Muzik Tree

26/08/2024

The great Jerry Johnson interviewed by Muzik Tree. Read it here:

First of all Jerry - I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the ‘Just Cooling’ album. I don’t know how many modern ska tunes you have listened too Jerry - but most of them just don’t work. But your tracks have got the right feel - they have a modern Sound as well. But all the tracks are goo...

16/07/2024

The Small Axe story! How many have you read? Haffi ketch them all as the Ras Pok—I–man seh!

The Small Axe Story is one about trying to find some information - about a group of artists who made some great music.It started in 1968, and then turned int...

15/07/2024

Muzik Tree sends condoleances to the family and friends of Charlie Morgan. Here with Dennis Alcapone and Ernie B.

29/11/2023

Muzik Tree gives you a run down of some classic releases from the legendary Gaylads.

Horace ‘BB’ Seaton, Maurice Roberts, Winston ‘Delano’ Stewart formed the Gaylads in 1962 possibly 1963. They recorded for Coxsone at Studio One – staying with the label until 1968. After that they recorded for a whole heap of producers, a single here and a single there. Delano Stewart went...

29/11/2023

"I came into the music, inspired by Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers. It was the early sixties. At the time I was listening to them and one or two other singers like Alton Ellis and John Holt, but my favourites at the time was the Wailers."

29/11/2023

The obscure but great Gilly Dread who produced hits such as Chase Vampire. Check the interview!

"I came into the music, inspired by Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers. It was the early sixties. At the time I was listening to them and one or two other singers like Alton Ellis and John Holt, but my favourites at the time was the Wailers."

15/09/2023

The incredible heartfelt vocalist Freddy McKay is the latest addition to the Idler's Rest at Small Axe online HQ. Read it by clicking the link below. https://sites.google.com/view/smallaxereggae/freddy-mckay_1

28/08/2023

Originally featured in Small Axe 9 in 1980 ‘Skinhead Reggae’ was the first piece of writing that I ever had published and would, eventually, lead to my writing a number of articles, reviews, sleeve notes and books. A big thank you to Ray Hurford for giving me that all important start.

28/08/2023

"There was originally no name for the youth group now known as ‘skinheads’… a name which I use with the greatest reluctance to describe what I was thirteen or fourteen years ago. It's only use then was as a term of derision… and a particularly insulting one at that. We never saw ourselves as anything different from mods… we were just the younger brothers of the original mods that's all."

Read the illuminating article on "Skinhead Reggae" by Noel Hawks which was published in Small Axe #9 (1980).

Originally featured in Small Axe 9 in 1980 ‘Skinhead Reggae’ was the first piece of writing that I ever had published and would, eventually, lead to my writing a number of articles, reviews, sleeve notes and books. A big thank you to Ray Hurford for giving me that all important start.

26/01/2023

The Jamaica Way Reggae Podcast has just posted a new episode. This time focus is Prince Hammer (who has a new album out called Freedom -- Check it!). Besides Prince Hammer himself we can also hear Roy Cousins and Ray Hurford in the episode.

Rich Lowe who produces the podcast recently released his new book on the legendary King Edwards sound system. Make sure to pick up a copy.

Prince Hammer Episode: This episode features a new album by Prince Hammer and Interviews with journalist Ray Hurford, producer Roy Cousins, and singer Prince Hammer. With podcaster Rich Lowe, all four

08/02/2022

Ray Small Axe once again visits NTS radio, this time with a selection of None A Jah Jah Children rhydem cuts.

https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/age-of-a-version-5th-february-2022

Playing Dancehall, Reggae. Special guest shows from around the world.

21/12/2021

Hail up all yute and yute around the world. This one dedicated to you. Ray draws another classic selection on NTS radio.
https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/age-of-version-youthman-rhythm-18th-december-2021

Special guest shows from around the world.

02/11/2021

The version disciple Ray Hurford had a guest show on NTS radio recently. Listen to the man draw pure cut after cut of Sidewalk Doctor.
https://www.nts.live/shows/guests/episodes/age-of-version-26th-october-2021

Playing Dub, Reggae. The Age of Version, is for all who love pure reggae riddim, aka instrumentals. In reggae music in the late sixties, they transformed themselves into something that was the next step in musical evolution - 'The Age Of Version' had begun…. Everyone, you can think of played a par...

11/08/2021

Small Axe Bookzine #28 -- Humble Commission out now!

"I probably did maybe ten rhythms at Channel One. I demanded that old sound!

We went with the original style back from you know Bunny Lee type of stuff and the Revolutionaries type of stuff. That was the sound I really wanted and finally after those years of production I finally got it! We reproduced that to a T!

