1974-1980 reviews on current reggae releases...

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC SEPTEMBER 1976:

UK REGGAE CHARTS SEP 1976:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin (Island 6316).
2. Back To Africa - Aswad (Island 6312).
3. Wasted Days And Nights - John Holt (Caribbean 310).
4. Keep On Riding - Eric Donaldson (Dynamic 107).
5. Gee Baby - Al Campbell (Sunshot 003).
6. The Children A Cry - Owen Gray (Love 30).
7. MPLA - Tapper Zukie (Klik 619).
8. Who Are You - Keith Poppin (Sunshot 004).
9. Bosrah - Ras Allah (Kiss 170).
10. Danger Zone - Jah Stitch (Locks 13).
11. Discipline - The Prophets (Dynamic).
12. Fire Redder Than Red - Danny Ray (Love 33).
13. Madness - The Mighty Maytones (Mango 1010).
14. Work All Day - Barry Biggs (Dynamic 101).
15. Babylon Fall - Junior Ross & The Spears (Caribbean 306).
16. Stealing - Prince Jazzbo (Third World 40).
17. Sweet Feeling - The Abbyssinians (Nationwide 009).
18. Roast Fish And Cornbread - Lee Perry (Island 6326).
19. Kiss And Say Goodbye- Cassandra (Lucky).
20. One Step Forward - Max Romeo (Island 6305).
21. After Tonight - Matumbi (Safari 1112).
22. Jah A Go Bus Dem Shut - Amigo (Organisation 004),
23. Religion Dread - Jah Woosh (Sunshot).
24. Gypsy Woman - Milton Henry (Cactus 92).
25. Love Jah And Live - Jah Woosh (Kiss 13).
26. Daydream Believer - Jackie Paris (Ethnic Fight 040).
27. Keep On Grooving Me - Clinto Grant (BWM 1001).
28. Hold On To What You`ve Got - Barbara Jones (Lucky 6007).
29. Fed Up - Keith Poppin (Sunshot 001).
30. Time Bomb - I. Roy (Fay Music).

REGGAE PRE-RELEASE SINGLES:
1. I`m Still Waiting - Delroy Wilson (?).
2. A You Me Love - Dillinger (Stars And Stripes).
3. African Roots - Johnny Clarke (Ja Man).
4. State Of Emergency - Joe Gibbs & The Professionals (Joe Gibbs).
5. Babylon Bawling - Lambert Douglas (Rosso).
6. How Long - Pat Kelly (Prophets).
7. Crazy Baldhead - Johnny clarke (Justice).
8. I Believe In Love - Delroy Wilson (T/R).
9. Heavy Manners - Prince Far I (Heavet Duty).
10. Fight I Down - Lizard (Belmont).
11. Conscious Girl - Dillinger (Jaywax).
12. Tug O War A Yard - Jackie Brown (T/R).
13. Party Time - Dennis Brown (DEB).
14. Dance Dis Ya Festival - Freddie Mackay (Disco Mix).
15. Wake Up Jah jah Children - Aston Gayle ( Jah Lion).
16. Show Us The Way - The Mighty maytones ( Stonewall).
17. Hotter Fire - Jacob Miller (Arab).
18. Love Rastafari And Live - The Randells (?).
19. Freedom Of Life - The Rightful Bros. (African Music).
20. Nana Banana - U. Roy (Weed).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Rastaman Vibrations - Bob Marley & The Wailers (Island 9383).
2. The Right Time - The Diamonds (Virgin 2052).
3. Rockers Time Now - Johnny Clarke (Virgin 2058).
4. Best Of U.Roy - U.Roy (Live And Love 008).
5. C.B.200 - Dillinger (Mango 9385).
6. Strictly Rockers In A Dreadland - Various Artists (Live And Love 07)
7. Before The Next Teardrops Fall - John Holt (Klik 9021).
8. Don`t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks - Linval Thompson (TW 010).
9. Freedom Sounds - Sons Of Negus (Dynamic 3004).
10. Lovers - Honeyboy (Third World 108).
11. Keep On Riding - Eric Donaldson (Dynamic 3003).
12. Columbia Colly - Jah Lion (Island 9386).
13. Tears On My Pillow - Barrington Spence (Klik 9014).
14. Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush - Jacob Miller (EE Saw 301) *.
15. Rebel Dub - Various Artists (Third World 106).
16. Fighting Dub - Skin Flesh And Bones (Jama).
17. Dread In A Africa - U.Roy (GG) *.
18. Third World - Third World (Island 9369).
19. Legalize It - Peter Tosh (Columbia 81556) *.
20. Revolutionary Dream - Pablo Moses (Sound Tracs 1002) *.
* Denotes Import.

