HEAR THIS: Steely & Clevie Top 12

From Studio One To Studio 2000, Dancehall’s Dynamic Duo Did It All


Steely’s untimely death this week leaves an enormous void that can only be filled by more tunes. At times like these all we can do is say a prayer for the man’s family and loved ones, and honor his legacy by returning again and again to the music he loved so deeply. From early sessions for Youth Promotions and the Black Ark to his groundbreaking work with the Roots Radics band to ushering in the digital era at King Jammy’$ to establishing Steely & Clevie Productions and later Studio 2000, here are just a few of Steely’s greatest hits. (We had to make a it a top 12, cause 10 can’t hold em all… And don’t even mention bout Silverhawk Sound.) Anyway, Let it go…

1. Hugh Mundell “Africa Must Be Free By 1983”

2. Gregory Isaacs “Night Nurse”

3. Dean Fraser & King Jammy’$ All-Stars “Punany Sax”

[audio:https://www.boomshots.com/tunes/PunanySax.mp3]

4. Super Cat “Boops”

5. Foxy Brown “Sorry”

6. Ninja Man “Murder Them”

7. Shabba Ranks “Ting A Ling”

8. Tiger “When”

9. Beres Hammond “Double Trouble”

10. Dawn Penn “No, No, No”



11. Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas “Hot Gal Today”

12. Assassin “As A Man”

[audio:https://www.boomshots.com/tunes/AsAMan.mp3]

We close it out on 2005’s Sleepy Dog riddim, which captured the heat of ’90s dancehall like few other tracks before or since. Aside from the human loss to Steely’s family, it’s dispiriting to think we won’t have any more fresh tunes emanating from Steely & Clevie’s Studio 2000. But take heart, the dynamic duo worked so hard that there is lots of unreleased music to present to the world.

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