Music / Reggae
‘History on disc’: The raw sounds of Jamaica via a house in Hartcliffe
Half an hour spent with Jed O’Connell gives the impression he can’t believe his luck.
But in reality it’s luck he has made himself and others, in turn, are lucky he sought them out.
Jed is a passionate record collector, in love with African music, global sounds, soul and jazz. But he has a special place in his heart for reggae.
is needed now More than ever
Together with his brother Joe, he’s devoted the last three years to creating Poor Man’s Friend, a revival imprint that records veterans of the scene and brings their music to listeners round the world:
“To give a new lease of life to those artists that we love and cherish,” he says, “Showing people they’re still active now. Which is crazy considering they might be 80, 82. And still in fine voice!”
Jed (right) and Joe O’Connell set up the label with (l-r) lyricist Rider Shafique as partner and Jodi Hunt on graphic design. Martin Melody appears when the label takes its sound system out on the road – photo: Dep Rawz
The pair run operations from their studio in a two-storey house in Hartcliffe, with forays out to Jamaica opening their eyes to the value placed on music there.
“It’s a really musical place,” Jed explains. “Music would have brought a huge amount of money into the island, particularly when vinyl was the main format. And it was under turmoil politically at that time, so music was an outlet.
“But the fascinating thing that sets Jamaican music apart is that there was only independent involvement record label-wise. Artists had completely free creative rein to talk about anything – so the music reflects their day-to-day reality.
“There’s an immense amount of music ranging from the political to religious to love songs… And it’s not been made to be commercial, it’s really raw. It’s history on discs direct from the people.”
Prince Alla, says Jed, is “a great artist who we’ve known for a long time.” He helped the label build connections in Jamaica and they’ve now established foundations there – photo: Jed O’Connell
Jed witnessed the talent of musicians firsthand at “iconic figure” Sugar Minott’s studio in Kingston, where they recorded their latest release with Icho Candy, Prince Alla and the Viceroys.
“For Jamaican artists, it really is quite spiritual, and that’s not a word I like to use much…” Jed grins. “Artists will go in and listen to a record, then write their lyrics on the spot, or just record directly.
“Witnessing (vocalist) Mikey General come in, listen to a record one time and record 4 1/2 minutes of complex original lyrics straight off the top of his head was extraordinary.
“These guys work every day recording music, and have done for years, it’s in their blood. Like Prince Alla – it was genuinely amazing to see someone who has recorded since the late 60s all the way through, so respected by every generation coming up and still recording so prolifically to this day.”
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Equally legendary figures on the Bristol scene – like Snoopy from Jah Lokko sound system – have connected Jed with people on the island who help him hunt down even the most obscure musicians.
“I’m looking for those artists that really affected me personally,” he says. “Finding, working with them and sharing that information is an honour.
“We haven’t catalogued or looked after Jamaican music as much as we have rock or jazz. There’s no reggae hall of fame. So it’s really cool to be able to go over there and shine a light on people I think were inspirational.”
That’s the case for the release featuring Icho Candy, an artist that caught Jed’s attention years ago.
“He has a very bizarre singing style, a Nat King Cole-esque vibrato, very old world,” he says of the artist. “Alot of the songs he wrote were visionary – prophetic. He’s considering what the future might look like, from a Rasta or religious perspective.”
Jed had managed to track down most of Candy’s records but spotted a gap in the discography, with records from the start of his career “lost to time”.
So Poor Man’s Friend set out to rectify that in Kingston, recreating Candy’s first recording, a duet he and Prince Alla recorded in 1976. The album also features the Viceroys, long time recording compatriots of both artists.
“It’s a complete roots album, mid-70s in production style, an eclectic mix of jazz, world music and reggae,” Jed says of Pressure Them, released on Friday. “It’s fairly unique!”
Keeping it in the family, Poor Man’s Friend often use Bristol musicians, such as reggae horn trio Cornerstone Horns, to augment their records. Jed hasn’t got enough praise for the scene and community they have found in Bristol.
“It’s a rich tapestry, so many wicked people,” he gushes. “Some of the stuff we’ve recorded, I never thought we would – on this album we use bass clarinet, an instrument I didn’t even know existed!
“We’ve met all types of incredible players. We’re very blessed to be in a really rich musical landscape in Bristol.”
Find Pressure Them, featuring Icho Candy and friends, in shops across Bristol or at poormansfriendrecords.bandcamp.com/album/icho-candy-friends-pressure-them-album
Main image: Dep Rawz
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