Reggae charts compiled with the help of the following record shops:
Lee`s Sound City, Model Market Lewisham;
Don Christie, Sparkbrook,, Birmingham;
Daddy Kool, London W1;
Joe`s Record Shop, Brixton Market, SW9.

BLACK MUSIC SEPTEMBER 1976.

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: AUG 1976:
[cover=1092,1255]
The Aggrovators And Various Artists "Dreadlocks In Jamaica" (Live And Love 05)

The Killer - Jah Stitch / From Pillow To Post - U.Roy / Natty Hold The Handle - U.Roy / Tradition Song - Little Joe / Jah Is I Guiding Star - Tapper Zukie / The Best Time - Dillinger / Killer Dub / Roots Dub / Hold A Dub / Tradition Dub / Star Dub / West Dub:-

* * * *

U.Roy sounds better on these two Bunny Lee rhythms than he has done for a long time. He`s fast and fluid even if "From Pillow To Post" might have been speeded up. Those of you who like his LP "Drea In A Babylon" should be delighted with "Natty Hold The Handle", which is based on Johnny Clarke`s version of the Heptones` "I Hold The Handle". Stitch`s "Killer" is the best I`ve heard him do outside of "Danger Zone". Bunny`s rydim is a real motivator again. Zukie`s "Guiding Star" is good though it takes him a while to get going. But by the end he`s almost burnin`. Dillinger`s "The Best Time" uses John Holt`s "The Clock". He combines lines like ("say Cain an` Abel sat aroun` de table, Cain said to Abel let me touch you pan you nabel. ."). Little Joe`s "Traditional Song" begins with a cute short verbal exchange between him and his ami Doctor Alimantado. It`s one of his better records. Like the Doc I love Joe for his zest, his enthusiasm, his style. The six dubs on side two are worthwhile, but this LP is worth the price for side one alone. . . tell yuh!
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music August 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: AUG 1976:
[cover=1277,1469]
The Aggrovators And Various Artists "Strictly Rockers In A Dread Land" (Live And Love 07)

Natty Dread Travel On A Mini Bus - Jah Youth / Let Love Shine Along The Way - U.Roy / Babylon Yard - Dillinger / Marcus Garvey Words - Jah Woosh / A Way You Come From - Jah Woosh / Strictly Rockers - Jah Stitch / Prophecy A Fulfill - Prince Jazzbo / Travel Dub / Long Dub / Babylon Dub / Words Dub / Dub Away:-

* * *

Featuring seven "talking" tracks and five dub sides, this is a collector`s item especially for Jazzbo`s few words in "Prophecy" ("So Cain slayed his brother Abel, so until now crime still available. ."), and Dillinger`s (aided by Johnny Clarke) "Babylon Yard" ("How yuh mean? No true Rasta. . . Cut eye cut eye can`t cut me in two, penny penny can`t buy my shoes in a govament yard. . .") Woosh`s "A Way You Come From" is cool too. . ."Strictly Rockers" By Jah Stitch, who was recently shot in Kingston, is a tough, gutsy track by a deejay who is practically unheard of outside JA. That track, by the way, appears on the album were "Dub Away" should be, and vice versa. Side two`s dub music is some real invigorating Bunny Lee rydim.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music August 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: AUG 1976:
[cover=1314,1514]
THe Aggrovators And Various Artists "Straight To Babylon Chest" (Live And Love 06)

Gal Boy I.Roy - Prince Jazzbo / Chiney Commer Round I.Roy - Derrick Morgan / Hard Man Fe Dead - I.Roy / Straight To Babylon Chest - Jah Youth / Natty Dread Kill The Barber - Doctor Alimantado / The Burial Of The Barber - Jah Stitch / Gal And Boy Dub / Round Dub / Hard Dub / Bullet Dub / Dub Barber / Dub Love The Graveyard:-

