The Revolutionaries (aka "Revolutionaires" and many other spellings) is a Jamaican reggae band. Set up in 1975 as the house band of the Channel One Studios owned by Joseph Hoo Kim, The Revolutionaries with Sly Dunbar on drums and Bertram "Ranchie" McLean on bass, created the new "rockers" style that would change the whole Jamaican sound (from roots reggae to rockers, and be imitated in all other productions). Beside Sly, many musicians played in the band: Robbie Shakespeare on bass, JoJo Hookim, Bertram McLean, and Radcliffe "Dougie" Bryan on guitar, Ossie Hibbert, Errol "Tarzan" Nelson, Robert Lyn or Ansel Collins on keyboards, Uziah "Sticky" Thompson, Noel "Scully" Simms on percussion, Tommy McCook, Herman Marquis on saxophone, Bobby Ellis on trumpet and Vin Gordon on trombone.
The band played on numerous dub albums and recorded as a backing band for artists like B.B. Seaton, Black Uhuru, Culture, Prince Alla, Leroy Smart, Gregory Isaacs, John Holt, The Heptones, Mighty Diamonds, I-Roy, Tapper Zukie, Trinity, U Brown, Errol Scorcher, Serge Gainsbourg, among others.
(Read more at Wikipedia.)
Links to Peel[]
"Good dub is the most timeless of popular musics. Discuss, using one side of the paper only."
(John Peel, after playing 'Red River Dub' by the Revolutionaries, 22 April 1995 (BFBS))
As a big fan of dub reggae, Peel played music released under the name of the Channel One studio band across the decades, from 1977 to his last full month of shows in September 2004, with an emphasis on collections of vintage material in later years, as well other records on which the same shifting cast of musicians played uncredited as the backing band.
In 1978, the DJ played numerous tracks from the "Leggo Dub" LP credited to the Ossie All Stars, named after keyboard player Ossie Hibbert, supported by other Revolutionaries personnel.[1] [2] Show tracklistings also included releases put out under the names Sly & The Revolutionaries (spotlighting drummer Sly Dunbar), Channel One[3] (after the studio) and Channel One All Stars.
Many musicians who played with the Revolutionaries were also given airtime by Peel in other roles, including the celebrated rhythm section and production duo of Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, who first worked together in the Channel One grouping.[4]
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- None
Sessions[]
- None
Other Shows Played[]
- 1976
- 01 November 1976: Dub In Dreamland (split 7" with Marcia Griffiths - Dreamland) High Note SP 0066
- 1977
- 01 August 1977: No. 44 Magnum (album - Revival Dub) Well Charge
- 16 August 1977 (& Culture & Ranking Trevor: Trod On In Dub (12") Sky Note
- PM029 (23 August 1977 or 24 August 1977) (with Alton Ellis & Ranking Trevor: You Make Me Happy (12") Sky Note SKY DD001
- 26 October 1977: Production Something (shared 7" with The Cultures - Production Something / Production Dub) High Note
- 1978
- unknown show in 1978 Revolutionaries 1978: Toothache
- 04 January 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Chariot Style (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 04 January 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Praise To Jah (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 04 January 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Chicken George (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 16 January 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Dreadie (album - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal 1004
- 19 January 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Chicken George (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 15 February 1978 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Chicken George (album - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal 1004
- 20 February 1978: Headache (12" EP - Disco Dub) Channel One
- 09 May 1978 & Gregory Isaacs: Mr. Know It All (12" EP) D.E.B. Music DEB 004
- 09 June 1978: Weak Heart Drop (7" by Neville Tate - Lightening Clap) Ja-Man
- 21 June 1978: Rema Scank (12" EP - Scanking Dub) Channel One
