Tenor saw
Encyclopedia
Tenor Saw was a prominent dancehall
singer in the 1980s, and one of the most influential singers of the early digital reggae era. His best-known song was the 1985 hit "Ring the Alarm" on the "Stalag 17" riddim
.
's Powerhouse label, on the "Queen Majesty" rhythm. He moved on, with his friend Nitty Gritty
, to work with Sugar Minott
's Youth Promotion sound system and Black Roots Records label, having hits in Jamaica with "Lots of Sign", "Pumpkin Belly", "Run Come Call Me", and "Fever". His most successful single, however, was "Ring the Alarm", voiced over the "Stalag" rhythm for Winston Riley
's Techniques label. The singles' success saw Tenor Saw work with Prince Jammy, recording "Pumpkin Belly" on Jammy's (then) new "Sleng Teng
" rhythm. Further hits followed in 1986 with "Golden Hen" (on the Uptempo label), and Minott issued Tenor Saw's debut album, Fever, that year. In common with most dancehall albums of the period, most of the rhythms were digital copies of older tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, usually produced originally by Coxsone Dodd
or Duke Reid
. Thus, "Shirley Jones" versions Keith "Slim" Smith
's "Rougher Yet", and "Eeni Meeni Mini Mo" versions "Real Rock" from Studio One, while "Roll Call" versions The Techniques
' "Queen Majesty" from Duke Reid
, while "Lots of Sign" versions "Tonight" by Keith & Tex
, produced by Derrick Harriott
.
By the time the album was released, Tenor Saw had relocated to Miami, joining the Skengdon crew, where he recorded "Dancehall Feeling" and "Bad Boys". He recorded "No Work On a Sunday" for Donovan Germain
, before moving to New York
, where he recorded with Freddie McGregor
("Victory Train"). His last recording, "Chill Out Chill Out", was a duet with General Doggie.
In August 1988 he was killed by a speeding car in Houston, Texas. He died at 22 years of age. Tenor Saw is regarded as one of the most influential singers of the early digital reggae era of the mid-1980s.
Sublime
's song "Jailhouse" on their self titled album
is a mix of "Roll Call" and The Wailers "Jailhouse" with some of Bradley Nowell's Lyrics.
Supercat's song "Nuff man a Dead" is about the death of Tenor Saw and other superstars of the time.
311
samples Tenor Saw's "Ring the Alarm" in their song "Prisoner" from their Transistor album.
The guitar riff at the beginning of Sublime's song "Greatest Hits" is the same as the one at the end of Tenor Saw's song "Golden Hen" which is in itself a version of the Junjo Lawes' riddim Diseases.
The rap group Fu Schnickens also did a version of "Ring The Alarm" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grTLfaz605s
The song "Fell, Destroyed" by Fugazi includes the line "Ring the alarm or you're sold to dying" and the lyric sheet included with the album pays "respects to Tenor Saw."
Beyonce Knowles
based a performance around Tenor Saw's "Ring The Alarm". The performance was part of The Beyonce Experience. Performed in 2007 LA the song had millions of views on YouTube and was seen as a highly influential artist in today's media being influenced a genre which is different to her own
German rap group Dynamite Deluxe produced a track called 'Lots of Sign', with guest-appearance Patrice singing the hookline taken of the same titled Tenor Saw song.
HipHop-Crew Lifesavas from Portland use the melody and lyrics of "Fever" for their same titled song. Song is on the "Spirit in stone"-LP, released 2003.
Independent rap artist, Brother Ali
samples Tenor Saw's "Ring the Alarm" in his song "Champion" from his album "Shadows on the Sun".
Brooklyn MC, Mos Def
, references "Ring the Alarm" in his single "Universal Magnetic".
Big Audio Dynamite
's "Rewind," from their Megatop Phoenix album, samples "Ring the Alarm."
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
singer in the 1980s, and one of the most influential singers of the early digital reggae era. His best-known song was the 1985 hit "Ring the Alarm" on the "Stalag 17" riddim
Riddim
Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for...
.
Biography
Bright was raised in the Payne Avenue district of West Kingston. His first single, "Roll Call" was recorded in 1984 for George PhangGeorge Phang
George Phang is a reggae producer born in the 1950s in south Saint Andrew, Kingston, Jamaica where still resides today.Phang started his reggae label Powerhouse in the early 1980s. His first hits were Little John's "True Confessions" and "Roots Girl", both released in 1983...
