Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989

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Released
  
28 January 2003

Artist
  
Kenny Knots

Label
  
Honest Jon's

Length
  
1:07:29

Release date
  
2002

Genre
  
Dancehall

Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989 httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaenthumbe

Producer
  
Red Eye Ribs Ruddy Ranks

Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989 is a compilation album released on 28 January 2003 through Honest Jon's record label. The album features dancehall singles released through British Unity Sounds record label in 1980s and documents the genre's transition into modern digital dancehall, focusing on the British scene.

Contents

Background

The album was recorded by the Unity Sound label workers after the introduction of the early digital sound system. The rhythm tracks were recorded by a Casio keyboard and a four-track cassette recorder, which were later supplemented by vocals and overdubs in the studio. Prior to being released as singles, all the tracks here were tested on the Unity sound system.

Majority of the tracks also contain an instrumental version. The tracks "Pick a Sound" by Selah Collins and "Watch How the People Dancing" by Kenny Knots became early hits in the scene.

Critical reception

The compilation generally received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic critic Chris Nickson described the album's style as "true street-level British reggae from the dawn of the digital era, and all surprisingly good, given that none of the people involved were really musicians." Entertainment Weekly stated that the album is "not the best of the era (see Barrington Levy), but a sweet, bouncy snapshot of a pungent regional scene."

Track listing

All tracks written by Ruddy Ranks, Red Eye and Ribs except where noted.

Personnel

  • Ruddy Ranks – production, composition
  • Red Eye – production, composition
  • Ribs – production, composition
  • Will Bankhead – artwork, photography
  • Mark Ainley – compiling
  • Tom Benson – compiling
  • Trevor Lewis – photography
  • Moritz von Oswald – mastering
  • Songs

    1Pick a SoundSelah Collins3:26
    2Pick a Sound VersionUnity All Star Band3:14
    3We TryMikey Murka3:17

    References

    Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989 Wikipedia