Heart of the Congos sounding stuff

[Henrik]

To be honest, much of the stuff to be found on Arkology already sounds pretty refined compared to the Congo's album (similar to the Police & Thieves album by Junior Murvin and Party Time by the Heptones). These are great albums, but this stuff sounds already as if it was a bit cleaned up for "international release".

The "Open the Gate" album is according to my opinion one of the best with great tracks by e.g. Watty Burnett (who used to do background vocals on the Heart of The Congo albums as well) and of course the Congo's themselves.

As far as ruff cut Upsetter production quality a nice example is also :
http://www.roots-archives.com/release/280
Seke Molenge & Kalo "From the Heart of the Congo"

Return of the Superape is another one (Upsetter). Compare this release with Superape on Island records which is also a great album)."Return of the superape" from a "sound" perspective is much less polished...

[Raphael]

I know exactly what you mean. I gotta admit I broke out my Lee Perry last night and just went crazy. I've been filling out loan apps for UCSC all week and I'm going insane, so why not riddims from de madman to keep I rockin' off I rocker?

I find that the rawer and dirtier the sound is always better. Who needs crispness? It's that sound that makes the LP versions so much better usually. I love that recording style.

I didn't know they'd made more albums! I gotta be on the look out then next time I hit up Amoeba.

[tingjunkie]

Although there have been some excellent albums and comps mentioned so far, the one Black Ark album which I think matched Heart of the Congos for the dark, mysterious sound would be Ras Michael's ["Love Thy Neighbor"](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/102)

[Henrik]

If you like Ras Michael and the Black Ark sound I can also recommend Ras Michael's "Disarmament" released on trojan. This album contains two black ark tracks with Chinna playing some great riffs...

[seb]

Just realised noone talked about [From The Heart Of The Congo](http://www.roots-archives.com/release/280) which is a great album recorded at black ark.

It has been reissued last year by Trojan, get it, you won't be disppointed.

[bwoyrough]

Is this from the heart of the congo different to the heart of the congos, I've not heard of this trojan release, whos on it?

You really will not find a better reggae album that "Heart of the Congos" in my opinion it's the best reggae album ever made and i've yet to find one that comes close to this. Althought the Mighty Threes, african shall stretch forth her hand comes a close second, then i think yabby you's jesus dread on b+f comes 3rd for me. These are my top 3 all time albums.
Album wise theres no beating the congos. i'd love to be wrong and hear about some other obscure killa album but i doubt u will find another one this good.

[tingjunkie]

Is this from the heart of the congo different to the heart of the congos, I've not heard of this trojan release, whos on it?

Totally different album. The short version of the story is that two African musicians- Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo- were brought to JA by some producer (not Scratch) to record an African/Reggae fusion album, only to be abandoned in the middle of Kingston without knowing English or having any friends or money. They somehow found their way to the Black Ark studio, where Scratch took them in and recorded an album with them.

It's definitely a great set, and the mix of African and heavy roots is good stuff.

[mdungu]

Raphael

Something very similar to 'Heart of the Congos' album is 'Jesus Dread' album by Yabby You.

Makaya Dungu

[stained]

If your not antagonistic to the cd format you might find this interesting

http://www.roots-archives.com/release/261

Has 4 Jolly Brothers tunes and other late 70's Black Ark non Island material.

[todd]

I absolutely love Conscious Man by the Jolly Brothers...one of my all time favorites. I just scored Consciousness on ebay for 17 GBP a couple of days ago. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival. I hope it is as good as Conscious Man.