This all instrumental show begins at the foundation, with the immortal Studio One rhythm, “Rockfort Rock.” After that it’s all ’70s instrumentals, some of them dread, funky, and soulful like Negril’s “Rasta,” and some of them sugary sweet like Familyman’s “Well Pleased” and Jackie Mittoo’s “Ram Jam.” Listen to the horn, keyboard, and guitar leads while moving to the rhythm section. Back then, it took a great band to make a great song.

Prince Francis & Sound Dimension - Rockfort Rock
Jack Ruby & the Black Disciples - Free Rhodesia
Negril - Rasta
Familyman & the Rebel Arms - Well Pleased
Jackie Mittoo - Ram Jam
Augustus Pablo - Upfull Living
Wailers Band & Lloyd Willis - Natty Dread
Zap Pow - Jah Haawn
Tommy McCook & the Supersonics - West Street Special
Augustus Pablo & Soul Syndicate - Golden Seal

One of the great things about doing this show is that I get to speak to some of my musical heroes. Half Pint is one of those artists that I discovered while doing my radio show at Emerson College in Boston. Starting one night, young ladies would call and request his new song at the time, “Substitute Lover.” That song turned out to be one of my all-time favorites, along with “Level the Vibes,” with which I’d open my show week after week. With last night’s performance in Los Angeles, Half Pint began his U.S. tour. Visit his web site for the latest tour updates. I spoke to him over the phone from his hotel room. I think you’re going to love what he says about his musical mission to uplift people. Plus you’ll hear some great stories about the musical climate in Jamaica during the ’60s, big labels like Studio One and Treasure Isle, the rhythm duo of Sly & Robbie, and much more. Due to a recent tweak of the Golden Touch studio, the sound quality has improved so you will hear the artist clearly. In other news, Reggae Rhythm Update has new Facebook and Twitter pages.

Half Pint - Level the Vibes
Half Pint - Days I Can’t Forget
Half Pint - Sally
Half Pint - Sally Dub
Half Pint - Winsome
Half Pint - Greetings
Half Pint - Substitute Lover
Half Pint - Hold On
Half Pint & Jack Maness - Unity
Half Pint - Blessing Darling
Half Pint - Just Be Good
Half Pint - Children of His Majesty

More great soul songs with their reggae cover versions. This is definitely music for big people, age thirty and over. The final part in the series–until we do it again sometime down the road. If you enjoy Reggae Rhythm Update, please tell a friend about the show. And if you hear something you’d like to buy, visit Ernie B’s Reggae. They have the world’s largest selection of reggae music. By the way, the man pictured is the late Luther Ingram.

Dramatics - In the Rain
Debonaires - In the Rain
Chosen Few - In the Rain
LTD - Love Ballad
Freddie McGregor - Love Ballad
Tinga Stewart - Love Ballad
Rose Royce - I Wanna Get Next To You
Yona - I Wanna Get Next To You
Barbara Mason - Are You Ready
Earl Cunningham - Ready to Learn
Earl Cunningham - Learning
Luther Ingram - If Loving You Is Wrong
Maytones - If Loving You Is Wrong
Glen Washington - If Loving You Is Wrong
Richie Stephens - If Loving You Is Wrong
Bobby Caldwell - What You Won’t Do For Love
Michael Gordon - What You Won’t Do For Love