Harry Mudie

Harry Mudie - Let Me Tell You Boy - Trojan

Harry really loves tough rhythms, when he was recording at Studio One - he got a sound unlike anyone else. You can hear it first of all on ‘Drifter’ from Dennis Walks, and again from the Ebony Sisters on ‘Let Me Tell You Boy’ two big hits and rightly so. 

Even when he was using strings ‘It May Sound Silly’ from John Holt being the best example here it was sound with texture - supplied in this case by the Now Gen Band. 

One of my favourites here is the remarkable ‘Let’s Start Again’ from Cornell Campbell. A perfect reggae rhythm.  

It was tunes like Jo Jo Bennett’s instrumental hit ‘Leaving Rome’ with its magnificent string arrangement that is really the key to understanding Harry’s approach to reggae music.

First he would build the strongest rhythm he could - during the reggae era - Harry used Studio One it seems. Then he would sweeten them up.

Unlike some producers Harry did that process in Jamaica with arrangers like Johnny Black. The result was something remarkable. And when the dub era came in. Harry applied the same ideas again at King Tubby’s.