"Real Rock" is an instrumental reggae song by the Jamaican band Sound Dimension. It was recorded in 1967 at Jamaica Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, and released as a single in 1968 by Studio One.[1][2] The song was produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and performed by Eric Frater (guitar), Boris Gardiner (bass guitar), Phil Callender (drums), Denzel Laing (percussion), Vin Gordon (trombone) and Jackie Mittoo (keyboards), who played the riddim's signature three-note Hammond organ figure.[1][2]

"Real Rock"
Single by Sound Dimension
Released1968
Recorded1967
StudioJamaica Recording Studio (Kingston, Jamaica)
Genre
LabelStudio One
Songwriter(s)Clement "Coxsone" Dodd
Producer(s)Clement "Coxsone" Dodd

The song is significant for giving rise to perhaps the most popular reggae riddim of all time, having been versioned hundreds of times by artists including The Clash, KRS-One and 311.[3] According to a 2004 The New York Times article, C. Dodd considered the song his crowning achievement.[2]

Partial list of songs using the "Real Rock" riddim

edit

Track listing

edit
A-side
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Real Rock"C. DoddClement "Coxsone" Dodd 
B-side
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
2."Real Dub"C. DoddClement "Coxsone" Dodd 
B-side
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
2."Real Rock Version"C. DoddClement "Coxsone" Dodd 

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Greene, Jo-Ann. "Real Rock - Sound Dimension". AllMusic.
  2. ^ a b c Kenner, Rob (May 23, 2004). "'Real Rock' Through the Ages". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Samples of Real Rock by Sound Dimension". WhoSampled.
edit