Wade Dyce
Money Mare

Sylvan Morris is the Jamaican sound engineer behind thousands of tunes and some of the best classics reggae albums. From the mid-sixties till the 90’s, he shaped a unique sound in the best studios. He’s done work for artists like Gregory Isaacs, Burning Spear, Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer, The Heptones, Big Youth, Ken Boothe, The Gladiators, Delroy Wilson and many many more. Sylvan Morris started his career at the famous WIRL studio (renamed Dynamics later) in 1966. He worked there for two years and then went to Duke Reid (Treasure Isle Recording Studio) for a couple of months. He decided to leave this studio because the neighborhood and the environment were rather harsh. In 1968, Sylvan Morris was 19 years old and he joined Studio One Recording Studio. There was a lot of rivalry going on between Duke Reid and Clement Dodd. Coxsone recruits him because he needed a good engineer to bring out a unique sound and a good ear to accompany the musicians and singers at the arrangements level. He started as engineer but became quickly producer and arranger of a lot of songs because most of the time, Coxsone wasn't even in the studio, as he was focused on auditions. After the Coxsone’s auditions, the artists were in the studio with Sylvan Morris, Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles most of the time. When Jackie Mittoo left the ship, it was Leroy Sibbles and Sylvan Morris who takes care of all the work. After six intense years of recordings and mixing, Sylvan Morris left Studio One around 1974. Sylvan Morris became resident recording engineer at Harry J. He did famous recording sessions like Bob Marley & The Wailers’ ‘Natty Dread’, making Harry J’s studio one of the most famous Jamaican studios. Unfortunately in the 2000’s, Sylvan Morris turned blind and needs a helper most of the time. The royalties from this project have helped him also to buy medicaments. Special thanks to Sylvan Morris, Delroy Melody, Tero Kaski and Pekka Vuorinen.

Michael Edgehill aka Mikey Melody was born in the parish of Portland, Jamaica. As a youth he constantly raised his voice in song and performing with sound system in the neighborhood community. Known by his sweet voice, his friends gave him the nickname «Mikey Melody». Mikey Melody was influenced by 60’s and 70’s US R&B icons and Jamaican singers like Bob Marley, Sugar Minott, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Bob Andy and Half Pint. In the 1980’s he went to Kingston and was identified early by Lord Sassafrass, who gave him his first recording single “Under Mi Fat Thing” that was covered by many reggae artists. He was then signed by Black Scorpio Corporation which he was a singer on the sound system and recording label. He did songs like “World Is A Disaster”, “Jumbo Mi Jumbo”, “Romance For The Moment”, “Ragga Muffin”, “Unemployment”. He then moved on to Dennis Star Label which he did songs like “Mona Lisa”, “Maranda” and the hit song “Soldier In Town”. Released in 1988 on Dennis Star International records, ‘’Soldier In Town’’ by Mikey Melody is a pure late 80’s dancehall vocal over heavy digital rhythm by Firehouse Crew.

Following the recent release of their 2nd longplayer, "180.000 Miles & Counting", The Dynamics are back in 2012 with a dope remixes package of their new single "For the Love of Money".We couldn't resist to ask the mysterious bootleg Kings 7 Samurai (GAMM) to do a remix, and he turned the track in a massive Reggae-Disco version.There are lots of Steel Funk recordings by huge orchestras from Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. We were wondering what would become "For The Love of Money" in their hands, the answer is given by the master of Deep Funk, The Mighty Mocambos, with the participation of the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band .

Joseph White aka Joe White is a foundation of Jamaican music. He started singing in the late 50's and did his first recordings for Duke Reid in the early 60's. He moved to Sonia Pottinger's label later and get a first success in 1965 with the song « Every Night ». He also recorded for Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd and Rupie Edwards. In the 70's, Joe White was one of the only melodica player in Jamaica with Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh and Bobby Kalphat. He released beautiful melodica instrumentals like « Kenyata », « Call Me Trinity » for Derrick Harriott and « Cheer Up » for Glen Brown. Joe White was also a member of the famous BB Seaton's backing/studio band « The Conscious Minds ». In the mid seventies, he moved to London and released his classic album « Love For Every Family ».Joe White formed the group Roots, Trunks & Branches to release several tracks on the label Splendour Heights. “Forward To Zion” was released in 1979 and became a truly reggae roots stepper banger for sound system across the globe. Probably electronic music fans will appreciate the futuristic dubwise. “Forward To Zion” is a song of peace, love, freedom and emancipation of people. Uplift your selection, listen to the words of the prophet, it's time for us to get together; we are going forward to Zion. Jah don't care whether you are a natty dread or you're a baldhead, just as long as we unite and stop the fight, we are going forward to Zion!

Soul Sugar drop their own reggae version of Marvin Gaye’s "I Want You".French outfit Soul Sugar – the brainchild of Guillaume “Gee” Metenier – deliver yet another soulful reggae 12”, this time a cover version of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 classic "I Want You". Jamaicain native Leonardo Carmichael sings lead vocals and legendary drums and bass duo Sly & Robbie add their flavor to the mix, with two versions on side B.Marvin Gaye’s single "I Want You" was a big step forward for his sound & vision and marked a change in direction – from hip Motown Soul to a more sultry, Disco sound. Marvin's vocals are notably intimate and the lyrics are more explicit, more personal. An original soul classic, "I Want You" is memorable for its unique combination of lush harmonies, a mesmerizing groove and the apparent sexiness of the theme itself. Soul Sugar's Discomix version combines a smooth mixture of reggae, soul and funk over beefy bass lines, designed for heavyweight sound systems. Sly & Robbie, rhythm duo known for their studio work on countless reggae classics since the 1960s deliver their version, taking us back to the golden age of Reggae, the days when it was typical for Jamaican musicians to record their own versions of American soul tunes ... Ace producer Jahno dubs the mix live and direct to tape, from his very own ' N.O.F Studio'.