After hearing so many times when at Sunday School that The Meek shall inherit the earth but never actually saw how this could ever work Patrick Alexander wrote the lyrics to this song and even though vocalist Ira Jones interpreted the lyrics as asked by writer/producer Alexander Ira still had to have the song explained to him after it was recorded.A strong driving rhythme with a quirky lyric.
Black Echoes.
The first mix of Cutie was sent to Capital Radio Reggae DJ David Rodigan misspelt as Cuttie so David in his wisdom called writer/producer Pat Alexander for an explanation to which Pat replied "I was not sure how to spell Cutie" during the conversation David gave a bit of advice to Pat that although he will be happy to promote the song but felt the mix was a bit to dry, so a remix was urgently done and the song was re-submitted and became a success reaching 8th in the Black Echoes Charts. The song came about when Pat,Ira Jones and Courtney Mallick were in the studio waiting for a lyric to come that would compliment the rhythme that Gordan Mulrain had put together.
The song The song “You’re So Sweet” by all time Reggae Legend Alton Ellis is one of Pat Alexanders favourite moments in his music career. Whilst working for a friend in London Pat was introduced to Alton who had just returned from Jamaica so taking the opportunity to work with Alton Pat asked him if he would be happy to do a production together Alton agreed so Studio time was booked with Gordon and Aubrey Mulrain supplying the rhythm section two songs were produced “You’re So Sweet” and Autumn Years” You’re So Sweet” went on to chart in the Black Echoes as yet “Autumn Years” has not been released. Un be-known to Pat Alton had just came out of hospital the previous day but still gave a faultless performance that shows how distinct and tunefull Altons vocal was.
Co- written by Pat Alexander, Tim James & Harry Johnson and produced, mixed and engineered by Pat this track has a great roots feel about it and a genuine call for quality and regular airplay. Recorder on 8 track in the back room at 25 Cardiff Avenue Ipswich it spent several weeks on the desk where Pat worked day and night to get a dub mix from it that would make even the hardened Reggae critic move their feet. So much so that it rocked many a dancehall for several months and had numerous requests to be played on Sound Systems all over the Country.
Another Co- written by Pat Alexander, Tim James & Harry Johnson and produced, mixed and engineered by Pat. This Song though has a punchy beat which carries a melodic lyric.
Local Toaster/Rapper Johnny Smith came to Pat with a lyric that he had been perfecting in the local Dance Halls on the Ashanti Hi Fi Sound System a Sound System that Pat has associated with from it’s earlier creation under the guise of Jah Tom.
Pat felt that it was a quality lyric that had to be recorded so booked a day in Mick Brummits Studio in Ipswich and along with Gordan & Aubrey Mulrain who using inspiration from others quickly supplied a Rhythm that worked. This song still in the modern day still has a tale that needs to be told.
Using the Studio Talk rhythm Courtney Malik a member of the Ashanti crew bought his style of lyric into the Studio. Courtney a local character as you can hear from his lyric has a style that combines humour with reality not forgetting an amount of aggression that makes you listen to what he has to say.
This is one of my favourites say producer Pat Alexander as we dropped this track on the day the atmosphere in the Studio was electric as I believe Courts as he was fondly known had no what he was going to come up with lyrically so this came from the top of his head and we were fortunate to capture it.
This song was written by Chief Ford and sung by Gina Browne, both local to Ipswich and well known in the music scene. The song itself has a melancholy feel with some superb synth work from Aubrey (Pops) Mulrain. Recorded at a local studio and engineered by Michael Brummit went out as a A side on the Eastern Label.
Co- written by Pat Alexander, Tim James & Harry Johnson and produced, mixed and engineered by Pat this track has a great Dance feel about it at the time. As before recorder on 8 track in the back room at 25 Cardiff Avenue Ipswich. Great harmonies from singer Solloman aka Harry Johnson along with a catchy chorus.
When first released on vinyl Studio Talk was entitled Kettle Wire the reason being that in previous sessions the power lead that was plugged into the Amplifier was the same as that, that supplied power to the Kettle this being a new design at the time for obvious safety reasons, sufficient to say that there was only one of it’s type in the Studio at the time as the Amplifier Power lead had been left at a gig somewhere. So when a cup of tea/coffee was required the Kettle took priority over the Amp. Humour is where it’s found and now you know the reason for the lyrics you may have a smile when yo listen to the song.
Controversy on this track left what would have been a truly strong contender for a chart hit. It was recorded at Diploma Studio’s in Bicknacre in Essex, engineered by Darren Woodford, written by Alexander, James & Johnson, produced by Pat who wanted and should have insisted on a live String Bass being the backbone to the song whereas singer Harry Johnson insisted on a Synth Bass which sadly never did the song justice.
There is however much quality in the rest of the musicianship & vocaling that the song still has enough to be enjoyed by listeners.
Whilst listening to his Aunt & Uncle who are Country singers in Australia Pat heard this song and decided that as soon as he could he would record a Reggae version of it feeling that many of the older generation would take a shine to it.
So when it came to recording “You’re So Sweet” in the studio with Alton Ellis Pat asked if he would be happy to record and vocal on “Autumn Years” Alton duly obliged, Gordon & Aubrey Mulrain set down the rhythm for the song along with a Drum Track laid by Pat. The song was never released as a single and literally got put away for several years and has only just come to light.
It was decided to add the song as an extra to the CD Album and let all those who loved to hear Alton’s voice share it. So song 14 on the CD Album now holds an unreleased and never been heard before Alton Ellis track.
With so much interest about the Kettle Wire/Studio Talk song Producer Pat Alexander has decided as no more Vinyl’s will be available he has mastered from the last and along with two Dubs “Give Us” being the other as separate items on the Eastern CD.
