Heart of the Congos sounding stuff

[Raphael]

I absolutely love this album, start to finish. The harmonies are great but what really does it for me is the vast depth of the production. I've heard that Junior Byles' "Beat Down Babylon" is a comparable achievement but I can't find the album locally. Are there any other albums like these? The general categories of vocal, roots/religious, and 70s apply, but I mean in terms of sound.

Help appreciated!

[seb]

Raphael,

I don't think you'll find the same kind of "music felling" in Beat Down Babylon.

You should rather try to get [Arkology](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/304) or [Open The Gate](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/256) which are 2 great black ark compilations.

It's hard to find lately but [Conscious Man](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/66) is often referred as having the same kind of sound as well.

all the best,

Seb

[leggo rocker]

Raphael,
It's hard to find lately but Conscious Man is often referred as having the same kind of sound as well.
Seb

No kidding Seb. I've been trying to get hold of that LP for a long while now!

[6anbatte]

Hi Leggo Rocker

Really? Are you sure? I bought "Conscious Man" on eBay for $26 (inc p&p from the States) fairly recently.

"Consciousness" - http://www.roots-archives.com/release/3237 - on the other hand is, I am led to believe, really difficult to find.

[leggo rocker]

Funny that. I have Consciousness (from eBay). But kept getting outbid on CConscious Man. Must have been asleep (or in vinyl rehab?) when you were bidding on that one 6anbette. Grrr...

Let me know if you see it again!

[6anbatte]

Hi Leggo Rocker

All very odd. I haven't even bothered to look for "Consciousness" as I was led to be it was so rare.

Mind you, I must admit I was incredibly surprised when I got "Conscious Man" so cheaply.

I'll definitely give you a shout if I see it again.

[DWick]

Try Junior Murvin-"Police and Thieves" and The Heptones-"Party Time". They are also considered classic Lee Perry/Black Ark productions and should be relatively easy to find. I don't think you'll find anything recorded in another studio that has the same sound-often imitated, never duplicated!

[Raphael]

I've got both Arkology and Open the Gate (as well as numerous other Perry compilations/productions) but I'll definitely look into Conscious Man and Consciousness. Thanks!

[leggo rocker]

Mind you, I must admit I was incredibly surprised when I got "Conscious Man" so cheaply.

Whereas, I am incredibly jealous you got it so cheap.

But hey, that's eBay!

[norseman]

Raphael-If you have the original "Heart of the Congos",does it have the two green stripes on either side painted over in yellow.I'll explain why.Lee Perry took a hand full of these LP's and took a paint brush and hand painted over the stripes in yellow.These are extremely rare and I thought it was a myth until I finally tracked one down 15 years later.So keep your eyes out for a copy.