Dennis Alcapone – Forever Version
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/18/07
Fine collection of very early “toasts” from one of the very first Reggae DJs. All from 1969-1971, Rock Steady and early Reggae hits, with Alcapone’s whooping toasts. Also lots of obviously extemporized toasting – “versions” are the instrumental backing tracks with most of the vocals cut out, and DJs put them on at huge outdoor sound system dances and got on the mic and spat out whatever came in their heads, basically “freesytling”, abundantly evident here.
History and gobs of coolness – play this and be instantly hip!
No FCCs. ALL GREAT IMO, 13 and 16 maybe extra great…
1. ***downtempo skank with weebly keyboards, pretty harmonies from original song and howled toast – wonderful combination!
2. ***starts with echo-laden vocal intro, version of killer hit by Delroy Wilson, toast includes “Baa Baa Black Sheep” – just plain fun!
3. **downtempo skank, lots of kiddie rhymes and fun – actually a cover of a toast by Scotty (odd!)
4. **uptempo skank, classic Rock Steady love song, time to dance!
5. **midtempo, with seemingly random guitar bits, bouncy yet somehow stoned…
6. ***sweet double-time bubble with lovely vocals from original song. Toast seems to be about “dancing” with a girl like he did with her mother! Ha ha!
7. **midtempo Rock Steady, toast is basically exhortation to rock.
8. ***midtempo bouncy bubble, great bits of vocals from original song, nonsense but fun toast.
9. ***uptempo Rock Steady, dance number, bit of “conversation” between song and toast.
10. **ha ha! Rock Steady cover of “Everybody’s Talking At Me” with quite a manic toast.
11. **uptempo Rock Steady, very pretty original vocals.
12. ***downtempo Rock Steady, rather odd bit of original vocals, somewhat low-key toast.
13. ****midtempo and very attractive Rock Steady riddim, impressive vocal harmonies.
14. **very simple midtempo riddim and toast – El Paso was actually the name of the Sound System; there’s no Marty Robbins here.
15. **vocal intro, cool downtempo skank, with dubby bits.
16. ****starts with a completely insane vocal “growl”, into downtempo Rock Steady, Dennis Wilson’s other huge hit – great song, great version. Mad!
17. ***vocal intro, a bit of “rooster” crowing… uptempo, pretty much ska, very high original vocals and nutted toast.
18. ***midtempo Rock Steady, includes entire original song, lovely high harmonies.