Stalag 17 is a strong contender for the most popular riddim in reggae history - it has reportedly been versioned in over 400 tunes.
The most famous Stalag versions are probably the two massively popular early dancehall tunes - Tenor Saw's Ring the Alarm and Sister Nancy's Bam Bam. However the riddim has been used by artists as diverse as Buju Banton, Scientist and Groove Armada.
The riddim was first cut by keyboardist Ansel Collins for the legendary rocksteady producer, Winston Riley in 1973. By that stage Jamaica was well into its roots reggae period, however this slow, funky riddim has an aesthetic that is more akin to rocksteady.
The tune opens with an instantly recognisable horns part which then shifts to ride the skank once the riddim drops.
The drum and bass parts have a unique pattern that foretells the later rub-a-dub style of early dancehall, the one drop style that dominated the roots era (this is possibly one of reason it enjoyed so much success with dancehall deejays).
When you add the eccentric musings of Ansel Collins on the organ to mix, you have a recipe for a killer riddim that is infectiously catchy.
Stalag 17's quirky blend of rocksteady, roots, and prototypical dancehall ensures that it will always be a wise choice for any sound boy wanting to nice up the dance floor.
Naram
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