Throwback 45s: Hortense Ellis – Jah Creation
The post Throwback 45s: Hortense Ellis – Jah Creation appeared first on Reggae Vibes.
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Throwback 45s: Hortense Ellis – Jah Creation
ARTIST: Hortense Ellis
TITLE: Jah Creation
LABEL: Chanan-Jah
YEAR: 1979
Jah Creation
You can’t talk about Hortense Ellis without mentioning where she comes from. She’s the younger sister of Alton Ellis, one of reggae’s true legendary voices. Hortense started recording back in the 1960s, but it took some time before things really clicked. That moment came in the late ’70s with Unexpected Places, a tune she cut for Gussie Clarke that became a hit in both Jamaica and the UK. That song gave her well-deserved recognition.
Still, one tune that doesn’t get talked about enough is Jah Creation. She recorded it in 1979 with producer Phil Pratt, and it captures everything that made that era so special. And like we’ve seen so many times in reggae, a good song never stays in one form. She went on to revoice it for King Jammy as Jah Created The World, and later again with Henry “Junjo” Lawes and Jah Life under the title Jah Mysterious Works.
That last version is something special. It brings in the heavyweights. Roots Radics on the riddim, recording at Channel One Studio, then handed over to Scientist for the mix at King Tubby’s studio. That combination alone tells you the level we’re dealing with.
But let’s go back to the original Jah Creation. It’s pure late-’70s roots with a deep, rolling bassline, sweet organ lines, and a calm, meditative feel that just pulls you in. And Hortense? She delivers it with feeling. Her voice is soft but powerful, full of emotion and conviction.
It’s one of those tracks that reminds you how powerful roots reggae can be when everything lines up. And it’s also a reminder that Hortense stands tall as one of reggae’s most expressive female voices. Jah Creation might not be the first tune people mention when talking about Hortense Ellis, but once you hear it, you don’t forget it.
The post Throwback 45s: Hortense Ellis – Jah Creation appeared first on Reggae Vibes.
