Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Lindon Kwesi Johnson, Frantic Elevators & Dennis Bovell

Featuring Lindon Kwesi Johnson live in 1979, plus archive sessions from Frantic Elevators in 1981 and Dennis Bovell in 1993.

Live Lindon Kwesi Johnson in 1979, archive sessions from Frantic Elevators in 1981 and Dennis Bovell in 1993.

Lindon Kwesi Johnson at the 麻豆社 Paris Theatre 1979
Johnson's work, allied to the Jamaican "toasting" tradition; which is the act of talking or chanting, usually in a monotone melody, over a rhythm or beat by a DJ, is regarded as an essential precursor of rap.
His poetry involves the recitation of his own verse in Jamaican Patois (Patwa) over dub-reggae, usually written in collaboration with renowned British reggae producer/artist Dennis Bovell.
Johnson wrote for NME, Melody Maker and Black Music in the 1970s.

Sessions:

Frantic Elevators - 25th February 1981 on John Peel

The Frantic Elevators were a new wave/punk group from Liverpool from 1977-1984, and are best known for being the springboard for a pre-'Simply Red' Mick Hucknall; who re-recorded the Frantic Elevators 1982 song 'Holding Back the Years' with Simply Red, making it an international hit.

Dennis Bovell - 25th March 1993

Is a reggae guitarist, bass player and record producer, and member of the British reggae band Matumbi, one of the top British reggae bands of the 1970s and early 1980s.
He released dub-reggae records under his own name as well as the pseudonym 'Blackbeard'.
Bovell produced albums for a wide variety of artists including The Thompson Twins, The Slits, Madness, Bananarama and collaborated with poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson for much of his working life.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 1 Aug 2011 04:00
麻豆社 Radio 6 Music

More episodes

Previous

Wonder Stuff, Ash and Vic Goddard And The Subway Sect

Next

The Flaming Lips, Quick Space Supersport and The Detroit Cobras

See all episodes from 6 Music Live Hour

Music Played

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    It Dread Inna Inglan (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Want Fi Goh Rave (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    It Noh Funny (Radio 1 John Peel Session, 1 May 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Five Nights of Bleeding (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Independant Intavenshan (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Reality Poem (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Linton Kwesi Johnson

    Sonny's Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem) (Radio 1 In Concert, 9 Jun 1979)

  • Frantic Elevators

    Hunchback Of Notre Dame (Radio 1 Session, 25 Feb 1981)

  • The Frantic Elevators

    I Am The Man - 麻豆社 Session 25/02/1981

  • Frantic Elevators

    Production Prevention (Radio 1 Session, 25 Feb 1981)

  • Frantic Elevators

    Searching For The Only One (Radio 1 Session, 25 Feb 1981)

  • Frantic Elevators

    Ding Dong (Radio 1 Session, 25 Feb 1981)

  • Dennis Bovell

    Oh Mama Oh Papa (Radio 1 Session, 18 mar 1993)

  • Dennis Bovell

    Tactics (Radio 1 Session, 18 mar 1993)

  • Dennis Bovell

    Woman (Radio 1 Session, 18 mar 1993)

  • Dennis Bovell

    Backbone (Radio 1 Session, 18 mar 1993)

  • Delaney And Bonnie & Eric Clapton

    I'm Coing Home

    • Atlantic Records.

  • George Harrison

    Cheer Down

    • Parlophone.

Broadcast

  • Mon 1 Aug 2011 04:00
    麻豆社 Radio 6 Music