General
@generalsmiley
Mesa, AZ USA
Joined Oct 10, 2012
The Original General Smiley
General Smiley is one half of Jamaica's number one Dee Jay duo Papa Michigan and General Smiley. Papa Michigan (born Anthony Fairclough) and General Smiley (born Erroll Bennett) were among the first dual-toasters on the Jamaican scene. Beginning in the late '70s while still in school, the humorous duo (Smiley got his name because he never smiles)
They first recorded at Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One in Jamaica, pressing their first number one hit single, "Rub a Dub style", which featured their call and response style vocals, overdubbed on the Studio One riddim, "Vanity" (the instrumental alias given to Alton Ellis' Rocksteady classic, "I'm Just A Guy").[1] Their next single, perhaps a larger hit, "Nice Up the Dance" was a version of the quintessential Studio 1 rhythm, "Real Rock". These singles, with four other tracks, also versions of Studio One rhythms, were released as their first album, Nice Up the Dance. The names of these two singles were quickly incorporated into the lexicon of dancehall phraseology. Their call and response style was likewise influential on the future developments of the music, blending together straightforward singing styles and toasting. By 1982, they caught the attention of Henry "Junjo" Lawes, who recorded their biggest hit, "Diseases" over the "Mad Mad" riddim. This track was featured on their second LP, Downpression. They went on to cut an album for Channel One Records, Step by Step. The las
My Music
AIM GOAL PLAN
Oct 17, 2012
This is General Smiley's first solo CD released by Upful One Records and produced by Jillian Wess of Upful Productions. The CD contains 16 brand new,original, reggae/dancehall riddims. General Smiley's lyrics are written in a heartical, rootical fashion representing his love of Rastafari. If you are a true fan of roots reggae, this is the CD for you.
General Smiley Meets McPullish At Dub Cove
Oct 17, 2012
Take a legendary artist and hook up with a small roots producer and reach higher ites. In the late 1980's, Blackamix and Horace Andy made musical history. In the 1990's, Jah Shaka electrified Max Romeo, Tony Tuff and Willie Williams. In the 2000's, Ryan Moore masterminded classics with Mykal Rose, Big Youth and Ranking Joe. The chemistry continues with General Smiley alongside McPullish. Original General Smiley (Errol Bennett) is a dancehall don originating from Studio One's "masterclass". As one half of Michigan & Smiley, they burst on the scene in the late 1970's and revolutionized Dancehall duos. Their "Rub A Dub style" single ridin' over the "Vanity" riddim (Alton Ellis-I'm Just A Guy) produced by Sir Dodd put them on top of the charts. Their first album, Nice Up The Dance (Studio One) remains a classic to this day. Electric performances at Reggae Sunsplash from 1980-85 gave them international appeal. They released a few more gems, "Downpression", "Step By Step" and "Sugar Daddy" before breaking up in the late 1980's. They still get together for the occasional festival or revival show. Smiley has continued to release quality solo material and is very active in the production chair. He founded Ruff Company Records with a pure vision to give musical youth a chance; never forgetting his humble beginnings. In Los Angeles, he has been a producer for Firgo Digital Studio. He is a blazing performer that has not lost his spark. McPullish (Carson Hoovestol) is a Buda, Texas based producer and one man musical army. He has his own label, Charlie's Records and operates his studio, aptly called The Dub Cove. He plays virtually the entire riddim on his productions. He's very much in the vein of Ryan Moore (Twilight Dub Circus), who has put out some of the rootsiest roots and dub for the last two decades. Much like Moore, McPullish has produced some of the best. The roster includes Luciano, Chezidek, Sylford Walker and Lutan Fyah. He has opened up for Mad Professor, Easy Star All Stars, Don Carlos and many more. He is getting more exposure, playing some dates with General Smiley in late February and with Twilight Dub Circus in May. This release starts with a boom shot that cyaan done! /I Wish(No More War)/ is finger snapping modern roots; wicked bass and Smiley's lyrics flowing like a river. /Love/ has more of an organic touch with a sense of joy from singer and player of instruments. It showcases fullbodied vintage DJ style. /The Jungle/ boasts great guitar work and Sly "Drumbar" influences backing reality lyrics of cold concrete jungle. /Sight Dem Up/ shines with a bubblin' keyboard that gives way to pure intelligence; "Put your hand in Babylon cookie jar and end up wear a scar". Rootsman Sylford Walker lends a magic rod to /Unity Chant/ with Smiley dishing up the call and respond DJ style that he has mastered. This is mixed up with a wailing keyboard and complex riddim. The final vocal track is sweet like sugar and spice and extra nice. This is a champion bubbler with great backing vox by Sista Jenn Ziemba. The riddim is very modern but doesn't rock roots foundation. To great delight, the final eight tracks are full dub workings that shows McPullish is an A-1 operator. He imitates no one, but initiates all the latest technology without losing sight of traditional dub style. Crucial vocals are intact with deep drum and bass bought up front. Percussion and keyboards are not forgotten; tastefully looped in and out of the dubscape. Every dub deserves to be on soundsystems near and far. The standout selectas are /Wishful Dub/ and /Sight Dub/. These require instant rewind! Big things are in store for McPullish's future. "General Smiley Meets McPullish At Dub Cove" is wicked and wild. General Smiley is well established and this outing will ever increase his legend. McPullish's street creds will become rock solid with this e
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generalsmiley
Oct 17, 2012
Since 2005 General Smiley has been touring northern California, north east U.S, north west U.S and the south east U.S with young artists such as Part One Tribe Band, Soul Medic from Navada City California along with Jah Works of Big Island Hawaii,Sgt Remo and Mr Kali from New Mexico along side Ken Serious from Clarendon JA touring with many top DJs.
In 2008 when he passed through Austin, Texas on tour, General Smiley linked up with McPullish at Dub Compound Studio for a late night dub session after a show. When Smiley heard the music McPullish was working on he was inspired to record some new lyrics he had been carrying around in his head, thus creating their first collaboration: Natty Natty. Smiley also recorded some fiery dub specials that evening and these two have been collaborating ever since. Charlie is happy to report that a full length album and full dub companion album have been completed and are now available. General Smiley Meets McPullish At DUB COVE
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