* * * *

One of Third World`s best Lps for a long time. Produced by Bunny Lee and featuring the final chapter in the bad mouthing rivalry between I.Roy and Prince Jazzbo. "Gal Boy I Roy", one of Jazzbo`s better discs, was his reply to I.Roy`s "Straight To Jazzbo Head" (". . .So you tell de crowd dat Prince Jazzbo is very ugly. . .but if I didn`t ugly you wouldn`t `ave de opportunity to call my name in you` tune to get promotion, but I no act like gal. . .")"Chiney Commer Round I. Roy" is another attack on I.Roy but it was an ironical move for Derrick Morgan since the track uses the very same song that Prince Buster had attacked Morgan with back in the sixties after Morgan left Buster to work with Chinese producer Leley Kong. I,Roy`s reply here "Hard Man Fe Dead" was the title of a Prince Buster original, but the rhythm comes from another Buster original "Rough Rider" (". . .Derrick. I`m a hard bud fe dead," he shouts. "Miss Jazzbo try the same now it took likeshe become lam. . .") He kills three birds with one stone (producer Bunny Lee, Jazzbo, and Morgan) in a scintillating performance. ("Derrick Morgan you was the first black head chineyman, but now I wouldn`t even curse you because of your affliction. . .")Mprgan is partially blind.
The other great track is Alimantado`s "I Kill The Barber" which plays on John Holt`s dream about Eastern fairy tale superstar Ali Baba, to bring out a new story about the rivairy between natty dreads and desperate barbers, who`d go as far as Zion to look for a natty head to trim. The doc cleverly ties in the fairy tale with the tribal war and two nursery rhymes by declaring. . ."Tom Tom de Piper`s son shot de barber an` away he run". Later he says "Dreadlocks, natty dread locks, `ave you any wool?" His reply is "Yes I, yes I, me `ave em tam ya full. . .".
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music August 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: AUG 1976:
[cover=3674,3882][cover=8167,3882]
Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus "Tribute To The Emperor" (Trojan 132)

Gabrail-A-Alma / Jazzboe Abubaka At Large / Tennaeslyn / Fa-Fa-Fa, I Want You / Tribute To Rastafari / Tena In Love / Keep Cool Babylon / Needs Understanding /
Peace And Love / Rasta Liveth:-

* * * *

The album opens with a refreshing chant that uses familiar Ahmeric phrases. Ras Michael (Tesfa Zion) points out briefly that our language was lost as a result of slavery, and he ebtreats to study it again. "Jazzboe At Large" is an instrumental that is quite poignant for its use of electrical instruments as colouration. "Tenaeslyn" re-iterates the theme of the opening track instrumentally while "Fa Fa Fa" is sung in a near soul style by Abubaka the man responsible for the assembly of the music on this LP.The instrumental "Tribute" is the most moving number for the trombone blowing. "Tena In Love" is another trombone dominated instrumental, another poignant piece. "Keep Cool" and "Peace And Love" (featuring Abubabaka`s very westernised vocals) are both well known traditional rasta chants. But the instrumentals, on side two again, seem to have more charm, grace, poignance. The amalgamation of chant music and electric instruments is refreshingly executed. The arrangements are quite imaginative on the whole, and the production good. Not just righteous rasta message music, but entertaining too, if you must have it so.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music August 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: AUG 1976:
[cover=686,803]
Eric Donaldson "Keep On Riding" (Dynamic 3003)

Keep On Riding / The Way You Do The Things You Do / Are You Thinking Of Him / I Think I Love You / Warm Love / Follow Me / You Must Believe Me / Look What You Have Done / A Weh We A Go Do / Blue Roots / Same Old Love / Am I Crying / Ain`t Too Proud To Beg / Norma Jean: -

