In 1992 I was a few years into hosting Reggae Music Forward, a weekly reggae radio show on KXLU Los Angeles. The program focused on new dancehall and modern roots music, with some foundation and old cuts in thrown in as well. But 1992 was also a turning point for reggae in general; it was a peak moment of the newly ascendant dancehall era and major American labels had been on a dancehall and reggae artist signing binge for a few years. Tiger, Mad Cobra, Supercat, Shabba Ranks and others all cut major label deals and their music began being remixed and merged with other urban genres. Hence, a good portion of this broadcast features reggae-hip-hop remixes that were popular at the time. These tracks are mixed back to back, using the station’s rudimentary belt-drive Techniques turntables. The blends are not all perfect, but live mixing was an innovation back then, especially on college radio. The set was recorded to cassette and I have edited out the breaks and back announcing. I believe this set is a good representation of not only the prominent styles of the time, but also the strong ties with hip-hop. It’s amazing to think that “Murder She Wrote” – which is possibly the world’s most recognizable dancehall anthem -- had only just come out. Bogle-dance rhythms like Shabba’s “Ting A Ling” were dominant. At the same time, roots singers like Cocoa Tea and Garnet Silk were starting to revive the dormant melodic reggae scene. All in all, this is a snapshot of ragga 92-style, blasting from the Los Angeles nighttime airwaves. I hope you enjoy this radio selections, and I plan to bring a few more from this era forward this year. [DJ Tomas, January 2010]

Ragga 92 Style – A Radio Mix Track Listing
Reggie Stepper – Soldierman
Buju Banton – Bring Yu Body Come
Cutty Ranks – Open Up
Apache Scratchy – Girls Look Good
Jamalski – Lets Do It In The Dancehall
Fu Schnickens – The Generals
Nubian Crackers – Two For The Time
Whorl’ A Girls – X-Amount
The Rhythmmasters – The Rush
The Ragga Twins + Navigator – Lock Up
Nicodemus – Ride In A Town
Chaka Demus & Pliers – Murder She Wrote
Skullman – Je t'aime
Delly Fresh – Ungrateful Lover
Cutty Ranks – A Who Say Mi Done
Chaka Demus & Pliers – The Boom
Shabba Ranks – Ting A Ling
Terror Fabulous – Satisfaction
Wayne Wonder – Heal The World
Sugar Black – Mama Africa
Cocoa Tea – Forward To Africa
Jack Radics – I’ll Be Sweeter
Freddie McGregor –Artebella
Wailing Souls – Shark Attack

Part Two of this mix of classic Jamaican rocksteady songs from the vaults of Studio One, Treasure Isle, High Note, Crystal and more.

1. Tommy McCook – Soul For Sale
2. Dillinger – Leave The Area
3. The Heptones – Precious Time
4. No No No dub version
5. Dawn Penn – No No No
6. Ernest Wilson – Undying Love
7. Undying Version
8. The Paragons – Danger In Your Eyes
9. Johnny Osbourne – Jah Promise
10. Lennie & Livie – Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel
11. Winston Groovy – Groovin
12. Winston Cole – Do Your Own Thing
13. Eugene Paul – I'll Take You There
14. unknown funky track
15. Lennie Hibbert – Lights

A mix of classic Jamaican rocksteady songs from the vaults of Studio One, Treasure Isle, High Note, Crystal and more.

1. Real Rock version
2. Willie Williams – Armageddon
3. Delroy Wilson – Run Run
4. Dennis Alcapone – Run Run Version
4. Sugar Minott - Vanity
5. Alton Ellis – I'm Just A Guy
6. Michigan & Smiley – Rub-A-Dub-Style
7. The Heptones – Heptones Gonna Fight
8. Heptones Gonna Fight version
9. Slim Smith – Never Let Go
10. Freddie McGregor – Bobby Babylon
11. The Melodians – Come On Little Girl
12. Alton Ellis / U-Roy – I'm In The Mood For Love
13. The Techniques – Queen Majesty
14. Tommy McCook – Soul For Sale

This is an audio lecture that was fist presented in April 2009 at the EMP Pop Conference in Seattle, WA.

Hosts Tomas Palermo (DJ Tomas) and Ron Nachmann (DJ Shockman) extricate the differences between British Lovers Rock and Jamaican Romantic Reggae music.

We run through the history of each style as well as some pf each musics' impact on gender and expression in their respective countries.

Read the full summary here: http://tinyurl.com/q5pmqs

A 77 Minute Dubstep Journey.

