In order Dermot Hussey was formerly Music Director and Program Director for the Joint, XM Satellite Radio. He is currently an On Air Host with SiriusXM Radio for The Joint and Real Jazz, and produces RIFFIN, a twice weekly programme streamed live at http://www.newstalk.com.jm (Fridays 7pm Jamaica time, 5.15pm Jamaica time), Sundays. Dermot co-authored, with Malika Lee Whitney, Bob Marley: Reggae King Of the World (New York EP Dutton, 1984: republished by Pomegranite Art Books,1994). He was producer of the Dermot Hussey – Bob Marley Interview, featured on the album Talking Blues, released by Island Records. He has produced music programs for Jamaican radio,video-magazine programs for Television, and independent film documentaries. Dermot was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica for service to media and music. The Musgrave Medal is a prestigious Jamaican Award for eminence in literature, science and the arts.
I met Dermot Hussey for the very first time back in January. Although we had communicated through email and social media messages regarding different issues related to reggae music, I never had the chance to meet Dermot who is, needless to say, a living legend of Jamaican broadcasting legend living in the same town where I live. A journalist and broadcaster who was “embedded” with the foundation reggae musicians, he has conducted some of the finest interviews, and done the finest documentary reporting on reggae that exists.
So back in January, Roger Steffens was in town with The Wailers. The day after the show I got a call from Roger, who invited me to a dinner party at Doctor Dread’s house just outside Washington, DC. He asked if I could swing by and pick up Dermot because he had not seen him in a while. So I picked up Dermot on the way to Doctor Dread’s house and we seemed to hit it off immediately, just talking reggae the entire time. We had an amazing experience that night listening to Roger’s stories, and watching his videos, and just talking reggae until 3 a.m. Like I told Dermot, this reggae music is a powerful force. For there would never be another situation where me and Dermot would be sitting in the same car, going to the same dinner party, if not for this reggae music thing. Give thanks!
I gladly help promote his great show RIFFIN’ here at MIDNIGHT RAVER. I consider him a friend of mine and a friend to the blog as he has lended assistance to me several times, even before we were formally introduced.
So Dermot graciously agreed to give me his 5 favorite reggae albums. As I stated in my favorites post, these may not be considered the 5 best reggae albums of all time (although all on this list are certainly worthy), but they are our favorites nonetheless. For this mix, I selected my favorite 2 tracks from each album (3 from Tribute To The Martyrs because I love that whole album).
1. Natty Dread, Bob Marley and the Wailers
2. Equal Rights, Peter Tosh,
3. Blackheart Man. Bunny Wailer
4 Wolf and Leopards, Dennis Brown
5. Tribute To The Martyrs. Steel Pulse
1. STEEL PULSE – UNSEEN GUEST
2. STEEL PULSE – TRIBUTE TO THE MARTYRS
3. STEEL PULSE – UNCLE GEORGE
4. BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – REBEL MUSIC (3 O’CLOCK ROAD BLOCK)
5. BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – REVOLUTION
6. PETER TOSH – HAMMER
7. PETER TOSH – DOWNPRESSOR MAN
8. THE WAILERS – DOWNPRESSOR VERSION
9. DENNIS BROWN – THE CREATOR
10. DENNIS BROWN – CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
11. BUNNY WAILER – FIGHTING AGAINST CONVICTIONS
12. BUNNY WAILER – ARMAGIDEON
