1974-1980 reviews on current reggae releases...

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC SEPTEMBER 1974

UK REGGAE CHARTS SEPTEMBER 1974:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Margaret - Dennis Walks (Count Shelly 055).
2. Everything I Own - Ken Boothe (Trojan 7920).
3. Homely Girl - Jackie Robinson (Harry J 6674).
4. Love Is Overdue - Gregory Isaacs (Attack 8066).
5. Sex Grand National - Matador And Fay (Magnet 041).
6. Sweet Harmony - Lloyd Charmers (Horse 47).
7. Hold My Hand - The Starlites (Attack 8070).
8. Help Me Make It Through The Night - John Holt (Trojan 7909).
9. Can`t Resist Your Tenderness - Ginger Williams (Paradise 01).
10. Soldier Round The Corner - Jah Ali (DIP 502).
11. Please Don`t Make Me Cry - Winston Groovy (Harry J 665).
12. If You`re Ready Come Go With Me - Cynthia Richards (Trojan 7922).
13. Sixpence - Max Romeo (Ackee 529).
14. Not Responsible - Carlton And Leroy (Koos 33).
15. One Sunday Morning - Rupie Edwards (DIP 5014).
16. Duppy Gunman - Ernie Smith (Attack 8071).
17. Tears From My Eyes - Teddy Davis (Orbitone 10).
18. Warm And Tender Love - Jackie Robinson (Horse 53).
19. Kick Boy Face - Prince Jazzbo (Ackee 532).
20. Too Late - Augustus Pablo (Tropical 025).
21. Here I Am Baby - Al Brown (Trojan 7915).
22. Big Nine - Judge Dread (Big Shot 626).
23. Over The Rainbow - The Cimarons (Trojan 7919).
24. Kung Fu - Jah Martin (Ethnic 18).
25. Promised Land - The Royals (DIP 5016).
26. Mysterious Nature - The African Bros (DIP 5014).
27. Some Guys Have All The Luck - Derrick Harriott (Harry J 6675).
28. Cathy`s Clown - Jimmy London (Tropical 023).
29. I Want To Make It With You - Bobbie Houston (Action 4622).
30. Immortal Drums - Bongo Herman (DIP 5021).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Dusty Roads - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 85).
2. Let`s Get It On - Ken Boothe (Trojan TRLS 83).
3. Jah Woosh - Jah Woosh (Cactus 103).
4. 1000 Volts Of Holt - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 75).
5. Presenting Winston Groovy - Winston Groovy (Trojan TRLS 88).
6. Build Me Up - Brent Dowe (Trojan TRLS 76).
7. Harder Shade Of Black - Various Artists (Santic 001).
8. Jamaica`s Greatest Hits - Jah Ali (Atra 001).
9. Tommy McCook - Tommy McCook (Attack 1007).
10. Reggae Fever - Byron Lee (Polydor 246 0229).
11. Hit Me with Music - Various Artists (Trojan TRLS 82).
12. Sharon - Sharon Forrester (Ashanti 105).
13. The Further You Look - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 75).
14. Officially - Lloyd Parks (Attack 1009).
15. U. Roy - U. Roy (Attack 1006).
16. No Man Is An Island - Dennis Brown (SLO 1112).
17. Musical Consortium - Various Artists (Attack 1008).
18. Kingston Rock - Horace Andy (RCA International INTS 1487).
19. For The Good Times - The Now Generation (Trojan TRLS 78).

Charts compiled with the assistance from the following record shops:-
Don Christie, Birmingham B12; Black Wax, Birmingham B19;
Record Corner, London SW12; R & B Records, London N16.

BLACK MUSIC SEPTEMBER 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974
[cover=3585,3785]
Bob Marley And The Wailers `Rasta Revolution` (Trojan TRLS 89)

Mr Brown / Soul Rebel / Try Me / It`s Alright / No Sympathy / My Cup /
Duppy Conqueror / Rebel`s Hop / Corner Stone / 400 Years / No Water /
Reaction / Soul Almighty:-

