Messenger Man : Willi Williams

This is just an outstanding 17 track album by Willi Williams. Another Blood & Fire release, this one from 2005 and the material was originally released in 1980 on the Inland label and recorded in Kingston and Toronto. This more recent Blood & Fire version includes several versions, extended versions, and a couple of previously unreleased dub tracks. My favorite tracks on this one are: #3 (Give Jah Praise), #5 (Zion Town), and #14 (Zion Town Dub). I find a very powerful message in "Zion Town" and I keep it on my all-time favorites playlist. Of course with Blood & Fire comes a great booklet and this time the notes are written by Carter Van Pelt. He's a noted North American authority on Reggae and I was very pleased to see his contribution to this album. The booklet tells the story of Willi Williams and also of the story and meanings behind the Messenger Man album. Besides Armagideon Time, this is my favorite Willi Williams album.

Only Love Can Conquer : Prince Alla

This disc is another compilation style collection from the Blood & Fire label. This is a release from 1996 featuring Prince Alla from '76-'79. This is a nice "greatest hits" package with a comprehensive 14 page booklet witch is mostly an interview style biographical story of Prince Alla. With 14 tracks on this one, my favorites are: #3 (Only Love Can Conquer), #5 (They Never Love), #7 (Bucket Bottom), and #11 (Youthman in the Ghetto). Most tracks on this one were produced by Bertram Brown and/or Prince Alla and features a ton of talented musicians: Sly & Robbie, Tony Chin, Santa Davis, Fully Fullwood, and Chinna Smith. All classic roots music in the tradition of the '70's. This album is a great example of Blood & Fire at there finest, simply a great CD and booklet.

Aggrovators meet the Revolutionaries at Channel One

Bunny Striker Lee productions released this All-Star album back in 1977. This is clean and professional roots/dub/instrumental, just classic JA sounds. With 11 tracks total, all recorded at Channel One, this is a great album to have in your collection. All tracks were produced and arranged by Bunny Lee and the list of contributing artists is extensive: Bobby Ellis, Santa Davis, Sly & Robbie, Chinna Smith, Tony Chin, Ansell Collins,Jackie Mittoo, Tommy McCook, and many more. These guys are responsible for a huge stock of genuine 1970's dub instrumental and you'll here this material dubbed out by legends such as King Tubby. The first 5 tracks were set by the Revolutionaries and tracks 6-11 were laid down by the Aggrovators. All the songs on this album are a standard length of 2-4 minutes and all instrumental, no extended/dub tracks. My favorites on this one are: #3 (Bionic Man), #8 (Special Brew), and #9 (Super Larger). My copy of this CD is 1998 and the sound quality is great - very clean and clear. Check it out !!!

Augustus Pablo : Live in Tokyo Japan

Live !!! This is a rare recorded stage performance and a great treat for all Augustus Pablo aficionados. With 13 tracks total, this CD gives you a good idea of Pablo in concert. All tracks were recorded on stage with the Rockers All-Stars in Tokyo, Japan. The sound quality is excellent and you can hear Pablo announcing the song name before each track performed. My favorites on this one are: #1 (Ancient Harmonies), #5 (Rockers Rock), #7 (East of the River Nile), and #8 (Africa 1983). Rockers Rock is a great real rock version that you probably won't find to many places and Africa 1983 showcases Pablo's live instrumental talents while performing his classic Hugh Mundell backing rhythms. My copy of this disc was published in 1991 by Rockers International and is a UK release. Augustus Pablo passed away only eight years later in 1999. His talents were legendary and his influence will be missed in the world of reggae music. Check my other Pablo reviews for more track highlights and info on other CD's. If you have your own favorite Augustus Pablo material, let me know so I can check it as well. Long live Pablo !!!

Africans Unite : Sylvan White

You might not of heard about Sylvan White, but this compilation disc will make you remember him. It showcases his vocal work of the late 70's and early 80's with the sweet roots sound of The Soul Syndicate and The High Times Band. The mixing engineer is listed as King Tubby and the Producer Bertram Brown. This disc is a pleasant surprise with many extended mixes and alternate dub tracks. There are 13 tracks total, but my favorites on this one are #1 (Africans Unite), #3 (Mountain Top), and #4+#5 (Faith w/ Version). All tracks were recorded at Channel One and King Tubby's in Jamaica. There really isn't too much out on the market for Sylvan White CD's, but this one has great sound quality and a solid track list.