* * *

Eric must have recorded the bulk of this material no later than two years ago. And "Blue Roots" (formerly known as "Blue Boots") was a 1972 45 release. Since his triumphant, commercially successful 1971 Festival winner "Cherry Oh Baby", Donaldson has declined even though for a year or so after he`d been a high rider. He is still a good singer/songwriter. But he has fallen out of favour simply because his particular style (one which depends on romantic, or love type songs) of musuc has too.
He has not re-adjusted and seems unlikely to for his role has trapped him. He is what he sings and cannot alter as tastes change. Perhaps this is why there is no new material. This old stuff rings throughout with that deep, heart felt feeling of hurt in "love" that Donaldson`s special, fragile high tenor always projects. But half of the songs should never have been covered by him regardless of who wrote and sung them originally. "Blue Roots" is the best track, followed by "Keep On Riding", "Are You Thinking Of Him", and "I Think I Love You". But even so, the release of this album does nothing for Donaldson.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music August 1976:

peace

[RICK]

excelente

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC AUGUST 1976:

UK REGGAE CHARTS AUG 1976:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Babylon Burning - L.A.D. (Love).
2. The Children A Cry - Owen Gray (Love 30).
3. Bur O Boy - Junior Byles (Ethnic Fight 042).
4. Gee Baby - Al Campbell (Sunshot 003).
5. Creation - Joe Higgs (Ethnic Fight 038).
6. One Step Forward - Max Romeo & The Upsetters (Island 6305).
7. Gypsy Woman - Milton Henry (Cactus 92).
8. Work All Day - Barry Briggs (Dynamic 101).
9. After Tonight - Matumbi (Safari 1112).
10. Love Jah And Live - Jah Woosh (Kiss 13).
11. This Time - Danny Clarke (Dynamic 102).
12. Black Princess - Linford Nugend (K and B 5527).
13. Hold On To What You`ve Got - Barbara Jones (Lucky 6007).
14. Dancing The Reggae - Derrick Harriott (Trojan 7981).
15. For The love Of You - Bill Campbell (Jumbo 04).
16. Rasta Pickney - The Eagles (Dynamic 104).
17. Bump Skank - Dillinger (Love 0026).
18. Who Is The One - I.Roy (Lucky 6006).
19. Running Back For More - Tito Simon (Jama).
20. Back To Africa - Aswad (Island 6312).
21. Peeping Jukebox - Ken Laru (Caribbean 304).
22. Religion Dread - Jah Woosh (Sunshot).
23. Johnny Was - Bob Marley & The Wailers (Island 62960).
24. Loy`s Waist Line - Honeyboy 9Honeyboy 1966).
25. Bosrah - Ras Allah (Kiss 17).
26. Let`s Do It Again - The Family Choice (BB01).
27. In The Desert - Big Roy (Rockers 6).
28. Do Bi Do - George Grossett (Cactus 94).
29. I`m So Blue - Angeletta (Jumbo 05).
30. Envious - Keith Poppins (Sunshot).

REGGAE PRE-RELEASE SINGLES:
1. Sufferers Time - The Heptones (Black Art).
2. Natty Pass Through Rome - Prince Jazzbo (Black Art).
3. All Night Till Daylight - Jacob miller (Arab).
4. Self Defence - Dr, Alimantado (Ital).
5. Whip Them Jah - Dennis brown (Flames).
6. Leftist - The Revolutionaries (Disco Mix).
7. What A Man - Delroy Wilson (Wild Flower).
8. Ten Against One - Big youth (Negusa Negast).
9. Country Style - Dillinger (Jay Wax).
10. PLA - The Revolutionaries (Disco Mix).
11. Hot Head - I.Roy (Hot stuff).
12. Man In The Hills - Burning Spear (Spear).
13. Judgement On The Land - The Prophets (Prophets).
14. Psalm 68 - Horace Andy (Observer).
15. Only Jah Know - Dennis Walks (Justice).
16. Image Get A Lick - Toots & The Maytals (Jaguar).
17. Stop The War In A Babylon - James Brown (Black Art).
18. Dance This Ya Festival - Freddie McKay (Disco Mix).
19. Dip And Fall Back - Justin Hindes & The Dominoes (Wolf).
20. Sweet Feeling - The Abyssinians (Trinity).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Rastaman Vibration - Bob Marley & The Wailers (Island 9383).
2. C.B.200 - Dillinger (Mango 9385) *.
3. The Right Time - The Diamonds (Virgin 2052).
4. Strictly Rockers In A Dreadland - Various artists (Live & Love 07).
5. The Super Ape - Lee Perry & The Upsetters (Upsetter 8108) *.
6. Fighting Dub - Skin Flesh And Bones (Love 02).
7. Dread Locks In A Jamaica - Various Artists (Live & Love 05).
8. Third World - Third World (Island 9369).
9. Rass Claat Dub - Various Artists (Grounation 509).
10. King Tubby Surrounded By The Dread At The National Arena - King Tubby (Fay Music 307).
11. Garvey`s Ghost - Burning Spear (Island 9382).
12. Life Of Contradiction - Joe Higgs (Grounation 508).
13. Rastafari - Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus (Grounation 5050).
14. Colombia Colly - Jah Lion (Island 9386).
15. Dread In A Babylon - U.Roy (Virgin 2048).
16. Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush - Jacob miller (EE Saw) *.
17. Tribute To The Emperor - Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus (Trojan 132).
18. Zap Pow Now - Zap Pow (Grounation).
19. Prophets Dub - The Prophets (Prophets) *.
20. Straight To Babylon Chest - Various Artists (Live & Love 06).
* Denotes Import

