BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“Ocho Rios” was the final single released by American actor, singer, and Oscar-winning songwriter of Lebanese ancestry, born in Brooklyn, New York, Paul Jabara. The song was taken from the concept musical De La Noche: The True Story – A Poperetta, featuring guest vocals from Leata Galloway, Diva Gray, and Pattie Brooks.
Though one of 1986’s most adventurous and fascinating albums, “De La Noche” got off to a rocky start. The problem stems from the constant references in the song, “Ocho Rios,” to “that Negro from Ocho Rios.” Some blacks consider the word Negro offensive. Dance clubs played the single but radio snubbed it. So did MTV. Too controversial, Jabara was told.
Bleeping the word Negro out of the single seemed the obvious answer. But Jabara was against this, insisting it would ruin the song: “If it was blacks talking, they’d say I met a Caucasian in Ocho Rios. That’s funny. If they said ‘I met a white boy in Ocho Rios,’ that’s not funny. The word Negro is funny in ‘Negro From Ocho Rios.’ It’s not a hate word, like all those other names for blacks. What’s all the fuss about?”
Actually, there was no fuss. Just the threat of a fuss killed the single before it developed any momentum.
Sadly this would become Paul Jabara’s last project he died from complications from AIDS in 1992.
SIDE A:
Special Intro
Ocho Rios (That 12″ Mix) 10:03
Executive Producer – Craig Kostich
Remix –Paul Sabu, Rusty Garner
SIDE B:
Ocho Rios (LP Instrumental Mix) 8:49
Executive Producer – Craig Kostich
Remix – Peter Hefter, Victor Flores
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-20409
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Disco
CREDITS:
Producer – Paul Jabara
NOTES:
Ocho Rios, From The Poperetta De La Noche: The True Story.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Password: burningtheground
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It says he has a boat, muscles, and is hung like a mule. Bwahaha!
Way too much fun for the modern uptight world.
How could you not be smiling, laughing, and tapping your foot to this one.
DJ Paul comes through like a champion QB!
Scandalous! I have known some far-flung international ‘moes who love this song. The video is very funny.
What a hoot this record is!! Definitely a cult classic in my opinion. Paul Jabara was so creative with so much of his input into the dance music canon. Tracks like “Disco Wedding/Honeymoon In Puerto Rico” where on the cover of the 12-inch he’s dressed as both bride and groom. Then the Diva smash, “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer. And of course, who can forget The Weather Girls’ “It’s Raining Men” and the album it’s culled from. The man, again, is a camp genius!!! Paul, it’s been years since I’ve heard this. I… Read more »
A Disco Masterpiece! You have great taste, Jeff 🙂