Jah Love Muzik @ UWI Students Union, 8 Cedar Valley Road, Kingston 6, 1977
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Natty
“Our oldest Jah Love Musik session captured live at the Student’s Union of University Of West Indies. The Union has supported Jamaican sound systems throughout the years and this is a “taped in the dance” recording of the Twelve Tribes of Israel organisation’s official sound. The opening selection is a brace of Hugh Mundell tunes, both Rockers productions, including the heavy “Run Revolution A Come” over which a youthful Brigadier Jerry asserts his “African Roots”. You get to hear the 12 Tribes/Orthodox release, Ewan Naptali’s massive “African Awaiting It’s Creator” at which point Briggy hands over to a second deejay, in all probability Natty, who’s the “Natty Dread At The Control” over a series of early Sugar Minott Studio One tunes. Jah Love Muzik in a classic ‘77 Style!”
Jah Love Muzik @ Ascot Drive In, Old Harbour, St Catherine, 1978
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Recorded in another of Jamaica’s popular dancehall venues, Old Harbour’s Ascot Drive In, here we have more vintage Jah Love with Brigadier Jerry doing what he does best, riding the rhythms in a roots and culture fashion. Selecting is the man with many names, the legendary Ilawi aka Albert Malawi aka Albert Johnson. Over the years he knows how to select the music and its strictly Burning Spear and Mighty Diamonds in this portion of the dance. Jah Love have access to pre-release Spear music such as “African Postman” and “African Teacher” and Brigadier echoes the themes on their respective dubs as “Dreadlocks Postman” and “Teach Mr Teacher”. On the latter Briggy makes mention of the inaugural 1978 Reggae Sunsplash before moving onto some deep religious chat over the version of the Diamonds wicked “Gates Of Zion”. More restored sound system history.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Ascot Drive In, Old Harbour, St Catherine, 1978 Part 2
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Natty, Ranking Joe
Selector – Ilawi
“On listening to this we discovered that this is the second part to the above session. Continuing with Ilawi’s Mighty Diamonds selection, Brigadier Jerry proclaims “Jah Love Gone International” before the sounds other main deejay Natty, the Field Marshall, makes his entrance. Cultural pieces from him follow, including “Zion’s The Blackman’s Land”, “Read Up The Bible” and telling “What A Situation” chronicling poverty in the ghetto, showing him to be another underrated deejay. Ranking Joe, hailed up by Briggy in part one, makes a short guest appearance with his trademark “bong bong diddly” refrain bringing an immediate response from the dance-goers.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Cypress Lawn, Cypress Hall, St Andrew, circa February 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Natty, Reuben Chanter
Selector – Ilawi
“Beyond Red Hills lies the small town of Cypress Hall and they host this Twelve Tribes dance in early 1979. Natty’s here again working alongside the Brigadier and it’s very much a Studio One selection from Ilawi. Briggy handles these classics expertly. “Jah Jah Control It” is on the “Things A Come Up To Bump” riddim and “Cork It Jah Love” is recited over the version to Larry Marshall’s mighty “Throw Me Corn”. Towards the end it’s the turn of Jah Love’s resident chanter, Reuben, to bless the dance with biblical passages delivered over Rasta favourites “Drum Song”, “Satta” and Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus’ “New Name Jah Got”. Jah Love in an Orthodox style.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Elletson Flats, Kingston 7, circa March/April 1979
Featuring: Leighton, Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Dating form early 1979 this dance finds Jah Love in Elletson Flats, a housing scheme in north -west Kingston. Studio One is the order of the day as Ilawi selects dub after dub for two deejays to mash up the dance. First to show is , I think, Leighton who chats “Living In A Babylon” on a version of Carlton & The Shoes’ “Happy Land”. But as usual the lion share is taken by Briggy,. His musical answers include “Natty Dread Inside”, “Wicked Get A Spanking” and, in a nod to the deejay Godfather U.Roy, “Nanny Goat Skank” amongst many others. This 1979 tape, a strangely atmospheric affair, shows Brigadier Jerry performing with his familiar style now almost fully developed.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Gordon Town Community Centre, Gorden Town, St Andrew, 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
“Situated north of Papine is Gorden Town and this is the venue for Jah Love to spread their word in a Rub a Dub dance. Ilawi draws top roots tunes from the likes of Sugar Minott, Jacob Miller, Horace Andy and Briggy lets the dub play through before chanting down the version. Horace Andy’s killer “Pure Ranking” gets the “Generals” treatment for “Gorden Town Style” and further excursions on “Zion Gate” and “Natty Dread A Weh She Want” make for an excellent listening. This session, again sounding like early 1979, captures Jah Love Muzik in great form.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Thompson Park Lawn, Spanish Town, St Catherine, July 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Natty
Selector – Ilawi
“Here we have the first of two Jah Love Muzik sessions held in the month of July in Jamaica’s old capitol, Spanish Town. Ilawi is still running their Burning Spear slates alongside some crucial Junior Delgado selection. Natty handles the microphone for the most part here giving some observations on life in pieces like “Don’t Turn Your Back On Jah” and “Can’t Go To Zion In A Toyota”. Another highlight is Delgado’s “Armed Robbery” riddim which underpins Natty’s “Humble You Fe Humble”.