- 21 July 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Dubby Dubby (album - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 24 July 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Leggo Dub (album - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 27 July 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Dub Down Babylon (LP - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 03 August 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Brooklyn Style (LP - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 08 August 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Ready Dub (LP - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 16 August 1978: Toothache (12" EP - Headache) Island IPR 2024
- 21 August 1978: Post Mortem (12" EP - Fatal Dub) Ballistic FORCE 2003
- 22 August 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Ready Dub (album - Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 18 September 1978 (as Ossie All Stars): Leggo Dub (album - Leggo Dub) Cash And Carry
- 29 September 1978 (& Tony Tuff): Oh What A Day (7") DAL
- 11 October 1978 (& Tony Tuff): Oh What A Day (7") DAL
- 12 October 1978: Doberman Skank (LP – Leggo Dub) Cash & Carry
- 1979
- 08 January 1979: Mr Bassie (7") Virgin
- 18 January 1979: unknown
- 15 February 1979: Jonkanoo (LP - Jonkanoo Dub) Cha Cha
- 07 March 1979: This Old Man (EP) Germaine
- 13 March 1979: Don't Trouble Trouble (12" EP) Revolutionary Sounds / Germain
- 15 March 1979: Jumbee (LP - Jonkanoo Dub) Cha Cha
- 21 March 1979: Bitter Blood (album - Goldmine Dub) Greensleeves GREL 4
- 1980
- 26 January 1980 (BFBS) (as Channel One All Stars): Burial (12" by Barrington Levy - What's Going On) Channel One
- 29 March 1980 (BFBS): Fallout (album - Reaction In Dub) Cha Cha Music
- 11 October 1980 (BFBS) (versus King Tubby): Channel One With Crushial Bunny At The Control (album - King Tubby Verses Channel One) Bumb
- 1981
- 13 January 1981: Go Right Deh (b/w 7" by Desi Roots - Go Deh Right) Hawkeye
- 23 July 1981: Murderous Dub (LP - Dub Off 'Har' Blouse & Skirt - Vol. 3) Rub-A-Dub (aborted)
- 23 July 1981: Gully Bank Rock (LP - Dub Off 'Har' Blouse & Skirt - Vol. 3) Rub-A-Dub
- 30 July 1981 (BFBS): Murderous Dub (album - Dub Off 'Har' Blouse & Skirt - Vol. 3) Rub-A-Dubbb
- 27 October 1981 (& Lee Van Cleef): Different Fashion (7") Dance Hall
- 1982
- 18 January 1982 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Song Of Solomon (LP - Don't Underestimate The Force, The Force Is Within You) J&L
- 19 January 1982: John 2:7 (LP - Don't Underestimate The Force. The Force Is Within You) J&L
- 31 January 1982 (BFBS): Exodus (LP - Don't Underestimate The Force. The Force Is Within You) J&L
- 18 February 1982: Exodus 1:9 (album - Don't Underestimate The Force. The Force Is Within You) Channel One
- 14 March 1982 (BFBS): Mega Hertz (12" - Kilo Riot/Hertz/Mega Hertz/Geiger Hertz) Crown DSR 5259
- 18 March 1982: Dunkirk (12" - Scanking Dub) Channel One
- 1983
- 09 March 1983 (& Bobby Ellis): Shank I Sheck (7") High Note
- 20 March 1983 (BFBS) (& Bobby Ellis): Shank I Sheck (7") High Note
- 1984
- 07 April 1984 (BFBS) (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Chicken George (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 04 July 1984 (BFBS): Luger 9 m/m Auto (album - Revival Dub Roots Now) Well Charge
- 04 October 1984 (BFBS) (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Go Deh Wid Riddim (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 1987
- 23 September 1987 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Go Deh Wid Riddim (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 30 September 1987 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Sly Rockers (LP - Go Deh Wid Riddim) Crystal
- 1989
- Peel March 1989 Lee Tape 32: Mega Hertz (12" - Kilo Riot/Hertz/Mega Hertz/Geiger Hertz) Crown DSR 5259
- 29 March 1989: Hertz (12" - Kilo Riot/Hertz/Mega Hertz/Geiger Hertz) Crown DSR 5259
- 12 July 1989 (with Cultures): Mind Who You Beg For Help (12" - Natty Never Get Weary / Mind Who You Beg For Help) High Note
- 12 August 1989 (BFBS) (with Gregory Isaacs): Mr. Knows It All (single)
- 1994
- 18 February 1994: Bellyache (7 inch) Channel One
- 25 February 1994: Heartache (12 inch – Heartache) Channel One
- 26 February 1994 (BFBS): Bellyache (7 inch) Channel One
- 26 February 1994: Geiger Hertz (12 inch) Crown
- 26 February 1994 (BFBS): (JP: "And here's another one of those early dub things. The Revolutionaires put out a whole series of 12" EPs on Channel One records. And this one was obviously recorded just after some supersales person had gone around Kingston, Jamaica with a bunch of sound effects discs.")
