DANCEHALL VIBES WITH GREG VANDY Greetings and nuff respect once again you rhythm-wise and faithful massive. Please pardon the brief and fleeting nature of this month's news and reviews. You see here in the land of Dixie (winter residency in New Orleans) this time of year is occupied with one thing -getting fat for carnival season. Among the 60 parades, the masquarade balls and parties, the Mardi Gras Indian chiefs and second-lining behind the many brass bands, there's hardly enough span in my attention to inform y'all on the latest dancehall drama. But alas, I have managed to get my hands on some of the newest records, rhythms and island news. I would just like to mention that all you party people owe it to yourself to check-out Mardi Gras, if not in New Orleans then perhaps in Rio or Trinidad which rivals no place with carnival color, pageantry and music. Tonight you'll find me on Canal Street with outstretched arms pleading the float-riding Krewe members of Bacchus to "throw me something mister!" The Jamaican 7" are plentiful as always. The rash of old Studio One rhythms continue to break out, and some classic oldies have been freshened up with DJs matched with the veteran singers. But what really gets my rocks off is hot milk. I like it before bed sometimes on cold winter nights, but what I'm talking about is the latest bad-ass rhythm to hit the scene. The "hot-milk" rhythm is an easy steppin', sly sort of stride with some of Jamaica's most regal on board. Check the SHABBA RANKS cut "Respect" (Shang 7"), the GREGORY ISAACS "Easy" (Digital B 7"), JOHNNY OSBOURNE "Rock With Me" (Digital B 7") and the up-and-coming BABY WAYNE with "Scalawa Test" (Kingston 11 7"). There's sure to be many more versions in the near future of this cool and deadly rhythm, so look out for hot milk. Elsewhere the "shine and criss" versions continue to bubble to the surface. GENERAL DEGREE is at the top of his game with "Body Performance" (Carib 7"), while JIGSY KING barks a tune called "My Sound Kill" (Roof 7") which surprisingly warrants repeated listening. TRISTON PALMER, DENNIS BROWN and BEENIE MAN team up on "Three Against War" (Father G 7"), but let's not forget the latest comic sensation on the dancehall scene, a man called SNAGGA PUSS. Formerly known as DICKING RANKING in the 80's, he has now copped a hilarious cartoon character persona which has gotten good mileage on the sound systems as intros and vocal interjections during a set. His "shine and criss" version is worth checking out "Line Up all the Girls" (Roof 7') is lyrically about what you'd expect from a guy called Shagga Puss. He also is on a remake of "Carry Go Bring Home" (Anchor 7") with FREDDIE MCGREGOR in a combination style, check it! Speaking of remakes, the classic "Book of Rules" has been recut with the original HEPTONES vocal and a new DJ verse or two added by SHAKA SHAMBA: it's called "The Book" (Shark 7"). On a similar tip is the return of FREDDIE MCKAY. Though deceased for quite some time, an old vocal was matched with an updated rhythm that results in "Doing Fine" (Mister Tipsy 7) -an odd title for a dead man. Being a fan, I still consider Freddie Mckay to be one of the better vocalists the island has ever produced, and his complete obscurity is a shame. BOUNTY KILLER has teamed up with some great singers to recut a couple of classics with much success. "Have Some Mercy" (Carib 7") is a remake of the MIGHTY DIAMONDS tune with DELROY WILSON, and "The Real Score" (Champion 7") is a remake with Frankie Paul of his late 80's smash "I Know the Score". BOUNTY KILLER is definately on the rise in the DJ scene. In the mold of your typical roughneck, he comes strong with his vocal delivery and seems to wind up on the choice rhythms routinely. Like the "tonight" rhythm which is gaining popularity again in '94 only a few years after CHAKA DEMUS and SCOTTY had big fun with it. BOUNTY KILLER once again teams up with a singer, this time CHUCK TURNER on "Settle Down" (Kingston 11 7") a wicked combination record. Nuff respect BOUNTY KILLER. Also on the "tonight" rhythm, which features a nice keyboard riff and super bass line is BERE HAMMOND's "My Wish" (Penthouse 7") and WAYNE WONDER's "Saddest Day" (Penthouse 7"), two singers who make a career out of dishing out the sugar in their unabashed love songs, which at times can get as sappy as a maple tree, but these tunes stand up. Two singers I never grow tired of are COCOA TEA and SUGAR MINOTT, who consistently turn out quality