Jah Love Muzik v Disco Cloud @ Thompson Park Community Centre, Prince Avenue, Spanish Town, St Catherine, 23rd July 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selectors – Ilawi & Leighton
“In an unusual event for the Jah Love sound Brigadier Jerry “announces the death of Disco Cloud sound” in this sound clash at Thompson Park Community Centre. It’s not all burial lyrics but it does feature Briggy doing what he does best, taking the microphone and going solo all night. For the most of this tape it’s pure riddim that Briggy chats non stop, with lyrics like “Out Of The Darkness”, “House Of Twelve” and “12 Tribes Redemption” based on Marley’s “Black Man Redemption”. Brigadier Jerry in full control!”
Jah Love Muzik @ Portocal beach Port Antonio, 4th August 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“This dance was taped at Portocal Beach in Jamaica and features Briggy and Ilawi, aka “2 The Hard Way”, with a lively set of tunes from the likes of Black Uhuru, Yabby Yu and Horace Andy. Highlight lyrics are a plenty with “Dreadlocks Man”, “Control Yourself”, “Never Play With Fire” particularly catching the ear, in another entertaining Jah Love Muzik recording.”
Thanks to Jesus Dread for the info...
Jah Love Muzik @ Gallies Lawn, St Thomas, 6th October 1979
Featuring: Natty, Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Promoter Jah Honey has brought the 12 Tribes sound all the way to St Thomas for this gathering at Gallies Lawn. Brigadier Jerry and Natty tackle the versions to Ilawi’s top tunes from artists like Barrington Levy, Delroy Wilson, Barry Brown and Gregory Isaacs. It’s good to hear Briggy riding classics like “Tune In”, “Storm” and Universal Tribulation” in a dancehall setting. Natty’s not left out either and his “Pollution In A Babylon” follows Barry Brown’s stormer “Big Big Pollution”. Great vibes from the leading Rasta sound.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Zion Lawn, Old Harbour, St Catherine, 7th December 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Just Brigadier and Ilawi nicing up the dance in this Old Harbour gathering. Tony Tuff and Barry Brown are hot on the scene and naturally Ilawi has their top tunes to play. Briggy’s toasts reflect the singers themes and he comes forward with pieces like “Ease Up Oppressors”, “Fire Burn” and “Fittest Of The Fittest”. It’s always been said that Briggy was the most pirated deejay and here, in “Too Much Tape In The Dance”, he gives his side of the story. But then again, without all these tapes, these classic performances would have been lost forever.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Hughenden, Kingston 20, 9th December 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Natty
Selector – Ilawi
“Just two days later and Jah Love are back in Kingston. There’s some confusion about the venue here as this was marked “Students Union” but at one point Natty chants “Rub A Dub Style, in a Hughenden Lawn” so we’ll go with that. For the most part it’s Briggy who handles the microphone and high points from him include “Fight Against Jah”, delivered over a heavy version to Carole Cole’s “Ethiopia”, and “Amharic Style” partly chatted in the Amharic language. We also get a bonus of live rendition of his then recent Isis single “Home Guard Take Over”.
Jah Love Muzik @ Hope Road, Tavern, Kingston, December 1979
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Jah Love recorded in the Tavern area of Kingston, possibly at a venue called Ten O’clock Bells. Musical selection is made up of some classic tunes from Jacob Miller, Horace Andy, Barry Brown and an opening batch of Gregory Isaacs. The Brigadier is right home on these versions, with pieces ranging from “Train Run Pon Line” to “Plan Your Family”. He’s on his own tonight as he “can’t find Papa Natty” in the dance, but guided by Ilawi and Jah Love’s dub box, Briggy gives another solid evenings entertainment.”
