Gussie Clarke

 Gussie Clarke

     VA - Gussie Clarke - Music Works 87-91 - Greensleeves

     Recalling the events of the late eighties in Jamaica music scene's its

     remakable that even a producer like Gussie Clarke could move the likes

     of King Jammy and King Tubby out of the way in one go. At the time it

     looked like it going to be Youth Promotion - but it didn't happen. So

     here it is - 12 tunes that changed the reggae scene in Jamaica.

     Gregory's 'Rumours' was a massive hit that and with a story that only

     Gregory could tell over a rhythm that only Gussie could build it had

     to be a hit. Other favorites here are Home T, Cocoa Tea, Shabba Ranks

     'Pirates Anthem' . While another combination tune Ninajman, Gregory

     and Freddie 'John Law' also pushes all the right buttons. Would have

     likes to see him work more with Papa San - and Admiral Tebbit - but

     this is how it ran back then.

        Augustus Clarke at King Tubby's - Black Foundation Dub - Motion

     Attitudes towards dub change like the seasons. Most of the great dub

     albums were compiled and released at the same time - it made them

     sound like an intergrated set, even if they weren't. This set from

     Gussie was a mix of dubs from the early seventies right up to about

     1977. It was a very good album, but people were looking for a certain

     sound, and this set had a variety. Now this sort of compilation is

     standard. The seventies can be looked upon as a block of time, people

     are not going to break it down into roots and rockers and steppers.

     But this is what this set is about. Mixing comes from King Tubby which

     connects it all up. And its a welcome edition to the many classic dub

     sets now being made available again. This one's also got great

     sleevenotes from Dave Katz. Another great release on Motion.

     V/A (Gussie Clarke) 1RLP - Music Works Showcase 88 - Greensleeves -

     1988. The first in the series and without doubt the best. 10 cuts of

     Gregory Isaacs 'Rumours' rhythm. The record that turned Gussie Clarke

     into one of the most successful reggae producers

     in recent times. Virtually overnight his Music Works studio became

     Jamaica's No.1 studio. This album shows the type of talent he was

     attracting. Respected names likes Ken Boothe and The Mighty Diamonds,

     are here along with the likes of J.C.Lodge who had the other big hit

     with the rhythm 'Telephone Love'.

     V/A (Gussie Clarke) - Ram Dancehall - Mango - 1989

     All of Gussie Clarke's music and biggest hits were released on

     Greensleeves from about 1987. Then Mango/Island released this. Which

     can only be described as a collection of greatest hits that never

     were. Each of the 10 tracks from different 10 artists would have been

     hits, if released on single. A couple were eventually released - just

     to prove the point. Although when it comes to highly arranged well

     produced reggae music, Gussie Clarke really as nothing to prove.

     V/A (Gussie Clarke) 3RLP - Music Works Showcase 90 - Greensleeves -

     1990. The third in a series that pulls together all the various

     strands that made Music Works the No.1 studio of the late eighties. A

     3 rhythm album, whereby you can hear how Gussie and his various

     engineers are able to reshape rhythm tracks into almost any style of

     the music. The last 4 tracks on the album demonstrate the process at

     its best. Starting with Admiral Tebbitt 'It's The Blues' followed by

     works from Home/Cocoa T/Shabba Ranks, J.C.Lodge and then Steelie And

     Clevie.

Gussie Clarke - From The Foundation - VP

Gussie Clarke is a very important reggae producer - in the early to mid-seventies he released three classic albums - Big Youth's 'Screaming Target', I Roy 'Presenting' and a fantastic V/A set 'Gussie Presents The Right Tracks'

Very few producers can equal that from that time -  Bunny Lee is the only one that comes to mind.

Gussie moved into the Rockers era of reggae music well enough with three showcase albums one from the Mighty Diamonds, one from Leroy Smart, and one from Trinity.

When it got to the Dancehall era - he had massive success with the Mighty Diamonds - and 'Pass The Kutchie' and Tetrack with the 'Trouble' album.

That should have been the springboard for more success - but just around that time Gussie went low profile.

He left the dancehall era battle to Junjo and George Phang. And was not around for the early Ragga era - when Jammys and Tubby's were running things.

Then he came back with 'Music Works' this wasn't just a label it was a studio, a very small studio - but a great one.

His Ragga sound was more glossy than that of any other producer around at that time.

This time success came with Gregory Isaacs - Rumours' should have took them both (Gussie and Gregory) into the pop charts.

And he came even closer with JC Lodge's 'Telephone Love' 

All this and more is explained in this incredible documentary - which is researched by John Masouri.

This aspect of documentary film making is important you are not going to get a good interview unless you ask the right questions.

Just like an interview - you might not get an answer at all, but at least you asked the question!

Featured in the documentary are Dean Fraser, Nambo Robinson, Freddie McGregory, Clevie and Steely, Engineers - Stephen Stanley and Mikey Irish.