KING KONG - REPATRIATION
Tracklist
Information
- Artist : KING KONG
- Label : IRIE ITES RECORDS
- Format : 1 x 12" (140g)
- Genres : Reggae
- Estimated shipping date : October 2024
Description
In 2018, King Kong and Irie Ites joined forces to release a reggae masterpiece that push King Kong back into the international spotlight. "Repatriation", the critically acclaimed album, consists of 12 original tracks and boasts a dream team of legendary musicians, including Roots Radics, Mafia & Fluxy, Sly & Robbie, Dwight Pinkney, Bongo Herman, Russ D and Naram. With its genre-blurring fusion of Digital reggae and Rub A Dub, the album offers a nostalgic nod to the '80s while maintaining a contemporary edge.
As one of the trailblazers of that era, King Kong showcases the full extent of his musical prowess, making this a must-listen for reggae aficionados and lovers of the iconic Jamaican soundscape.
What truly sets "Repatriation" apart are the two prestigious collaborations that have left an indelible mark on the album's success. The first features Burro Banton and Pinchers on the timeless 'Ram Dancehall' riddim, originally composed by the late Bunny Wayler. The second brings together King Kong and Eek A Mouse on a Mafia & Fluxy instrumental, delivering a double dose of reggae greatness. In sum, "Repatriation" is a timeless work of art that firmly establishes itself as one of King Kong's most accomplished projects. For fans of '80s reggae and rub a dub, this reissue is a golden opportunity to relive the magic and rediscover the enduring brilliance of this reggae luminary.
Dennis Thomas aka KING KONG is an iconic 1980s Jamaican artist such as Tenor Saw and Nitty Gritty. He began his career in 1982 and was noticed very early by producer King Tubby for whom he recorded many singles such as 'Step On Dem Corn', 'Aids' and
'Babylon' on the label Firehouse. In 1985, when digital music took over the instrumental music, King Kong recorded the famous duo 'Two big Bull Ina One Pen' with Anthony Red Rose.
At the end of 1985 and in 1986, he worked with King Jammy and recorded the hits 'Legal We Legal', 'Trouble Again' and 'Mix Up'. At the same time, King Kong recorded for Black Scorpio, Bunny Lee and Prince Jazzbo. In the late 1980s, he moved to the United States and Canada, where he founded the label Conscious Music .
In 1989, he recorded the single 'He Was A Friend' in tribute to Tenor Saw. A few years later, he left for London and worked with Mafia & Fluxy, Fashion Records and Gussie P. He also collaborated with the label Massive B, based in New York. He recorded a dubplate called 'Call Mr Madden' in 1990. Two years later, Bobby Konders decided to release this dubplate single and the song became a hit on the dancehall scene. A few years later, the Fugees used this title for their biggest hit 'Fu-Gee-La'. Despite all the presence of King Kong in the world of reggae was sporadic.
After being released from prison in 1996 and deported to Jamaica, he returned to King jammy and recorded 'Seize All Guns' and 'Break Down The Walls', but it was Massive B who rediscovered his talent and artistic abilities; he recorded 'Jah Is My Best Friend', 'Earth Is The Lord' and 'I Feel A Joy'. King Kong then moved to Ethiopia in 2007.
King Kong will release in 2012 his 10th album in collaboration with the Netherland label King Shiloh entitled Ethiopian Dream. After few singles like 'Sweet Rub A Dub' and the cover of the 'Door Peeper', King Kong realised in 2017 an EP called “In The Old Capital” composed of 5 tracks and 5 dub version produced by Old Capital Records.
2018 marks a renewal for this artist who released an excellent album entitled 'Repatriation' alongside the label Irie Ites Records. King Kong's discography includes no less than 12 albums and hundreds of singles in his 35 years of career. This latest opus will surely mark the minds of fans of the artist!