Smiley Culture - Cockney Translation (Vinyl 12" | UK Original | 1982)

Smiley Culture – Cockney Translation is the first single by London deejay Smiley Culture (David Emmanuel), released in 1984 on Fashion Records (cat. no. FAD 020). Before recording, Smiley Culture worked mainly on the mic for the Saxon Studio International sound system. In “Cockney Translation” he sets Cockney slang against Jamaican patois; the follow-up “Police Officer”, released in late 1984, became a UK top 20 hit. The B-side is “Slam Bam”. This copy is a UK original pressing of the 12" on Fashion Records.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Fashion Records FAD 020
• Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
• Pressing: UK original
• Country: UK
• Year of this pressing: 1984
• Genre: Reggae, Dancehall, Dub, 12" Maxi-Singles

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG+ (penmark inside sleeve)

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Cockney Translation (D. Emmanuel/Fashion)

Side B

1. Slam Bam (D. Emmanuel)

Personnel

Smiley Culture (David Emmanuel, deejay). A Fashion production; published by Fashion Music.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
Yes, it is the 1984 UK Fashion 12" FAD 020. The single also came out on Polydor (POSPX 704) the same year, followed in 1985 by a Fashion reissue (FAD 028) with “Entertainer, Entertainer”.

What is Cockney Translation about?
In the song Smiley Culture translates London Cockney slang into Jamaican patois and back – an early example of the British “fast chat” deejay style.

What does Media NM- / Cover VG+ mean?
NM- (Near Mint minus) means the record is close to new with at most minimal signs of play. VG+ (Very Good Plus) means the sleeve shows light wear, here a pen mark inside the sleeve. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more Smiley Culture records?
This is currently our only Smiley Culture record. More UK reggae and dancehall titles are in our Reggae, Ska & Dub collection.