A re-release of the Wailers` first Trojan LP -- "Soul Rebels" -- with two additions, "Mr Brown" and "Duppy Conqueror", and one of the most worthwhile Trojan releases this year. Produced by the inimitable Lee Peery of "Return Of Django" fame, whose style of producing was as revolutionary as the Wailers` vibrant music. The low-keyed drone of his productions conjures up an eerie mood and dark, macabre images, reminiscent of Perry`s own songs "Cold Sweat", "Night Doctor", "Wolf Man" and "Drugs And Poison". The merging of all this with the lamenting sounds of the Wailers isn`t always satisfactory, but when it works the results are incomparably good, as in "Rebels Hop", "Mr Brown" and "Duppy Conqueror". The last two are identical except for lyrics and intensity. The former, with its grittier rhythm guitar intepretation and Marley`s acute wailing complemented by eerie organ sounds and various effects, is as good if not better than "Conqueror". Like "Try Me", "Soul Rebel" is a slower, more tranquil ballad with a sound akin to early American R&B. Bob, Pete and Bunny were such a good vocal trio. Some of their best philosophies are also contained here in songs like "My Cup", "Corner Stone" and "400 Years" (later re-worked on their "Catch A Fire" album). Pity they had to split, but at least Bob`s working with the Upsetter again.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974
[cover=1345,1547]
Lloyd Charmers & Various Artists `The Best Of Lloyd Charmers (Trojan TRLS 86)

Play Me - Lloyd Charmers / Save Their Soul - Lloyd Charmers / Thula Thula - The Messengers / Lovers Quarrel - B.B. Seaton / I`ll See You Through - B.B. Seaton / Crowded City - The Messengers / Cherie - The Messengers / Mother Mary - The Now Generation / Loving Her Was Easier - Lloyd Charmers / I`m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More - Lloyd Charmers / Just As Long As You Need Me - Buster Brown /
Doggon Right - Bobby Blue / There Is Something About You - Buster Brown /
Just My Imagination - Lloyd Charmers / Stoned In Love - The Chosen Few /
Salvation Train - Scotty / Have I Sinned - Lloyd Charmers:-

It`s unusual with "best of" LPs in Jamaican music to find that there aren`t any bad tracks. This LP confirms that Charmers (real name Tyrell of "Bang Bang Lulu" fame) is one of the island`s leading musicians. He`s a competent, if sometimes extrovert, singer who is aware of his limitations and thus seeks fulfillment in composing, arranging, and producing material for himself and others like Ken Boothe, B. B. Seaton, Bob Andy, and Buster Brown. Whatever he does, Charmers carries it out with polish and style. Two of the better songs here are by the Messengers -- Lloyd Charmers, Ken Boothe, B. B. Seaton and Buster Brown--who now work together as a group and on each other`s individual songs. "Crowded City", built on the Temps` "Smiling Faces" riff but in reggae form, and achieves a great atmosphere. "Cherie" was extremely popular with the sound systems last year, with Boothe`s throaty vocals in the foreground, accompanied by a bubbling guitar rhythm. Pure joy! The individual solo performances are fine, but this LP is really about Charmers, the arranger/producer, and as such justifies the regard that the musicians he has worked with have for him. If there`s one track that sums up what Charmers is all about it`s Barry White`s "I`m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More". Charmers is fond of making reggae out of popular soul music which he does better than anyone else. This track, like the whole LP, illustrates his humour, imagination, and musical flair.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

SINGLES REVIEW:
by Carl Gayle:-

HORTENSE ELLIS: Woman In The Ghetto / Version (Tropical 020).
Nicely arranged roots reggae by Alton`s talented sister on this new label.

AUGUTUS PABLO: Too Late / Dub Organizer (Tropical 025).
Big name in the reggae underground, Augustus bases this on the souler "Too Late To Turn Back Now" and demonstrates his unique, uncanny style.

JIMMY LONDON:: Cathy`s Clown / Version (Tropical 023).
New label seems to go for roots reggae but also for quality. Strong dance rhythm complemented by trembling bass lines. London has a good, clean voice which suits this old song.

BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS: Soul Shakedown Party / Caution (Trojan 7911).
Two impressive sides from 1969 by the old group--Marley, Tosh, and Livingstone.

GREGORY ISAACS: Love Is Overdue Pt 1 / Part Two (Attack 8066).
Isaacs has taken over from Dennis Brown as this year`s young hero of the ghetto youth. This sentimental song with its great dance rhythm is one of the biggest reggae disco hits.

BRENT DOWE: Love Is A Hurting Thing / THE GAYTONES: Gladness (Horse 743).
Fabulous dance rhythm punctuated by horns and baritone sax, accompanies a beautiful controlled vocal performance.

KEN BOOTHE: Everything I Own / Drum Song (Trojan TR 7920).
Beautiful song, Beautiful performance, and deservedly the top Jamaican record in the clubs.

FREDDY McKAY: Dream My Life Over / Version (Dragon DRA 1022).
Popular disco record for the dancers who like slow sensuous music.

LOVE CHILDREN: Ship Ahoy / Sail On (Ashanti ASH 409).
It`s Dandy Livingstone on lead vocals! Production is sophisticated but loosened up by a continuous bubbling guitar phrase--a la rock steady. Nice.

