Jah Stone – The Messiah 1978

Jah Stone
b. Gladstone Fisher, c.1953, Jamaica, West Indies.
After working as a DJ on a variety of sound systems, Fisher recorded as Jah Stone with Bim Sherman. In 1977 Sherman inaugurated his own Scorpio label and due to financial restraints, was forced to employ Jah Stone to deliver two separate chants over the same rhythm track. The association with Sherman led to the dancehall favourites ‘Fat Ting’ and ‘Burning’. His notoriety led to work with producer Alvin ‘GG’ Ranglin, who featured the DJ in combination with Freddie McKay on his remake of ‘Picture On The Wall’ and the solo hit ‘Ten Ton Woman’. He was also employed on the Sonia Pottinger production of ‘Baby Love’ by the reactivated vocal group the Sensations. In 1978 Jah Stone recorded for Doctor Alimantado, the sessions producing the assertive ‘Militant Dread’. In 1979 Jah Stone recorded in session with Winston Jarrett of the Righteous Flames, resulting in the release of ‘War’ and ‘Kaya’, both of which were later featured on The Messiah. Notable album tracks included the admonishing ‘Sergeant Black’, the bizarre ‘Kung Fu Ballet’ and the chauvinistic ‘Irie Lickle Filly’. Sadly, the album signalled his swan song, and in spite of this and his work with a number of Jamaican producers, Jah Stone is usually only recalled as the DJ who recorded with Bim Sherman. The 1997 release of a Freddie McKay compilation featuring Jah Stone demonstrated the latter’s versatility and rekindled interest in the DJ’s work.

 

Jah Stone – The Messiah  

Label: Gorgon Records – none
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Jamaica
Released: 1978
Genre: Reggae
Style: Roots Reggae, Dub, Toasting
Source: ttou JC2022

A1 War (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:43
A2 Kaya (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:48
A3 Messiah (Jah Stone & The Love Brothers) 3:32 
A4 Jungle Collie (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:12
A5 Jeweller (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:36
B1 Sergeant Black (Jah Stone & Tony Shabazz) 2:39
B2 Kung Fu Ballet (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:03
B3 Protection Line (Jah Stone & The Love Brothers) 3:03
B4 Born To Be Loved (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 3:29
B5 Irie Little Filly (Jah Stone & The Rightous Flames) 2:51

Bonus Track
Jah Stone & GG's All Stars
A Ten Ton Woman / B Ten Ton Woman (Version) [Riddim: Black Cinderella] 7:14

Credits
Bass – Robert Shakespeare 
Bass, Guitar [Lead] – Ranchie McLean 
Bongos – Scully 
Drums – Sly Dunbar
Executive-Producer – Neville Lee
Percussion – Barnabas, Sticky 
Piano – Gladstone Anderson (tracks: A4)
Piano, Organ – Ansel Collins, Touter Harvey 
Producer – Tony Shabazz, Winston Jarrett
Saxophone [Alto] – Marquis 
Saxophone [Tenor] – Tommy McCook
Trombone – Trammy 
Trumpet – Bobby Ellis