This edition of the Riddim Breakdown series is a special one as we take a look at what has to be one of the most versioned riddims in the history of Reggae. ‘Real Rock’ was created in the late 1960s by the legendary Jamaican band Sound Dimension at the famous Studio One. This riddim has become a cornerstone of Reggae music, influencing countless artists across genres and generations. Its infectious bassline, driving rhythm, and distinctive organ melodies have made it a foundational groove that continues to resonate in music today.

The ‘Real Rock’ riddim was crafted in 1967 under the direction of Clement "Coxson" Dodd, the visionary producer and founder of Studio One, often regarded as the "Motown of Reggae." Coxsone and Studio One were crucial in the evolution of Jamaican music in the 1960s and 70s, producing some of the most significant recordings in the development of key genres like Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dancehall and Dub. 

Coxson founded Studio One in 1954, producing some of his first recordings at Federal Studios before opening his own premises in 1963 on Brentford Road, Kingston. Their original house band comprised some of the best jazz players in Jamaica including Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Jackie Mittoo, Lester Sterling and Lloyd Brevett, who formed the now-legendary Skatalites. 

When Drummond was jailed for murder in 1965, the Skatalites disbanded, with half the musicians joining The Supersonics, the house band for Treasure Isle, Studio One’s main rival. Coxsone took the remaining members and formed a new group- initially known as the Soul Brothers, later renamed as the Soul Vendors and finally settling on the name Sound Dimension in 1967. From 1965-68 the band played 9-5, 5 days a week, churning out an incredible 12 rhythms a day, many of which went on to become some of the most well-known and loved songs in the history of Jamaican music. 

Having cut his teeth in the Skatalites, keyboardist Jackie Mittoo was promoted to music director for Sound Dimension at the tender age of 17. Mittoo is renowned for his incredible contribution to Jamaican music even though his life was tragically cut short at age 42. 

Sound Dimension featured a rotating cast of talented musicians over the years, but the ones who featured on the original “Real Rock” riddim were bassist Boris Gardiner, guitarist Eric Frater, percussionist Denzel Laing, drummer Fil Calendar and Vin Gordon on Trombone. Gordon would go on to become Bob Marley’s trombonist, playing on classic albums such as ‘Exodus’ and ‘Kaya’.

The original instrumental for "Real Rock," was a raw, upbeat track characterised by its punchy bassline, skanking guitar, and Mittoo’s unmistakable keyboard riffs. It perfectly encapsulated the sound of early Reggae and was one of the pivotal tracks (after ‘Bangarang’ by Stranger Cole and Lester Sterling) that signalled the musical evolution from Rocksteady into Reggae, marked by a slower tempo and a heavier focus on bass and rhythm. ‘Real Rock’ was an immediate hit in Jamaica, becoming a dancehall staple and a blueprint for countless other tracks.

The riddim’s simplicity and catchy groove made it highly versatile and thus perfect for vocalists, DJs, and toasters alike, allowing a wide array of interpretations. The riddim’s structure—built around a repeating bassline and organ riff—has been sampled by Hip-Hop artists like Born Jamericans on ‘Boom Shak A-tack’ and Rodney P on ‘The Nice Up’, by Jungle producers like Ron Tom on ‘Gimme Da Weed’, DRS & Kenny Ken on ‘Everyman’ and Rebel MC and Tenor Fly on ‘DJ School’. It’s also been endlessly versioned and reinvented in Reggae, Dancehall and Dub styles over the decades, becoming one of the most versioned riddims in the history of Reggae.

Check out this extensive playlist with over 100 versions of ‘Real Rock’, some of our favourite versions are:

1. ‘Armagideon Time’ by Willie Williams (1978)  

One of the most celebrated vocal versions of the ‘Real Rock’ riddim is Willie Williams’ ‘Armagideon Time.’ The song came to international acclaim when it was covered by The Clash in 1979. It’s also been used in the film ‘Ghost Dog’, the game ‘GTA: San Andreas’, and been sampled by KRS ONE in ‘Black Cop’ and The Fugees in ‘Zealots’.

2. ‘Cool Out Son’ by Junior Murvin (1979)

You can feel the sweat dripping off this laid-back Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson-produced version, which adds new percussion and a cheerful trombone solo from Vin Gordon, but Junior Murvin’s inimitable falsetto steals the show as he heeds the hot-headed Rude Boys to “Cool Out Son!” 

3. ‘Nice Up The Dance’ by Michigan & Smiley (1979)

Michigan and Smiley give ‘Real Rock’ the Rub-a-Dub treatment in this early Dancehall version, which has been endlessly sampled and versioned for a quarter of a century. The duo’s infectious chemistry seeps through the recording as they toast back-and-forth playfully over the dubbed out riddim, with an extra long dub outro for good measure.

‘Real Rock’ has to be up there as one of the greatest Reggae riddims of all time, there are simply so many outstanding versions to hear. From its origins at Studio One to its countless versions by iconic artists, this riddim continues to inspire, influence, and resonate with audiences young and old.

Let us know your favourite version in the comments below.