No Condition Is Permanent

Pictured: Gregory Isaacs.

Also known, for very good reason, as the Cool Ruler, [Gregory] Isaacs had been in the business since the early 1970s and recorded for Rupie Edwards, Niney, Gussie Clarke and G G Ranglin – he’s even supposed to have sung back-up vocals at the Black Ark, notably on Heart of the Congos – and founded his own African Museum label. Originally nothing more remarkable than an easy-rocking crooner, it wasn’t until he developed a distinctive style that he began to count for much. By the middle of the decade he’d evolved a style that was perfect on both sides of the divide as it shot his delivery through with an apparently desperate thread of disaffection. Either in love or in society at large, Gregory’s trademark approach to any sort of song was one of loneliness and rejection. Couched in terms clever enough for him to be singing about either the love of Jah or the love of a good woman, he’s either posing as an outcast from the community or he’s just been dumped; you decide. Women loved this apparent vulnerability, while the guys admired his mix of rude-boy style, dreadlocks attitude and lurrrve god way with the ladies. All of which comes together, plus a sense of the Cool Ruler’s charisma, on a live recording of “Border,” a session which also gives insight into his relationship with his fans. Apparently unprompted they sing, note perfect, each chorus of I’m leaving outta Babylon / I’m leaving outta Rome… we wan’, we wan’ go home, while he ends the song with a triumphant, smirking ‘Yuh like it?’

— Lloyd Bradley, Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 408 OF NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT:

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 408 OF NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT BY CLICKING ON THE THREE DOTS /\

Here’s what we played in Ep. 408 of No Condition Is Permanent:

FIRST SLICE O’SCHEIßE…

First Choice — “Yes, Maybe No” — Crème de la Crème: Philly Soul Classics & Rarities

Jude Bondeze — “Ndomo” — Africa Airways Six: Mile High Funk 1974-1981

The Star Tones — “The Chase” — Surfin’ in The Midwest Vol. 4

Hong Nam — “The Tenth Girl” — Taiwan & Singapore Disco

Hayes Cotton — “I’ll Be Waiting” — Exotica, Popcorn & Stompers!! Vol. 2

Gregory Isaacs — “Mr. Brown” — Front Line Presents Dub: 40 Heavyweight Dub Sounds

Baby Earl and the Trini-dads — “Back Slop” — Souvenirs of the Soul Clap Vol. 4

Blue Rhythm Combo — “Get Down” — B.R.C’s Groove

IT’S MADISON TIME…

The Arrows — “Another Cycle in Detroit” — Devil’s Rumble: The Davie Allan & The Arrows Anthology

SECOND SLICE O’SCHEIßE…

Los Destellos — “Para Elisa” — The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias from Peru

The Sequins — “He’s A Flirt” — Eccentric Northern Soul

Burning Spear — “Marcus Garvey” — Marcus Garvey

The Troggs — “I Can’t Control Myself” — You Can Walk Across It On the Grass: The Boutique Sounds of Swinging London

Joseito Mateo Y Su Orquesta — “Jardinera” — Merengue: Dominican Music And Identity

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band — “Moonlight on Vermont” — Trout Mask Replica

Rita Chao — “The Boy Next Door” — Let’s A Go-Go! Singapore And Southeast Asian Pop Scene 1964-69

Buster Smith & His Heatwave — “Til Broad Daylight” — Stompin’ 34

Sharero Band feat. Faadumo Qaasim — “Qays Iyo Layla (Romeo & Juliet)” — Sweet As Broken Dates: Lost Somali Tapes From The Horn Of Africa

The Phantom — “Love Me” — The Roots of Psychobilly

THIRD SLICE O’SCHEIßE…

Ros Sereysothea, Sinn Sisamouth and Friends — “Wooly Bully” — Cambodian Psych-Out

The Riot Squad — “I Take It That We’re Through” — It’s Hard To Believe It: The Amazing World Of Joe Meek

Bobby Valentin — “Use It Before You Lose It” — Explosivos: Deep-Soul From The Latin Heart 1966-70

The 20th Century — “Hot Pants (Part l)” — Beehive Breaks

Ferry Djimmy And His Dji-Kins — “A Were We Coco” — Rhythm Revolution

Eddie & The Hot Rods — “Teenage Depression” — Teenage Depression

Trinity — “Three Piece Suit” — Three Piece Suit

Dennis Coffey — “Wild Child” — Finger Lickin’ Good

THE FINAL SLICE O’SCHEIßE…

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra — “Dub Je Je” — Government Magic

Pandemonium — “No Presents For Me” — Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire & Beyond 1964-1969

Elias Rahbani & Ziad Rahbani — “Bedouin Nights (Al Mahatta)” — Belly Dance Fever

Roxy Music — “Angel Eyes (7″ Version)” — Singles, B-Sides and Alternative Mixes

Joe Cuba — “Joe Cuba’s Latin Hustle” — El Barrio: The Ultimate Collection Of Latin Boogaloo, Disco, Funk & Soul

The Catalinas — “The Catalina Push” — Jukebox At Eric’s Vol. 1

King Tubby’s — “Fire Dub” — Yabby You: Jesus Dread 1972-1977

LORD BUCKLEY’S WEEKLY BENEDICTION…

Funk Factory — “Rien Ne Va Plus” — Funk Factory

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