Golden Age Reggae from a Legendary Producer
'Essential collection of seventies Golden Age roots reggae produced by one of the music's unsung heroes Clive Hunt aka Azul aka Lizzard. Some bona fide classics here including the Abyssinians' glorious Tenayistillin Wandimae, Pablo Moses' We Should Be In Angola, the In Crowd's Milk & Honey, alongside collector's rarities from Junior Murvin and I Roy, Sylford Walker and two from Bonnie Gayle plus gems from Dennis Brown and Marcia Griffiths. A fitting tribute to the man's work.'
'Bad, Bad, Bad is a historical compilation of Clive Hunt’s exceptional 1970s and 80s roots reggae productions, featuring various artists that helped build his reputation. The collection includes rare tracks by Bonny Gayle, Dennis Brown, The Abyssinians, Junior Murvin, Max Romeo, and Marcia Griffiths, among others, including Hunt himself in his ‘Lizzard’ persona and as the lead singer of the In Crowd.'
'Although not as celebrated as some of his Jamaican peers, Clive "Azul" Hunte was responsible for producing some of the finest roots reggae to emerge from the island in the 1970s and '80s. Bad Bad Bad is therefore an essential retrospective, which much of the material focusing on his golden period between 1973 and '76. While there are some impressive cuts from big names present - see Junior Murvin's slow-motion reggae-soul cover of Curtis Mayfield's 'Give Me Your Love', the skanking weightiness of I-Roy's 'Flying High' and the classical reggae sweetness of Dennis Brown's 'Love Light' - much of the best material comes from lesser-celebrated artists such as the In Crowd, Pablo Moses, Bonny Gayle and Jam Now Generation. In a word: essential.'
CLIVE HUNT
Born in Linstead, St. Catherine, Clive Hunt is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and producer whose career spans more than four decades. Since a few years his a VP Records-signed producer who has produced for artists such as Etana, Jah Cure, Maxi Priest, Jah9, Richie Spice, and Queen Ifrica. In 2016, he produced the compilation We Remember Dennis Brown for the label. In the late ’70s, he was involved in playing on a number of recording sessions including Culture’s Cumbolo for producer Sonia Pottinger. He then emigrated to New York where he worked with Joe Gibbs and Lloyd ‘Bullwackie’ Barnes. For the latter he played on sessions and performed as a soloist, recording as Clive ‘Azul’ Hunt. In 1987, he was deported from the US on drug-related charges. Four years after he had returned to Jamaica, he checked himself into rehab and has since re-established himself as a successful producer, working with many top artists.
GREAT SELECTION
Being associated with VP Records it was just a matter of time before Clive Hunt’s classic productions would be (re-)issued. And this happened with the release of the compilation set Clive “Azul” Hunt Presents Bad Bad Bad on VP’s subsidiary label 17 North Parade. The 15-track CD (12 tracks on the vinyl LP) gathers a selection of Clive Hunt produced roots tunes from 1973 to 1976. And a great selection it is, especially as it includes some of the producer’s most sought after 7″ singles from that golden age of reggae.
OPENING PART
The compilation instantly commands the listener’s attention as things get started with The Abyssinians’ 1975 roots killer Tenayistillin Wandimae. Originally released in Jamaica on the Antrim label and on the Tropical Sound Tracs imprint in the UK, it’s Geoffrey Chung who’s credited on the label as the producer of this gem. Whether this piece was produced by Clive Hunt or Geoffrey Chung certainly won’t bother the reggae fan because this is three-part harmony at its very best. Next comes Sylford Walker’s matching I Can’t Understand, a single from 1976 that featured the heavy dub version called Bad.. Bad.. Bad.. on its flipside. Probably that’s where the title of this album comes from, but it also would have been a good move if they had included the dub here as well. The opening part is rounded off with the 1975 released single I Can’t Change My Skin by Linval Simms aka Bonnie Gayle (an original member of The Viceroys), which is another scorcher.
AND THE REST…
Bonnie Gayle is present with a second track, the solid Mellow Up Yourself, and also the In Crowd and Clive Hunt under the pseudonyms Azul and Lizzard are around with two efforts. In Crowd’s Milk And Honey, amongst most fans best known from Dennis Brown, is followed by Azul’s instrumental version titled Bitter Sweet, before Lizzard delivers a noteworthy vocal cut titled Satta I. Even though vocals are also included, In Crowd’s Mango Walk is a nice soul reggae instrumental. Junior Murvin makes a very good impression with his tough rendition of Curtis Mayfield’s Give Me Your Love, while the deejay cut by I Roy, Flying High aka Superfly, is an awesome King Tubby mixed piece. With furthermore Pablo Moses’ We Should Be In Angola, Max Romeo’s Tacko, and Dennis Brown’s Love Light on the tracklist, you know this is a wonderful collection of classic tunes! -by Mr.T at Reggae Vibes
Clive Hunt: Riddims And Rehab
The revered Jamaican producer on overcoming drug addiction and working with some of the best artists in the business
Written by By Anethe Carvalho
03/12/2015
CLIVE HUNT can easily be described as reggae royalty. With a career that spans over 40 years, the acclaimed Jamaican music producer has worked with reggae, rock and soul music heavyweights, including Peter Tosh, Grace Jones, Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones and many other great artists.
