Ruff N Tuff - Documentary

Ruff N Tuff - Directed by Shizuo 'EC' Ishii - Overheat Records.

A truly great documentary featuring an all-star line up - Gladstone 'Gladdy' Anderson, Lynn Taitt, Lloyd Parks, Clive Hunt, Bob Andy, Johnny Moore, John Holt. U Roy, Rita Marley.

Also in the documentary is rare and I mean very rare film footage of King Tubby in the studio sitting at the mixing desk. It only lasts about a minute - but it is something else. 

Of great interest is hearing and seeing people like Bobby Digital and Gaylord Bravo talk about the music. Two great engineers and producers. And with's Bobby's passing this year. It is made even more special. 

Some very interesting talking points are also raised. John Holt does not pull any punches in discussing the early producers.

This is a man who made albums with Coxsone, Duke Reid, and Prince Buster. Sadly the one for Leslie Kong remains in the Island Records Vault.

Four great producers who dominated the music in the sixties. Asked who he thought was the best of them - without hesitation - his reply was Duke Reid. Also adding that Duke's love of firing a gun - was just his way of showing appreciation. "They were blanks, he probably was the first Gun Salute Man'

You want to hear about the origins of deejaying. I think U Roy should know. U Roy wasn't the first deejay he's never said that. But he took an artform to higher heights.

Very few people on earth - have done such a thing. The man is gifted. And so when asked about the origins of deejaying in connection with rapping. He came up with this. The only 'Rappers' he knew were the people working in the department stores in Kingston. They wrapped the goods for the customers.

Deejaying had been going about ten years before 'Rappers' came along. Yes talking over records goes back to fifties American radio deejays like Doctor Poppa Stoppa out of New Orleans.

It was 'Jive Talking' simple phrases and ideas linked together. "This tune is so fresh, it's straight out of the fridge" 

But U Roy and Dennis Alcapone took it way way beyond those simple phrases.

Then you get to the question of Rock Steady and here come Lyn Taitt. What was the first Rock Steady record - without hesitation - Hopeton Lewis 'Take It Easy'.

Lynn explains "Playing a ska beat to someone singing about taking it easy, didn't make sense, so we slowed the rhythm down."

And Federal then went on to make a classic album with Hopeton Lewis bearing the same name. All with the Rock Steady beat - if that isn't a concept album, I don't know what is. 

This is truly great work and it’s very educational as well.