While listening to classic dancehall-reggae beats some years ago, Sly Dunbar said he was struck by how uncomplicated many of those jams are. He and longtime music partner Robbie Shakespeare wanted to revisit the formula that made them timeless.
The result is ‘Zoom Dancehall’, a 13-song compilation album they produced for Taxi Records and One Pop Music. Released in October, it hears The Riddim Twins collaborating with a number of artists including Anthony Redrose, Hopeton Lindo, Hawkeye, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Bryan Art and Ambelique.
“Wi jus’ wanted to come up with something simple, like di ‘Sleng Teng’ an’ ‘Murder She Wrote’. People love dat kinda sound,” said Dunbar.
Released in 1984, the ‘Sleng Teng’ was a sensation with its computerized beat. Produced by Lloyd “King Jammy” James, it spawned countless hit singles including the title song by Wayne Smith, ‘Pumpkin Belly’ by Tenor Saw, and ‘Buddy Bye’ by Johnny Osbourne.
‘Murder She Wrote’ by Chaka Demus and Pliers came out in 1992. Produced by The Taxi Gang, it entered the British national chart two years later and was recently certified platinum in the United Kingdom.
‘Zoom Dancehall’ was released three years after Shakespeare’s death at age 68. He and Dunbar produced numerous hit songs including ‘Soon Forward’ by Gregory Isaacs, ‘My Jamaican Guy’ by Grace Jones, ‘Sitting and Watching’ by Dennis Brown and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ by Black Uhuru.
They won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1999 with ‘Friends’.
