Thursday, August 10, 2006

Count Ossie


I think I found this three record boxed set at a remaindered record shop in Barking in the 80's. It was released in the Vulcan label in 1974. It's called "Grounation" and by Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari.

"The foundations of reggae and its association with Rastafarianism were established by drummer, percussionist and vocalist Count Ossie (born: Oswald Williams). Together with his band, the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Count Ossie combined African-influenced music with the European hymnal tradition to create a unique sound that inspired everyone from Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus and the Skatalites to Bob Marley & the Wailers and Toots & the Maytals.

Count Ossie's earliest inspiration came from rasta elder Brother Job, who introduced him to the philosophies of Rastafarianism. A Nyabinghi drummer from the hills of Jamaica, Count Ossie cut his first singles, including "O'Carolina" and "Chubby," for Prince Buster at the studios of RJR radio. Beginning in 1959, Count Ossie recorded for Sir Coxsone Dodd at Studio One.

Together with music director, tenor saxophone, flute and clarinet player Cedric "I-m" Brooks, Count Ossie formed the Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari. Heavily percussive, the group featured philosopher orator Samuel Clayton, double bass player, poet and vocalist Ras Jose, Ras Jose, Little Bop and Count Ossie's son, Time, on fundae drum, bass drummer and percussionist King Rayo, percussionist and vocalist Bunny, percussionist Moses, baritone saxophone and clarinet player Ras Sam II and trombonist Nambo.

There has been some debate as to the cause of Count Ossie's death in 1976. While some sources claim that he was in an auto accident, others say that he was trampled to death when a crowd panicked at the National Arena."

Read more about Count Ossie HERE.


Count Ossie - 400 Years

Count Ossie - Malorat (Passing Thru')

Count Ossie - Grounation (400 Years)


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4 comments:

Russell CJ Duffy said...

is the 'Oh Carolina' the original of the one that became a hit for Shaggy?

Wastedpapiers said...

Thats right CJ. The version on here is a bit plodding and not a patch on the original ska version so havent uploaded it.

spice-the-cat said...

The version of Oh Carolina that cocaine jesus is asking about was by The Folkes Brothers - The Shaggy version actually contains samples from their version.

Wastedpapiers said...

Count Ossie had a hand in it too apparently if you look HERE.