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An exclusive journey into authentic Caribbean lifestyle and culture.
Split Personality! Leftside aka Mr Evil at NYC’s RICE and PEAS Party
November 16, 2009
Words by DJ Gravy
Video Shot & Edited by Reid van Renesse
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Craig “Leftside” Parks is a uniquely versatile character in Jamaica’s dancehall fraternity. As son of Lloyd Parks, (bassist and bandleader of the We The People Band, one of Reggae’s most consistent backing bands) Leftside absorbed music at a very young age, playing drums for everyone from Yellowman to Dennis Brown, he also toured as Sean Paul’s tour DJ when SP was just starting to really “buss”.
Flash forward a few years (circa 2003), Leftside is producing almost all of Dancehall’s top artists with too many hits to list, from there he began voicing many of his own riddims. Left’s tribute to ladies who keep fit, “Tuck In Yu Belly” clearly displayed a level of humour that Dancehall seemed to be lacking at that time.
The next hit was by his zany, comedic alter ego, Mr. Evil, (based on Dr. Evil from Austin Powers). As Mr. Evil, he achieved mainstream urban cross over success with his edgy, “More Punany“, complete with countless Reggae and Pop Culture referances and DJ Screw type vocal effects.
Then the dual identities (Leftside and Mr. Evil) started “collaborating” on tracks, often with Leftside singing hooks and Evil deejaying on verses. A great example is his (their?) collabo with Sean Paul, “Back It Up”.
The Largeup webisode with Leftside (at top of post) was filmed at New York’s RICE and PEAS Party, where he made an exclusive appearance. The diverse crowd of people knew and sang along with all of his chunes word for word.
As if being a drummer, selector, hit producer, artist and alter ego artist wasn’t enough, we’re now blessed with yet another hysterical persona, Gran Faada (or Granpa). Check his new tune (as Gran Faada) on super producer Russian’s Go Go Club riddim.
Burning Spear “Man In the Hills”
November 9, 2009
Words: Martei Korley
As a testament to majestic nature of Jamaica’s mountains; Spear wrote his classic tune in 1976, immediately following his smash hit “Marcus Garvey”.
The hills(mountains) have always provided refuge for the marginalized in Jamaica: Runaway slaves called the maroons(really primarily Ashanti warriors who refused to ever give up their sovereignty) fought guerilla war with the British for a hundred years before forcing the crown to sign a peace truce; which, although often questioned today, presents a unique historical perspective.
The first Rasta Commune, Pinnacle, was located in the St. Jago hills on old plantation grounds(paid for, not squatted btw.). Even to this day many a Jamaican will head “inna di bush” for healing herbs, flowers or simply to commune with nature. The hills supply most of Jamaica’s drinking water and even shelters surrounding areas from hurricane impact because of a bounce-back effect. Many modern roots artist salute the heights and natural living in their lyrics as well. Sizzla for instance says “Woman gone a river cause she fiya burn di tub” in one of his songs. Sounds like Spears “My brother go to di river, to carry the water”. Nature is right outside your door in the hills. Can you blame Burning Spear for wanting to live there?
Nightfall in The Blue Mountains
November 9, 2009
Words and Images: Martei Korley
Jamaica is an Island of contrasts. From shanties to opulence, crowded inner cities to “country”. Country is the term Jamaicans use for most locations outside of Kingston.
One goes “Down country” on the weekend to visit family and friends. When a Jamaican ask a fellow countryman: “Which country you hail from?”, he is actually asking which one of the 14 parishes is his home.
Some parishes, however, like St. Catherine are more sprawling developments of all types, planned and unplanned, than actual bush. Spanish Town and Portmore, the fastest growing urban center in the Caribbean, are both part of the equation in St. Catherine. Being Jamaica’s first capitol, Spanish Town definitely holds some claim to fame in the urbanization of Jamaica.
But you really don’t have to drive too far from these bustling urban centers before the landscape changes into broad plains w cattle and goats, gorges and rolling hills with Citrus groves all around. If you begin your journey in Kingston and drive West, that is.
If however, you decide to look to the east to escape the dust and heat of Kingston, the Blue Mountains loom majestically over the horizon.
They extend into three parishes, St. Andrew, St. Thomas and Portland, bisecting the island like a giant spine.
