MENTO was the music of the Jamaican dancehalls before ska, rocksteady and reggae came along. A people’s music typically played in the countryside on acoustic–sometimes homemade–instruments, it dates to the late 19th century. Its lyrics generally dealt with rude or slack topics, or addressed the social issues of the day. Although often confused with calypso (largely because calling it “calypso” was a handy way of marketing it to tourists who didn’t know any better), it has a rawness and rhythmic feel that is uniquely Jamaican.

MODERN MENTO is the next stage. This new development takes the tradition’s old-time style–its instruments, rhythms and timbres–and introduces it to the songs, beats and vibe of contemporary pop music. Finding fresh sounds in common ground, modern mento slams the tradition’s creative doors open and represents a new stylistic direction for Jamaican music.

FREE DOWNLOAD “Iron Bar” is one of mento’s oldest and most beloved songs. A rude song about a drunken domestic mixup, it was once commonly performed by road workers and farmers as a “digging song.” Its many recorded versions have made it an enduring mento classic.

go to the website here to download the free download of a classic mento track – http://www.jollyboysmusic.com/download.php

The Jamaican music industry has lost another pioneer with the passing of veteran studio engineer Sid Bucknor, who died of cancer at the St Charles Hospital, Ladbroke Grove in London on Sunday.

Bucknor, who migrated to the UK in 1970, was one of the early innovators responsible for the evolution of Jamaican music from ska to reggae. The artistes on whose music the producer/songwriter has left his indelible mark include Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Alton Ellis, John Holt, Ken Boothe and Bob Andy to mention a few.

Some of his finest recording projects were done at such studios as Studio One, Channel One, Dynamics, Federal, Treasure Isle, Harry J, Randy’s King Tubbys, Joe Gibbs among otherrs.

A short tribute by close friend, guitarist Cecil Smith stated that Sid Bucknor was a musical giant whose contribution to Jamaican music cannot be overlooked.

“Sid (Bucknor) was a giant in the music business. He was instrumental in the development of the Jamaican music sound, ska, rock steady and reggae. He was a great studio engineer, producer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of the music alongside the musicians of the time and pioneered new ways and techniques of capturing the feel and spirit of the music. His contributions to Jamaican music cannot be overlooked,” Smith noted.

According to Smith, much the industry success can be directly attributed to Bucknor’s creative genius and pioneering style. Sid Bucknor was described as “a very patient teacher who was always happy to pass on his knowledge and skills to anyone wishing to learn”.

Sid reportedly worked with all of the greats in the Jamaican music industry.

“He recorded and mixed Catch a Fire, Burning and Natty Dread for Bob Marley and the Wailers. He also recorded, mixed and produced songs with Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Alton Ellis, BB seaton, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Bob Andy. Before migrating to England in 1970, where he contined to spread the sound of reggae, he worked at Dynamics, Federal, Studio One, Channel One, Treasure Isle, Harry J, Randy’s King Tubbys and Joe Gibbs’ studios,” the release concluded.

Social Network of Dancehall and Jamaican music.

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i designed this site some time ago, totally dedicated to Dancehall Music and Jamaican culture. Its an open social network site, created on a ning platform.

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This is Sherine’s Blog site. This site shares articles written by her and also follows her personal day to day journey. Y’all know what a blog is right, its a web diary.