Shaolin Temple : Barrington Levy

Barrington Levy's Shaolin Temple is a great roots album from the Auralux label (CD) released in 2006 and the original LP release from Jah Guidance in 1979.  The CD release has 14 tracks with four extended tracks and a super-bonus of Jah Thomas / Lawes Rockers Version of Shaolin Temple.  It's a killer dub instrumental of the humbling title track.  This is probably the second best Barrington Levy (Non-Compilation) album only bowing to English Man.  Barrington displays the same vocal prowess executed in English Man and the Producer Junjo puts together the driven crew of experts that pushed this album out, including: Mixing Engineer Scientist and Backing Band  Roots Radics.  You'll hear many familiar Junjo rhythms, used by others such as Daweh Congo.  Track twelve shares the beat with Daweh's killer track Human Rights & Justice.  The best tracks on this fully outstanding album are track #3 (Bounty Hunter w/ an outstanding intro), and numbers #13 & #14 which are both extended version of the title track Shaolin Temple.  Another good source to find other versions of many of these tracks is the Roots Radics Dub Fi Junjo disc, a dub tribute to the late Junjo Lawes.

Triston Palma Show Case in a Roots Radics Drum and Bass

This is the most impressive works I've encountered from Triston Palmer and I'm more than happy to give a quick review. This disc has 12 Tracks total - Alternating original vocal and then the dub track to follow. It was recorded and mixed at both Channel One and King Tubby's. Produced by Jah Thomas and engineered by King Tubby, Scientist, Professor, and Barnabas. Just a ton legendary talent on the production side of this disc. My favorites on this disc are #3 (Give me a chance) & dub ; the other is #9 (Time so Hard) & dub. These are both crucial sets of roots reggae with outstanding not overshadowing dub mixes. This disc was released by the Abraham label out of Ontario, Canada - but I'm not sure what year. This disc went in my permanent listening rotation soon after I heard it for the first time and I highly recommend at least checking it out.

Big Showdown : Scientist vs. Prince Jammy

If you like solid roots dub this is going to be a great album for your collection. Let's begin with a "ringside" introduction by Jah Thomas - Big Showdown at King Tubby's is a Greensleeves production with Junjo Lawes and is presented showdown style with alternating dub tracks, starting track #1 with Scientist and proceeding from there. All tracks were laid at Channel One by the Roots Radics band - a ton of original reggae talent including Flabba Holt, Chinna Smith and many other notable musicians. The dubbed-out set list includes many tracks from Barrington Levy ( Bounty Hunter 2-Disc ) and is solid from start to finish - No favorites here, it's all good. The cover art puts our champions is a fun comical atmosphere, but this is some serious business once you get in to it.

Greensleeves 12" Rulers : Jah Thomas

This is my favorite disc of three "Greensleeves Rulers" that I have found. The other offerings are from Gussie Clarke and Junjo Lawes. This Jah Thomas showcase features 11 tracks by various artists such as: Triston Palmer, Toyan, Little John, Michael Palmer, Billy Boyo, and the DJ skills of Jah Thomas himself. My copy of this CD is from 2008, but the material was originally recorded back in 1981-1984. A great time for reggae - the transition from deep roots of the 70's, in to the hard conscious dj scene the early 80's. My favorite tracks on this one are: #3 (Joker Smoker - Triston Palmer), #4 (Loafter Smoker - Papa Bruce), and #11(Scandal - Billy Boyo). The standout track to my is #1 (Entertainment) with an extended DJ version featuring Jah Thomas and Toyan. The booklet for this disc completes this nice package. It's about 10 pages equally split between information on Jah Thomas and studio/dancehall photos. Some interview question with Jah Thomas round out the booklet nicely. Overall this is a great disc and I highly recommend adding it to your permanent reggae collection.

Midnight Rock at Channel One : Barry Brown showcase with Jah Thomas & Scientist @ King Tubby's

This album is a definite treat for all Barry Brown aficionados. It features adaptations and dub versions of some classic Barry Brown material from 1979 to 1981. With 12 tracks total, my favorites on this one are: #1 (Movements of Jah), #2 (Movements in Dub), and #5 (Girlfriend). Jah Thomas chants an intro on "Girlfriend" and a couple of other tracks which makes this disc almost like a re-mix compilation. Scientist has put in work on the dub tracks that you'll find alternating with their vocal counterpart a la Barry Brown. This CD is from the Abraham label in Canada and lists Jah Thomas as the producer. This is a well put together set for the reggae fans seeking-out alternate versions of their favorite songs. Enjoy !!!