Farewell Alerth

The passing of Alerth Rockford Bedasse on March 5, 2007 marked the end of a chapter in Jamaica's great musical heritage. Alerth fell ill at his home in Harbour View, East Kingston, while preparing a meal in his kitchen and was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he eventually died.
Those who came out of the 1950s will remember the golden years of the foundation music known as the Mento/Calypso, the island's first recorded indigenous music form. Alerth Bedasse, in tandem with the prolific writer, the late Everard Williams and backed by the Chin's Calypso Sextet recorded some of the most popular songs of the time. In fact, there is presently a resurgence of the Mento/Calypso as a new generation is getting to appreciate the music, due mainly to the reissuing of the Ivan Chin owned Chin's Calypso Sextet Catalogue. Classics numbers such as `Big Boy & Teacher`, `Guzoo Doctor`, `Red Tomato`,`Monkey's Opinion`, and the highly controversial `Night Food` are now a regular part of play sheets on radio stations in Jamaica and abroad.
Alerth was born in May Kraal, Clarendon on February 21, 1928 and started playing the guitar at events such as weddings and parties while in his mid teen. In 1949 he moved to Kingston and settled in the culturally rich section of the city known as the West End, and it was not long before he was introduced to Everard Williams who needed a partner. The two teamed and in the process succeeded the famous street singing pair known as Slim & Sam. They traversed the entire island singing and selling music tracts until they went into the recording studio to record `Night Food`, reputed to be one of the biggest ever selling record in Jamaica. By 1958 the music changed and Bedasse went into business administration, working as an accountant at the National Workers Union (NWU) until the time of his death.
The Webster Memorial United Church overflowed with mourners paying their last respect to the great man on Saturday, March 17. Interestingly, the majority of the mourners were from the NWU and its affiliates while the music fraternity had few from that sector. Noticeable from the music fraternity were Kingsley Goodison (King Omar Promotions), Colin Leslie, Roy Black, Herbie Miller and Daniel Neely who travelled from New York. Internment took place at his family plot at Mount Hindmost, Pennants in Clarendon.
Thanks to Alerth there are taped and printed interviews to be made available. The DVD series, `The Mento Pioneer`, and a cover feature in the `Vintage Boss Magazine`, along with additional features in the `Vintage Boss` special series, The Mento Pioneers Pt. 1&2
Rest Well Alerth.
Vintage Boss.
Purchase at: www.createspace.com/234477

Remembering Vere Johns Pt.1

In some countries the late Vere Everette Johns, would have been made a national hero. In Jamaica there is absolutely nothing, tangible or otherwise to reflect the legacy of this great Jamaican war veteran, actor, producer, director, columnist, radio artiste and talent scout. Since his death in September 1966, there is the occasional mention of his name, mainly by some of our great artistes whose life Vere had touched during the hosting of his famous `Opportunity Hour` and `Opportunity Knocks` talent shows from the late 1930s until his death.
Vere was born in Mandeville in November 1893 and was the first son of Rev. Matthew Johns and Lillian Johns (nee Hendricks). His father was head master of the Manchester Middle School, now Manchester High School. At the time of Vere's birth the school was endowed with a Free Trust by the district of Vere. As a result, little baby Johns was given the name Vere, to mark the occasion.
Vere was educated at the school and after graduating he moved to Kingston and worked at the General Post Office in 1912 until he went off to serve in World War 1 in 1915. He joined the South Lancashire Regiment and saw active service with the Egyptian expedition Force led by Field Marshal Lord Allanby. A highly competent soldier, Vere was awarded the Military Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry in Devotion to Duty in 1917.
At the end of the war in 1919 he returned to Jamaica and resumed at the General Post Office after which was transferred to the Collector General's Office, on promotion. He dabbles in various other things and became Jamaica's Elocution Champion in 1926, as well as played football for Melbourne and the YMCA Football Clubs. And if that wasn't enough, Vere became captain and Adjutant of the church (Anglican) Lads Brigade.

