John Masouri

"All of the songs on the Sweet And Dandy  LP were originals except for ‘We Shall Overcome’, and every hit mentioned above was included except for ‘Do The Reggay’. Also present was the gospel-powered R&B number ‘I Shall Be Free’, the lively dance tracks ‘Bla, Bla, Bla’ and ‘Alidina’, a slow ballad called ‘I Need Your Love’ and the rousing ‘Oh Yeah’, on which they call for a reconciliation. It’s been more than half a century since these tracks were first recorded, and this viny

"The Gay Lads were described as “the greatest singing group in the West Indies” after recording this 1970 album for Beverley’s. That was some accolade considering the competition, and especially since Bob Marley and the Wailers were also part of Leslie Kong’s stable at the time. The Gaylads, led by Harris “BB” Seaton, had established themselves as regular hitmakers at Studio One, and were at their peak when walking through the doors of the Beverley’s Record Den in Kingston wh

"Millie Small’s ‘My Boy Lollipop’ was the first international hit by a Jamaican artist, but in truth it was a cover of an American song recorded in London and released on a UK label. British pop fans didn’t get a taste of the real Jamaican sound until three years later when first Prince Buster, then Desmond Dekker, broke into the UK Top 20 with ‘Al Capone’ and ‘007 (Shanty Town)’ respectively. Whilst Millie and Buster soon fell by the wayside where British chart success was c

Like many UK teenagers during the late sixties, I grew up listening to a broad spectrum of music that included pop, blues, rock and roll,...

In 2012, Snapper Music commissioned me to write liner notes for a series of reissues on BYG Actuel - a label founded by three maverick...

When I wrote the liner notes to this Charly Records' reissue in 2011 I still hadn't interviewed the Last Poets and any insights I did have were due to producer Alan Douglas, whose recall of these initial recording sessions proved invaluable. Thanks to him I'd first heard the Poets in 1970, on the Performance soundtrack. Like most other people I was shocked at the directness of what they were saying, but spellbound by their use of language and imagery. I've remained a fan of t

I met Gregory Isaacs on many occasions over the years but only interviewed him once, after I'd given a speech in his honour at the...

Archie Shepp's story intersects with so many fascinating areas of musical and social history that it was a joy researching and writing...