Selections by D.A. of Chester French, words by Eddie STATS Houghton
When we asked D.A. to select his favorite reggae jams and fill out this double-selection Top 10 (see his Black Chiney Orchestra partner Supa Dups’ picks for his favorite Jamerican combination records here), we didn’t know what to expect. Based on the addictive hooks and precocious songwriting of Chester French’s signature tunes–and even the range displayed on the two D.A./Supa Dups collabos that have leaked so far–we weren’t sure if he would be more of a riddim man or a melody man. Melody wins, it turns out, and if there’s one thing you can tell about D.A. from this questionnaire it’s that he likes his reggae to be reggae-tempo. It also turns out he has pretty good taste. Read on.
10. Black Uhuru, “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”
A perennial baddy, and a frequent topic of discussion around the LargeUp office lately. Partly because the equally tough Michael Rose version almost makes The Mighty Quinn worth suffering Denzel’s patois. And partly because the crowd chant on this essential live version provides the the wordless hook/breakdown on Usher and BEP’s “Oh My Gosh” (and maybe inspired Kanye West’s recent hit “Power?”) Watch for a few ahead-of-their-time Chester French-alikes swaying along in the crowd shots.
9. Tenor Saw, “Ring The Alarm”
Ram the dance inna any session. So we get it, so we sell it.
8. Bob Marley, “Who The Cap Fits”
“Who Jah bless, no man curse.”
7. Pressure, “Love And Affection”
Another LU fav and one of the strongest melodies in modern roots reggae.
6. Bob Marley, “High Tide Or Low Tide”
Hardly needs any extra endorsement, but more relevant now than ever.
5. D.A. & the Supa Dups, “Who Do You Know?”
Youthman (self) promotion is no sin. Q: Who do we know? A: We know these talented dudes.
4. I Wayne, “Living In Love”
Spooky good–and timely!
3. Mr. Vegas, “Do You Know?”
Q: Do You Know? A: D.A. Knows.
2. Gregory Isaacs, “Night Nurse”
Sing it!
1. Steel Pulse, “Your House”
A solid #1 and one of the great sleeper hits of reggae music–we had to go with the LP version for this one.
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