Real Rock

"Real Rock" is a 1967 instrumental reggae song by Sound Dimension, one of the house bands of producer Coxsone Dodd's famous Studio One. It is significant for giving rise to perhaps the most popular reggae riddim of all time, having been versioned hundreds of times by artists ranging from The Clash to KRS-One to 311. According to a 2004 "New York Times" article, Dodd considered the song his crowning achievement. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EEDD123FF930A15756C0A9629C8B63&sec=travel MUSIC; 'Real Rock' Through the Ages - New York Times ] ]

The riddim's signature three-note Hammond organ figure was played by the legendary Jackie Mittoo. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EEDD123FF930A15756C0A9629C8B63&sec=travel MUSIC; 'Real Rock' Through the Ages - New York Times ] ]

Partial list of songs using the "Real Rock" riddim

* "Rockers' Rock," Augustus Pablo (1973)
* "Cool Out Son," Junior Murvin (1978)
* "Armagideon Time," Willi Williams/"Armagideon Time," The Clash (both 1980)
* "Lend Me Your Chopper," Johnny Osbourne (1983)
* "If I Ever Fall In Love Again," Sanchez (1993)
* "Black Cop," KRS-One (1993)
* "Too Greedy," Super Cat (1995)
* "All Mixed Up," 311 (1995)
* "Keep In Touch," Sizzla (2003)

References