![]() ![]() ![]() In 1962, Jamaica received its independence from Great Britain and everything changed for the better. The one thing that Coxsone was missing at this time was his own studio where he could record the artists and then release the early ska songs himself. That was the Ska era we did a lot of instrumentals like “Shuffling Jug” and “Easy Snapping” said Chris WilsonĮarly on he began releasing records on many different labels, all of which he owned himself (i.e., Coxsone, Port O Jam, and Rolando and Powie). So after the first three or four sessions, the feedback was really good because the people started dancing. When I started, I didn’t realize it could be a commercial business to the extent I’d sell my own records. “So then I decided to make some local recordings of my own for the sound system. Coxsone’s two biggest DJ’s were Count Machuki and King Stitt, who became well known throughout Jamaica through this scene. Coxsone’s Downbeat Soundsystem grew popular and defined the Jamaican tradition of DJ’s “playing the records and toasting in-between the discs.” As the Kingston dancehall scene grew it quickly elevated Downbeat Soundsystem and Coxsone’s status as a musical tastemaker. Coxsone would use the records that he brought home with him from the United States, eventually was able to have Rhythm and Blues records imported from Miami and New Orleans the United States. The original dancehall was the Downbeat Soundsystem and it simply consisted of a DJ playing the records, a turntable, and large amplified speakers. The Downbeat Soundsystem Innovated With The ToastĬoxsone began traveling to the US where he was introduced to modern American DJ parties and this set up the basis for Coxsone, and his answer to this for Jamaican audiences was the Downbeat Soundsystem. Over time musical tastes in Jamaica evolved and transitioned from Rhythm and Blues, slow ballads mixed with Calypso and Mento, Ska, emerged as the Jamaican version of R&B. He eventually assembled a large collection and would play his collection and began to play local parties. They would bring home the latest Motown hits and popular music of the time on records. Where they learned of the American Jukeboxes and American radio Disc Jockeys. While he was from Jamaica he and many of his friends spent time in Florida picking crops. Early on he grew up paying Motown hits in his mother’s grocery store. Clement “Coxsone” Dodd was known for releasing some of the seminal recordings in Jamaican music history at the recording studio he founded, called Studio One. ![]()
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