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Alton Ellis, dubbed the Godfather of Rocksteady,
came to prominence in the late 60's when the frantic Ska beat slowed
awhile to allow soulful crooners, such as Alton, to come to the
fore.
The Alton Ellis gig is the second instalment of
Boss Sounds, an ambitious new music project which aims to chart
the history and development of Jamaican music.
Alton towers
Every stage in the development of Reggae has an originator. One
person who stood rocksteady above the rest, was Alton Ellis.
Born in 1944 in Kingston, he first recorded for
Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label.
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| Alton still rockin' at 60 |
In the era of Rude Boys, Alton and his group, the
Flames, made some classic anti-Rude Boy singles including the classic,
'Cry Tough'.
Ellis later blamed Marley for glorifying the Rudies;
the petty criminals and dropouts of 1960's Jamaica.
Boss Sounds: A reggae history
The Boss Sounds series kicked off in December 2003
with an unforgettable night of roots and dub with the Zulu Warrior,
Jah Shaka.
Over the next five years, Boss Sounds promise many
more reggae delights; from Ska and Rocksteady through to Roots,
Dub, Dancehall and Ragga.
Boss Sounds will be a living history of reggae,
letting the artists tell the story through the music.
An evening with Alton Ellis will be one of the early
highlights of 2004, with devotees travelling from all over the country
- such is the appeal of this enduring rocksteady superstar.
Catch him if you can.
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Alton
Ellis and Band
Saturday
24th January
7.30pm
Jumpin'
Hot Club
Live Theatre
Quayside
Newcastle
7.30 till late
support:
Hassle
Tickets £10
Call: 0191 2321232 for further info
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Blood and Fire Sound System
with Ranking Joe, Country
Culture, Raggamonica, Steve Barrow, Dom.
Saturday 14th February,
Jumpin' Hot Club, The Cluny, Lime Street, Byker,
Newcastle
8.00 till late
Tickets £10.00
Call: 0191 2321232 for further info
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