Record of 1988, selected by Peter Dalton

Rumours

Gregory Isaacs

Three years after the first digital hit from King Jammy, another veteran in the Jamaican music business signalled the next step forward for dancehall. Gussie Clarke had been producing records since the early 1970s, and his innovation - like so many - was actually a timely synthesis. Having for some time harboured an ambition to run the Jamaican equivalent of Berry Gordy's Motown - a self-sufficent studio, with its own in-house writers - Gussie Clarke was responsible for giving digital rhythms a glossy, more sophisticated feel, intended to appeal far beyond the confines of the West Kingston dancehalls.

The groundbreaking rhythm built by Clevie Brownie and his brothers Dalton and Danny for Gregory Isaacs's "Rumours" -as well as the unexpected US club hit from J.C. Lodge, "Telephone Love" - successfully brought together the dread ambience of steppers records Gussie remembered from the late seventies and the new technology. It was the happiest of coincidences that Gussie
produced it at the same time as Gregory was intent on rebuilding his career after a very difficult patch (including a spell spent in the notorious General Penitentiary on gun and drug charges, as related on the excellent self-produced "GP" single from 1985).

The ravages of time and reputed substance abuse meant that Gregory's voice would never be the same as when he had been earning the titles of "Lonely Lover" and "Cool Ruler". But it was ideally suited to his new paranoid persona - "One Man Against the World", as a Tappa Zukie produced 45 released at that same time so succinctly put it. Here, he growls out lyrics about how "Rumours them speading/claim it's sensi me planting" (pretty mild compared to some tales that reached London at the time!). He adds a plea to Mr Officer to let go his hand as "You don't know me, you don't understand," and proclaiming that he just wants to "nice up the place", and how all the youth know him "as a friend."

Gussie was to impress with several further tunes in this style - most notably from Gregory, Cocoa Tea, Dennis Brown, Papa San & Lady G and Peter Huningale. There was also his brilliant work with Shabba Ranks in combination with Cocoa Tea & Home T, as well as distaff talents such as J.C. Lodge, Krystal, Rebel Princess, Fabiana and Deborahe Glasgow. But by the end of the decade, the orchestral samples seemed over-used, and the approach simply too formulaic. Gussie's ambitions and natural tendency towards glossiness also meant his music moved too far from the dancehall, without ever really connecting with desired overseas markets. But listening to the records he produced in the late 1980s a decade later, they have stand up remarkably well. Some of the toughest, most original tunes of their time, and none more so than this Gregory Isaacs gem.

BEST NEXT CUTS

"Telephone Love" - JC Lodge (Music Works 7"/Music Works Showcase 88 LP)
"Heavy Load" - Mighty Diamonds (Anchor 7"/Music Works Showcase 88 LP)
"Nuff Respect" - Lady G (Anchor 7"/Music Works Showcase LP)
"Everyone Hustling" - Josie Wales (Music Works Showcase LP)
"Tell Me Which One" - Admiral Tibet & Shabba Ranks (Music Works 7")
"Snacking" - Dean Fraser (Music Works Showcase 88 LP)
"Mr Cop" - Cornell Campbell (Jackpot 7")