Created as a direct response to Prince Jammy’s "Sleng Teng," "Tempo" solidified the digital era of reggae. It featured sophisticated equipment for the time, including Casio CZ-1000 and Yamaha DX-100 keyboards and an Oberheim DX drum machine. Meaning and Context
The song was released in 1985 on the Firehouse label. Anthony Red Rose - Tempo
It was produced by the legendary dub pioneer King Tubby at his Waterhouse studio, which was nicknamed "Firehouse" due to frequent political unrest in the area. Created as a direct response to Prince Jammy’s
Anthony Red Rose initially visited the studio to record a dubplate. After hearing him sing "Tempo," Tubby recognized its potential and urged him to record it as a single. The final track was reportedly recorded in just one take. Anthony Red Rose - Tempo