's Powerhouse label, on the "Queen Majesty" rhythm. He moved on, with his friend Nitty Gritty
Nitty Gritty
Glen Augustus Holness , otherwise known by his stage name Nitty Gritty, was a popular Reggae singer. Born in the August Town section of Kingston, Jamaica, he was the second of eleven children born to religious parents....
, to work with Sugar Minott
Sugar Minott
Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator.-Biography:...
's Youth Promotion sound system and Black Roots Records label, having hits in Jamaica with "Lots of Sign", "Pumpkin Belly", "Run Come Call Me", and "Fever". His most successful single, however, was "Ring the Alarm", voiced over the "Stalag" rhythm for Winston Riley
Winston Riley
Winston Riley worked as a songwriter and record producer of Jamaican music. According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Riley has a claim to being the most successful reggae producer of all-time.-Biography:...
's Techniques label. The singles' success saw Tenor Saw work with Prince Jammy, recording "Pumpkin Belly" on Jammy's (then) new "Sleng Teng
Sleng Teng
Sleng Teng is the name given to the first fully computerized riddim in Jamaican music. The riddim, which was created by the collaboration between King Jammy and Wayne Smith, was titled "Under Me Sleng Teng". However, in this case Wayne Smith was the one who had found the computerized sound in Noel...
" rhythm. Further hits followed in 1986 with "Golden Hen" (on the Uptempo label), and Minott issued Tenor Saw's debut album, Fever, that year. In common with most dancehall albums of the period, most of the rhythms were digital copies of older tunes from the 1960s and 1970s, usually produced originally by Coxsone Dodd
Coxsone Dodd
Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, CD was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond...
or Duke Reid
Duke Reid
Treasure Isle re-directs here. For the game, see Treasure Isle .Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner....
. Thus, "Shirley Jones" versions Keith "Slim" Smith
Slim Smith
Slim Smith was a ska, rocksteady and reggae singer. In their book Reggae: The Rough Guide , Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton described Smith as "the greatest vocalist to emerge in the rocksteady era".-Biography:Smith first came to prominence as a member of the Victors Youth Band, who were highly...
's "Rougher Yet", and "Eeni Meeni Mini Mo" versions "Real Rock" from Studio One, while "Roll Call" versions The Techniques
The Techniques
The Techniques were a Jamaican rocksteady vocal group mainly active in the 1960s.-History:The group was formed by Winston Riley in 1962 while still at school, with the initial line-up also featuring Slim Smith, Franklyn White, and Frederick Waite...
' "Queen Majesty" from Duke Reid
Duke Reid
Treasure Isle re-directs here. For the game, see Treasure Isle .Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner....
, while "Lots of Sign" versions "Tonight" by Keith & Tex
Keith & Tex
Keith & Tex were the Jamaican rocksteady duo of Keith Rowe and Texas Dixon, best known for their 1967 hit "Stop That Train".-History:Keith Rowe grew up in the Washington Gardens area of Saint Andrew Parish, across the road from Lee "Scratch" Perry's home and future studio, on the outskirts of...
, produced by Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott is a singer and record producer. He has produced recordings by Big Youth, Chariot Riders, The Chosen Few, Dennis Brown, The Ethiopians, Keith & Tex, The Kingstonians, Rudy Mills, Scotty, Sly & Revolutionaries, and Winston McAnuff.-Biography:As a student at Excelsior High School,...
.
By the time the album was released, Tenor Saw had relocated to Miami, joining the Skengdon crew, where he recorded "Dancehall Feeling" and "Bad Boys". He recorded "No Work On a Sunday" for Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain
Donovan Germain is a reggae producer, one of the most successful of the digital era.-Biography:Germain's entry into the music industry was via his record shop in New York City in the 1970s. He began production in 1972, visiting Jamaica for recording sessions, working in both roots reggae and...
, before moving to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he recorded with Freddie McGregor
Freddie McGregor
Freddie McGregor has been variously a singer, musician and producer. According to Allmusic he is one of reggae's most durable and soulful singers, with a steady career that started in the 1960s, when he was just seven years old.-Biography:In 1963 he joined with Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin to...
("Victory Train"). His last recording, "Chill Out Chill Out", was a duet with General Doggie.