Dub I.D. Intro
Earlyworm – Dub King Killah – Rommmate Remix (Voltage Music)
OSC Vs. DJG ft. Budros Gali– One_Mile_High (Full Melt)
Alborosie – Police Polizia – Noah D & Roommate Remix (dub)
Chimpo – Children of Israel (Contagious)
Quantum Soul – Dream Catcher (Galvanize)
Dubblestandart – We All Have To Get High (Tom Watson Dubstep Rmx) (Subatomic Sound)
RSD – Kingfisher (Earwax)
Jack Sparrow – For Me (Earwax)
Dub I.D. – Wagonist (Voltage dub)
Quest & Eskmo – Speaker’s Corner – Eskmo & Antiserum Remix (Cyberfunk)
The Widdler – Sensi Samurai (Studio Rockers)
Reso – Spooky (Civil Music)
Skream – Percression (Tectonic)
Howie B Vs. Casio Royale – Royale Sound – Ramadanman Remix (Howie’s)
Scuba – Ruptured – Surgeon Remix (Hotflush)
Komonazmuk – Bad Apple (Hench)
Shut Up & Dance – Epileptic – Martyn Remix (SUAD)
Sideshow – If Alone – Appleblim & Komonazmuk Remix (Aus)
Eskmo – Willow Grail (Studio Rockers)
Headhunter – In Motion (Tempa)
Skream – Rimz (Tempa)
2562 – Walkover (Tectonic)
Simien & Obeah Feat. Ilawy – Waiting (Kraken)
Bakir & Dubsworth – Pudding Pop (Dubsalive)
Earlyworm – Nile Dread – Kush Arora Lonely Stretes Remix (Voltage Music)
Scuba – Tense (Hotflush)
Dub I.D. – Heed Jah Word (Voltage Dub)

Umoja Hi-Fi Kwanzaa Series: DJ Tomas
"Strictly Bubbling – Rub-A-Dub Reggae Selection"

Cornell Campbell – Rope In
Michigan & Smiley – One Love Jamdown
Freddie McGregor – Big Ship
Triston Palmer – Entertainment
Jah Thomas/Toyan – Two Bad DJ Afi Talk
Philip Fraser/Dillinger – Stop The Fussing & Fighting
Prince Jazzbo – Old Time Days
Sugar Minott – Inna Dancehall Style
Sugar Minott/Charlie Chaplain – 4-Wheel Wheely
Wayne Jarrett – Chip In
Ranking Joe/General Lee – To Jah
General Lee – Slam Bam
Lee Van Cleef – Boom Salute
Carlton Livingstone – Chalice In Hand
Dennis Brown – Caress Me Girl
Cocoa Tea – Rocking Dolly
Dillinger – No Promises
Anthony Johnson – Oh Jah
Junior Murvin – Bad Man Posse
Gregory Isaacs – Storm
Tappa Zukie – Oh Lord
Yellowman/Peter Metro – Gregory Free
Jimmy Riley – Love & Devotion
General Echo – Drunken Master
Sly & Robbie – Love & Devotion version
Carlton Livingstone – Don’t Follow Rumour
Yellowman/Peter Metro – Jamaica Nice (Canada Cold)
Peter Metro/Lady Ann – Bossanova
Sugar Minott – Uptown Girl
Edi Fitzroy – Princess Black
Sammy Dread – Rude Boy
Lone Ranger – M16
Johnny B – Rub-A-Dub
Earl Cunningham – Violence and Crime
King Tubby – Shank-I-Shek
Brigadeer Jerry – In The Ghetto
Johnny Osbourne – Water Pumping
Frankie Paul – Worries In The Dance
Toyan – Spar Wid Me
Nicodemus – Bubble Nicodemus
U-Roy/Gladiators – Natty Rebel

Big respect and dedication to the Umoja Crew: Cokni O’ Dire, Daz, Culture D, Jun, Stevie G, B-Love. Much love to the Bay Area foundation godfathers Massive Sound International — Spliff Skankin and Robert Rankin, big up Brixton Hitman - the radio Don, thanks Lloyd Brown for the drop. This mix was done live with 7”-45 vinyl and digital tracks via Serato and processed with GarageBand. Thanks to all who support and love reggae, Jamaican music and culture. Umoja sends everyone blessings for Kwanzaa and the New Year: Oh-Nine Gonna Be Well Fine! (This episode is cross-posted at http://umojahifi.podomatic.com)

Tracklisting:
Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves The Sunshine-9thWonder Remix
Nightmares On Wax – Night’s Interlude
Erykah Badu – The Healer
Substantial – Q. T.
Stacy Epps – Floatin’
The Roots feat Chrisette Michele & Wale – Rising Up
Eric Rico – Make It Funky
Tanya Morgan – Be You (feat Czelena)
Instituto Sonido – Para No Vivir Desesperado-PSM Remix
Amp Fiddler – Scared
Rep Life – Put It Down feat. Kissey Asplund
Amerie – Gotta Work
PPP – Deep Inside
Michna – Swiss Glide
Luz Mob – Tabaco Y Ron
Nick Andre and E Da Boss – Left Side of the Brain
El Michels Affair – C.R.E.A.M.
Donald Byrd – (Fallin’ Like) Dominoes
Inverse Cinematics – Seven By Seven
Gagle – Eastern Voyage
Seun Kuti – African Problem
The Congos – Neckodemus

Mix notes:This mix was created using Ableton Live 6. Effects and echoes were intentionally thrown in there. I originally created this mix for a gig with GenVote in Washington DC. Much love to Chocolate City.

