Charlie Chaplin - Too Hot To Handle '1994 / 2023

Tracks list

Tracklist:

1. Ruffian (03:53)
2. Not A Bag Of Locks (03:28)
3. From A Distance (04:07)
4. Big Move (03:46)
5. Come A Me (03:42)
6. Weep And Moan (04:01)
7. Tribute To Reggae (04:03)
8. Swing It Up (03:52)
9. Body Fresh (03:56)
10. Sweet Janice (03:35)


 moreCharlie Chaplin (born Richard Bennett) first came to prominence as a
member of DJ innovator U-Roy's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi in 1980-1981. Along with fellow
Stur-Gav chatter Josey Wales, Chaplin became one of the most popular DJs on the
island during his stay with U-Roy, even rivaling the dancehall king of the day,
Yellowman. Wales and Chaplin also gained inspiration from U-Roy, continuing the
DJ tradition Roy helped launch in the late '60s by taking on some of the
master's phasing style and lyrical predilections.

Chaplin soon cut his first album for producer and ex-Royals singer Roy Cousins.
The two albums that resulted, Red Pond and Chaplin Chant, gave Chaplin's career
a major boost with his first hits, "Mother in Law" and "Diet Rock"; the set also
featured the Kilamanjaro DJ Jim Kelly, who was shot and killed shortly after the
recording was made.

Chaplin's subsequent recordings with producer George Phang, though, would really
put him over the top. His first Phang release, Que Dem, has proven to be one of
his most popular and critically acclaimed albums. This is due in no small part
to the heavy use of vintage Studio One material like Baba Brooks' "Shank I
Shek," Slim Smith's "Never Let Go," and the Sound Dimension's "Full Up." And
more than just letting the rhythms take all the weight, Chaplin demonstrates his
seamless lyrical flow and witty sensibilities throughout these discs. Chaplin,
like Wales, would continue to cut quality sides throughout the '80s, working
with a variety of producers like Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Bunny Roots, and Sly &
Robbie. In 1989, he signed with RAS and cut a handful of albums through the
mid-'90s. While not on the same high plane as his vintage sides of almost a
decade earlier, albums like The Two Sides of Charlie Chaplin, Take Two, and Cry
Blood show why Chaplin is still considered one of the top toasters on the
island. Chaplin also cut a session for VP Records, 1994's King of Dancehall,
which was a collaboration with his old Stur-Gav partner, Josey Wales. Throughout
the '90s, Chaplin enlisted the services of ragga producer Doctor Dread, while
also manning a few sessions himself. And as was the case with much of his '80s
work, Chaplin's RAS releases predominantly featured the dancehall-defining band
Roots Radics.

Thankfully, for both the new and seasoned fan, there are a few good Chaplin
compilations available: Sonic Sounds' 20 Super Hits covers much of his mid- to
late-'80s material for a variety of small labels, while RAS Portraits is a
sampler of his '90s work for the RAS label. Fans in search of his Roy Cousins
debut discs can find them on a two-fer put out by the Tamoki Wambesi label.
Unfortunately, Que Dem and other possible sides he cut for George Phang have not
been available for some time. © Stephen Cook



Charlie Chaplin - Too Hot To Handle.rar - 250.5 MB

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