Jah Love Muzik @ 61 Hagley Park Road, Kingston 10, 31st December 1979/1st January 1980
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“The promoters Asher and Bunny present a night of “Royal Blessing” in this New Years Eve dance which sees in the new 1980’s decade. Recorded at 61 Hagley Park Road, next door to the Yummy Bakery, this two part session finds Jah Love Musik in a celebratory mood for the last dance of the year.
Brigadier Jerry tells of the continuing Kingston troubles in “Dog War In A Matthews Lane” on the “Swing Easy” riddim. In contrast there’s trouble in the dance too as some higglers have made it inside and are selling their wares illegally and the elders are not happy. One of Jah Love’s favourites, Brent Dowe’s Upsetter cut “Down Here In Babylon” sees in the New Year and they continue with some crucial orthodox music from Judah Eskender Tafari and Little Roy. Presenting here over 2 and half hours of 12 Tribes Of Israel’s finest sound.
As a bonus for all those who enjoy the “taped in the dance” experience we’ve also included a 60 minutes long boom box recording of the same dance.”
*Thanks to Jesus Dread for adding part 2 to our part 1*
Part 1 90 minutes
Part 2 60 minutes
Taped in the dance version of part 1
Jah Love Muzik @ Spanish Town, St Catherine, 1980
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Jah Love are once again in the old capitol Spanish Town and their regular team of Briggy and Ilawi are running things red. It’s great to hear Brigadier Jerry riddim riding some crucial music from Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs and Sugar Minott. The latter’s “Rough Ole Life” sounds even better with the “General” adding his “Babylon Mash Up the Plan” lyrics. Gregory’s “Universal Tribulation” gets the treatment too as he delivers his “Need To Be Free” over a heavily reverbed version. As Bunny says “Crucial It Crucial!”
This one is a bit unusual as for some reason you dont usually get to hear how Ilawi & Briggy would work the echo chamber on Jahlove cassettes that were taped through the amps. On this one we do and they really do go to town with it, not only on Briggy's vocals but also on the music. A great sound quality tape with the added bonus of hearing how the dynamic duo would work the set.
Jah Love Muzik @ U.W.I. Students Union, 8 Cedar Valley Road, Kingston 6, 1st April 1980
Brigadier Jerry
Selectors – Ilawi
“The Twelve Tribes of Israel sounds systems would often feature a long segment of “orthodox” music before their entertainers took up the microphone. This would happen on Jah Love Muzik sessions but often when the tapes would surface they were usually edits which would focus, naturally, on Brigadier Jerry in full flow. However this is unusual in that it has Briggy introducing, with minimal deejaying, a host of rare Twelve Tribes music which only ever appeared in very limited numbers. Music from mystical artists like Dan Hutson & The Seers, David Roots, Ewan Napthali, Sangie “Gad” Davis and The Visionaires make this a real Jah Love treat to hear.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Castleton, St Mary, 23rd December 1980
Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“Just before Christmas 1980 Jah Love arrive for a dance in Castleton, a town in the parish of St Mary. Brigadier Jerry takes the microphone for the duration and there is an abundance of popular riddims featured on this one, from Studio One classics to Jah Love favourites. He always sounds at home on Bobby Ellis’ instrumental “Stormy Weather” and he uses it to assert, quite correctly, that “Jah Love Is Ina A1 Class.”
Jahlovemusic International Skateland 13-5-81
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, U Brown, Yellowman, Skengy Uno, Danny Dread, Sassafrass, Covenant Hinds, Reuben The Chanter.
Selector: Ilawi
This is my personal favourite tape and it really is a killer as Jahlove and the 12 Tribes Posse take over Skateland for a night of Roots & culture.
Ilawi draws some wicked Barrington Levy selection and all artists are on top form as they take it in turns to preach the culture over the tuff rhythms.
Even Yellowman drops the slackness for his performance giving us ‘Dread upon the mountain top’
Lord Sassafrass draws a forward from the crowd with his ‘Raiding party’ lyrics, but once again it’s the ‘General’ Brigadier who rules proceedings with his trademark cultural flow.
We also get some fine Chanting from Reuben who declares that “not even the dogs that piss against the wall of Babylon shall escape his judgement” This is one dread session and is essential listening , a perfect piece of early 80’s sound system action.
***Stop Press--This is a new link to a better copy of this one, It has come out very nice making this one even more essential***
Jahlovemuzik Plum Tree Lawn, Grove Road, Maypen, Clarendon 1981 Part 1
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Covenant Hinds
Selector: Ilawi
Here’s another great session featuring the 12 Tribe official sound.
