Throwback Thursdays: Admiral Bailey and Chaka Demus’ “One Scotch”

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Alcohol consumption in the Caribbean isn’t just about rum, domestic beer and the occasional imported stout. In recent years, vodka, whiskey and even tequila have become seemingly as popular as overproof in some quarters, at least with the younger crowd. We were surprised recently when we inquired which rum brand a certain Caribbean music star known for his overproof rhapsodies would prefer to drink at a meeting, only to be met with a request for Ketel One.

Back in the ’80s, Admiral Bailey and (a pre-Pliers) Chaka Demus spoke to this diversity of drinking preferences with their 1986 dancehall hit, “One Scotch.” Well, we’re not sure how much they were saying, as the song is just a dancehall update of the Southern fried blues staple “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer” originally recorded by Amos Milburn in 1953 and popularized by John Lee Hooker in 1966 and again by George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers in 1977. The Admiral and Chaka’s version, on King Jammy’s Boops riddim, was enough of a hit, though, that it was treated to one of the very first music videos for a dancehall track. More than your typical dancehall video, the clip features some comical acting from the colorful duo, and some classic footage of King Jammy’s in control at his famed Waterhouse studio.

Sit back, take a sip of whatever’s in front of you, and look out for LargeUp x Uncommon Caribbean’s Toppa Top 10 beers list later today.