We used all the same equipment like the 4-track they had—the mixing 4-track. With that space age sound they had at King Tubby’s. You know the goofy beeps and buzzes they used to do at Tubby’s."

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CC4F2C5?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

The Humble Commission Story: Small Axe Bookzine 28

02/06/2021

Dear All,

Today my thoughts turn to Bob Andy and this classic from the eighties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsv83ByhC9U

One of the one most angriest songs ever wrote - made for that time and for this time.

Meanwhile, on the book front - we have Idlers Rest 4. Another jumbo book price £20.00 Available on Amazon.

This book concludes the Idlers Rest series. Many, more reggae
books are available on the http://www.muziktree.co.uk please check them out.

Take care, all the very best
Stay well and safe
Ray

Unique Digital track from the class of '87 with a ska feel to it, some mournful sounding synths and some of the most powerful, impassioned sufferers lyrics y...

03/02/2021

Dear Muzik Tree People
Hoping for the best at Muzik Tree HQ, but fearing the worse at lot of people are paying for the endless mistakes of fools.

Meanwhile on the Reggae Book front we have The Small Axe Guide To Documentaries and Films. Starting with the all time classic 'The Harder They Come' coming up to the present. Available from Amazon worldwide Price £10.00
https://www.amazon.com/Ray-Hurford/dp/B08VLSSMFY

Also for lovers of Version and Skank. We also have a new Small Axe People CD for you. 'Walk With God'. Please check it out here - https://www.reggae-vibes.com/the-small-axe-people/
This one is in a digipak.

Finally, check out the all the reggae books at http://www.muziktree.co.uk

The Small Axe Guide To Reggae Documentaries and Films

04/01/2021

Dear Muzik Tree People,

"They say the world is spinning around" Joe Higgs again...

Now available on Amazon is the Jumbo sized edition of The Small Axe Guide To Dub from Jim Dooley. It's 465 pages - and contains a load more graphics and some reviews. It's available on Amazon now!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-Axe-Guide-Dub/dp/B08RRMS8RF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jim+dooley+dub&qid=1609768256&sr=8-1

And please don't forget to check http://www.muziktree.co.uk for a load more books on reggae music.

Take care, all the very best
Stay well and safe.
Ray

03/12/2020

Babylon and its works. I say again - all these people
heads of this and that who are so confident in something
that as not been tested in the traditional way - which seems
to take ten years. Let them take it first and come back to
us this next year.

On The reggae book front. The new book from Muzik Tree
is The Small Axe Guide to One Rhythms Albums.

The one rhythm album is something unique to reggae music. In 1979 there was 1, one rhythm album – now there are nearly 1000 albums! This book is a guide to some of the greatest. Available on Amazon - and for more great books on Reggae music please check out http://www.muziktree.co.uk

Take care, all the very best
Stay well
Ray

08/07/2020

So Corona rages on - and in this country - it's what they are not doing rather than what they are doing - No major street cleaning programs, you need people on buses, and on the trains - to stop overcrowding.

And to open up pubs and bars is madness. If you want a second wave to come - that is the way to make sure it happens!!!

On the reggae book front - please check out The Small Axe Guide to Roots 1971-1975 video https://youtu.be/K9Rxd0jpWSA

And please buy the book on Amazon. Of great interest to Muzik Tree people would be this great book on King Tubby now in English!!!

https://www.dreadeditions.com/king-tubby-in-english

Take care, all the very best

Stay well, stand firm!!!

Ray

The Small Axe Guide to Roots - covers an era of reggae music that had everything - great singers, vocal groups, musicians, bands - and then Deejays and Dub!!!

04/07/2020

https://youtu.be/K9Rxd0jpWSA

03/07/2020

Dear All,

Truly hope you are all doing OK? Always remember that 'Actions Speak Louder Than Words' the corona bug has not gone away - and 'Folly Tricks' are real.

On The Book front we have the new expanded The Small Axe Guide To Roots - 1971-1975. The original was 200 pages this is now close to 350 - with more entries and more graphics and it's available from Amazon worldwide.

Also glad so many of you are enjoying the videos here is one based on the 'Roots' era. Yes, you had all the Deejays and Dub, The Wailers, The Harder They Come film.

Yet you also had a whole heap of pop-reggae hits - John Holt, Ken Booth, Dandy Livingstone, Bruce Ruffin.

Reggae music had something for everyone then - and it's all in the book.

Stay well, stand firm.
Take care, all the very best
Ray

24/06/2020

Well the Corona is supposed to be done - well I've not heard any fat lady sing perhaps the poor woman is fighting for her life in the UK, US, France, Germany, Brazil, India, or Italy.

