Throughout the late 50's and early 60's both Coxsone and the Duke conducted many fierce and intensive musical wars in their sound clashes to find the best sound sound system. And although Clement Coxsone Dodd was more in touch with the people of the ghetto, it was Duke Reid "The Trojan" that was crowned King of Sounds and Rhythm & Blues at the Kingston Success Club in 1956, 1957 and 1958.Yea folks! Those sound system competitions were red hot and the dance crowd was loving every moment of the mighty sound system clashes (Mobile Discotheques), of course, it was money making for the sound system operators to have regular sound clashes because that was what brought the crowd to witness who would be champion and crowned the king. These sound system proprietors was always able the latest American imported rhythms before public issue.
They got hold of the tunes long before they went on general release to the buying public. The sound system that could play the most exclusive rhythms would be the likely winner of the contest. Prince Buster the record producer and singer during of the Blue Beat era, before that time he was working for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd; as a bodyguard, DJ and record distributor. He later set up his own sound system known as "The Voice of The People," before going on to have his own Recording Studio "Prince Buster's Record Shack recording studio in 1960. Prince became a heart throb with the Mods in the UK. During the 60's Prince Buster was looked upon as a cult figure. His recording of Madness was adopted by an all white mod singing group and another of his songs; Judge Dread lyrics was based around a Judge who issued out 400 years sentences to the "Jamaican Rude Boys." |
