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MASH DOWN BIRMINGHAM: THE EARLY RECORDINGS OF MUSICAL YOUTH' combines songs from Musical Youth's first John Peel session, recorded in 1981 with newly unearthed recordings taken from quarter-inch reels stored for over 40 years by the group's mentor and producer Toney Owens. The project was seeded as early as 2020, when Paphides sent a speculative message to Owens, after he saw his producer credit on the group's independently released 1981 single Generals/Political. Paphides wanted to know if Owens had made more recordings of the group in a similar heavier roots reggae vein to those on their debut single. Happening upon the message by chance three years later, Owens allowed Needle Mythology access to his archive of quarter-inch tapes, dating back as far as 1978.
Highlights include mind-blowing Jackie Mittoo collab Mash Down Babylon featuring inspired MC'ing from guitarist Kelvin Grant, still only 11 at this point, and a previously unheard extended mix of Generals and a sensational dub version of Political. From their inaugural Peel session, standouts include Culture, Don't Blame The Youth and a version of The Slickers' Johnny Too Bad. However, the coup de grace surely has to be the album's closing track a newly discovered early version of the song that would propel Musical Youth to the top of the UK charts. With freshly installed singer Dennis Seaton, Musical Youth's version of The Mighty Diamonds' Pass The Kouchie can be heard here in its original form.
Tracklist
1 Can't Fight
2 General
3 Oppressor
4 Culture
5 Political
6 Political Dub
7 Mash Down Babylon (ft. Jackie Mittoo)
8 Johnny Too Bad
9 Don't Blame The Youth
10 Save The Children (ft. Sugar Minott)
11 Pass The Kouchie