Hop Special

Roland Alphonso "Hop Special"

[right click to download, ctrl click if yr a mac!]

This pretty little reggae instrumental is a loose cover of a Procol Harum song. See if you can guess which one. I'll give you a hint: it's the only Procol Harum song you've EVER HEARD.

Roland Alphonso was a key player in the progression of Jamaican music. So important in fact that he was "knighted" by the Jamaican government with an "Order of Distinction" in 1977 for his important contributions to the music and culture of his country. Alphonso inspired generations of music lovers around the world from his home country to the U.K. 2 Tone movements of the 1980s.

"Hop Special" comes from the magnificent Sounds And Pressure compilation 'Sounds & Pressure Vol. 5'. The Sounds & Pressure reggae re-issue label can only be rivaled by the Blood & Fire label in fantastic finds from reggae's golden era. Reggae music has once again stepped into the spotlight in recent years, but only as a booty shaking, "get busy" type of mindless dance hall drone that is heartless and soulless compared to great artists like Roland Alphonso, King Tubby and Lee Perry.