A common sight in the ghettos of Kingston back in the 1970s was Charlie Ace’s colourful Swing-a-Ling mobile recording studio, a moveable feast of sound from which Ace handed vinyl pressings like leavened bread for the crowds. Footage of the man at work is pure vintage. “C’mon mon, I’ve got a lot of people to serve today!” he hectors one dawdling customer who pisses him off. Working from a converted Morris van, most of the material Charlie sold was his own.
Born Vernel Dixon, Charlie Ace in fact remains one of music’s largely forgotten deejay originals. Initially making a name for himself after working with Lee Scratch Perry, cutting “Django Shoots First”, “The Creeper” and “Cow Thief Skank”, and delivering the goods for Vincent “Randys” Chin on “Country Boy”. He also worked on the 1973 Rasta classic “Father and Dreadlocks” for Coxsone Dodd.
7 Comments (since 22 Nov 2013)
music_xplosion
A common sight in the ghettos of Kingston back in the 1970s was Charlie Ace’s colourful Swing-a-Ling mobile recording studio, a moveable feast of sound from which Ace handed vinyl pressings like leavened bread for the crowds. Footage of the man at work is pure vintage. “C’mon mon, I’ve got a lot of people to serve today!” he hectors one dawdling customer who pisses him off. Working from a converted Morris van, most of the material Charlie sold was his own.
music_xplosion
Born Vernel Dixon, Charlie Ace in fact remains one of music’s largely forgotten deejay originals. Initially making a name for himself after working with Lee Scratch Perry, cutting “Django Shoots First”, “The Creeper” and “Cow Thief Skank”, and delivering the goods for Vincent “Randys” Chin on “Country Boy”. He also worked on the 1973 Rasta classic “Father and Dreadlocks” for Coxsone Dodd.
music_xplosion
He put out a number of records on his Swing-A-Ling label included “Firing Line” – a reworking of a popular disco hit – credited to Charlie Ace & the Inswings and released in the summer of 1974. Tragically, he was shot and killed in 1980 – although details of the exact circumstances of his death remain unknown. http://fromthebarrelhouse.com/2011/07/13/charlie-ace-and-his-swing-a-ling-mobile-recording-studio-kingston-jamaica-1974/
PhilPhil
a+
sabes
great selection, love the dub side. and thanks for the bio.
music_xplosion
@PhilPhil Thanks! Somehow I knew you'd like it :)
music_xplosion
@sabes Thank you, glad you liked it :) And here's another "2 jams in 1':)