GIMME FIVE… REGGAE TV THEME COVERS

Noah House Of Dread Neighbours (GO! DISCS, 1988)

Bonjo I from African Head Charge gives it his all on a squongeybut-sincere cover of Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent’s theme to the enduring Aussie soap. See also Izzy Royal’s irie Coronation Street/ Coronation Dub (WEA, 1985).

Doctor Pablo Dr Who? (FROM NORTH OF THE RIVER THAMES, ON-U SOUND, 1984)

A tea time telly favourite from the On-U stable: the venerable Time Lord’s theme regenerates via a heavy melodica work out with crazy electronics. We always said Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry would make a great Doctor.

Carlos Malcolm Bonanza Ska (ISLAND, 1965)

Galloping version of the Lorne Greene cowboy series by Panamanian trombonist and his group. Segues into the William Tell overture, AKA the Lone Ranger theme. One of many western-inspired reggae tracks about shoot-outs and Clint Eastwood.

Sly Dunbar Sesame Street (FROM SLY WICKED AND SLICK, VIRGIN 1979)

Get your lighters out for a One Drop cover of the theme to the long-serving American kids’ show. Think good clean educational fun and hanging out with Big Bird, cookie monster Bert and Ernie and the posse, with lots more bass.

Byron Lee Soul Limbo (TROJAN, 1968)

Booker T. And The M.G.’s’ theme for Test Match Special, calypso’d up. For more JA sports-related fun, see also The Breadcrumbs’ version of Tottenham anthem Nice One, Cyril, which MOJO heard on 1973’s Club Reggae Vol. 5 (cover art, golf-themed).