CHUNE

Riddim: N/A

Backing Band: Roots Radics

I wasn’t even thinking about Valentine’s Day when I added Gregory Isaacs’ “Night Nurse” to the additional listening yesterday, but given what today is, there’s really only one choice. When my wife and got married, our first dance was to a different Gregory—Gregory Abbott’s “Shake You Down.” (Chuuuune!) This song has always felt to me like the reggae equivalent. They both take place on the dancefloor, they both have a sly wink, and they both leave very little doubt about what’s to come. Abbott could only dream of Isaacs’ charm, though:

Went to a dance last Saturday night
I was feeling tipsy and the mood was right
Sight a little dawta and I step inna di corner
Cause I feel like dancing all night—but I said
Cool down the pace for me little woman
You’re dubbing it too fast for me
Cool down the pace for me little woman
That’s not how it should be
I told her to try
I don’t know why
No use trying cah she can’t
And so she do it how she want…

I was lucky enough to see the Cool Ruler live a couple of times in small clubs before he passed in 2010. His presence had diminished by then, the result of a long struggle with substance abuse, but it didn’t change the feeling that rippled through the crowd when the band moved into this one.

Additional Listening:

• Gregory performing “Cool Down the Pace” live on British TV (1983)