Shaking Up Orange Street aka Pressure And Slide Riddim

Prince Buster

“Shaking Up Orange Street” seems to have been Prince Buster’s riposte to the Soul Vendors’ “Whipping The Prince”, but even though Prince Buster and Coxsone Dodd were publicly engaged in this war of words they were privately good friends.

Coxsone Dodd

Both producers had record shops on Orange Street at this time, and their public rivalry did their sales no harm at all. Buster issued at least three other cuts to the riddim including two instrumentals and a DJ version by Jah Fender. Coxsone replied by appropriating the riddim for the Tennors’ “Pressure And Slide”, a lovely Rocksteady tune with transparently ambiguous lyrics. Some years later Mr Dodd recorded a cover version by Hubert Lee, and for this recording the riddim was slowed down, the bass enhanced and the guitar almost completely removed.

Sugar Minott

The riddim was slowed down even more for Sugar Minott’s “Oh Mr DC”, which was mixed by Scientist during his brief stay at Studio One. Sugar’s excellent performance and song made this one of his first big hits, but as with many of the songs on his “Showcase” album it is worth hearing the 7″ version because the mix is stronger and the syn drums are omitted.

Excellent Studio One Cuts

In the ’80s there were several further excellent cuts from Studio One including a deejay version from Jim Brown, “The Pressure”, a horns version by Reuben Alexander, “Pressure Rock”, which was erroneously issued as a song by the Gladiators, and Hugh Griffiths “Can I Have This Dance”.

Willie Lindo

These last three versions were issued in response to the popularity the riddim gained after Willie Lindo released his production of “What One Dance Can Do” by Beres Hammond. The song was a big success, and prompted Germain to cut the riddim in the same style and issued two answer versions; Audrey Hall’s “One Dance Won’t Do” and Owen Gray “I’m Standing In His Way”. The popularity of these records encouraged Germain to issue a whole album on the riddim, “What One Riddim Can Do”. However, one of the most rewarding adaptations of the riddim from this period is one that quietly appeared on a various artist compilation, Willi Williams’ “In South Africa” from the Wackies produced “Free South Africa” album. This track features an excellent vocal and a lovely horns arrangement.

(Source: Ray Hurford & Jean Scrivener’s “Rhythm Wise One & Two”)

General Trees – Everything So So
Little John – Follow Me
Anthony B – Cut Out That
Anthony Malvo – Hold Back Progress
Anthony Red Rose – Castle Of Love
Barrington Levy – Please Jah Jah
Big Joe – Show Them Love
Cutty Ranks – Out A Hand
Charlie Chaplin – Move Out Of The Way
Colin Roach – All Over You
General Echo – Stretch To Fit
Glen Washington – True Love
JJ Denton – City Slicker Country Boy
Jack Radics – Turn Up The Radio
Johnny Osbourne – Rock-A-Dub
Josey Wales – To The Chapel
Leroy Smart – Love Me From Now
Lt. Stitchie – Ten Golden Rules
Neville Brown – Babylon Don’t Touch My Sensy
Michael Prophet – Who Control Them
Prezident Brown – Sperm Donor
Richie Stephens – Judge Not
Shelly Thunder – A Girl Is A Girl
Tenor Saw – No Work On Sunday
Wayne Wade – Kick A Sound Boy