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Jah Youth's voicing of Horace Andy's version of the Clash's "Straight to Hell"

Big Youth Backed by Welders-Pair Of Dice

The Clash 1982 classic "Straight to Hell" from the "Combat Rock" album has become one of the band's best loved songs, providing the raw material for future creations. Here the veteran reggae vocalist, graduate of Sir Coxsone Dodd's Studio One University of musical knowledge. Known for destroying musical barriers and giving voice to sufferers the world over, Andy takes up a song first sung by Joe Strummer. The pair first collaborated in 1999. Strummer had written the militant title track to Andy’s "Living in the Flood" album. Recently Milwaukee singer/guitarist/songwriter Eric Blowtorch, who’s worked with many reggae artists over the years and had known Strummer, asked Andy if it was true he’d once sung his own version of a Clash song.

Yes, Andy replied, he’d once recorded a version of “Straight to Hell,” but he didn’t like the way it turned out. He felt it needed a new rhythm track. Blowtorch felt a jolt of anticipation. Out of that conversation comes one of 2016’s most arresting reggae releases: Horace Andy bringing his singular style to a brand new roots reggae recording of “Straight to Hell,” to be released via 12-inch single on Fe True Records  March 16th and via digital download on April 14th. Andy's voacal is backed with a dub side plus Big Youth's deejay version, "Asylum Seekers." Do remember 10 per cent of proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders, the international organization who tend to the health needs of people in the most dangerous places.

With Blowtorch’s Welders bandmate and Fe True Records founder Michael “Dr. Bassie” Bell on bass, celebrated Latin drummer Cecilio Negron, Jr., on drum kit, Milwaukee soul/jazz/chansons singer Robin Pluer on organ, and an all-pro horn section, this take on “Straight to Hell” – which first appeared on the Clash’s Combat Rock in 1982 – captures the song’s cry of compassion for refugees and immigrants.

Horace Andy "Straight To Hell"

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