Chenley Duffus

Shenley Duffus - Fret Man Fret - Coxsone - Rolando & Powie - 1963

Classic Ska from one of the many un deratted singers of the era. And in the case of Shenley - they also got his name wrong. 'Chenley' is the correct spelling. So what makes this classic ska. Well the harmonica ska riff for starters. You never heard that in Shuffle Beat. Shuffle Beat came from the US and the harmonic is considered to be a melodic instrument. Jamaican's love of rhyhm - changed that. This one probably features Roy Richards. The song itself is pure Ska - a story turned into song. This format was much loved in Jamaica. You have something to say - put it into words and then sing it. So many singers had hits with this approach. Some like to draw from the Bible, or Nursery rhymes. Shenley just told it how it is.

Shenley Duffus - Give To Get - Coxsone - Rolando & Powie - 1963

Almost to prove a point - here is yet another great example. Featuring one of Jamaica's most favourite sayings 'Give To Get'. A phrase heard in countless tunes - but much less so as a song title. Such is the nature of Jamaican music. Many things are like building blocks. Rhythms and Lyrics. Being part of everyday life - they provide incredible inspiration time and time again - decade after decade. Rhythmically - it's the same construction here. A well played harmonica riff - is given a nice steady mid pace Ska rhythm. Shenley's vocal is - truly expressive. The lyrics mean a lot to him. It took decades before Coxsone finally gave the man an album release - but in this instance - Coxsone's made a difference, because Shenley also did a lot of work for King Edwards and Lee Perry.