Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989

Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989 is a compilation album released on 28 January 2003 through Honest Jon's record label. The album features dancehall singles released through British Unity Sounds record label in 1980s and documents the genre's transition into modern digital dancehall, focusing on the British scene.

Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989
Compilation album by
Released28 January 2003
Genre
Length1:07:29
LabelHonest Jon's
Producer
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
  • Ruddy Ranks

Background

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The album was recorded by the Unity Sound label workers after the introduction of the early digital sound system. The rhythm tracks were recorded by a Casio keyboard and a four-track cassette recorder, which were later supplemented by vocals and overdubs in the studio. Prior to being released as singles, all the tracks here were tested on the Unity sound system.[1]

Majority of the tracks also contain an instrumental version.[1] The tracks "Pick a Sound" by Selah Collins and "Watch How the People Dancing" by Kenny Knots became early hits in the scene.[2][3]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
Entertainment WeeklyB[4]

The compilation generally received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic critic Chris Nickson described the album's style as "true street-level British reggae from the dawn of the digital era, and all surprisingly good, given that none of the people involved were really musicians."[1] Entertainment Weekly stated that the album is "not the best of the era (see Barrington Levy), but a sweet, bouncy snapshot of a pungent regional scene."[4]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Ruddy Ranks, Red Eye and Ribs except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Length
1."Pick a Sound"
  • Selah Collins
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Selah Collins3:26
2."Version" Selah Collins3:13
3."We Try"
  • Miley Murka
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Mikey Murka3:16
4."Version" Mikey Murka2:49
5."What a Wonderful Feeling"
  • Errol Bellot
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Errol Bellot3:15
6."Watch How the People Dancing"
  • Kenny Knots
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Kenny Knots3:28
7."Lean Boot"
  • Richie Davis
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Richie Davis3:05
8."Version" Richie Davis3:01
9."Ready for the Dancehall Tonight"
  • Peter Bouncer
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Peter Bouncer4:00
10."Version" Peter Bouncer3:10
11."You Ha Fe Cool"
  • Davis
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Richie Davis3:04
12."Version" Richie Davis2:59
13."Ring My Number"
  • Knots
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Kenny Knots3:21
14."Version" Kenny Knots3:16
15."Back Your Automatic"
  • Murka
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Mikey Murka3:08
16."Control The Dancehall"
  • Murka
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Mikey Murka3:16
17."Version" Mikey Murka2:59
18."Chuck It"
  • Demon Rockers
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Jack Wilson and Demon Rockers3:00
19."Ride the Rhythm"
  • Murka
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Mikey Murka3:19
20."Version" Mikey Murka3:01
21."Run Come Call Me"
  • Knots
  • Ranks
  • Red Eye
  • Ribs
Kenny Knots3:23
Total length:1:07:29

Personnel

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  • Ruddy Ranks – production, composition
  • Red Eye – production, composition
  • Ribs – production, composition
  • Will Bankhead – artwork, photography
  • Mark Ainley – compiling
  • Tom Benson – compiling
  • Trevor Lewis – photography
  • Moritz von Oswald – mastering

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Nickson, Chris. "Various Artists - Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  2. ^ Sullivan, Paul (2013). Remixology: Tracing the Dub Diaspora. Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1780232102.
  3. ^ "Watch How the People Dancing". The Beat. 21: 24. 2002.
  4. ^ a b "Watch How the People Dancing: Unity Sounds from the London Dancehall 1986–1989". Entertainment Weekly. 24 January 2003. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
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