Dancehall: B. Levy and Beyond

As previously discussed on this site, dancehall and the culture that surrounds it isn’t always necessarily the most welcoming. Of course, that’s an outsider’s opinion, but one steeped in enough music listening and show going to at least have an informed point of view. Go ahead, disagree, that’s fine. But while we may wind up sitting around quibbling about the merits of new acts, the old ones not only founded the genre, but in a few cases persist in creating quality musics (let the cries of “fetishist” begin anew) - and no one can frown on a spate of good tunes. So, here’s another JA related list of some dancehall figures no one should do with out.

Barrington Levy
Honestly, without having stumbled upon B. Levy as a result of his guesting on a Long Beach Dub All Stars album, my listening habits would most likely be drastically different. That being said, even in the company of some SoCal white guys, Levy was able to turn in such a stunning performance as to warrant my cohort hunting down his records.

Levy possesses the uncanny ability to affect his voice to the point where it sounds as if it’s been mechanically augmented. Beyond even that, though, this toaster has worked in the genre for its entire life span. From more organic styled rockers to plain digital weirdness, Levy should entertain any and ever reggae or dance hall fan – and he still puts on an incredible live show. He might hit on your girlfriend, though. Just a warning.

Sugar Minott
This singer got an early start and worked alongside some big names in his combo, the African Brothers. And after knocking around in the reggae arena, Minott helped prefigure the dancehall thing as he went in over a great many Studio One tracks. He was still a singer, but the approach to creating music was what persisted and effected not just future sing-jays, but JA as a community and as a whole.

Michigan and Smiley
This duo didn’t record too much. And really, that’s only the loss of this generation of JA music aficionados. Rub-a-Dub is inarguably a highlight not just in dancehall, but in music from the island. As strong an album as that was – in addition to the proper 1982 follow ups Step By Step and Downpression – Michigan and Smiley only made it through 1985 before calling it a day. It surely can’t be said that quality was ever a problem. And while there weren’t too many duos in this particular stage of JA music, these guys right here reigned supreme.

Yellowman
Before ever hearing any music that Yellowman has made, it should be understood that he trucks in some pretty x-rated stuffs. It wouldn’t make Game or Jeezy blush, but there’s a lotta talk about ladies, what their various parts are good for and what Yellowman wants to do to them. Sure, there’s mention of motherhood, which I suppose could pass as social commentary, but it’s all in the interest of getting in between the sheets. Regardless, Yellowman cranks out good tunes. And now you know.