Reggae charts are compiled with the help of the following record shops:
Lee`s Sound City, Model Market, Lewishan;
Daddy Kool, London W1;
Joe`s Record Shop, Brixton Market SW9.

BLACK MUSIC AUGUST 1976.

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: NOV 1976:
[cover=2971,3401]
Zap Pow "Revolution" (Trojan 130)

Break Down The Barriers / Funking Skank / Tonight We Love Tonight / Get Up/Holdin` On / Nice Nice Time / Soul Revvival / Change Those Ways / Money / Crazy Woman / If You Don`t Know Me By Now / Wild Honey: -

* * *

An album, like the Heptones`, which the group would not care to be released. Not now. But it was available in Jamaica for a few years minus "Money", "Crazy Woman", "If You Don`t Know Me By Now" and "Wild Honey". The former album contained a couple of other really good instrumentals and the song "This Is Reggae Music". This set too is a mixture of light instrumentals and airy songs like the romantic "Crazy Woman", "Holdin` On", and funky workouts like "Funking Skank" and "Soul Revival". It`s the Jamaican equivalent of a Kool And The Gang album almost, but not as clever nor as creative, I`d say. The only really worthwhile reggae tracks are of course "Break Down The Barriers", "Nice Nice Time", "Change Those Ways", and the aforementioned "Crazy Woman". the Gamble/Huff song is handled with poise but remains soul music. Not a good release for a group which must be going through some serious changes right now.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music Novemner 1976:

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC: NOV 1976:
[cover=2153,2509][cover=5632,2509]
I.Roy "Crisus Time" (Virgin 2011)

Roots Man Time / African Tak / Crisus Time / Equality And Justice / Hypocrite Backout / Musical Injection / Don`t Touch I Man Locks / Satta / African Herbsman / Love Your Neighbour / Send Us Little Power Oh Jah / Moving On Strong:-

* * *

Now if Roy knew where he`s coming from he would never say that he`s the devil`s brother in law which occurs at the intro to "Roots Man Time", whose music can be found on Johnny Clarke`s song "I Wish It Would Go On Forever" by the way. But Roy does not. I spoke to him over the carnival days at the Metro and of course he was still proud and boastful even though he is right in much of what he has to say.
Whosoever fight down I. Roy is not wise, he is an original out deh. So be careful with the words you speak. But Roy could really be the Lion out deh if he would see the light. Love Jah and Live! The LP here is not half as bad as you might think on first hearing, Listen again to "Roots Man Time", "African Tak", to the excellent "Equality And Justice", "Hypocrite Backout", "Musical Injection", "Don`t Touch I Man Locks" of course, "Satta", and "African Herbsman". His immense sense of humour is right there at the core of everything he says, and the heavy expressions of his lyrics reveal a man of intelligence and a certain amount of learning, An even more serious album, in terms of themes and musical arrangements, than "Truths And Rights".
The music, a Bunny Lee Production, is just right. It`s deep and rootsy, there are no frills. The best is pulsating and I.Roy swings with it on top form, especially in "Equality And Justice". ". . .Ain`t gonna be no flood to wash away the blood. . ." he says. It shook me. It really shook me.
Carl Gayle -
Review
Black Music November 1976:

peace