B
1. For The Love Of You – John Holt
2. Too Late To Turn Back Now – Alton Ellis
3. Be Thankful – Donovan Carless
4. Woman Of The Ghetto – Hortense Ellis
5. Children Of The Ghetto – Senya
6. Lonely Soldier – Gregory Isaacs
SIDE C
1. Going To Zion – Black Uhuru
2. Ordinary Man – Lloyd Parks
3. Ordinary Version 3 – Impact All Stars
4. Hold Tight – African Brothers
5. Righteous Man – Keith Poppin
6. Created By The Father – Errol Dunkley
7. The Race – The Gladiators
SIDE D
1. My Guiding Star – The Heptones
2. Something On Your Mind – Hubert Lee
3. Country Boy – Charley Ace & Dirty Harry
4. No Jestering – Carl Malcolm
5. Knotty No Jester – Big Youth
6. Fattie Bum Bum – Carl Malcolm
ABOUT 17 NORTH PARADE
Vincent and Pat Chin opened Randy’s Record Mart in Kingston, then began cutting their own ska and rocksteady sides. By 1967, Randy’s Studio sat above the shop, drawing Lee “Scratch” Perry, Bunny Lee, and Niney Holness.
The studio captured early Maytals classics, while Clive Chin’s work with Augustus Pablo on Java helped birth dub.
