Guest Post: Some Definitions
(Of a Canadian rap and reggae style)

In a followup to yesterday’s post on great Canadian singles, I wrote the estimable David Dacks to ask for an assist on the reggae/dub/dancehall front. He more than obliged. (Sorry we didn’t do more linking to samples but we’re both pressed for time.)

David Dacks writes:

Carl asked me about ‘important’ reggae singles in Canada. Since reggae in this country has a checkered history in its popularity and commercial success, it’s tough to determine importance. Also, unlike reggae in Jamaica and the UK, this country’s reggae milestones have been albums rather than singles (though this is starting to change). As a result, many of the country’s most important reggae artists never issued singles.

Light In The Attic’s Jamaica To Toronto series compiles many excellent singles; I won’t go into them here, but you can check out their site. The compiler of that series, DJ Sipreano, is a 45″ bloodhound par excellence and could school us all; but here’s my personal take on noteworthy Canadian reggae singles over the years.

Willie Williams, “Armagideon Time” (Studio One)
If any song deserves to be on Bob Mersereau’s main list, it’s this one. Starting off life as an instrumental in 1967 (written by Studio One music director and future Toronto reggae don Jackie Mittoo), the original tracks were overdubbed with new vocals by Willi Williams and keyboards by Mittoo in 1979. This slapdash yet atmospheric rock steady/disco combo hit big in England, and led to the Clash’s cover version. Though “Armagideon Time” was an internationally issued single/hit as opposed to a Canadian release, that merely puts it in the same league as the dozens of Neil Young singles that will no doubt be considered for the book.

Ishan People, “Come To The Music” (GRT)
This polished, hooky single was a big deal when it came out in the mid 70s when it seemed like reggae might break through to Canadian radio.

The Sattalites, “Wild” (Solid Gold)
“Too Late To Turn Back Time” was the bigger hit a few years later, but this single is top-shelf pop-reggae from their first album.

Messenjah, “Jam Session” (WEA)
This probably got the most play of any reggae song on MuchMusic prior to Snow’s “Informer.” Kitchener’s answer to Steel Pulse has aged well.

Michie Mee and LA Luv, “Run For Cover/Elements Of Style” (Justice).
Reputed to be the first rap record in Canada (also the last Boogie Down Production featuring Scott La Rock), its style is closer to dancehall.

Rumble & Strong, “Crazy Jam” (Gee Street)
Killer hip-hop/dancehall hybrid (on the infamous “Sleng Teng” riddim) for the UK market on Gee St. records.

Dream Warriors, “Ludi” (Island)
Not the first choice of too many DW fans, but it was the first hip-hop song to sample rocksteady as far as I’m aware (Slim Smith’s “My Conversation,” one of my all-time favourite songs), and one of the first songs to make the Canada-Jamaica-New York connection evident in hip-hop.

Kardinal Offishall, “Naughty Dread” (Beat Factory)
To paraphrase the Dream Warriors, “and now the legacy continues”. Great Bob Marley sample powers Kardi’s first single.

Exco Levi, “Oh Canada” (no label)
An interesting if syrupy take on allegiance to the adopted homeland, this struck a nerve when it was released 2 years ago. Easy on the autotune there, Exco…

Dubmatix & Linval Thompson, “Peace and Love” (7 Arts).
It’s unfortunate this album didn’t win the Juno this year, and that it missed the deadline for 2008-09 Polaris Prize consideration by two days. IMO one of the best-ever reggae albums ever made in Canada, and he’s an international headliner because of it.

… and an honourable mention to the Payolas’ “Eyes of a Stranger.”