Intense Records

M.P.L.A. (Black Vinyl)

Back order

£12.49 (£14.99 incl. VAT)

If any album could conjure up the revolutionary spirit of Jamaica in the mid 1970s, Tapper Zukies invincible M.P.L.A. set would surely be a fighting contender. The coming together of great rhythms and meaningful lyrics in a time of unrest in the country seemed to have made the album all the more urgent and relevant. As time would tell it would also prove to be a lasting success, not only with the hard core reggae fans but also their punk counterparts. Who embraced its militant themes and crossed the album over to a whole new audience. Tapper Zukie (b. David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica.) had already returned from a trip to London England by the mid 70s .Initially sent with help from his parents, brother Blackbeard and producer Bunny Striker Lee to remove the youth from his troublesome ways on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. He had performed some live shows in London and made some recordings for Larry Lawrence, that produced his debut Jump and Twist. Alongside other recordings that would emerge as his Man A Warrior set. But feeling homesick he had returned to Jamaica in 1974 to work with Bunny Lee. His work would consist of arranging sessions and collecting payments to bodyguard, the now very successful producer. His frustration of Bunny Lees reluctance to record him led him cutting Judge I Oh Lord for producer Lloydie Slim. Bunny Lees then recording of Tappers Natty Dread Dont Cry and its subsequent release aboard, led to an altercation between Tapper and producer. The police had to be called and an offer to provide the singer with a set of rhythms put this matter to rest. The eight rhythms and a further two from Jo Jo Hookim and Ossie Hibbert alongside some free studio time at King Tubbys Studio would result in the M.P.L.A album.

The rhythm provided by Jo Jo Hookim was a Channel One studio cut by The Revolutionaires based on Little Richards Freedom Blues and provided the backdrop to M.P.L.A. The Ossie Hibbert rhythm again cut at Channel One based on The Royals Pick Up The Rockers would provide the backdrop to Tappers Pick Up The Rockers. These and the remaining Bunny Lee rhythms, were all cut in a one hour session, at King Tubbys Studio. Dont Get Crazy cut on a rhythm based on the Joe Frazier rhythm to Tony Brevetts Dont Get Weary. Go De Natty cut on Cornell Campbells Please Be True, originally a cut to Alexander Henrys Please Be True. Stop The Gun Shooting runs over Horace Andys Skylarking.Ital Pot cut on Johnny Clarkes version of Burning Spears Creation Rebel. Marcus sees Tapper professing over Johnny Clarkes Poor Marcus .Chalice To Chalice pulls on Johnny Clarkes Give Me a Love, Dont Deal With Babylon answers Junior Ross and The Spears Babylon Fall and Freedom rides on the great rhythm of Junior Ross and The Spears Liberty. An outstanding album cut by one of Jamaicas finest DJs and producers the mighty Tapper Zukie. We hope you enjoy this now timeless set.

Tracklisting
1 Pick Up the Rockers
2 M.P.L.A.
3 Dont Get Crazy
4 Go De Natty
5 Stop The Gun Shooting
6 Ital Pot
7 Marcus
8 Chalice To Chalice
9 Dont Deal With Babylon
10 Freedom
11 Pick Up the Dub*
Source: Tappa Zukie Pick Up
The Rockers
12 Dub M.P.L.A.*
Source: Tappa Zukie M.P.L.A.
*CDBonus Tracks