David "Toast" Rumsey Top Ten

This weeks Top Ten is fromDavid “Toast” Rumsey! Dave plays Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady and Soul records and is from Ramsgate. He also writes the Zine “Spirit Of 69” – which I can highly recommend! Heres an introduction in his own words… “Cheers bit of background, been a skinhead since 79 got into ska reggae via two tone, did a fanzine in late 80s which got me a job with one stop music, worked on mail order, written sleeve notes for a number of releases mostly punk and oi, but most recent was for Trojan’s first monkey business cd, which is now out on LP. Started DJing off and on around mid 90s, but around 98 got asked to DJ at a ska punk club in London, called sublime, which ran until 2003, played ska and us punk, but used to seek in studio one classics now and again.  Started dj authentic tunes in Margate around 2008, set up a small club, called the ska shack, which grew to small but regular events. Now have skagate a three day festival in Margate, and our Christmas cracker. Do an online radio show on dance web radio, on a Thursday night, 7.30 till 9.30 playing a mix of old and new, ska reggae,dub roots etc. Produce a fanzine called spirit of 69 for skinheads and lovers of the scene.”

Here we go…

Reckless Top Ten

Slickers, Nana, Blue Cat, BS 134, A Side, £60

One of the cheaper more popular Blue cat, a great Riddim, which Lee Perry also used as a basis for Dollar In The Teeth.

Audrey, Love Me Tonight, Downtown, DT414, A Side, £60

A Great sticky tune, produced by Brother Dan, which is of course is Dandy Livingstone, so English produced. It’s a stomping tune, that never fails to fill the Dance Floor. Audrey later become a Lovers
Rock Singer.

Maytals, Night and Day, Trojan, TR7711B, B side, £3.50

This B side is a big dance floor filler, it seems that not may know about as its over shadowed by the A side which Is Monkey Man. A single most self respecting Reggae Fans should have in their collection. Flip it over and check out Night and Day.

Audrey And The Dreamers, I second That Emotion, Downtown, DT408, A side, £25.00

English produced by Dandy Livingstone, and sung by the legendary Audrey. A Cover of the Smokey Robinson and the miracles Motown classic. Its a simple Reggae tune, that has a great Bass line.

Reids All Stars, H.E.L.L.5, Torpedo, Tor 23, B side, £149.00

A fast fighting Reggae tune, chunking bass line, its skinhead reggae at its best. I picked this up in the 80’s from oldies unlimited, 50 reggae singles for a tenner, 20 of them were on the Torpedo label, but most were pretty bland. With Mafia on the A side a great double sider.

The Sensations,I’ll always Love You, Gas, 118, B side, £110.00

1969 produced by Winston Riley, who founded the Techiques in 1962 one of the greatest rocksteady bands. He is best know for producing the most sampled Riddim “Stalag Riddim”. The Sensations also went under the name of the Mad Lads, who they were im not sure. This is again a B side but the a side is just as good “Wanted” By Baba Dise.

The Tennors,Cherry, Crab 36, B side, £80.00

I love this early reggae tune which has a Rocksteady feel. The Vocals are magnificent, its a joy to behold blasting from the speakers..

Winston James and the Hot Rod All-Stars, Gal I think your nice, Tor 4, A side, £80.00

Produced by Lambert Brisco who ran the Hot rod Sound System in Brixton a great producer of Skinhead Reggae. The Hot Rod All Stars who featured some of the Cimarons. His tune uses the great Jesse James riddim. The flip is a nice Skinhead Reggae Instrumental as well.