ENTITY · RIDDIM

Real Rock

Well supported

Studio One instrumental cut by the Sound Dimension in 1967 and one of the most versioned rhythms ever recorded. Willie Williams's "Armagideon Time" (1979) is its most famous vocal cut; its rolling piano-and-bass figure has carried roots singers, dancehall deejays and UK jungle alike.

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At a glance

Type: riddim →
Era: Dancehall and the digital turn →
Confidence: Well supported

Connections

Media & sources

Articles & sources

Open source ↗

Real Rock: The Most Versioned Riddim in Reggae History

WEB · rights discovery only · press source

Bass Culture (Substack) feature reference.

Source link ↗

In stories

Story · Well supportedOne riddim, many voices: how the version built Jamaican music

In Jamaica the rhythm track, not the finished song, is the durable unit of creativity.

Debate & reception

How people argued about the music — praise, criticism and public debate. See all debate & reception →

debate

Who authors a riddim? Bass, keys and the credit for the version

A long-running, documented industry debate framed from both sides. One position holds that the session musicians who wrote the foundation basslines and keyboard figures - the players behind rhythms like Real Rock and Full Up - are the uncredited authors of the version tradition. The other holds that authorship and rights sit properly with the producers and labels who commissioned, owned and marketed the masters. Neutral; a matter of public discussion, not a claim against any person. Sources: United Reggae (Leroy Sibbles interview); David Katz, Solid Foundation; Bass Culture.

Stance: session musicians as uncredited authors vs producers and labels as rights-holders