The Great King Stitt

For more than 50 years he is known in the annals of Jamaica's musical heritage as one of the legends.
Born with a disfigured face, King Stitt, whose real name is Winston Sparks, actually started out as a dancer and later ventured into the sound system business. He initially moved around the `Lord Koos,The Universe` sound system and eventually became one of the disc-jockeys , until the late Sir Coxsone, borrowed him and Stitt remained with Sir Coxsone until his death in 2004, according to the late Egerton Koo, who owned Lord Koos The Universe sound system.
Known as the `Ugly One` he was honoured on Labour Day by other greats in the music fraternity, the likes of Bunny Goodison, Winston `Merritone` Blake and Haggie Thomas, owner of the Afrique Pub (formerly J. Wray & Nephew Bar), located at the bottom of King Street. Many accolades were bestowed upon the man who is also regarded as one the most knowledgeable in the business.
Hail to the great King Stitt.
Vintage Boss.

Sounds & Pressure

Sounds & Pressure `Celebrating over 50 Years of the Jamaican Recorded Music Industry`.
The celebration is spread over 2006/ 2007 and seeks to highlight the contribution made by the artistes, musicians, producers, promoters and others. The Sounds & Pressure committee comprises Julian `Jingles` Reynolds (chairman), Kingsley Goodison (vice chairman), Colby Graham, Roy Black, Colin Leslie, Kieth Lumsden, Herbie Miller, Dennis Howard, Kamille Williams and Wayne Chen.
Born out of the celebration is, Reggae Music Heritage Tour, a tour which traces the urban path and origins of Jamaica's unique music and its impact on the world stage. It traces the path of the Jamaican greats, starting on Orange Street(Beat Street) and making stops at sites of Techniques (Winston Riley), Lee `Scratch` Perry, Tom `The Great Sebastian` Wong, Sir Coxsone, Bunny Lee, Clancy Eccles, Prince Buster, JJ Johnson, Beverleys and at Leggo's Recording Studio, the only remaining recording studios still operating in the downtown area. An interesting stop on the tour is the site (Big Yard) where Dennis Brown (Crown Prince of Reggae) grew up.
The King Street leg of the tour takes in sites such as Jubilee Tile Garden, Forresters Hall (North Street), The Wailers Record Shop, Derrick Harriott and Headley Jones. Other stops include the refurbished Liberty Hall (Marcus Garvey UNIA), Ward Theatre and the famous Victoria Pier. Nanny's Corner at Love Lane and Beeston Street is turning out to be one of the most interesting stops. This is where Sir Coxsone Downbeat sound system originated and where the early rehearsal took place for Sir Coxsone's sojourn into recordings.
This tour is a must for all who are true lovers, researchers, writers and fans of Jamaican music.
email:reggaevacations@cwjamaica.com
website:www.reggaevacations.net
Colby Graham/Vintage Boss.

Vintage Boss Productions

The preservation and documentation of Jamaica's cultural past continues to be of grave concern, especially to those who have had a passion and interest in this matter. Vintage Boss Productions, has for the past six years, dedicated to the cause of going the depths in unearthing this rich cultural heritage.
Through the Vintage Boss Magazine, incepted in May 2002 and the never before seen graphics of vital aspects of the past, there has been renewed interest in our colourful heritage. Perhaps the most critical part of the work surrounds the garnering of important data from the creators and players who are well up in age and who are passing away at a rapid rate. And too, there are those whose memory loss has rendered their worth useless, sadly but true.
With over 60 issues of the magazine along with a dozen dvd documentary features, things are set to take off. Financial constrain has adversely affected the publishing, nonetheless the creation of monthly issues continues and these will now be available.
Colby Graham

Welcome To Vintage Boss

Welcome to Vintage Boss, Jamaica. This is the start of a journey into Jamaica's cultural past, looking at the work of those icons who have made significant contribution in the development of a great heritage. Here is where you'll find information on products and material, researched and published over six years of dedicated and painstaking work, featured in the Vintage Boss Magazine and the DVD series. This researched material covers over 60 years of Jamaica's cultural past comprising the era of the original Dance-hall, Mento/Calypso, Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Roots music.