1985 was the Year : 30 Years Of Sleng Teng - King Jammy Recalls Impact Of Digital Breakthrough....The title track, done by Wayne Smith (who died on February 17, 2014), became so intertwined with the singer, that he became known as Wayne 'Sleng Teng' Smith.

As producer and sound system operator, Lloyd 'King Jammy' James dug into his memories at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus, on Thursday, April 2. He eventually - and inevitably - came to the Sleng Teng riddim.

Lloyd 'King Jammy' James

He spoke as part of a series organised by the UWI's Department of Literatures in English, whose Professor Carolyn Cooper did hosting duties. Credited as the country's first computerised beat and a turning point in the production of Jamaican popular music, after speaking about the creation of the Sleng Teng, James added almost casually, "that was 30 years ago".

The title of the all-Sleng Teng riddim album, 1985 Master Hits, Sleng Teng Extravaganza, confirms the anniversary.

Landmark Beat

Noel Davey with the Casio keyboard
 used in making the Sleng Teng rhythm

The title track, done by Wayne Smith (who died on February 17, 2014), became so intertwined with the singer, that he became known as Wayne 'Sleng Teng' Smith. He had been associated with James before the beat was made, as the producer said that he recorded artistes like Smith and John Wayne before making a return trip to England in 1979 to shop his music.

Wayne "Sleng Teng' Smith

It was in the following decade that Smith, along with keyboard player Noel Davey, approached James with what was developed into the landmark beat. "Wayne Smith and Noel Davey came to me and say Jammy, we have a riddim a play on the Casio (MT-40 keyboard) and it sound wicked." James listened with his producer's ear. "They start to play the riddim. I say it no have no melody. Is just a fast drum beat ... . I slow the tempo down ... . I say play the piano part," Jammy said. With the adjustments made, James told them, "we going into the studio to record this now." more