Bobby Bobylon : Freddie McGregor

Freddie McGregor shows his roots talents on this impressive CD with 10 tracks total. Original release looks like it was 1980. It was recorded at the Jamaica Recording Studio and produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. My copy of this disc is advertised as a "Studio One Classic". My favorites on this one are: #3 (What Difference Does it Make) witch sends a great social message about relationship, and #10 (I am a Revolutionist) where Freddie touts his rebellious side with a rasta anthem of strength. Other notable tracks are: #1 (Bandulo), #6 (Bobby Bobylon), #7 ( Wine of Violence), and #8 (Gonna Take Over Now). Now there is an 18 track version available from Heartbeat, released in 2006. The eight bonus tracks include an alternate version of (I am a Revolutionist) and an extended version of (Bobby Bobylon). This is a solid roots classic from start to finish and is worth checking out.

Dub Me : Morwell Unlimited meet King Tubby's

This is a top notch instrumental and dub album showcasing the work of the industries best studio musicians. Back in the 1970's, Blacka Wellington and Bingy Bunny were known as the Morwells. They dropped slow deliberate rhythms and laid a foundation of dub for the years to come. Other musicians and engineers included in this posse of greats are: Flabba Holt, Chinna Smith, and Ansell Collins. The collaboration of all these professionals led to development of many other groups such as the Roots Radics and the Revolutionaries. They recorded almost everywhere: Channel One, Randy's, King Tubby's, and the Black Ark. This disc in a 1997 release from the Blood & Fire label. The booklet is very informative and includes many good pictures. My favorite tracks on this one are: #5 (John Bull), #10 (Jungle Shuffle), #12 (Morpheus Special), and #14 (Stepping in HQ). It's a solid track list from start to finish so check it if you dig the roots reggae instrumental or King Tubby style.

Original Rockers : Augustus Pablo

This is known as one of the definitive Augustus Pablo albums in his extensive catalog of work. The tunes on this one were mostly recorded from 1972 to 1975 and feature work with Clive Chin and King Tubby. It's original release was 1979, my copy of this disc is a 1991 Shanachie with 10 tracks total. My favorites on this one are #2 (Up Warrika Hill), #3 (Cassava Piece), and #4 (Tubby's Dub Song). This disc is a good mix of dub and instrumental tracks. This is definitely the Original Rockers and I can see how many Pablo CD's have been spin-offs from different labels and engineers, but the original is the best.

U-Roy & Cornell Campbell @ The Malibu Inn

June 29th was another outstanding night at the Malibu Inn in Malibu, CA. A local band from Huntington Beach, The Simpkin Project, started the evening off with solid roots rhythms including a Twinkle Brothers cover of "Faith Can Move Mountains/Never Get Burn" and a real rock version. They're having a CD release party on Fri. July 18th at Gallagher's in HB. I look forward to seeing them again down here in the OC. U-Roy was next on stage with his dapper suit and cap and instantly lifted the crowd in to an irie state-of-mind. He busted out a dozen or so songs including a couple of my favorites "Babylon Burning" and "Natty Rebel" blessing the room with a smokey vibe. The crowd was sad to see him go, but Cornell Campbell was next. He emerged from the back room in a brown leather suit and boots and proceeded to give us a hard set including the classics "The Gorgon", "Natty Dread in a Greenwich Farm", and "100 lbs. of Collie". These guys are the originals of this ya reggae culture and any chance you have to see dem a rock - take it.

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 !!!

Ah Who Seh Go Deh? / Leggo! Ah-Fi-We-Dis : Dennis Bovell/4th Street Orchestra

This is an interesting set of 2 albums on one disc from Dennis Bovell. With 20 tracks total, the albums "Ah Who Seh Go Deh?" and "Leggo! Ah-Fi-We-Dis" are crammed together for our listening pleasure. This material was originally released across the pond in England back in 1976. Featuring the classic dub sounds of the 1970's, Dennis Bovell had put together a double set of dubplates and instrumental versions once used in the sound system scenes of England. You'll here the same rhythm a few times with the vocals taken away or some dub effects added, but the versions will be alternated throughout the track list, not back-to-back. My favorites on this one are #2 (Za-Ion) and it's dubbed-out counterpart #4 (Half-ay to Za-Ion), #9 (Rite Dem), and #16 (Ah-Fi-We-Dis) with a mean horns riff and bouncing bass line. My copy of this disc is a remaster from EMI records "The Front Line" series and was imported from the UK. This is a good solid roots, dub, and instrumental album for reggae aficionados that like multiple versions battling for the top spot on their hit list.

Dis A Yard Dub : Linval Thompson meets King Tubby

This album is classic King Tubby's sound. Clean and precise studio work with just a touch of vocal on each track. With 16 tracks total, the work on this one is mostly 1970's roots dub. Off of Abraham ( a Canadian label) it list King Tubby as the "mixing engineer" and Linval Thompson as the "producer". My favorites on this one are #2 (She's Got You), #4 ( Half as Much), #5 (What Ever Happened), and #16 (Heartaches). A pretty solid disc from start to finish and a good dub set to have in your book.