In August 1988 he was killed by a speeding car in Houston, Texas. He died at 22 years of age. Tenor Saw is regarded as one of the most influential singers of the early digital reggae era of the mid-1980s.
Influence
Tenor Saw's friends and colleagues Nitty Gritty ("Who Killed Tenor Saw?") and King Kong both recorded tributes the year after his death.Sublime
Sublime (band)
Sublime was an American ska punk band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band's line-up, unchanged until their breakup, consisted of Bradley Nowell , Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh . Michael "Miguel" Happoldt also contributed on a few Sublime songs, such as "New Thrash." Lou Dog, Nowell's...
's song "Jailhouse" on their self titled album
Sublime (album)
Sublime is the third and final album released by ska-punk band Sublime. Originally intended to be titled Killin' It, the band and record label agreed to substitute an eponymous title due to lead singer Bradley Nowell's death prior to the album's release...
is a mix of "Roll Call" and The Wailers "Jailhouse" with some of Bradley Nowell's Lyrics.
Supercat's song "Nuff man a Dead" is about the death of Tenor Saw and other superstars of the time.
311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
samples Tenor Saw's "Ring the Alarm" in their song "Prisoner" from their Transistor album.
The guitar riff at the beginning of Sublime's song "Greatest Hits" is the same as the one at the end of Tenor Saw's song "Golden Hen" which is in itself a version of the Junjo Lawes' riddim Diseases.
The rap group Fu Schnickens also did a version of "Ring The Alarm" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grTLfaz605s
The song "Fell, Destroyed" by Fugazi includes the line "Ring the alarm or you're sold to dying" and the lyric sheet included with the album pays "respects to Tenor Saw."
Beyonce Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
based a performance around Tenor Saw's "Ring The Alarm". The performance was part of The Beyonce Experience. Performed in 2007 LA the song had millions of views on YouTube and was seen as a highly influential artist in today's media being influenced a genre which is different to her own
German rap group Dynamite Deluxe produced a track called 'Lots of Sign', with guest-appearance Patrice singing the hookline taken of the same titled Tenor Saw song.
HipHop-Crew Lifesavas from Portland use the melody and lyrics of "Fever" for their same titled song. Song is on the "Spirit in stone"-LP, released 2003.
Independent rap artist, Brother Ali
Brother Ali
Ali Newman , better known by the stage name Brother Ali, is an American hip hop artist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.-Personal life:...
samples Tenor Saw's "Ring the Alarm" in his song "Champion" from his album "Shadows on the Sun".
Brooklyn MC, Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, references "Ring the Alarm" in his single "Universal Magnetic".
Big Audio Dynamite
Big Audio Dynamite
Big Audio Dynamite are a British musical group formed in 1984 by the ex-guitarist and singer of the Clash, Mick Jones. The group are noted for their effective mixture of varied musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk...
's "Rewind," from their Megatop Phoenix album, samples "Ring the Alarm."
Albums
- Clash (1985) Witty (with Don Angelo)
- Fever (1986) Blue Mountain/RASRAS RecordsRAS Records, also known as Real Authentic Sound, is a reggae record label.-History:RAS Records was founded in 1979 by Doctor Dread. In his travels to Jamaica he created a network within the reggae artist community there. By the early to mid 1980s RAS had signed artists such as Black Uhuru, Inner...
- Wake the Town: Tribute to Tenor Saw (1992)
- Strictly Livestock (1986) GreensleevesGreensleeves RecordsGreensleeves Records & Publishing is a record label specialising in dancehall and reggae music. The company was founded by Chris Cracknell and Chris Sedgwick and started as a small record store in West Ealing, London, in November 1975 and is based in Britain....
(with Various Artists) - Clash (1987) Witty (with Cocoa TeaCocoa TeaCocoa Tea is a Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and DJ.- Biography :Cocoa Tea was popular in Jamaica from 1985, but has become successful worldwide only since the 1990s...
) - Tenor Saw Lives On (1992) Sky High
- With Lots Signs (2003) Jet StarJet StarJet Star was a United Kingdom record distribution company that grew out of Pama Records in 1978. It was one of the largest distributors of reggae music, the company themselves claiming the title "the world's largest reggae distributors".-History:Jet Star was formed in 1978 by the Palmer Brothers,...
(Tenor Saw meets Nitty Gritty) - Tenor Saw Meets Nitty Gritty (2008) VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...