John Kelly writes for Culture about the Albums That Will Save Your Life...
Few of us are lucky enough to be on the spot when extraordinary things happen and the culture is rattled – but we can fantasize all the same. And perhaps one of the periods I’d most liked to have experienced, first-hand and in the moment, was when young white punks found kindred spirits among the Rastas, and Dr. Alimantado was on all the best turntables.
The whole thing went against the prevalent racism of the day. It shook things up. And opened things up. Joe Strummer wrote a song called White Man in Hammersmith Palais and Don Letts, a DJ at the Roxy, spun his reggae records in between the bands. When Johnny Rotten, in the full heat of battle, dropped Dr. Alimantado’s name in interviews, the curious immediately began to check him out. And when Strummer and Mick Jones sang Rudie Can’t Fail on London Calling – with the line Like the doctor who was born for a purpose – they were preaching the colour blind approach to music and to life.
Born Winston James Thompson in Kingston, Dr Alimantado was a deejay, toaster and record producer. His debut album Best Dressed Chicken in Town was released in 1978 – at just the right moment for any punk with curiosity and a contempt for punk’s often narrow codes of practice. Packed with self-produced singles engineered by the legends like Lee Scratch Perry, King Tubby and Scientist it was an immediate, full-blown classic – further enhanced by the voices of Horace Andy and Gregory Isaacs. Not forgetting the fact that the cover featured a shirtless Dr. Alimantado walking shirtless down the road, with his fly open.
But don’t let the sleeve or the comedic title mislead you. Yes, the grooves, dubs and toasts are infectious and fun but there’s serious content here too. Poison Flour and I Shall Fear No Evil reveal an artist with a social conscience and, yes, a purpose. A devoted Rastafarian, Can’t Conquer Natty Dreadlocks is the message - loud and clear. And Jah Feeling Inside the inspiration.
If you buy one reggae record etc…..
Best Dressed Chicken in Town is available on Greensleeves Records. The John Kelly Ensemble is on lyric fm, Monday-Friday @2pm.
