Face the Music

[Bellyman]

[cover=357,414]

The work of the Congo(e)s has already been discussed in various formats, but for me this little gem seems always to be wrongfully overlooked.

When this album was originally released in 1980 it fell out of time because sounds of dancehall did rule with Roots Radics and producers like Junjo and Linval Thompson holding the charts.

Cedric Myton had the luck to get help from members of The Beat, especially Ranking Roger, for the release of this, the last real 'classic' Congos album.

Backed by an array of JA professionals and presenting a high-quality production of the day, this album still stands as a testimony to the lyrical and musical strength of the Congos. IMO this is better than the two albums they did for EPIC records France (Congo/Ashanty and Image of Africa).

The music still shines bright or moody and the whole album is simply screaming for a dub-counterpart that never saw the light of day.

Enjoy

[Funkyfred]

Yes I.... Excellent album!
Especially the track "Woman in the dark"....

By the way, do you put this LP under C for The CONGOS, or M for Cedric MYTON & The Congos??!!

[darewon]

"Sinking Ship" is a top notch tune. As for the Beat (English Beat in the US) connection, it also was issued on their short-lived Go Feet label.

[I-Lion Tafari]

This is a wonderful album, full of harmonies and spirit. It lights up the listener and gives hope in hard times.
A gift to the reggae world.
Where He Leads Me is one af my faves.

[benjamin]

Thank you for your comment Bellyman, absolutly agree (except maybe I would not say it is better than Congo Ashanti). The thing is that congo ashanti roy had already left the Congos for a solo carrier and that's the only point wich makes the whole sound and vibe a bit different and slightly less strong and mystic than the previous albums. But still the compositions are very beautiful, with fine and subtile musical playing, very discreet and appropriate drum playing and overall, great melodical sense of the singing. Top ranking are sinking ship, scoffers and scorners, problems and where he leads me.

[ital kemar]

same as i lion tafari, where he leads me is the highlight for me, but bank of the river runs it close, and the re-working of the old tartans rocksteady 'dance all night' is also nice. have the go-feet pressing. excellent record.

ital kemar

[Rootsman]

Another reason I think this album was overlooked at the time of release was that it was on the Ariola label.

This label back at the turn of the 80`s was very much to the fore in pushing the Disco Beat.

It was not really a label that was associated with reggae especially in a Roots and Culture vein.

This is an album I have not heard in a long time but certainly can recall it having some very good tracks.

[gunosantos]

This is an album I have not heard in a long time but certainly can recall it having some very good tracks.

I spent the whole weekend trying to find the mp3 copy of this album, as I don't have the original.

It was really a long time I didn't hear it, probably more than 5 years.

And I really had forgot how good it is, and besides great tracks such as "woman in the dark" and "scoffers and scorners", this album brings me back great memories from my teenage years when I was just discovering this fantastic reggae world.

Blessings,

[Vlad]

bought it years ago, spinned it twice and decided it wasn't my type of musis and worst Congo output (llllove Congo Ashanti!!!!!!!!!); given the thread I'll spin it again soon!!!

[Survival]

I listened to it just recently, and it is quite good. I'm not sure of it is better than Image Of Africa.. but the album is definitely underrated!