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The Sleng Teng riddim is one of my favorite reggae riddims.

Americans might best know it as the bassline from Sublime's Caress Me Down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_LP4IU6XD4).

But you might really love the lyrics of Tenor Saw's Pumpkin Belly, which a song of the "old time proverbs":

"Whatsover you want / You have to work very hard to gain."

https://genius.com/Tenor-saw-pumpkin-belly-lyrics




I've been involved with the German Dancehall scene from around the late 90s early 2000s and danced so many nights to this riddim. I knew the story and how this riddim ended up in Jamaica at King Jammy's (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mop89McbxAE ), but could not remember to have seen an image of the actual keyboard before.

Here is a video where Wayne Smith tells how he found the preset on the keyboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM2qMdop890


I used to keep a little list of riddims, here's more from sleng teng:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61kVhWClUZo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOMZlVLh1Ts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9mrs1Ge8fo

then there's stalag riddim:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4fjGwVpbm0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbQX0QmngYg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3d4Efp5TMc

and my favourite heavenless riddim:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBRzaoUe3y8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQXPTRIsEII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGa2-qBsSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MmIP16H5jE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0BxPQIypnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=himuq_-TM-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpgl8oK869E

then there's answer riddim:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4bN_lmTGRk

Overall these riddims are played at so called soundsystem parties - basically huge amount of subwoofers that your body shakes. Earplugs is a must else you'll get tinitus like I did. Stranger part is no photos are allowed and a lot of music isn't released online - it's overall kinda secretive subculture.

It blew my mind when I came to such party first time.


I know this comes at odds with "no photos allowed" but is there some good footage on youtube?

Sounds like something I'd enjoy watching, just like 80s warehouse parties with early acid house.


Yeah there are

Jah Shaka is the first one I've ever went - has been playing for like 50+ years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMURjgim0Z0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IohY9uO3H8Q

Ruapuke Roots festival in NZ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj2gLczlSCk

Alpha Steppas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjy3MPvKOjQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLaY7-ggQ6E

Generally what you hear above is called a dub plate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaJ0d6btxSM

Also worth noting - got dinged for smoking spliff - cannabis with tobacco and not pure cannabis...


Also reminds me of the intro to Creature Comfort by Arcade Fire.




How water walk go a pumpkin belly??




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