Sleng Teng

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"Under Mi Sleng Teng"
Single by Wayne Smith
from the album Sleng Teng
Released 1985
Format 12"
Genre Reggae, Dancehall
Length 4:06
Label Jammy's/Greensleeves
Producer(s) Prince Jammy
Wayne Smith singles chronology

"Borrow Borrow"
(1984)		 "Under Mi Sleng Teng"
(1985)		 "Come Along"
(1985)

Sleng Teng is the name given to the first fully computerized riddim in Jamaican music. The riddim, which was created by the collaboration between King Jammy and Wayne Smith, was titled "Under Mi Sleng Teng". However, in this case Wayne Smith was the one who had found the computerized sound in Noel Davey's keyboard. Together they were the ones who arranged the riddim, slowed it down, matched it to his key, and rehearsed on it before taking it to Jammys studio. The riddim itself is apparently an attempt to recreate Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else." It is a pattern found in the Casio MT-40 home keyboard.[1]

After the riddim was brought to the studio and Jammy heard it, he then placed a clap on it. Jammy recorded a number of other artists on the original backing track including Tenor Saw (with "Pumpkin Belly"), and Johnny Osbourne (with "Buddy Bye"). The tunes were first unleashed at a now legendary soundclash between Jammy's own sound system and Black Scorpio at Waltham Park Road on February 23, 1985. King Tubby, who had originally taught Jammy how to produce music, was inspired by the track to create his own "Tempo" riddim.

Sleng Teng is among the most versioned (rerecorded) of Jamaican riddims, listing around 380 versions.[2] The riddim was updated by Jammy in 2005 (slightly speeded up, with added horn riff) and this variation is known as "Sleng Teng Resurrection." Several new cuts on the original Sleng Teng were also released by Jammys in 2005 in celebration of the riddim's 20th anniversary.

Barrington Levy and Rebel MC re-used the chorus from the track in their 1992 rave track "Under Me Sensi". Around the same time, SL2 sampled other lines for their UK hit rave track "Way in my brain".

The electronic duo Discovery uses a similar musical style in "Slang Tang" from their album LP in a nod to Sleng Teng.[3] British musician M.I.A. references Sleng Teng in the track "Pull Up the People" on her album Arular.[citation needed] The song is also used in the promotional trailer on Channel 4 for This Is England '86.

Electronic artist Robyn also references Sleng Teng in the track "Dancehall Queen" on her album Body Talk.

311 also quote the lyrics in their song "Who's Got the Herb".

References

  1. ↑ Manuel, P. & Marshal, W. "The Riddim Method: Aesthetics, Pracitce, and Ownership in Jamaican Dancehall." Popular Music (2006) 25:3. Cambridge University Press, pp. 447–470 http://wayneandwax.com/academic/manuel-marshall_riddim-method.pdf
  2. ↑ Frenkieh Riddim Database 2011, Sleng Teng Riddim (1985), page 10 (361 - 380) http://riddims.frenkieh.com/show/riddims/18/page_10/
  3. ↑ Yodice, Kristopher (May 31, 2012). "An Interview With Discovery We Never Printed". Death and Taxes. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012. 

External links

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