In the dwindling days of 1980 Roger Steffens from L.A. joins Doug Wendt on Midnight Dread for over 6 hours of 33 years ahead highlights in new music and discoveries spread over two 3 hour retrospective programs on KTIM, the last freeform commercial radio station in the nation, the infamous natty north bay noise located 20 miles up the hemisphere’s slope from San Francisco. Near the end of this eighty minute opening section from the first show a scarce “Christmasss Dub” aircheck recording from Mikey Dread on JBC in December 1978 lights up a modest portion of holiday songs in this special program filled with truths and rights. Meanwhile Blondie’s remake of The Paragons rock steady hit The Tide Is High is topping charts world wide proving that such sounds score big when given a chance to compete. Devon Ians makes George Clinton’s “One Nation (Under A Groove)” even catchier with its reggae incarnation while Niney reminds us what heals the nations.
Pablo Moses wants “One People” as the Velvet Shadows intone “Babylon A Fall Down”. Culture is coming to town for the first time that weekend with Freddie McGregor and Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith & crew. When the Sons Of Jah testify to “Speak The Truth” the programmers say “Amen”. Gregory Isaacs is also about to tour the bay area so 2 of his tunes are included along with a pair of Joseph Hill ‘Culture’-all classics. Love does shine brighter than the morning sun so natty never get weary. The Generals foot long forty five “Skanking On The Banking” is another debut treasure. Its dub gets creamed with Midnight dread bits galore. “Fire for the frustration” as Mikey Dread would say. Misty In Roots echo up “Oh Wicked Man” live in Belgium yet it’s Junior Ross & The Spears who provide the prescient reality check off a great Tapper Zukie various artists compilation called ROOTS MAN CONNECTION when they perform the time-proven warning “Rough Rough Way Ahead”.
Last time’s 33 years ahead program. Dreadcasting over the air since 1979 & online since 1996 dreader 21st Century Midnight Dread programs air daily at 12am including replays often heard in his Best of All Worlds high noon slot and where one can also become conscious at 6am with the indigenous sounds of Native Son Rising, all curated by Doug everyday, all times Pacific. Many more Midnight Dread sights & sounds here and on this blog’s Midnight Dread page. Go deh with alla dem.
LEGENDARY REGGAE 