There’s plenty of Dennis Brown tunes spun by Ilawi and Briggy flashes lyrics galore over the versions.
This is classic Briggy as he rides the ‘have you ever’ rhythm dropping his ‘aint no stopping Jahlove’ lyrics and telling the tale of a dance just gone that the police stopped which gets a massive forward from the 12 Tribe faithful.
Ilawi also drops the wicked dub plate mixes of ‘world in trouble’ for the General and Commandant Hinds to ride.
Later on Ilawi slips some Mighty Diamonds dubs onto the turntable followed by some great revival rhythms including, Cuss cuss, Drifter and the ever popular full up.
Jah Love Muzik Plum Tree Lawn, Grove Road, May Pen, Clarendon, 1981 Part 2
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Reuben The Chanter
Selector – Ilawi
“This tape, often referred to as the “144,000 Dance”, has Jah Love rocking “a whole heap a Israel in the dance.” Ilawi selects a strong set of tunes for the raucous crowd and the Brigadier rides the “b” sides as only he can. He references the recent Eventide fire disaster, the food shortages in “Things Get Ration” and even touches the Eek A Mouse style on “Holy Mount Zion.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, 1981
Brigadier Jerry, Covenant Hinds
Selector – Ilawi
“The Jah Love crew travel to the west of Jamaica touching down in Santa Cruz in the parish of St Elizabeth. In this portion of the dance it’s Ilawi’s choice of Michael Prophet tunes that leads the way with “Gunman” making an appearance of course. On the version Briggy questions “Gunman, Weh Yu Get the Guns From?”. Deejay, and Jah Love regular, Covenant Hinds is also heard on pieces like “Two the Hard Way” and “Transfiguration Rock”. The King’s sound in a country town style.”
*During this tape Briggy name-checks the whole Jah Love crew. So, at the time of this dance, the team consisted of: Earl Belcher, Papa Tom, Papa Chris, Porter, Jeremiah Russell, Ghetto, Ilawi, Covenant Hinds, Briggy and last but not least, Charles the driver.*
Jah Love Muzik @ Skateland, Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 5, May 1981
'Tribute to Bob Marley'
Covenant Hinds, Brigadier Jerry, Ranking Trevor, Brimstone, U. Brown
Selector – Ilawi
“This Skateland session must have been taped just after Bob Marley’s passing on the 11th May. The mood seems sombre with Jah Love running a musical tribute to him. The 12 Tribes members voices are raised in unison on the righteous “Rasta Man Chant” and Briggy steps forward with his own lyrical tribute in “Bob Marley Gone International”. Also taking up the microphone are deejays Ranking Trevor, with “We Are African” and Brimstone, with “As We Trod Along”, but unfortunately the tape runs out just as U. Brown starts to chat.”
*Please note this is a taped in the dance copy*
Jah Love @ Rosemount Community Centre, Linstead, St Catherine, October 1981
Brigadier Jerry, Covenant Hinds
Selector – Ilawi
“To great cheers from the Linstead crowd Brigadier Jerry responds with “Long time me no deejay in a Rosemount” over Jah Love’s signature tune “Warn The Nation”. The General is on top form with some newly developed lyrics about the very recent assassination of Egypt’s Anwar Sadat. Covenant Hinds handles the microphone briefly for “Gentle Jesus”, but for the most part it’s Briggy they want to hear and he rides one of his favourite riddims, “Stormy Weather”, declaring “Riding West, Jah Love A De Best”.
Jah Love Muzik @ Ascot Lawn Drive In, Old Harbour, St Catherine, circa September 1981
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry, Covenant Hinds
Selector – Ilawi
“There’s a lively crowd packed into the Ascot Lawn Drive In venue and this “taped in the dance” captures Brigadier Jerry and Covenant Hinds in a Twelve Tribes style. Briggy touches a couple of his most famous lyrics on this one, “Gwan A School” and the mighty “Pain”. Over a heavy cut of the ever present “Never Let Go” rhythm, Covenant Hinds urges the followers in “Forward Natty Dreadlocks”.
Jah Love @ Grange Hill, Westmoreland, 1981
Brigadier Jerry, Covenant Hinds
Selector – Ilawi
“ This is another country town session, this time in Grange Hill, and sounding like it was recorded around the same time as the previous Linstead dance. Briggy’s given some classic dancehall tunes of the day by selector Ilawi and the deejay gets down to work over riddims like “Prophecy”, “Shank I Sheck” and ”Youthman” over which he tells the youth they must “Gwan A School” to get a good education.”
