description
Get On Down presents an often overlooked crucial reggae
release from the 1970s with Johnny Clarke’s “Rockers
Time Now.” The record is a mix of covers and originals,
including ethereal versions of the The Abyssinians “Satta
Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights,” smash hits on
the island just the year before. “Rockers Time Now” was
first issued in 1976, Clarke had just been named artist of
the year in Jamaica for the second year in a row. This is
just one of three full lengths he released that year as this
was a very prolific period for Clarke, in particular from
1974 onward when his output was directed by legendary
producer Bunny Lee. The pairing resulted in a creative
energy that resonates to this day. The release was
recorded at Channel 1 with Bunny Lee producing, which of
course means the band backing the popular Jamaican
vocalist was The Aggrovators, which at the time included
Robbie Shakespeare, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Augustus
Pablo, and Aston “Family Man” Barrett. The release was
mixed at King Tubby’s by Osbourne Ruddock…aka King
Tubby. Crucial all the way around.
Now is the time to rediscover a classic of the genre,
“Rockers Time Now”.
also by this artist
also on this label
