Quando, grazie al mio amico Steno, ho scoperto il blog di James Kerr aka Scorpion Dagger sono rimasta ammutolita per la dedizione con cui il ragazzo si è dedicato alla ricerca e alla composizione fantasiosa di dipinti del primo Rinascimento (periodo in cui pare che tutti gli esseri umani avessero una scucchia ingestibile). Con la stessa dedizione, l’uomo che si è occupato di mixare per noi questo bolo di chicche dagli anni Sessanta e Settanta colleziona vinili e li cura come piccoli arazzi rinascimentali. Si chiama Giordano e da qualche tempo a Londra, città in cui risiede, porta le sue vibez alla gente in una serata che ha per nome lo stesso di questo mixo, One Stop.

Dato che siamo di là e di qua dalla manica, ho preferito lasciare il commento di Giordano in inglese, tanto non potrete essere mai peggio di Matteo Renzi.

I got into Jamaican music in the early 00’s by going to mod clubs in Rome where dj’s usually played a little bit of ska and early reggae. Back then I used to go to London 2 to 3 times per year visiting friends and during those short visits I would go looking for records and that is how I started building up my collection.

I ended up moving to London in 2004 and since then my interest in vinyl in general and in Jamaican music in particular has grown tremendously also due to the much easier accessibility to records and to clubs that you have in London compared to Italy. During the years I had the chance to listen to many great dj’s playing some incredible music which has helped me improving my musical knowledge and shaping my personal taste.

Over the years I have djed in many clubs and venues in London, I have promoted few club nights, and had the chance to dj alongside some of the best dj’s in the English reggae scene, especially since I started my club last January in Ridley Road.

One Stop takes place the second sunday of every month at the Ridley Road Market Bar, it is a social event where the golden age of Jamaican music can be appreciated. My aim is to create a gathering where people can socialize as well as listening to some fine music played by dedicated people, simple as that, music is the key. I play alongside a different guest every month.

This mix is exactly what we play at One Stop, the best sounds that came out of Jamaica back in the 60’s and 70’s.

The first track, which was produced by Derrick Harriott in 1967, and therefore a later production compared to the following four tracks, is rocksteady at its best. We then have three ska tunes, two Studio1 productions and one track from one of my favorite artist, the late great Don Drummond, trombone virtuoso and a very sensible character who spent his short life between recording studios and mental institutions. Track number five, recorded at Treasure Isle on 33 Bond Street, Kingston Jamaica, is one of those tracks where the transition between ska and rocksteady is pronounced. We then go again back and forth between reggae (I’m in the mood for love/Full Up/Ease up/Don’t let me down/Top secret) and rocksteady (Jerico skank/I don’t want to see you cry/Love me today/Hypocrite) with productions from Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Winston Riley, The Wailers, Harry Johnson.

The last six tracks are all 70’s productions, with the very last one being a proper roots anthem, militant and conscious.

Have a taste of our sound and make your way to the Ridley Road Market Bar, after all it’s just One Stop.

NOISEY MIX: ONE STOP by Noisey Italia on Mixcloud

TRACKLIST:

Bobby Ellis – Step softly
Roland Alphonso – Dr. RIng Ding
Don Drummond – Ska town
Ethiopians – I am gonna take over now
Justin Hinds – Here I stand
The Techniques – I’m in the mood for love
Sound Dimension – Full up
Righteous Flames – Ease up
Jackie Mittoo – Jerico skank
Ken Boothe – I don’t want to see you cry
Stranger Cole & Gladdy – Love me today
Marcia Griffiths – Don’t let me down
Winston Wright – Top secret
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Hypocrite
John Holt – Stranger in love
The Maytals – It must be true love
Sound Dimension – In cold blood
Larry Marshall – I’ve got to make it
The Tennors – Weather report
Junior Byles – Chant down Babylon