Vin Gordon

Vin Gordon & The Upsetters - Musical Bones - DIP - 1975

A very hard album to find back in 1975. It took decades before it was re-issued - and by then - it had became known that it was Vin Gordon's debut album. Recorded sometime

Around 1974. Just before Perry installed his Phaser. When it comes to raw rhythm this is Perry at it his best - but what makes it a great set of course is Vin Gordon. Don Drummond showed what could be done with the Trombone on Ska - but its taken brothers of talent like Rico and Vin Gordon to show the power of this instrument over

other styles of reggae music. It would have been right and proper if he had gotten credit

on this album. Instrumental reggae went into decline around this time- and leaving the name of an artist off an album like this does not help!

Vin Gordon – Gordon In De Garden – Masaya -2008

Vin's been around a long long time. It must have been very inspirational for him to see Don Drummond at work. Don made the trombone his own in reggae music. Setting a very high standard.

Anytime now, someone picks up a trombone in reggae music – they are going to be compared with Don. The melodica as got the same problem – Pablo took the instrument over.

Its the same with the Phaser and Lee Perry. Of course that's not an instrument – but Perry used it like one – and the same problem exists.

With regards to the trombone and Vin Gordon – he's got another problem his biggest hit 'Heavenless' got a Don Drummond credit.

Its strange to think that with all the many tunes that Don Drummon composed – 'Heavenless' from Vin Gordon still ends up on his list.

I'm sure Vin took it as a compliment at first, but when it comes to royalties – it turns in a serious joke.

This set is his Vin's fourth album – recorded in Jamaica and mixed in France. Its that a 'International vibe' that sets it apart from so many other sets. Hopefully it did well because its got a Vol 1 in the title. Really hope that Vol 2 gets issued soon. A great set.