Sold Date: April 26, 2020
Start Date: January 1, 2019
Final Price: $16.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 5305
Buyer Feedback: 0

KING HAMMOND is Nick Welsh. He is a musician, producer, and songwriter from the United Kingdom. He is by far one of the most prolific ska/reggae musicians on either side of the pond, his resume includes PRINCE BUSTER, LAUREL AITKEN, DAVE BARKER, RICO RODRIGUEZ, and JUDGE DREAD. Nick also played on LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY’S Grammy Award winning album “Jamaican ET’. As a bassist and song writer in BAD MANNERS and THE SELECTER, he was integral to both band’s post 2-TONE success. Nick Welsh went to school with BUSTER BLOODVESSEL, Louis Cook, and Paul Hyman from the original line up of BAD MANNERS. In 1986 Nick played his first gig with BAD MANNERS, shortly after he formed BUSTERS ALL STARS with Mr. Bloodvessel while BAD MANNERS was on a short “break”. The two acts combined in 1988 resulting in the BAD MANNERS album ‘Eat The Beat’ – five of that album’s top tracks later appeared on “Return of The Ugly” which fueled the reformed band’s worldwide comeback tour. While all of this was in play, BUSTERS ALL STARS released the legendary “Skinhd Luv-Affair” album and KING HAMMOND released “Revolution ‘70”. Fast forward 23 years, JUMP UP kicked out “Floorshaker!” – a collection of crisp and addictive early reggae that pays homage to the originals that inspired them. But of course, that wasn’t enough. Fans demanded more. “THE BEAT IS BLUE” was born. Recorded in 60’s British Blue Beat style, these songs are a throwback to the heyday of the label who made household names of LAUREL AITKEN and PRINCE BUSTER. BLUE BEAT recordings were often recorded in London with well known musicians such as GEORGIE FAME and EZZ RECO, creating a distinctly British take on Jamaican SKA. In addition to appealing to the West Indian community in the UK, BLUE BEAT was played alongside soul sides at Northern clubs and became associated with the British Mods and skins of the mid to late 60s. KING HAMMOND’S SKA TAKES LONDON ONCE AGAIN– AND THE BEAT IS BLUE!
Limited edition blue vinyl. Comes with a free Jump Up Records CD label sampler!