Good Friday in Jamaica will always be a Good friday. Good fish, good bun'n'cheese, good sun and good music.

Even though it's a public holiday some studios were still open for business. We headed for Mixing Lab first but they were closed so Gussie Clarke's Music Works was our next stop. This studio was responsible for some of Shabba Ranks most successful material that enabled him to get his major label deal. Now this is what you call a studio. Fatta, one of the resident engineers, took us into Studio Two. When he switched on the light inside I was well impressed!! Whilst getting a guided tour of the equipment a living legend walked in - Sly Dunbar, of the riddim twins Sly & Robbie.

I am not often humbled by the presence of a entertainer, but this was a 'bow down and kiss the ring' moment. You have to understand the history of a man like this - from the days of Ska to the Grammy winning Black Uhuru, their own Taxi label that has a vast amount of classic recordings and the world famous Murder She Wrote. He's even worked with loads of non reggae artists, like Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and Gwen Stefani and that's just the tip of the iceberg. To top it off Sinead O'Connor rolled into the studio complex, all geared up to work with the great man himself. This is BIG! A lot of the computer driven sounds you hear now in dancehall were brought forward by this man, who was the first to use drum machines in Jamaican productions. Later on in the day the other half of the combination, Robbie, came to work on Sinead's stuff and I had the opportuninty to meet him as well. Now that's what I call a Good Friday.

After all that I had to go and grab some rest to recharge the batteries for my first broadcast from JA. The broadcast was once again from our graceful host's Big Yard. The mosquitos made a meal of me in their backyard, but the show had to go on. Once again, a top line up of artists assembled in the yard, plus some fresh talent. Delicious was my favourite. She's a raunchy new signing to Big Yard who's defo got the looks, shape and skills. The big question is 'what's her flava?' Listen back to the show and see what you think.

I'm off to go and nyam some more fish before Robbo makes them extinct!! He's smaller than me but he can sure pack it away! I never knew he was such a fish specialist - fishmongers of the UK beware - the man is a monster!

Mi gawn...

Seani B - 25 March 05

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