- Bellyache (12") Island / Channel One - 04 March 1994: Kilo Riot (12" - Kilo Riot/Hertz/Mega Hertz/Geiger Hertz) Crown
- 04 March 1994 (as Ossie All Stars): Doberman Skank (LP - Leggo Dub)’ (Cash And Carry Records)
- 05 March 1994 (BFBS): Heartache (12 inch – Heartache) Channel One
- 12 March 1994: Toothache (12-inch single) Channel One
- 12 March 1994 (BFBS): Geiger Hertz (12 inch) Crown
- 18 March 1994: Geiger Hertz (12 inch) Crown
- 26 March 1994 (as Ossie All Stars): ‘Unknown (LP - Leggo Dub Part One)’ (Cash And Carry Records)
- 26 March 1994 (BFBS): Toothache (12 inch) Channel One
- 1995
- 24 March 1995: Bitter Blood (CD-Goldmine Dub) Greensleeves
- 31 March 1995: Big Foot (CD-Gold Mine Dub) Greensleeves
- 14 April 1995: Red River Dub (LP: Goldmine Dub) Greensleeves
- 22 April 1995 (BFBS): Red River Dub (CD-Goldmine Dub) Greensleeves (JP: 'Good dub is the most timeless of popular musics. Discuss, using one side of the paper only.')
- 1996
- 27 January 1996: Give Me Heart Dub (LP - Channel One Revisited) Top Beat
- 1997
- 31 July 1997: Belly Ache (12": Disco Dub) Channel One
- 11 November 1997: Reaction Dub (LP - Reaction In Dub) Cha Cha
- 13 November 1997 (BFBS): Reaction Dub (LP - Reaction In Dub) Cha Cha
- 1999
- 16 September 1999 (Radio Eins): Rema Skank
- 2000
- 10 February 2000 (& Aggrovators): Seven Million Dollar Man (LP: Agrovators Meets the Revolutioners At Channel One) Third World
- 31 August 2000: Leftist' (?) Channel 1
- 2001
- 13 February 2001 (as Channel One): Dance Dis Ya Festival Version (CD - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs And Instrumentals 1974-1979)) Channel Sounds
- 15 February 2001 (as Channel One): Natty A General Version (CD - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs & Instrumentals 1974-1979)) Pressure Sounds
- 21 February 2001 (as Channel One): Ragnampaiza Version (CD-Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs And Instrumentals 1974-79)) Pressure Sounds
- 27 February 2001 (as Channel One): Jail House Version (v/a CD - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs & Instrumentals 1974-1979)) Pressure Sounds
- 08 March 2001 (as Channel One): Dance Dis Ya Festival Version (v/a CD - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs & Instrumentals 1974-1979)) Pressure Sounds
- 20 March 2001 (as Channel One): Have Mercy Version (v/a CD - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (Dubs And Instrumentals 1974-79)) Pressure Sounds
- 22 March 2001 (Radio Eins) (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Rema Skank (12" version) (album - Channel One - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown Dubs And Instrumentals 1974-1979) Pressure Sounds
- 29 March 2001 (Radio Eins) (as Channel One): Have Mercy Version
- 03 April 2001: King of the Minstrels (LP - Channel One - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown) Pressure Sounds
- 12 April 2001: Rema Skank (CD - Channel One Dubs & Instrumentals: Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (1974-1979)) Pressure Sounds
- 18 April 2001: Rema Skank (CD - Channel One Dubs & Instrumentals: Maxfield Avenue Breakdown (1974-1979)) Pressure Sounds (played in full, after a cut-down version the previous Thursday)
- 22 April 2001 (BBC World Service) (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): King Of The Minstrels (album - Channel One - Maxfield Avenue Breakdown Dubs And Instrumentals 1974-79) Pressure Sounds
- 15 May 2001: Killo-Roit (12” single) Crown
- 24 May 2001 (Radio Eins): Killo-Roit (12” single) Crown
- 2003
- 25 November 2003 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Comprehensive Dub (LP: Trench Town Dub) Original Music
- 10 December 2003 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Big Yard Dub (LP - Trench Town Dub) Original Music
- 16 December 2003 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Comprehensive Dub (LP - Trench Town Dub) Original Music
- 2004
- 20 January 2004 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Big Yard Dub (Album: Trench Town Dub) Original Music
- 27 January 2004 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Comprehensive Dub (LP - Trench Town Dub) Original Music
- 10 February 2004 (as Sly & The Revolutionaries): Jungle Man Dub (LP - 'Trench Town Dub)' (Original Music)
- September 2004 (FSK): Toothache (12" - Headache) Island
- 02 September 2004: Toothache (12") Discodub