Jamaica, the early '70s. It was a time when the American soul from U.S. airwaves collided with rock steady. When Rastafarians moved from dunghill slums to the limelight, cheered by radical politicians. When the pulse slowed and vocals took a backseat to ground-shaking bass and shimmering organ, as producers discovered the beauty of dub. When new talent streamed from the backwoods into history-making hubs like Studio One. When positive messages, roots, and romance filled the dance floor and conquered the world.
Download Prince Fatty - "Gin & Juice" MP3
The hippy, halcyon days of Jamaican music are finding new fans and a new twist on Prince Fatty's debut, 'Survival of the Fattest', a collection of playful songs and instrumentals that roll and sway like the dub 45s of old.
Prince Fatty is the brainchild of British producer and die-hard reggae fan Mike Pelanconi, whose repertoire ranges from the now classic Acid Jazz/Delicious Vinyl of the 1990s to working with established rock and pop icons like Graham Coxon, Sinead O'Conner, N'Dea Davenport and Pharcyde, reggae legends like Gregory Isaacs, Adrian Sherwood and Dub Syndicate, and, more recently, pop artists Lily Allen and Little Barrie.
Reconnecting with the era's feel-good spirit meant rediscovering its musicians and recording them with the signature warmth lent by vintage analogue equipment. For Prince Fatty's debut, Pelanconi brought together some of the neglected greats who forged the sound of the '70s.
Featuring guest vocals from The Slits' Hollie Cook (daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook), Little Roy and Winston Francis, the band also features the legendary drummer Style Scott from the Roots Radics, afrobeat saxophonist Bukky Leo, Nostalgia 77's horn section, and Hammond organ by Bubblers from Ruff Cut Band.
The Prince Fatty project originally came together for the purpose of recording a limited-edition single for Stussy to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The resulting track, "Ninas Dance," became an underground smash in the UK, enjoying play on Radio 1, and generating enough demand that Fatty decided to create a follow up album, 'Survival of the Fattest'.
Fattest? We're talking humungous. Obese beats? Oh lardy, keep piling them on.
Prince Fatty will in the U.S. for two very special shows in July 2008:
July 16 Los Angeles The Dub Club
July 18 New York Hudson Terrace
Rasa Music - Official Label
Prince Fatty MySpace
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