Dance Hall Style
| Dance Hall Style | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1982 | |||
| Recorded | c. 1982 | |||
| Studio | Lloyd & Lloyd's Pro Inc. (N.Y.) | |||
| Genre | [1] | |||
| Length | 41:01 | |||
| Label | Wackie's | |||
| Producer | Bullwackie | |||
| Dead Moon chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Dance Hall Style is the eighth studio album by American roots reggae songwriter and singer Horace Andy, released in 1982 by reggae and dub music record label Wackie's.
Background
[edit]In the late 1970s, Andy and his wife relocated to Connecticut, and a few years later, he and Bullwackie met at the latter's studio, and made recordings of what would evolve into Dance Hall Style. At the time, Bullwackie had founded a record label called Wackie's, which never achieved mainstream success in its home country (United States), but was very influential in Jamaica.[2]
Dance Hall Style's was slower, deeper, and darker, with synthesizers having a secondary influence on Andy's voice. A track from the album, "Spying Glass", tackles racism and intolerance, while another track, "Cuss Cuss", contains the production of piano, organ, and synth tracks turned into a three-way dance and three basslines of a 10-ton rhythm.[2]
"Lonely Woman" is an early song Andy cut for Derrick Harriott in 1972, "Cuss Cuss" is a cover of Lloyd Robinson’s 1969 local hit, and "Spying Glass" would be remixed by trip hop band Massive Attack on their second studio album. Protection.[3]
Critical reception
[edit]Dance Hall Style was released in 1982 by Wackie's to generally positive reviews. According to an Allmusic review by Jo-Ann Greene, "Andy's own powerful "Stop the Fuss," a new number, tackles the same topic, but adds a strong unity message that Robinson's "Cuss Cuss" decidedly lacked. That's a theme the singer revisits on the emotive "Let's Live in Love," with Andy's delicate delivery beautifully intertwining with the equally delicate and intricate roots reggae riddim."[1]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Horace Andy, except for "Cuss Cuss"
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Money Money" | 6:17 |
| 2. | "Lonely Woman" | 6:25 |
| 3. | "Cuss Cuss" | 7:06 |
| 4. | "Stop the Fuss" | 7:16 |
| 5. | "Spying Glass" | 5:12 |
| 6. | "Let's Live in Love" | 8:45 |
| Total length: | 41:01 | |
Personnel
[edit]- Drums - Oral Cooke, Henry "Snowhite" Seth, Junior Delahaye
- Bass - Jah T, Horace Andy, Myrie Dread
- Rhythm Guitar - Horace Andy, Toney Alien
- Lead - Jah T, Horace Andy
- Piano & Organ - Myrie Dread, Owen Stuart
- Percussion - Ras Menilik
- Executive Producer - Lloyd & Lloyd's Pro Inc.
- Produced by - Bullwackie
- Distribution by - Wackie's Bx. N.Y.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Dance Hall Style at AllMusic
- ^ a b Roberts, Randall (November 14, 2022). "Horace Andy's 'Dance Hall Style' at 40: A deep new reissue connects Kingston, Brooklyn and Bristol". In Sheep's Clothing Hi-Fi. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ VF Team (February 19, 2018). "Horace Andy's seminal Dance Hall Style treated to new vinyl reissue". Vinyl Factory. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Dance Hall Style". Discogs. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)