New Niney The Observer Compilation + Interview, Freddie McGregor CD Reissue
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Artist:
Those familiar with reggae history know that Niney the Observer is deeply rooted in the evolution of its sound. Niney came up from the streets. He had a rebel sound and attitude at a time when independent recording studios were new to Jamaica. Recording and pressing records had just become accessible to the people for the 1st time.
"Blood and Fire" audio:
Niney launched the Observer label in 1971 with his 1970 hit tune "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 Stephen di Genius McGregor who's killing it in dancehall today).
VP Records' vintage imprint, 17 North Parade, is rewinding the reggae hits with 1 brand new compilation and 1 reissue:
A compilation of 40 Niney productions, featuring Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, I-Roy, Junior Delgado, Big Youth, Michael Rose, Ken Boothe and more, called Reggae Anthology - Niney The Observer: Roots With Quality. The double disc set will be available Feb. 3, 2009.
A remastered reissue of Freddie McGregor: Mr. McGregor - available on CD for the 1st time ever! Produced by Niney with Freddie McGregor pon di mic, this CD will be available this week.
For more info on these albums:
Niney The Observer At The Controls
PLUS - I'll be interviewing Niney tomorrow (Tues. Jan. 20). I truly can't wait to chat with one of my musical heroes. If there's anything you'd like me to ask this radical reggae veteran, just leave yr questions in the comments between now and 7am Eastern/10am Pacific time. If I get them in time, I'll do my best to work them into the interview and get back to you.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (3)
Yes! You are my favorite.
I never expected to see a niney post on here. Blood and Fire was the first track that I ever heard from him and I had it stuck in my head for a solid year, easy.
Congratulations on the interview and thanks for conducting one with somebody that I actually care about.
Oh yeah, good luck. I interviewed Eek-A-Mouse once about 6 years ago and it is often hard to decifer what people are saying who have accents that strong.
The interview is in a few hours and i have a list of excellent questions for The Observer. thanks for yr mogmails and thanks Dead C for the comment and support. even as a kid, i loved Jamaican accents, so I'll be fine if I don't get too startstruck.
I'm thrilled to find others who are still interested in what this man has to say. his impact on reggae history is so huge, yet he's never been as famous as the Marleys, Peter Tosh or Dennis Brown, all of whom he worked with directly.
Wicked is all I can Say