Jahlovemuzik Old Harbour 24-12-1981
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector: Ilawi
Jahlove are in session in Old Harbour on Christmas eve and as usual it’s Briggy ‘the General’ in full control. Ilawi draws heavily from 12 Tribes favourite Dennis Brown and the selection is top notch. Great to hear the heavy ‘Bubbling fountain’ getting a spin and even better to hear Briggy chanting over the dub. Other Jahlove/D.Brown favourites, ‘Hold on to what you got’ and ‘Have you ever?’ get the Brigadier treatment including a favourite of mine the General’s fantastic ‘Aint no stopping Jahlove’ lyrics.
Later on in the session Ilawi goes into some real nice Jimmy Riley tunes and Brigadier rides all of them effortlessly inna fine style. We finish things off with the Studio 1 dub of ‘Fever’ which Briggy dedicates to General Echo, Flux & Big John then gives us his ‘Another one bites the dust’
Such a shame this one’s only 60 minutes, would be great to hear more of it.... Many thanks to Daddy White Squall for another Corker!!
Jah Love @ Thompson Park Community Centre, Prince Avenue, Spanish Town, St Catherine, 30th January 1982
Brigadier Jerry, Anthony Malvo
Selector – Ilawi
“It’s now 1982 and, for $1.50, promoters Mexican and Lado present a night of ”Rasta Revival” for the people of Thompson Park in Spanish Town. Along with the usual Orthodox selection it’s Dennis Brown music that’s running things in the dance at this time. His “Have You Ever” is massive and Briggy nails the version with “Ain’t No Stopping Papa Briggy Now”. This tape also has a very early performance from singer Anthony Malvo who sings over some cover versions like “Old Man River” and “Everybody’s Talking” to good effect.”
Jah Love Muzik @ Harchos Hall, circa March 1982
Brigadier Jerry, General Uppo
Selector – Ilawi
“In this dance, promoted by Lonnie the taxi driver, the Jah Love Musik sound rocks the Harchos Hall venue. Ilawi draws his selection from big hitters like Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and Barrington Levy and the deejays Brigadier Jerry and newcomer General Uppo drop down on the versions in fine style. The latter’s “Can’t Stop Israel” and “Skank With I” shows promise while the experience of Briggy shows here on “When The Fire Start To Burn” and “Mash Poor People Down”.
Jah Love Muzik @ Hagley Park Road, Kingston, circa July/August 1982
Featuring: Brigadier Jerry
Selector – Ilawi
“When Brigadier Jerry says that “Briggy and Ilawi is the wickedest combination” he’s not far wrong and when he proclaims that “Me Ram The Dance” and “Me Neat Me Sweet” the crowd roars in agreement. Ilawi spins a mix of old and new with selection from Junior Murvin and Michael Prophet well to the fore. A great session down on Hagley Park Road.”
Jah Love Musik – Admiral Town, Kingston, 20th December 1982
Brigadier Jerry, General Plough
Selector – Ilawi
”In this small segment of a pre-Christmas, Twelve Tribes of Israel dance and Brigadier Jerry, for once, takes a back seat. Instead it’s time for singer General Plough to showcase his capable vocal talents. Selector Ilawi reaches back in time for his musical selection which is made up of track recorded at Studio One and seventies dub mixes of classic Treasure Isle riddims. Plough gives the Admiral Town crowd versions of “Queen Majesty”, “Love Is Not A Gamble”, “Baby I Love You” and offers cultural messages in songs like “Give Jah The Glory” and “No Time To Waste in the City”.
Jahlovemuzik Esquire Hall, Brooklyn, NY 26-7-1986
Featuring: Tiger, Brigadier Jerry, Frankie Paul, Sister Carol, John Wayne, Gadaffi
Operators: Ilawi, Smokey Dan
This was Jahlove's first dance in New York and there are some fellow JA artists in the dance to back up Briggy and Ilawi.
Tiger is the main man for this portion of the session and he is on top form, riding the rhythms selected by Ilawi & his Blackstar spar Smokey Dan in a fine style. Wether it be singing or deejaying Tiger was a great performer and this tape showcases his talents well.
We also get great vocal performances from Frankie Paul and Gadaffi and some more great lyrics from Jammys MC John Wayne and America's first Lady, Sister Carol.
As for the selection, we get some early digital rhythms and then its into classic Studio 1 and the tape finishes as Ilawi starts to draw the Orthodox selection.
Many thanks to Brother Keith WW for this one.....