Coffee grows in the shade of pine trees near Section on the Portland/St. Andrew border
There are various inns and guesthouses in the area catering to a host of needs but we couldn’t resist to bring you a photo of the Scorpio Inn in all it’s kitschy splendor
Biodiversity is great at high altitudes above cultivated areas
Bubbling brooks and small waterfalls are everywhere
Ranking Trevor sets the record straight
November 6, 2009
Words and Images: Martei Korley
Large Up caught up with the DJ at Lincoln “Sugar” Minott’s historical Black Roots/Youthman Promotions Studio at the top of Jungle. Famous for it’s eclectic mix of artists it still teems with industry icons: Who isn’t there is likely to be featured in the gigantic murals. You might even catch the painter at work while watching Sugar play dominoes w/ Tabby Diamond, Jah Stitch and Dillinger. Trevor is the Original Ranking, the Godfather of the moniker. Listen as he breaks it down:
Ranking Trevor – The Masculine Gender
Dr. Spice, Ital specialist..
November 5, 2009
Photos: Martei Korley
Since his days in Papine in his small Ital kitchen, people would literally line up for a mix of different stews and a signature handshake. Ackee and chunks, potatoes with string beans and pumpkin, Rice and Peas. Thirst-quenching carrot or beetroot juices. Doctor Spice’s stews always held sway over the competition for sheer staying power. A satisfying indulgence! Looking around on the walls of the little board house you would find shelves full of Fruta, Supligen and Peanut Punch.Above them, 8×10s of artistes and celebs from Turbulence to Empress would grace the remaining wall replete autographs and well wishes: Blessed Love, Dr. Spice rules.
Screwface!!!!
October 30, 2009
While we’re still surrounded by Halloween madness, (here in NY, that is) you remember the evil, possessed, fictional Jamaican drug dealing gang in cinema tough guy Steven Segal’s “Marked For Death”?
It was totally insulting and definitely pre “PC”! Nevertheless, it is pretty funny and there are some good one liners. Apparently the dreadlocked gang have the obeah power to make their eyes change into weird colors, but lack the magical prowess it would take to stop Segal from cracking their bones in ways they’re not supposed to go!
On a side note, Steven Segal is (in real life) a major Reggae fan, he’s performed on stage with Toots and The Maytals, and has been known to frequent Jamaica… If you see him in JA make sure you try a “Marked For Death” one liner on him, just don’t jump out the window!
Rather than showing a regular clip from the movie, peep the Luke Vibert “Marked For Death” Junglist Montage Remix!
Reggae Marauders! Nossa’s massive clearance sale
October 30, 2009
How many faces can you name on this Reggae Marauders T Shirt? It’s actually a flip of a Native Tongues (extended family) Midnight Marauders T shirt that Absurd put out a few years back…
Also a few years ago, this DJ Duo called Nossa, Sujinho & Kassiano, came out on some Brazilian Baile Funk / Dance music Mashup vibe. They had everyone instantly on smash, Brazilian Booty Bass?! What?! Read More
vampire killing music!
October 29, 2009
Posted by DJ Gravy
Just to get in on a halloween vibe, check out the ultimate Dub meets Horror theme record, Scientist Rids The World Of The Evil Curse Of The Vampires.
Click here to download Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires
Scientist’s themed records always had wickedly sparse dub versions with a super dope album cover relating to the title, but in this case, there are actually some pretty funny Vampire / Zombie-esque samples in the intros of certain especially dark, spine tingling, minor key dub riddims. The record’s linear notes claim it was recorded Friday the 13th, June, 1981, (which is cool) but June 13, 1981 was a actually a Saturday (which adds extra authenticity!)
Some of the joints off this record were featured in the soundtrack to the mega popular video game, Grand Theft Auto 3. This was clearly to Scientist’s discontent, as he was not cut in to receive any royalties (and had major moral issues with his music being the score to a game he felt glamorized violent behaviour), he ended up suing the label that licensed the tracks in a US court. His role as a dub mixing engineer was challenged and belittled in court.
But the issue was brought up that this style of dub mixing IS the record, hence the reason it is credited as a Scientist record. The label argued that the producer, Henry “Junjo” Laws, get the royalties. It just so happens that Laws is deceased and the label owned the masters! Apparently Scientist didn’t complete his task of ridding ALL the world of the evil curse… of the vampires!