Since teaming up with iconic reggae label VP Records, Hunt has been exploring the contemporary reggae sound by working with new artists to maintain and preserve the genre.
A multi-instrumentalist – he plays the trumpet, bass guitar, keyboards and saxophone – arranger, composer and producer, Hunt lived in New York in the late 70s and developed his skills working with fellow reggae talents Joe Gibbs and Lloyd Barnes. However, his American residency came to an end in 1987, after he developed a cocaine addiction and was deported for drug-related offences.
Eventually, the producer bounced back and re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with, teaming up with artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond, Garnett Silk and more recently Etana and Jah Cure.
His most recent offering was the compilation album, The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2015. Solely produced by Hunt, the album featured a host of talents, including Luciano, Richie Spice, Capleton and Ikaya.
Here, the producer talks to Life & Style about reggae, riddims and rehabilitation.
You boast several titles – musician, producer, composer and arranger. Is there one you enjoy the most?
I’m first of all a musician. I used to spend 14 hours a day playing and I tell people that my secret as a producer is that I’m an arranger. I use my skills as an arranger and it gives me a little edge, so I would say I’m an arranger/producer.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
Creatively there have been so many things for me, because I have been doing music my whole life. Back in Jamaica, I became helpful to the reggae people of the day by working with the best reggae DJs of the time. Since then I have done so many things. I am really proud of my work with Peter Tosh, and arranging with The Rolling Stones and Jah Cure; being the only signed producer on VP Records; and working with Jimmy Cliff.
What do you think of the current state of reggae music?
I really do like the current state of reggae right now and I believe that just like how other countries preserve their music, all reggae music should also be preserved. I take great pride in what the young people are doing right now and I take greater pride that even with my 40 years of working in the studio, I’m still working with the young artists.
You have worked with musicians from a variety of genres. Have you found a difference in work ethic between reggae and non-reggae artists?
Yes. There is quite a difference, not so much creatively but in their [reggae artist’s] personal approach to work. Maybe because of our upbringing or the social fibre of Jamaica, once the artists start getting a certain amount of attention they become different people – like little monsters. They don’t turn up on time, they argue back and they don’t do the things that are expected from them.
But I feel for them because they get sling-shot into this world of excitement, cars and pretty girls and they feel like they are the centre of the universe and don’t know how to act.
I have worked with major artists and they are very professional and they listen to the producer. Reggae artists want to control the situation and I hope that changes so people won’t start giving up on them.
Who are a few of the artists you have enjoyed working with the most and why?
I find that as I get older the artists who are more professional are the ones I relish the most. Geoffrey Chung, he was the first person I learned from in terms of producing. There have been a few people that have stayed in my mind like Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. I mention them daily to the kids I work with.
It’s well known that you battled with addiction to cocaine in the past. How difficult was it for you to get clean and what advice would you give to young musicians who might be tempted to dabble in drugs?
That’s something very dear to my heart. I got involved in drugs because people around me were doing it. I was rubbing shoulders with the biggest people in the industry and one day one of my friends showed it to me and for 11 years, I went from the highest high to the lowest low.
But because of my skills and professionalism, I was still able to work. Also, thanks to my mother and a friend, I went to rehab and I have been clean since February 1991. I would say to young musicians who are thinking about trying it – don’t do it! I have been living a clean life and I hope this serves as an example to the young people out there.
1. Abyssinians - Tenayistillin Wandimae 3:33
2. Sylford Walker - I Can't Understand 2:49
3. Bonnie Gayle - I Can't Change My Skin 3:31
4. Pablo Moses - We Should Be In Angola 3:37
5. In Crowd - Tacko 2:51
6. In Crowd - Milk & Honey 2:47
7. Azul - Bitter Sweet 3:05
8. Lizzard - Satta I 2:29
9. Bonnie Gayle - Mellow Up Yourself 3:02
10. Junior Murvin - Give Me Your Love 2:07
11. I Roy - Flying High 2:23
12. In Crowd - Mango Walk 3:24
13. Jam Now Generation - Peacemaker 3:02
14. Dennis Brown - Lovelight 3:29
15. Marcia Griffiths & Nigger Kojak - Untrue Love / Come Inna Dis 5:01
