Tappa Zukie

Tappa Zukie - Soulful I&I - Kingston Sounds

Tappa turned to production in the mid-seventies. Aside from himself, he notably produced classic albums Ras Allah ‘Heaven Is My Roof’ and vocal group Knowledge ‘Hail Dread’.

The latter even gained released on A&M records. Ras Allah’s ‘Heaven Is My Roof’ is a classic set - full of hard roots rhythms, and inspirational songs. 

His time with Bunny Lee had taught him a lot about the business. And he was putting it all to good use.

From that time to this time, he then released great works with Brigadier Jerry, Beres Hammond, Gregory Isaacs, Mighty Diamonds, and many other reggae superstars,

This latest CD is a various artist set of some of his more recent productions.

Prince Allah aka Ras Allah returns to work for him on the first track ‘Children Don’t Cry’, Junior Ross follows with ‘Heaven On Earth’. 

The rest of the CD, is made up of tracks from great artists like the Silvertones, The Viceroys, Dennis Walks, and Little Roy.  Serious great works. From all the eras’ of Tapper Zukie’s career. A fantastic set.

Tapper Zukie – Man Ah Warrior – Jamaican Recordings - 1975

There was something about the early seventies that made people do things, take chances that sets aside from every other era. While the DJ revolution was still taking place in Jamaica with debate on whether the DJ form was even a valid of music!!! Here comes Tapper Zukie with producer Clement Bushey to create some of that revolutionary excitement in the UK. A combination of UK built rhythms with what sounds like some JA dub plates from a variety of sources are used by Clement to aid the young Tapper on his debut set. Its raw – its not music for the weak-heart – and without the one Penny Reel most people would not know about it!!!

Tapper Zukie – MPLA – Front Line - 1976

Such was the power of Man Ah Warrior and the promotion given to it by Penny Reel it was only natural that when the Front Line started up they would seek out Tapper who by that time was working with Striker Lee. And what a combination!!!Almost instantly Striker and Tapper came up with 'MPLA' a bit hit – which kinda summed up the mood of the time again – Angola – the civil war in Africa that see the West V East in conflict again. Bunny sorted out some of best rhythms for Tapper to toast – and time and time again Tapper does them proud. Another excellent set.

Tapper Zukie – Peace In The Ghetto – Front Line - 1978

Bunny Lee once again is in the production chair, and its another great album. The big track here is 'Tribute To Steve Biko' the young freedom fighter who died in South African in 1976. It was a brutal killing by any standards – and Tapper relays the story in heartfelt style. But for all the power of this tune , it was the next track that did the business 'Dangerous Woman' aka 'She Want A Phensic'. It was a little peek into what was to come in reggae music – the dancehall style. Where basically anything goes. The track is not so much slack as sexist to the max. Still overall a great album.

Tapper Zukie – Tapper Roots – Front Line - 1978

Tapper by this time had been in the business around five years – he had set up his own label 'Stars' so it was only natural that sooner or later Virgin Front Line was going to get a self produced set from the man. And here it is, and overall its probably my favourite Tapper Zukie album. Later on the album was credited as a co-produced set with Glen Brown. Which would explain why the 'Youth Man' rhythms appears here. Everytrack as got something going for it – the lyrics – the rhythms and the mixing which sounds like King Tubby. Very few DJ have released so many great albums on a major label – but Tapper did it and in fine style!!!