On any post, if the link is no longer good, leave a comment if you want the music re-uploaded. As long as I still have the file, or the record, cd, or cassette to re-rip, I will gladly accommodate in a timely manner all such requests.

Slinging tuneage like some fried or otherwise soused short-order cook. Embiggening the earholes

Showing posts with label Fazal Prendergast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fazal Prendergast. Show all posts

27 August 2023

Fazal Paying His Dues

     In June I shared some Fazal Prendergast.
Let me tell you a bit about his untimely passing & share some of his early collaborations. 

 



On April 1, 2005 Fazal Prendergast, a well-loved Jamaican-born guitarist who toured & recorded with many reggae legends drowned after his car veered off Highway 101 & plunged into the Eel River. Prendergast was driving alone on his way to a gig in Arcata,CA with reggae singer Don Carlos. The previous night, Prendergast had played at a reggae bash at SoMa Arts in San Francisco with Carlos & dance-hall singer Sister I-Live. The accident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. in Piercy at the Humboldt County line. It is unclear what caused his 1991 Mercedes Benz to swerve off the road before a bridge & fall 150 feet into the river. The car immediately sank. Prendergast managed to surface with his prized Fender Stratocaster. He struggled to swim to shore. Bystanders rushed to the banks of the river (one person even went into the icy water in a rescue attempt). But the current swept Prendergast downstream, eventually pulling him & his guitar under. Prendergast's guitar resurfaced. His body was found two hours later a quarter-mile downstream.

Prendergast's career began in 1974 when he worked as a session musician with composer Augustus Pablo & his Rockers International record label in Kingston. 

 


Side A -
Hammer Dub
Fire Dub
Firm Dub
Children Dub
H.I.M. Dub

Side B -
Clean Sweep
Jah Dub
Money Dub
Santic Dub
Equal Rights Dub
 
 
 
 
 

In 1983, Prendergast joined Earl "Chinna" Smith's High Times Label & toured with Jamaican poet Mutabaruka with the High Times Players. Prendergast played rhythm guitar on Mutabaruka's albums Dub Poets Dub & Outcry.

I’ve previously shared Dub Poets Dub here. So here’s Outcry.
 
Mutabaruka - Outcry, Shanachie 43023, 1984,

Side A -
Prisoner
Outcry
Rememberance
Canaan Lan'
Any Means Necessary
Free Up de Lan'

Side B -
Blacks in Amerika
Sistas Poem
Black Queen
Nursery Rhyme Lament
Saga of "Too Kool"

Enjoy,

12 June 2023

Feel this Cool Vibration

Here's a sweet post-humous LP from the late, legendary Jamaican guitarist, producer, & studio engineer Fazal Prendergast who died in a car crash April 2005 at age 46. Fazal was an original member of Augustus Pablo's Rockers All Stars/International band as well as former member of Earl "China" Smith's High Times Players, & Mutabaruka's Sounds of Resistance band.

Fazal has been featured on over 100 releases backing reggae's greatest artists such as: Augustus Pablo; Mutabaruka; High Times Players; Tippa Irie; Frankie Paul & Cocoa Tea; Hugh Mundell; Delroy Williams; Joe Higgs; Tetrack; Junior Walker; Johnny Osborne; Norris Reid; Scientist; King Tubby; & Prince Jammy. 

 



Of African & Indian decent, Fazal experienced a rich diverse cultural upbringing which influenced his musical style that has a raw Jamaican flavour but innervates the spirit with Indian tones & pumps the heart with African beats. His musical style reflects two ancient cultures living together, merging together, & yet expressed in a unique way.

Fazal began his music career at age 13 when he received his first guitar from his step father, Horace. At first he played native Jamaican folk, Rock Steady, & Ska music, then progressed to Roots Reggae & Dub. Later in his life, he included Jazz & his own eclectic style which he termed Razz. Through all his musical growth, Fazal never left his roots behind, pure Dub & Roots Reggae filter through all his styles.

The High Music Showcase was taken from restored master tapes recorded at Channel One & mixed by Scientist at King Tubby's.

The version of  "Cool Vibration" here is different from the original 7" release. I have added that single as bonus tracks here. 

 

Fazal Prendergast & the High Times Players - High Music Showcase, Hornin' Sounds HS-29, 2021.
decryption code in comments

Side 1 -
Kingston Mall
Agent 27
Water Falls
Cool Vibration

Side 2 -
High Music
Fazal Sounds
Natural Living
Herb Eyes

bonus 7" tracks -
Cool Vibration
Dub Vibration

Enjoy,