Tenor Saw & Nitty Gritty - Tenor Saw Meets Nitty Gritty (2008)

The original 8 tracks on this George Phang Power House lp (each artist got one side) are some of the earliest from these cousins with very unique vocal techniques. They added their own twist to the Waterhouse style of singing that arose from artist like Michael Rose, Don Carlos and Junior Reid. Now this disc is presented, in a showdown style with one Tenor Saw track followed by a Nitty Gritty song. In addition 17 North Parade choose to included four of the biggest songs from each artist. Ironically both artists passed away tragically in the late 80's / early 90's, but the dancehall scene remembers them for ever.

The opening track is by Tenor Saw, Lone Ranger And Tonto over the "Darker Shade Of Black" riddim, a very addictive song and a great start of this crucial album. The first song from Nitty Gritty is Auntie Lu Lu, this song has a nice rub-a-dub vibe to it. Drape Her Up also done by Nitty Gritty has stood the test of time very well. A true and well known gem done by Tenor Saw after that, I Got To Be There (Roll Call). Everything You Try remains one of the best hits from Nitty Gritty. RRRING RIING sounds through your soundsystem and almost every reggae fans knows what time it is. The "Stalag" riddim starts followed by Tenor's sound, a must have song.

The "Sleng Teng" Riddim is chosen by Tenor Saw for the fabulous tune Pumpking Belly. After that the "Tempo" riddim starts with Nitty Gritty and Hog In A Minty. The tune No Work On Sunday over the "Pressure & Slide" riddim, was a declaration, the lyrics model had moved from Rasta recounting hard days working in the sun to "Rasta no work on a sunday". Nice production from Donovan Germain! The hit track on the "Diseases/Mad Mad" riddim is Golden Hen done by Tenor Saw, another classic effort. The final track on the album is Run Down The World from Nitty Gritty, a nice closure of this dancehall time machine.

The album stands firm with the Waterhouse style comin' steady!