In an unprecedented event in reggae recording history, internationally known reggae producer Clive Chin unveiled his rare archive of previously unknown and unreleased recordings by many of reggae’s greatest stars during the heyday of Ska and Early Reggae, virtually unheard by anyone for nearly 40 years!

On Saturday, June 16, 2012 attendees listened to these historic recordings and a reggae history lecture by Clive Chin at The Frost Theatre of the Arts, at 17 Frost Street in Willamsburg, Brooklyn.

The lost archive consists of hundreds of hours of reggae music recorded from 1968-1978 by Clive Chin and his father, Vincent “Randy” Chin, at the legendary Studio 17, located at 17 North Parade in Kingston, Jamaica. Included are performances by such major artists as Bob Marley, the Wailers, Peter Tosh, Alton Ellis, Gregory Isaacs, Lord Creator, John Holt, U-Roy, Tommy McCook, I-Roy, Augustus Pablo and many more.

The original master tapes, which lay undisturbed in Jamaica for nearly 30 years, were brought to the States through the assistance of E.M.P. (Experience Music Project) and Microsoft founder Paul Allen. The tapes have all been digitized and catalogued for the first time by Chin and producer/engineer Billy “Prince Polo” Szeflinski, working at The Kennel Recording Studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Chin recently shared this gem from 1969.

Of course we are looking at the recording info sheet for a Peter Touch (Tosh) 7″ called “You Can’t Fool Me Again,” which was produced and recorded by Chin for Randy’s Impact Records circa 1969.

Please visit Chin’s Lost Archives of 17 N. Parade blog HERE.

Clive Chin
Clive Chin and Errol Thompson

Give thanks to my friend Marco Nichelotto (Ras Marcus) for the classic photos!