DANDY LIVINGSTONE: Caribbean Rock / All Strung Out On You (Horse 45).
Catchy pop-reggae song taken from Dandy`s last LP "Conscious". Could make the charts with radio play.

DERRICK HARRIOTT: Why Do Fools Fall In Love / Version (Harry J 6671).
Good danceable version of Lymon`s song. Derrick`s vocals are immediately pleasing to the ear.

Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

UK REGGAE CHARTS JULY 1974:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Everything I Own -Ken Boothe (Trojan 7920).
2. Please Don`t Make Me Cry - Winston Groovy (Explosion 2088).
3. Here I Am Baby (Come And Take Me) - Al Brown & Skin Flesh & Bones (Trojan 7915).
4. Ship Ahoy - Love Children (Ashanti 409).
5. Help Me Make It Through The Night / Tell Me Why - John Holt (Trojan 7909).
6. I Want To Make It With You - Bobbie Houston (Action 4622).
7. Nature Planned It - Ken Boothe (Trojan 7910).
8. Love Is Overdue - Gregory Isaacs (Attack 8066).
9. Fever - The Maytals (Dragon 1021).
10. No Letter Today - Jimmy London (Dragon 1019).
11. Have Some Mercy - Delroy Wilson (Cactus 22).
12. Year Full Of Sundays - King Sporty (Green Door 4063).
13. Caribbean Rock - Dandy Livingstone (Horse 45).
14. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Derrick Harriott (Harry J 6671).
15. Life Is Just For Living - Lloyd Charmers (Horse 46).
16. Over THe Rainbow - The Cimarons (Trojan 7919).
17. None Shall Escape The Judgement - Johnny Clarke (Explosion 2089).
18. Emergency Call - Judy Mowatt (Trojan 7912).
19. Let`s Get It On Inst. - Lloyd Charmers (Harry J 6672).
20. Bammie Fe Fish - Skin Flesh And Bones (Harry J 6670).
21. If You`re Ready Come Go With Me - Cynthia Richards (Trojan 7922).
22. Watch What You`re Doing To Me - Eric Donaldson (Dragon 1020).
23. You`re My Everything - Chosen Few (Horse 44).
24. Love Is A Hurting Thing - Brent Dowe (Horse 43).
25. I Can`t Resist Your Tenderness - Ginger Williams (Count Shelly PRO1).
26. Tears From My Eyes - Teddy Davis (Orbitone 10).
27. Homely Girl - Jackie Robinson (Harry J 6674).
28. That`s The Time She Go Love You - Fabulous Five (Ashanti 410).
29. Sweet Harmony - Loyd Charmers (Horse 47).
30. Get On Your Feet - The Marvels (Trojan 7921).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Let`s Get It On - Ken Boothe (Trojan TRLS 83).
2. 1,000 Volts Of Holt - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 75).
3. Hit Me With Music - Various Artists (Trojan TRLS 82).
4. Funky Kingston - The Maytals (Dragon DRLS 5002).
5. Life Is Just For Living - Ernie Smith (Trojan TRLS 79).
6. The Best Of Lloyd Charmers - Various Artists (Trojan TRLS 86).
7. Fabulous Five Inc. - Fabulous Five (Ashanti SHAN 104).
8. The Same One - Danny Ray (Trojan TRLS 84).
9. Blackbirds Singing - Roslyn Sweat And The Paragons (Horse HRLP 703).
10. The Further You Look - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 55).
11. Black Gold And Green - Ken Boothe (Trojan TRLS 58).
12. 20 Dragon Hits - Various Artists (Dragon DRLS 5003).
13. Struggling Man - Jimmy Cliff (Island ILPS 9235).
14. Harder Shade Of Black - Various Artists (Santic SAN 001).
15. Build Me Up - Brent Dowe (Trojan TRLS 67).
16. U. Roy - U. Roy (Attack ATLP 1006).
17. It May Sound Silly - Gladstone Anderson (Ashanti SHAN 1030.
18. Grounantion - Mystic Revelation (AShanti NTI 301).
19. Just Tito - Tito Simon (Horse HRLP 702).
20. Darling Ooh - Errol Dunkley (Attack ATLP 1003).

