Cutty Ranks

"Cutty Ranks – From Mi Heart – Shanachie - 1992

By 1992 ‘Roots’ reggae was just starting to come back into style. Considering the huge impact made by Deejays over the last few years from the late eighties. It would have made sense if a DJ would lead reggae into another ‘Roots’ era. The emergance of Garnett Silk and Luciano made sure it would be the singers who would bring about this change. Cutty though had a go. He was the first ‘Ragga’ DJ to try to bring back more reality into the music. When you take into account who produced this album it should not be no great surprise – Richard Bell. At the time though Richard Bell and his Startrail label were low profile. Things were about to change."

"Cutty Ranks – Lethal Weapon – Penthouse – 1991

The Fashion – Penthouse connection in the early nineties made sure that Cutty’s next album was going to be a progression from his first. In the same way that Chris Lane and Gussie P gave Cutty all the time he needed to get it right, by virtue of having the Fashion studio to work at and in. So could Germain ably assisted by Dave Kelly at Penthouse.

Cutty in great form pursues the same lifestyle themes here. His big hit ‘Really Together’ featuring Marcia Griffiths is here, as his one of the best reggae versions of ‘Lambada’."

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Cutty Ranks – Retreat – Redman

In the late eighties early nineties Redman released some great albums mainly by singers including Sugar Minott and Frankie Paul, but also Deejay’s, most notably Tipper Lee and Rappa Robert’s excellent ‘Nah Trouble We’ set. This Cutty Ranks album is in the same kind of style. The rhythms have a tough no nonsense deep sound, and a possible explanation for that is Solgie, who’s trademarks are all over this set, in fact one of his productions also features here, the title track no less. Cutty once again in great form, makes it three out of three. Consistancy is always the mark of a good DJ, and this set is proof that Cutty Ranks is one of the best."

"Cutty Ranks - The Stopper - Fashion - 1991

The ruff and gruff style of deejaying employed by Shabba inspired countless deejays in the late eighties early nineties.

Cutty Ranks is one of those inspired. This is not imitation, more like a starting point. His name had barely registered, when Fashion issued this excellent set. Which was recorded at Penthouse Studio in Jamaica and the Fashion studio in London. An interesting collection of musicians including Sly, Cleavie and Phillip Leo provide the rhythms. With production credit going to Gussie P and Chris Lane, both of whom turn it on Fashion style."