material. Check COCOA's "No Threat" (Digital B 7") and a combination over the "sleng teng" rhythm with LUCIANA called "Mr Governor" (Xterminator 7"). SUGAR MINOTT's latest is "Barriers" (Black Scorpio 7"), a very nice record from the man who continues to quietly influence the dancehall scene year after year. The studio one rhythms of yesteryear are constantly being recut by the Jamaican studios, but the current favor toward these foundations of reggae music is obvious. The versions of rhythms like "real rock" are countless -the seriously curious or aspiring DJs ought to check "Rhythm-Wise", a complete catalog listing of old rhythms with every title and artist who recorded on them over the years: essential! And now in '94 we see the return of "Heavy Rock", "Rockfort Rock", "Full-Up" and "Death in the Arena". The new takes of such old rhythms are always popular among the true reggae massive because the familiarity makes you exclaim "oh ya", and the freshness makes you move your butt one more time. (Sidenote: Heartbeat Records released an LP some 5 years ago containing all of these rhythm tracks in their original 60's form called "Studio One: Killer Instrumentals". It should be easily available as it was released domestically in the US. Keep your eyes open. A particular favorite of mine is "full up", which has come back with some nice dancehall flavor. Recommended would be PANCHO's "119" (How Yu Fi Sey Dat 7"), CHUCKLEBERRY's "No Pampers" (How Yu Fi Sey Dat 7"), PETER METRO's "Dedicated to You" (Shocking Vibes 7") and MIKYL ROZE (formally Michael Rose of Black Uhuru) "Stalk of Sensimenia" (Star Trail 7"). On "Death in the Arena", check ADMIRAL TIBET's "Weeping and Mourning"(Digital B 7"), GARNETT SILK's "Splashing Dancing" (Digital B 7") and two veterans I always enjoy, TINGA STEWART and SCOTTY on "Miss Fancy Dancy" (Kingston 11 7"). The record of the month is on a rhythm known as "far east" and is voiced by guess who, BUJU BANTON. He keeps his streak alive and his island popularity supreme by releasing one great record after another, this time "Murderer" (Penthouse 7"). A wicked tune over a slow tempo, Buju's deliberate lyric of ghetto violence is loud and clear. Another accurate social commentary on the heels of "Deportee", proving Buju to be a voice of reality and consciousness, and not the one-dimensional hate-monger he was portrayed as being during last year's "Boom Bye Bye" controversy. The man is so influential on the island that his style, name, moniker, and even his laugh, is imitated by the younger DJs looking to come up. One such DJ is MEGA BANTON, a talented mic chatter who has a "far east" version of his own called "Mr Mention" (Black Scorpio 7"). This record is nearly identical to "Murderer" and the title refers to his obvious hero, Buju Banton. He also has an excellent record out called "First Position" (Carib 7") on the "shine and criss" rhythm, but the man needs to develop his own identity and techniques -seriously, the talent is there: go forward young Mega! On our American shores, the Jamaican stylings continue to get nuff props. BOBBY KONDERS Massive B label has released an LP on the "sleng teng" rhythm (you all know how sleng teng makes me jump up and down with a Sir Cosmic Luv perma-grin on my face). It features some of the NYC DJs like MAD LION and Jamaican transplant BURRO BANTON, definately check it! Tommy Boy also has a sleng teng cut with CYPRESS HILL's "B-Real" featured on their "Big Blunts" LP. Marijuana and sleng teng: I'm glad that America has finally come around. One disappointment is the new JAMALSKI record which took forever to materialize. After some promising guest appearances on other prominent artist's releases, his first solo full-length effort, "Roughneck Reality" (Columbia LP), falls miserably short. He trys so hard to be a rough neck DJ, that instead he just comes off flat, out-of- tune and out of original style. Everything is overstated, from the album's cover to JAMALSKI's boring rant. Sorry, but not every ragga release is going to be good. I looked forward to this one as much as the rest of ya. Finally I cannot fail to mention the recent birthday of Bob Marley, the one to take Jamaican music international. A true soul rebel of his time and inspiration for all times, Bob will always be missed. Be sure to check the annual Marley issue of BEAT magazine which is on newstands now. Well, that's it. more next month, but now I must return to my Mardi Gras Mambo. Keep bubblin' and stay fresh.