Little John - Ghetto Youth

Wy-Diyady-Diaydy

Reviewed by Hans on September 06, 2007

"A DANCEHALL STYLE .... " is coming out of my speakers, loud and clear. VP Records is spoiling the music world again with the re-issue of this 1983 lp.

After performing for soundsystems like Gemini and Killimanjaro and recording for Youth Promotion, Don Mais and Jah Thomas, Little John (born 1970) joined Volcano in the early 80's. At that time he established himself already with tunes like "51 Storm", together with Captain Sinbad, and "All Who Gone".

Henry Junjo Lawes produced "Ghetto Youth". The tracks were laid at Channel One with Junjo using ruling Roots Radics rhythms like "Three Blind Mice" and "Revolution" for the entire set. As on many of Junjo's productions of that time, you can hear the power of the dancehall sound on this cd. And, at only 13 years old,Little John showcases his typical singjay style for almost 40 minutes.

I've got the cd the volume control pushed up to 10. "Left Me Slim Thing-ing-ing .... wy-diyady-diaydy" is blaring out of my speakers with Soljie Hamilton at the controls. Songs like "Youth In The Ghetto", "English Cowboy" and "I Love You Jah Jah" take me straight back to the 80's. Scorcher is one of my favourite dancehall songs "Dancehall Stylee" - Little John singing at his best followed by a wicked Roots Radics dub mix.

A great re-issue with "United We Stand Divided We Fall" as bonus track - check it.

Hans - Roots Archives, September 2007
Edited by Leggo Rocker