What is a 12"? It is a 45 cut on a 33. The principle of this "super 45" was invented by the assistant of the legendary New York producer Tom Moulton, who had to cut a 45 quickly for his boss's set. With no 45 available, the song was cut on a 33. Moulton realised that the format gave a better sound, especially in the bass, and room for more music. Moulton then decided to stretch out the trance by cutting the break straight after. That is the famous "disco mix", a longer version better suited to dancefloors. By adding dubs and toasts, reggae selectors turned it into a formidable weapon, except in Jamaica, where the 45 has remained unchallenged.
Greensleeves kicks off its new series with 12"s by the producer Junjo Lawes, the "ruler" of the period. Between 1979 and 1985, the whole of Jamaica swore by his name. Junjo was lucky enough to see the young Barrington Levy cross his path from his very beginnings. He quickly took him to Channel One studio to voice over the Roots Radics riddims and took the opportunity to link his name to the prodigy's career, and then to the international success of Israel Vibration, strangely absent from the track listing.
Junjo steered reggae from roots to dancehall, and drew in his wake toasters like Yellowman, huge on Who Can Make The Dance, Eek a Mouse, with the pivotal hit Wa Do Dem, and singers unafraid of modern riddims such as Johnny Osbourne, Barry Brown or Michael Prophet, a pupil of Augustus Pablo who excels himself with Junjo. All these tracks are thus extended by a dub or toasted version, two tracks for the price of one. A way of appreciating these dancehall classics even better.
