Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Early reggae

"Christmas Time Is Here"
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Claymation Christmas (Is Here)

Someone went to great effort to animate “Christmas Time Is Here” by The Heptones in this charming claymation-style video: “Christmas Time Is Here“ The Heptones (196?) * This song provokes the question – Where exactly does rocksteady end and reggae begin? * “Christmas Time Is Here” can be found on Studio

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Early reggae
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Horace Ové & UK Reggae, 1970

Thanks to Courtney Tulloch‘s original review in the March 4, 1971 edition of Rolling Stone for tipping me to a 1970 documentary entitled, Reggae, that was directed by Trinidadian-born British filmmaker, photographer, painter & writer, Horace Ové.  Originally broadcast on BBC TV, Ove’s documentary deserves credit for being, as Marco on

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"Tea for Two"
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“Tea for Two”: Heptones at Studio One

Tip of the hat to Joe’s Record Paradise, Silver Spring’s legendary music store (that also sells 8-tracks, cassettes, 78s, books, magazines, videos – and includes a shrine to one-time Silver Spring resident, Root Boy Slim, plus lots of other great DC music memorabilia) for a sweet deal on a stack

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"Press Along Nyah"
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The Earliest Reggae Recording?

Three years ago, someone paid $99 for this great single by Larry (Marshall) & Alvin (Leslie) that was recorded in 1970 at Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s legendary Studio One: “Press Along Nyah“ Larry & Alvin (1970) Last year The Jamaica Observer checked in with Larry Marshall (now residing in Florida), who

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"Bangarang Festival"
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“Bangarang Festival”: The Sound of 1969

Very little information seems to exist about this Jamaica Independence Festival song contribution that bears the classic sound of vintage 1969 reggae – “Bangarang Festival” – from The Peter Ashbourne Affair: Bangarang Festival – Peter Ashbourne Affair [Pssst:  Click the triangle to play “Bangarang Festival” by The Peter Ashbourne Affair.]

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"Midnight Confessions"
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“Midnight Confessions”: Breezy Pop Recast as Menacing Dub

I’d have to agree with the lone reviewer on Amazon UK who says that Treasure Isle Dub is his favorite dub album “by quite a margin” and points out this interesting fact: “Available as mp3 on The Complete Treasure Isle Dub Collection with another 12 tracks besides.” King Tubby vs.

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"Blue Boot"
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“Blue Boot”: Next-Generation Musical Footware

A key transitional moment in the history of popular music largely went unnoticed when Eric Donaldson took the baton from early rock & roll pioneer, Carl Perkins – author of “Blue Suede Shoes” – upon the release of this great single from 1972 on the Jaguar label, “Blue Boot“: “Blue

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"Weather Report"
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“Weather Report”: Play the Simon & Garfunkel Game

Here’s a fun game – a public service of Zero to 180 – that you can play with a group of friends: Get a time piece (or watch with a second hand) Click the triangle below to play “Weather Report” by The Tennors. Make note of how much time elapses

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"Mother Benge"
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“Mother Benge”: Rocksteady Shakes Hands with Reggae

Very little seems to be known about this great single from the late rocksteady/early reggae era other than the artist name (Cliff & the Diamonds), the producer (Joe Abrahams), and song title (“Mother Benge“) – check out the hip musical non-sequitur that opens the song: “Mother Benge“ Cliff & the

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"Musical Fight"
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“Musical Fight”: Most Literal Song Title

“Musical Fight” by The Crashers is, literally, a fight set to music — “Musical Fight“ The Crashers (1970) Produced in 1969 by Sonia Pottinger and released as a split single with Stranger & Patsy (“True Love“), this B-side — renamed “Target” — would be released in the UK the following

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