Meanwhile - on the reggae front Beth Kingston - as just released this online 'Witness To Reggae' a truly remarkable read - and I'm still reading it! It's packed with stories from the days when Dave and Beth visited Jamaica to look for interviews for Reggae Quarterly - read it here. https://www.reggae-vibes.com/beth-lesser-witness-to-reggae-writings/

On the video front we now have one for The Small Axe Album Guide to Reggae - 68-71 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1cnbNvDdEU

Really hope you like it - and please buy the book from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Axe-Album-Guide-Reggae/dp/165701231X/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=ray+hurford&qid=1593001583&sr=8-11

Stay well, stand firm.
Take care, all the very best
Ray

06/06/2020

Judah Eskender Tafari. Rest in peace.

04/06/2020

Dear All,

I truly hope all the Muzik Tree people are safe and well. Those people in America not only have the Corona to deal with - you also have a government - that seems unable to set an example. Human Rights seem to be a dirty concept.

On the book front - we have for you The Small Axe Guide to Ska available on Amazon. Also please watch the video really hope you enjoy it.

The book and the video is now out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUJ7_Z4KO-4

And don't forget all the Guides are now available
1-The Small Axe Guide to Shuffle 1960-62 - Amazon
2-The Small Axe Guide to Ska 1963-1965 - Amazon
3-The Small Axe Guide To Rock Steady 1966-67 - Muzik Tree
4-The Small Axe Guide To Reggae 1968-71 - Amazon
5-The Small Axe Guide To Roots 1971-1975 - Muzik Tree
6-The Small Axe Guide To Rockers 1976-1979 - Muzik Tree/Lulu
7-The Small Axe Guide To Dance Hall 1979-1985 - Muzik Tree
8-The Small Axe Guide To Ragga 1 1985-1987- Amazon
9-The Small Axe Guide To Ragga 2 1988-1990- Amazon
10-The Small Axe Guide To Mash Up 1 1990-1995 - Amazon
11-The Small Axe Guide To Mash Up 2 1995-2000 - Amazon

http://www.muziktree.co.uk

Stay well, Stand Firm.
Take care, all the very best
Ray
📷

The Small Axe Guide To Ska - book - nearly 100 artists, musicians and producers. Available on Amazon. Here are some of them!!!

04/06/2020

Rest in peace Trevor Bow. Interview published in Small Axe #16 in 1983.

04/06/2020

Observer (a.k.a. Penny Reel) takes notes on Phillip Fraser. Published in Small Axe #13

28/05/2020

Today we got a very special treat for all of the Muzik Tree-ites. Check this interview with (in order) Frankie Wilmot, King Tubby, Queen Paula, Little Rose, Bananaman and Barry Murray (a.k.a. Sweet Barry).

Muzik Tree remembers and sorely misses the late great Tero Kaski who conducted the interviews. Respect to the Black Star Massive!

A selection of interviews from the great Tero Kaski including King Tubby.

13/05/2020

Dear All,

Testing Times or not as the case may be. Meanwhile just to let you let you know that The Small Axe Guide To Shuffleis now out - available on Amazon.

Please check out the video on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfKeuiVdYEY

And if you are interested in reggae books, why not check out the http://www.muziktree.co.uk site.

Some new items have been added to the memorabilia

section.

Stay well, and stand firm.

Take care, all the very best

Ray

16/04/2020

Dear All
Well Icho Candy called it - when he sang "Resign Babylon Resign" released on a single produced by Tero Kaski back in 1990.

You can read a lot more about Icho Candy - and Roy Cousins, Jah Bull, Mark Wonder, Inyaki/BDF, Mikey Chung and Reggae George all in More Axe 9 Available from Amazon.

And if you feel like reading more about reggae music. Don't forget about http://www.muziktree.co.uk

To all the Muzik Tree People
Stay Well & Stand Firm.
Take care, all the very best
Ray

Buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Axe-9-Ray-Hurford/dp/B086PLV34N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=more+axe+9&qid=1587043502&sr=8-1

More Axe 9

19/02/2020

The More Axe 7 book- featuring Junior Delgado, Sylvan Morris, Gilly Dread, George Faith and Reggae & The Media is now available on Amazon worldwide please check it out:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Axe-7-Ray-Hurford/dp/B084DHDR24/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=more+axe+7&qid=1582118252&sr=8-1

And the new book from John Masouri 'Rebel Frequency' featuring a whole heap of new artists from Jamaica is also now available on Amazon.

Meanwhile on http://www.muziktree.co.uk please check out
the Merchandise and Memorabilia page:
https://www.muziktree.co.uk/misc-and-memorabilia

If you want a T Shirt or a Poster, or some Stickers, or a Mug. And so much more you can get now get it with the Muzik Tree logo on it.

Take care, all the very best
Ray