Anyone heard of "Gregory Isaacs Meets Jah Mel" LP?

[benjamin]

According to me it's a very good album, espcially the Wailers backing. But I'd never say it's the greatest reggae album or even one of the greatests... For the good reason I don't feel it as an Inspired album, it's great music, but not highly inspired IMHO.
The voice makes me think about Horace Andy's voice, almost female voice, with original singing approach.
I didn't know it existed in cd, it's a good thing to learn.

[gunosantos]

I've just got the CD "Now and Then" last week, and I just can't stop playing it. I`ve never heard the LP "Watchful Eyes" before, and although there's some new tracks added on to the CD, I just skip them (as they're not great) and stick to the "watchful eyes" ones.

I also have to agree that the original release of the LP "watchful eyes" must be one of the best reggae LP's of all time.

Long time I didn't find out such a roots record that caught so much my attention.

Blessings,

[informer]

what does it sound like ? (the original watchful eyes tracks)

like 70s wailers backing ? then i have to search for this cd.

there were a lot artists backed by the wailers, so just to give a track for comparison:

Garth Dennis "Slow coach" - if the tracks on the above album habe the same quality it's a no brainer.

[benjamin]

well, I must admit "suffer's song" is a true classic killer tune. Great arrangment, incredible drum playing, well, a high range song. Other tunes are fantastic just as "left with a broken heart" or "Never be over me" (excellent guitar sound, makes me think about a song from stevie wonder called "too high"). It has something hypnotic.
But why would it be one of the best reggae LP ever ? I mean, the sound cannot reach me as abyssinians', or heart of the congos, or I don't know, all the classics. Jahmel has an interesting voice, close to sugar minott or horace andy but it doesn't get me high just like a classic Ijahman or Hugh Mundell. I'm interested to know exactly what brings you to this feeling.

To answer your question Informer, the sound is more likely to be compared to the Justin Hinds album with the Wailers from the same era (Travel with love), very focused on the drum and bass with nice highlights on the guitars. Pure sound.

[gunosantos]

Well, to me maybe it's more fascinating now because it's new... maybe if you ask me 6 months later I wouldn't say it's one of the best reggae LP's ever... but who knows...

But I really enjoy his voice and his way of singing, it reminds me somehow of horace andy or hugh mundell sometimes. Matching with these great, unique and (as you described) pure rhythms, it really gives this hypnotic mood that I really love in some reggae albums.

Today i'd easily say it reached my top ten... but as I said, maybe later on I could change my mind... but I hardly see it not being on my top 50 albums of all time, even for the next 10 years.

Blessings,

[gunosantos]

Forgot to add that I agree with your description that the riddims are in a way similar to "travel with love".

To me what really makes the difference in finding "travel with love" a GOOD LP and "watchful eyes" a KILLER one is Jah Mel`s vocal delivery.

Blessings,

[benjamin]

Surely agree then with your top 50 (although it's meaningless on my side cause my collection is way smaller than yours
Keep up the good works with your radio.
Blessings

Ben

[Bellyman]

Re Jah Mel - Watchful Eyes album

I quote from Small Axe #21 (thanks to Ray Hurford)

"What stories can be told of the singer Jah Mel? None for I have none to tell. My knowledge of this gifted talent is all contained within this great work 'Watchful Eyes'. For this music is magnificent, and is one of the best reggae albums ever made.
It comes from the year 1983 and why it's taken so long to reach the UK is beyond me.* Check the credits on the album. Produced by Roydale Anderson and recorded at Harry J's in Jamaica with the Wailers. Backing vocals Jah Mel and Judah Eskender Tafari. This is an incredible album. Full of great sounds and rhythms."

* Review was written in 1985.

[Vlad]

All, thanks for reviving this thread; Jah Mel:funny, I bought a (poor) LP years ago, and the seller inserted a burned CD with the Jah Mel Watchful Eyes music saying it was his all time favorite record (perhaps to compensate for the bad LP I bought_; I listened and agree there was something unique; Eruption tune is fantastic. The analogy to J Hinds Travel W. Love LP is brilliant; The music is indeed similar, but the voices do create a tremendous different vibe; Yet, if I had to keep only 1 LP I would not hesitate: I would keep the J Hinds LP; It is not as scarce at all as the Jah Mel LP, but that is another proof of J Hinds musical power. The lyrics, the melodies are simply a step above the more predictable/monotonous - yet very very special, I agree -delivery from Jah Mel. As far as "best ever album" type of statements like all extreme statements, it's extreme, thus far from the "middle" truth/balance (buddhism); Jah Mel LP: a keeper; Saw it on Jah Bay sell for 80 USD; Wouldn't pay a penny more. Get the CD and enjoy the music

[Vlad]

By the way, want even better music than Jah Mel IMO: check Jah Malla Alive & Well LP and check the thread just opened on the topic!