VP has teamed up with King Jammy once again. This time dipping back into the early years of his catalog to resurface two sought-after 7-inch singles.
Lacksley Castell’s “What A Great Day” was recorded in 1979 when Lloyd James was known as Prince Jammy. Castell was a barely known singer at the time, but his friendship with Hugh Mundell brought him into then Prince Jammy’s orbit. “What A Great Day” first appeared on 12-inch single on the Sufferer’s Heights label in 1979 and later on 7-inch on the Fatman label. He would record five more tracks for Jammy, included on the album Jah Fire, with Hugh Mundell.
Sugar Minott was into the prime of his career, one of the hottest artists in Jamaica in 1979/1980 when he linked up with Prince Jammy to record the album Bitter Sweet, also known as Give The People. “Give The People What They Want” emerged as a popular song from the album, spawning a 7-inch single in 1983 on the Jammy$ label.
Newer dub mixes of both of these songs can be found on King Jammy Destroys The Virus With Dub, released by VP in 2022.