DJ Tomas presents Easy Juggling Reggae Mix
Vybz Kartel – Ghetto Youths Rise (Track House) Tear Drop
Mavado – Changing Times (Track House) Tear Drop
Ginjah – Revelation (Hyperactive) Kool Runnings
Alborosie – Police (Forward)
Meditations – Cool It (Digital English) Selassie I
Don Angelo – Selassie I the 1st (Digital English) Selassie I
Mykal Rose – Want More Weed (Cousins)
Uton Green – Jamaican Blend (Sweet Beat) Get In The Groove
Junior Cat – A That We Love (Sweet Beat) Get In The Groove
Beres Hammond/Louie Culture – Extra Loving (Fat Eyes) African Beat
Terror Fabulous – Jah Works (Fat Eyes) African Beat
Roger Robin – Love Can Take You Higher (Joe Frasier) Stars
Pam Hall – Hold It Down (Joe Frasier) Stars
Pressure –Ghetto Life (Don Corleon) Baltimore
Lutan Fyah – Africa (Taxi) Baltimore
Tony Rebel – Fire (Taxi) Baltimore
Chronicle – Serve Jah (Heartical) Fade Away
Chrisinti – My Enemies (Supersonic) Devil’s Angel
Millions Styles – More Life (Supersonic) Devil’s Angel
Bunji Garlin – Mr. Murder (Supersonic) Devil’s Angel
Freddy McGregor – We Don’t Need To Fuss (Itation) Higher Meditation
Sizzla – Bus Out The Youth (Itation) Higher Meditation
Chino – What Mek Dem Vex (Itation) Higher Meditation
Alborosie/Nickie Burt – I Don’t Want To Let You Go (Birchill) Dreams
Pressure – Love You Tonight (Birchill) Dreams
Chuck Fenda – Hurry Come Home (Birchill) Dreams
Voicemail – Love (Birchill) Dreams

DJ Tomas presents: Umoja Summer Reggae Mix (70 min)
-- tracklisting --
Bitty McLean – Walk Away From Love (Peckings)
Shinehead – I Do Love You (white)
Richie Davis – Since We Broke Up (Peckings)
Alpheus – Keep The Faith (A-Lone)
Jah Cure – Sticky (Danger Zone)
Morgan Heritage – Plant The Herbs (Danger Zone)
Mr. Vegas – Burn It (Danger Zone)
Freddy McGreggor – Sentence (Heavy Beat)
Kashif Lindo – My Business (Heavy Beat)
Honorebel – Camouflage (Heavy Beat)
Delroy Wilson – Run Run (Studio One)
Sanchez – If I Ever Fall In Love Again (Stone Love)
Tony Curtis & Jigsy King – My Sound A Murder (Stone Love)
Bounty Killer – Roots Reality & Culture (Stone Love)
Daville – Tell Me Again (Stone Love)
Alborosie – One Day (Pow Pow)
Anthony B – Road of Life (Pow Pow)
Jah Mason – Open Your Heart (Pow Pow)
Cocoa Tea – Informer (Volcano)
Yellowman & Peter Metro – Gregory Free (Joe Gibbs)
Sammy Dread – Rude Boy (Hitbound)
Buju Banton – Bobby Reds (Penthouse)
Pinchers – Slaughter (Penthouse)
Tony Rebel – Send Me An Email (Penthouse)
Anthony Que – You Told Me (Teams)
Mike Brooks – Happy Times (Teams)
Jah Cure – Into Your Arms of Love (VP)
Magowan – Introspection (Camp Fire)
Perfect – Sweet & Black (Camp Fire)
Tanya Stephens – Glue (Camp Fire)
Wayne Wonder – Again (Birchill)
Anthony B – Not Mr. Easy (Birchill)
Daville – I Wish I Could Go Back (Maximum Sound)
Jah Mason – Things Will Be Better (Maximum Sound)
Anthony B – Just Can’t That Way (Maximum Sound)

Equipment list:
Technics 1200 MKII turntables
Vestax PMC 17A mixer
Sony MDR 7506 headphones
Ableton Live 6 software
Soundclash samples

Notes and comments: Big up all the Umoja Sound supporters over the years. 2008 will be our 15-year anniversary, so expect some big things. Shouts to DJ Daz (Umoja LA), Jun (Umoja LA), Culture D (Umoja LA), Cokni O'Dire (Umoja Dallas), Stevie G (Umoja Bali)! bigg-upp to: Dub Club LA, I&I Sound, DJ B-Love inn SF,all the selectors and blogs linked at ForwardEver, all the SF dubstep and roots massive and anyone I missed -- your chest!

Tracklisting

Dillinger–Cocaine In My Brain (Groove Corp Remix)
Extended Spirit–Solid Water (Rainer Truby Remix)
Ty–Oh U Want More
Hynotize Versus Bhangra
The Funky Lowlives–Bella Luna (Richard Dorfmeister Mix)
Cut Chemist–The Garden
Spam Allstars–Basheer’s Dream
Up, Bustle & Out–Revolutionary Woman
Quantic–Politik Society feat. Noelle
Beatfanatic–Cookin
Tony Allen–Moyage
Love & Salt–Un Tour Du Monde Instrumental
J Rawls & Aloe Blacc–Bailar
Various–Rockin Time riddim
Various–Gunshot Riddim
Various–Statement Riddim
Various–Bye Bye Riddim