The Bass The Drum The Treble

from Utopia by Martin & Bell

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about

Well, now we can really talk about killing babies! Mr Bell’s music making mojo necessitated the removal of many little ‘uns in this former monster. On the cutting room floor the recall of my come to Jah experience at The Dalston Junction’s 4 Aces circa 1981/82 - floor to ceiling speakers, pound bag of homegrown on the door. Pure bliss. I have, actually, cried while considering the strength, resource and inspiration that Jamaica has given the world through her music, in spite/because of her bloody history.
One long night of midnight sun in a Finnish hotel room, Joe Strummer (here, let me help you pick that name up) wondered why Jamaica rather than other Caribbean Islands produced the music that has been fundamental in shaping the cultural DNA of rebel rock international since whenever. Joe had a theory - of course he did - that JA was first stop on the slavers’ route from Africa and the dumping place for the trouble makers. Hence the Tuff Gong of legend. Irie, thanks and give praises.

lyrics

THE BASS THE DRUM THE TREBLE
Rising from the country, the shanties and the towns,  The bass, the drum, the treble, 
That’s how the world goes round. 
It came out of Kingston, Africa as well, 
Fragrant pillowed heaven carved from the bones of hell.  Behold the fearsome slave ship with shackles in its galley.  In two hundred years’ time 
That manacled man’s descendant will be a scally. 
All across the nation, treble, bass and drum,  They’ll play it down in Hastings, Liverpool and Brum.  People unchained, united, living free as one,  Rejoicing in the evening and in the midday sun.  Barry the Razor, The Barber and Money in my Pocket  And Johnny Clarke. 
This music brings the sunshine 
And lights the way up in the dark. 
Roast fish and cornbread and a sweet lamb’s breath,  Natty, never getting weary, 
And Bob Marley still cheating death. 
Think of all the giants in the studio or on the mic. 
Peter Tosh, the running man, Lee Perry on his bike.  And for every weary traveller in the whole wide universe,  Get aboard the Glory Train and don’t forget to bring the Night Nurse. 
The guitar of Ranglin 
And the trombone of the Drummond Don, 
This music stretches on forever and it never will be gone.  All this sonic wonder, from native talent and electric junk.  Inspiration to the Zeppelin rock star and the upstart punk,  Came on like a hurricane and still there blows a storm  Of a little island music that redefined the norm. 
Just take The Upsetter and King Tubby’s own creations  Forging new frontiers with Rastaman vibrations.  Marcia Griffith looking fine. She feels like jumping,  And Johnny Osborne starts a new dance craze  When he gets that water pumping. 
These are the songs we’ll play again and again. 
See also Dillinger’s 
I Got Cocaine Running Around my Brain, 
I Got Cocaine Running Around my Brain. 
Or the weapon that comes with the One Love  Marley Smallaxe 
Still cutting the big tree down from up above.

credits

from Utopia, released February 1, 2019
Gavin Martin - Words, Martin Bell - Music

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about

The Headstrong Mining Company Plymouth, UK

The Headstrong Mining Company is the latest incarnation of the creative partnership of Multi-Instrumentalist Martin Bell ( Ex. The Wonder Stuff) and Spoken Word Artist / Music Critic Gavin Martin (NME, Daily Mirror). The dashing pair also go under the names "Martin & Bell", as well as "Bell and the Irishman. ... more