BLACK MUSIC JULY 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974
[cover=2133,2489]
Sharon Forrester `Sharon` (Ashanti SHAN 105)

Which Craft Is Witchcraft / Holly / Put A Little Love Away / Funny / Clothe My Lonely Body / Words With No Meaning / Don`t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight / This Masquerade /
Silly Wasn`t I:-

If you read last month`s BM, you`ll know how I feel about Sharon. And my enthusiasm is justified by this excellent first album. Most of the songs suit that particular time of night when love is most needed and are enhanced by the relaxed pace and Sharon`s jazz-flavoured vocals. Be warned: this is not "just another reggae album" but is perhaps the first to successfully combine sophisticated arrangements (synthesisers, strings, brass, reeds, the lot) with an authentic Jamaican rhythmic feel. Sharon, sounding a little at times like Diana Ross, is a joy, and the whole album is a triumph of sensitive and intelligent musicianship.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974
[cover=1987,2346][cover=6604,2346]
Ken Boothe `Let`s Get It On` (Trojan TRLS 83)

That`s The Way Nature Planned It / Leaving Me / My Love / Come Back Baby /
Playground Of My Mind / Let`s Get It On / African Lady / Is It Because I`m Black /
Down By The River / Dum Dum / Whole World`s Down On Me / That`s The Way Nature Planned It Pt.2:-

This long awaited album is as good as expected and dwarfs all the other recent Trojan releases. If he`d made a mess of Marvin Gaye`s "Let`s Get It On" it would have been a crime. But Boothe performs it fabulously. "Leaving Me" should have been a single: there are so many interesting little things running through the song. "African Lady", written by Bob Marley has a forceful, soulful immediacy, lending itself well to Boothe`s throaty vocals. Its philosophy is both cultural and political but its politics is not as blunt as "Is It Because I`m Black". Strong words, strong song. Boothe steps into its shoes but wears the cap of blackness with head held high. When Syl Johnson wrote this song he was well aware of that phrase: "If you`re black stay back" and sure, he felt he deserved more success. So does Ken Boothe.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974
[cover=4901,1001][cover=4900,1001]
Errol Dunkley `Darling Ooh` (Attack ATLP 1003)

You Never Know / Movie Star / Created By The Father / A Little Way Different /
Like To Be Boozed / Hi Lite Part One / Darling Ooh / Baby I Love You / You`re Gonna Need Me / I`m Not The Man For You / It Was Nice While It Lasted / Hi Lite Part Two:-

Errol tries hard to sound like John Holt, Dennis Brown, and Delroy Wilson at times. He succeeds but he doesn`t do himself justice in the process. And most of the time it`s all so laid back that you almost fall asleep. The songs are written by Dunkley himself, who in his seven years or so in Jamaican music he has only ever composed one or two really outstanding songs. One of those, "You`re Gonna Need Me" is the only highpoint on this LP. Errol has a good voice and with a little help from sympathetic friends combined with an imaginative approach, he could be doing so much better.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974
[cover=2173,2526][cover=4472,2526]
Various Artists `Hit Me With Music` (Trojan TRLS 82)

Soul Shakedown party - Bob Marley & The Wailers / Snake In The Grass - Jimmy Shondell / Jamaica Is Fun - Dandy Livingstone / For The Good Times - The Chosen Few / Way Over Yonder - Judy Mowatt / Chucky - The Vicroys / Hit Me With Music - Sidney Jackson / Reggae Stuff - Matumbi / Let Us Be - Nicky Thomas / I`m Gonna Get Married - Danny Ray / Reggae From The Ghetto - John Holt / Your Eyes Are Dreaming - Jackie Edwards / First Cut Is The Deepest - K.C. White / Pussy Cat - Lloydie And The Lowbites / I Can`t Wait - Cynthia Richards / He`s Got The Whole World In His Hands - The Marvels / My Baby Just Cares For Me - Cornell Campbell / Molly - Judge Dread / You Are My Everything - The Chosen Few / Message To Mary - Ken Parker:-

If all the numbers in this collection were as good as "Soul Shakedown Party", "Snake In The Grass" and "You Are My Everything" it would be worth swimming to JA for. But on the whole the LP suffers from a selection of mainly mediocre performances which is highlighted by the fact the best track, The Wailers` "Soul Shakedown Party" is a comparatively old song -- it came out in 1969.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

SINGLES REVIEW:
by Carl Gayle:-

THE HENNESSEYS: I See You / Pass It On (Attack ATT 8065).
Sung by the Pioneers in another of their disguises, this is strong on melody and vocals--but pretty routine.


JOHNNY CLARKE: My Desire / Lemon Tree (Pyramid PYR 7013).
Another promising vocalist but the song suffers from lack of imaginationand enthusiasm.

MARCIA GRIFFITHS: Play Me / Play Me Lloyd Charmers (Trojan TR7916).
Strange idea to couple two versions of the Neil Diamond song. Both capture the sad mood subtly, though Marcia`s is superior because she has a better voice.

JUDY MOWATT: I Shall Sing / Close (Horse HOSS42).
A worthwhile re-release. The horns and the bubbling guitar lines intensify the song`s joyful mood.

Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1974

peace