The billing is described as Lord Messam and Pork Chops famous Mento Band.

This is speculation, but perhaps Lord Flea's adroit banjo player, Pork Chops, from his Capital years was first with Lord Messam and may even have provided the wonderful playing on Messam's MRS singles.

Holiday Number          b/w:
Jamaican Mentos.
 

(Thanks to Allen Kaatz of the US for the scan of the a-side.)

The Messam written "Holiday Number" features a proto-reggae rhythm, pointillist banjo, and polyrhythmic playing by all. The overall effect is very dreamy. Messam is in good voice and the backing vocals add to the overall effect. While some of the lyrics are hard to catch, it's easy to get the gist: Messam's girlfriend wants expensive jewelry and clothes, including a "corset to bring down her shape" because "for all she big and fat, she can't wear no drape".

"Holiday Number" by Lord Messam

Some gal will be with you right down through the year[s]
Sharing all your sorrows, and sharing all you cares
But that there come another deres big and fat                    ["deres" = there is]
Then start to worry you with dem fears you know not

This is the holiday number
This is the holiday rumba

Me gal she want a flat
That make me love her not
She want a parasol
and a three pound hat
a duncy panty                       ["duncy" is an affectionate term]
a six pound new brassiere
a likkle pair of shoes             ["likkle" = little]
a pound to fix her hair

This is the holiday number
This is the holiday rumba

Me current gal she want
A new [?] wheel    
She want to wrap with a German heel  [probably a shoe style of the day]
She want the kind of dress that they call "triple sheer"
And the kind of wrist watch that big shot a wear

This is the holiday number
This is the holiday rumba

The sister is so dry that she never come me get
But she call upon her man and say she want hair net
She want silver slipper, she want house coat,
She want a gold bangle to wear on her throat

This is the holiday number
This is the holiday rumba

She want a bag that make with silver latch
She want gold chain and rings to match
She want corset to bring down her shape
For all she big and fat, she cant wear no drape

This is the holiday number
This is the holiday rumba

Me love the gal for true, so me do what ev' I can
But the only man to suit her was a black market man
So every time you hear samilian[?] or a turn [?],  [could be "samolian or a dun", both slang for money]
I can not stand and bun so me 'ave to cut and run    ["stand and bun" could be "stand and burn",
                                                                                   or hang out and smoke" ]
 

While "Holiday Number" is an original composition by Messam, "Jamaican Mentos" is a seamless medley of Jamaican folk songs. "Mango Walk, Gi Me Back Me Shilling, Chichi Bud Oh, Hog In A My Mint Tea" is the listing on the label. Although the other three were very popular, this is the only time I've heard "Gi Me Back Me Shilling". The musical approach heard on the a-side is improved upon to the point of sounding almost otherworldly.

"Jamaica Mentos", traditional, arrangement by Lord Messam

The woman never tell me say you go mango walk,
you go mango walk, you go mango walk
The woman never tell me say you go mango walk,
you pick up the Number Eleven                           [a variety of mango in Jamaica] ["pick up" as in steal]
Beg you tell me the reason why, beg you tell me the reason why, beg you tell me the reason why,
you pick up the Number Eleven

So you give me pound and shilling with the lion penny, with the lion penny, with the lion penny
You give me pound and shilling with the lion penny, girl you must take me for a fool
Just because your big and fat, you want come take me, if[?] it that
You give me pound and shilling and that is that, girl you must take me for a fool
So you give me pound and shilling with the lion penny, with the lion penny, with the lion penny
You give me pound and shilling with the lion penny, girl you must take me for a fool
Me no want no lion penny, me no want to diamond tief                                            ["tief" = "thief"]
You give me pound and shilling, you king of tiefs, girl you must take me for a fool

Chi chi bud, oh! Some of the holler some a bawl,                                       ["bud" = bird]
Some a band neck[?], some a woodpecker, some are brown dove, some are white wing
Chi chi bud, oh!  Why Chi chi bud, oh!
Some are brown dove, some are John Crow, some are handsticker[?], some are band neck,

Hog in my mint tea, him a root up me coco            
Hog in my mint tea, him a root up me coco
One slice of breadfruit, two plate of ackee
One slice coconut, for me go rub it up to curry
All them young girls, when no have nobody
Visit bwoya, him no have no body.                                ["bwoya" = boy]
Hog in my mint tea, him a root up me coco
One slice of breadfruit, two plate of ackee
One slice coconut, for me go rub it up to curry

A magical single. Because these tracks are favorites of mine and they are not in print, here are song clips of Holiday Number and Jamaican Mentos.  [Click here for notes About the Audio Clips On this Site.]

The flip side, "Poun' Paper" is another Messam penned song. In it, he describes giving his date a pound paper (Americans, think "dollar bill") too early in the date. When the evening doesn't go the way Messam expected (and he did have some specific expectations), he tries unsuccessfully to retrieved the note.

"The Little Fly"
    backed with
"Monkey".