Jah Youth - Ain't No Sunshine - Track of the Week - NiceUp

Jamaican music was substantially influenced by Black music coming out of the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. From the Skatalites reworking the southern USA rhythm and blues music of Fats Domino, Rosco Gordon and Louis Jordan, right through to the creation of rocksteady. Jamaican artists like The Techniques, The Paragons and Alton Ellis turned to the slower rhythms and soulful harmonies of The Impressions and The Drifters for their musical inspiration.

The 1970s brought the new era of reggae, with many Jamaican artists still deeply entwined with their American cousins’ beats, invested in soul, funk and the proto-disco sounds of Philadelphia. At this time the fusion of Jamaican and American sounds were popular in Britain and led to lovers rock. And that is where it starts to get interesting.

“Ain’t No Sunshine” was originally cut for Bill Withers by Sussex Records in 1971 on the B-side of “Harlem”, produced by Booker T. Jones. Horace Andy covered it in 1973 for Lee Records and also previously for Studio One.

The magic happens around 1977 when DJ and toaster Jah Youth rides this Bunny Lee and Scientist rhythm in astonishing fashion.

” Where’s my baby gone? I don’t know, maybe round the corner to check with Mr Walmer. I tell you, you could see him coming…in his pajamas.”

This is a big big tune, the drum and bass parts of the mix are incredible! Along with the rhythmic guitar clicks, it all adds up to a killer dancehall remake. Gorgon style.

My copy of this track is on the 2LP Soul Jazz Records, Rebel Island Soul, Under The Influence: Reggae, Soul and Funk in Jamaica in the 1970s (SJRLP597).

The album features many of the greats of the era including Lee Perry, John Holt, Cornel Campbell, Now Generation, The Sensations, The Cimarons and many more. The quality of the press and mastering is superb.