Right Time

The Mighty Diamonds, 1976

Reggae is very much a ‘Marmite’ genre. You either love it or hate it, as my wife will testify to the latter! It’s staggering that the small Island of Jamaica with just two million inhabitants made such a contribution to modern music. Scores of today’s musicians including Amy Winehouse, The Strokes, Lily Allen and the Rolling Stones have been heavily influenced by the gravity of the music. What is even more remarkable is that this sublime art form rose up through extreme poverty and intense political violence. 1976 was no exception and was a torrid and turbulent election year between Michael Manley (Peoples National Party) and Edward Seaga (Jamaica Labour Party). For The Music this would be a landmark year and yielded some of the finest Roots Reggae ever recorded and what followed would change the sound forever. Two brothers, Joseph and Ernest Hoo-Kim had started working life in the slot machine trade when they decided to move into the music business. By 1975 they had built Channel One recording studio at 29 Maxfield Avenue, in the heart of one of Kingston’s roughest ghettos. At the end of 1976 the studio house band became the hottest, most in-demand session men on the Island. The nucleus of the band known as the Revolutionaries comprised most notably the rhythm section of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare; a duo that became so successful they would become known simply as Sly and Robbie. In addition Ansell Collins, Ranchie Mclean, Sticky, Vin Gordon, ex Skatalite Tommy McCook, Herman Marquis, Vin Gordon, Rad Bryan and Tony Chin completed the line up, although others would also stand in. The Mighty Diamonds were introduced to the Hoo-kim’s by one Jah Lloyd, aka Pat Francis an associate of Lee Perry (himself busy producing a slew of classic sides at the time).

Right Time by the Mighty Diamonds is a bonafide roots classic. It stands shoulder to shoulder with Bob Marley’s Natty Dread, Burning Spear’s Marcus Garvey et al, but is different to those records for one very distinct element. Right Time is characterised by the militant ‘Rockers’ drumming style of Sly Dunbar. This set the benchmark for the next 3 years and was imitated by practically every producer on the Island.With The Diamonds trio of Tabby, Bunny and Judge singing cool dreamy harmonies over Robbie’s propulsive basslines and Sly’s rebellious drums, Jo Jo and Ernest got more than they had expected. The record displayed strong Rasta beliefs with conscious heartfelt lyrics and sold in large quantities. It is fact that the Revolutionaries had much to do with success of the record and they would add their magic to many other productions to come. In Essence though, Right Time was the first in terms of the Rockers sound. The Mighty Diamonds have recorded in the region of 40 LP’s and many argue which remains their strongest work. Right Time may or may not be their best album, but in terms of its sound and innovation it was itself revolutionary and as such, its importance immense.

www.mightydiamonds.com

Gary Mitchell