Fire Volume 8 - Mixed by DJ Delgado

On the DJ scene today, everybody with a computer can call themselves a DJ, but when I began it was really about loving the music and being knowledgeable about it. I think part of our role is not only to bring people new music and stretch their minds, but to be archivists and historians of what today's music is based on. I think this is especially true of reggae and Jamaican music which is still foreign to many Americans, despite the incredible influence on American music. Keeping those great old songs and talents alive despite our disposable consumerist society is hugely important to me, and may be my biggest strength as a DJ. History has value, and these were the tunes and riddims that got me into dancehall years and years ago. They withstand the test of time, even though you may not hear them as ringtones at the mall in 2011!

Here is a piece of the history of dancehall music that I have preserved (and enjoyed). As always, it's arranged by riddim so that you can navigate it pretty easily and learn quite a bit in doing so, if you're so inclined. Of course, it might also just take on a trip down memory lane, as "old time something come back again!"

See for a complete track listing!


Eric Nord said...

Tracklist link:

Eric Nord said...

Great mix!

In some ways, Reggae is better preserved than hip hop. Much of the best hip hop, especially from the 1990s, only came out on 12" vinyl. Reggae was also released primarily on 45rpm singles. But the Reggae reissue scene has been going strong since the mid-1990s. Ernie B's has over 17,700 titles in stock, which is evenly spread out from the 1960s to today.

In addition, because of versioning, a lot of obscure Reggae singles actually make it onto CD in the form of riddim compilations. It's true that in the U.S., Reggae has become quite obscure. But I think it's understandable because Reggae's golden era was the 1970s. I'm a HUGE dancehall fan, but dancehall didn't really keep up with the times, imo. Dancehall doesn't really speak to U.S. listeners. It's big internationally, but not in the U.S. Even cheezy "conscious" reggae doesn't sell here.

Reggae does best when it innovates, and unfortunately, like the U.S. hip hop scene of late, Reggae has failed to innovate quickly enough to stay relevant. Much of the innovation shifted to the UK grime and dubstep scene, which stole a lot of the thunder from Jamaica, imo. And for whatever reason, JA hasn't really picked up on what's been going on in the UK. Times change.

Delgado said...

Thanks forth post & comments! Eric, I agree that a lot of classic stuff is available today, and I hope that people know to go to check Ernie B for them. Its also true that much can be found on cd... If you don't mind digging through tons of trash to find them. Many of these tunes were ripped from comps that were the only spots I could find them after hearing them years ago. Also, due to extremely widespread pirating, much is available if you know exactly what you're looking for... And all the other ways it maybe spelled!
My main hope for the mix is that people will learn a bit or suddenly have a bunch of their favorites in the right place... Either way, we all win! Thanks again for the listens, volume 9 should be out before the end of the month!

Eric Nord said...


That's so true about digging through trash, especially after the 1970s. In my early Reggae collecting days, I would buy albums by artists like Ninja Man, Mad Cobra, etc, only to find that the "albums" were not albums at all. They were essentially singles with one good track and a bunch of filler tracks. Looking back, now I know the filler tracks were just b-grade versions. And the compilations were rarely better. That's why I focused on 1970s producers in my early Reggae collecting days. Collecting Dancehall is a long frustrating quest. So the good Dancehall mixes are extra appreciated.

This mix is solid. I'm looking forward to Volume 9. Keep us posted!