Courtney John – My New Favorite Jamaican
I’ve been wishing for a while now that members of the Dap Kings or El Michels Affair would branch off and do a rocksteady side project using all their vintage analogue recording gear. Clearly, someone down in Jamaica was scheming something similar. Instead of trying to recreate that classic sound in a studio today, why not just sing new songs on top of old records? Simple but genius. To be fair, Bitty McLean has already been doing this for a while- with his 2005 album “On Bond Street with The Supersonics” as a perfect example of this very concept. But there’s something so classic about Courtney’s voice that I rarely hear today. So tender and vulnerable that it almost seems frail.
The chorus on “Lucky Man” usually has a way of staying with me all day after I listen to it once. I don’t have any problem with that, but I thought it only fair that I give you warning. And remember the rocksteady version of The Beatles “Blackbird” that I posted here back during Summer? Well he took that record too and turned it into a salve that should help heal even the most shattered heart. I’m also throwing in a couple older Bitty McLean hits for any of you out there who may have missed these when they first came out. Is this a new trend? Neo-rocksteady? I hope so.
Courtney John : Lucky Man
& Win Some
taken from the album Made In Jamaica on Jamaica Records (2009)
Bitty McLean : Walk Away From Love
& I've Got Love
taken from the album On Bond Street on Peckings (2005)
gaston monescu • November 9, 2009
bad ass. great post. ‘ive got love’ has plenty of old-timey tones and almost makes me want to go get a sassafras soda.
Happy • November 11, 2009
Thanks for bringing this magic to my attention.
Wan Rey • November 11, 2009
Courtney John’s Lucky Man is too damn good.
Lil Bitty • November 12, 2009
Lucky Man was released on 7” single courtesy of Peckings label UK with an UK rnb artist named Lady Lex on the flip (same rhythm track.) KILLAH!!!!
If you like this also check out the promo of the latest Peckings compilation Old School Young Blood vol 2. Nuff Bitty Maclean, Lady Lex, Gappy Ranks, Courtney John etc….
http://rapidshare.com/files/299075892/VA-Old_Skool_Young_Blood_2-CD-2009-RAC.rar
Brian • November 18, 2009
Wow. Thanks for posting this!
amanda spillane • June 10, 2010
thanx for posting this..mandy
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