1974-1980 reviews on current reggae releases...

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974
[cover=6017,4452][cover=6018,4452]
Delroy Wilson `Captivity` (Big Shot BILP 102)

She Is Just A Playgirl / Just Because / Don`t Believe In Him / Any Heart Can Be Broken /
Beat Down Babylon / They Can`t Stop Me / Here Come The Heartaches / Baby You Got What It Takes / It`s Just You Carelessness / Come Along With Me / Cheer Up / Loving You / Keep On Running / Don`t Leave Me: -

Possibly Delroy believed he could become more commercial without losing his roots by singing oldies like The Drifters` "She`s Just A Playgirl" or The Four Tops` "Loving You" backed up by solid ethnic rhythms. Even though the idea doesn`t work the LP still makes it. Yet there aren`t any immediately striking tracks like "Better Must Come", "It`s Your Thing" or "Stick By Me" from Delroy`s last album. Of his own compositions, "Keep On Running" is the most commercial followed closely by "Here Comes The Heartaches". The former employs a joyful chugga chugga rhythm and good lyrics (You keep on running but you can, never get away/You broke my heart so one day, you got to pay . . ."). The single "Here Comes The Heartaches" demonstrates how well Delroy can sing although his voice seems a little tired on this song, which might have been great had Delroy been more inspired. "Don`t Believe In Him" is even less inspired, it doesn`t do justice to Delano Stewart`s original. But "Loving You", my favourite track, is a fine cover of the old hit and he sings as if he really means it. Delroy ought to concentrate on writing original material. When you take the easy way out and record other people`s songs instead of writing songs that will be more suitable to your own style of singing, you often tend to lose something in the mechanics of the interpretation. Better must come from Delroy Wilson.
Carl Gayle: -

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 4

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974

Various Artists `20 Explosive Reggae Hits` (Trojan TRLS 81)

Rasta No Pick Pocket - Junior Byles / Reggae Makossa - Brent Dowe / Crowded City - The Messengers / I`ll Be Waiting - Nicky Thomas / What About You - Pat Rhoden / Think About That - Dandy Livingstone / Loving Her Was Easier - Lloyd Charmers / African Breakfast - Bongo Herman / The World Is Love - Ethiopians / You`re A Big Girl Now - The Chosen Few / Just Like A Shelter - The Messengers / Ain`t No Sunshine - Ken Boothe / I`ll Never Find Another You - Jimmy London / Working On It Night And Day - The Aces / Whole World Is Falling Down - B.B. Seaton / It Was Written Down - The Maytals / Starting All Over Again - Hopeton Lewis / Don`t Break Your promise - John Holt / Keep On Moving - Bob Marley And The Wailers / Nice Nice Time - Zap Pow: -

After Twenty Dragon Hits we now have this collection--some very good, and two or three outstanding. One of these is "The World Is Love" by The Ethiopians, a two man vocal group which has been prominent ever since "Train To Skaville" in 1967. They`re always preaching in the rasta tradition nowadays (like The Wailers) and this song calls for freedom and love and captures the mood of the subject aptly. The Maytals` and The Wailers` songs also stand out. "It Was Written Down" y`all should know very well otherwise you ain`t been checkin` The Maytals which means you been missin` the very best in JA music. "Keep On Moving" is not so well known but it`s just as good, and it is on The Wailers` LP "African Herbsman". The church feel is immediately evident in both songs, but "Written Down" is much more aggressive than the slow-paced aching Wailers song. Material-wise John Holt`s contribution is minimal despite his good vocals on his interpretation of this old middle-of-the-road song. Ken Boothe`s singing cannot be equalled when he really gets it on, and even though he isn`t necessarily at his best here, "Ain`t No Sunshine" is a much more inspired contribution. "Crowded City" is a version of The Temps` "Smiling Faces" with different lyrics in which Lloyd Charmers, Ken Boothe, B.B. Seaton, and Busty Brown share lead vocals alternately and combine harmoniously on the chorus. The Chosen Few`s version of The stylistics` "You`re A Big Girl Now" is not the best thing they`ve ever done but it shows why they`re one of the most respected vocal groups in JA. This set doesn`t hang together as well as "20 Dragon Hits" but it will pass.
Carl Gayle: -

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 4

peace

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BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974

SINGLES REVIEW:
by Carl Gayle:

JUDY MOWATT: Mellow Mood / Version (Horse Hoss 40).
The musicians here are none other than The Wailers and it`s definitely one of the best reggae songs for ages.

PABLO AND FAY: Bedroom Mazurka / Version Two (Randys RAN 536).
A moody sex record with an even-paced rock steady rhythm.

JUDY MOWATT: Way Over Yonder / Version (Trojan TR7900).
Not the magic record that "mood" is but nonetheless a satisfactory cover of Carole King`s song. We could have done without the version (same tune, no vocals) on the B side.

JUNIOR ENGLISH: Daniel / Perfidia (Pama PM 869).
Junior makes this an even more moody song than Elton John`s original, with his expressive, melodic voice.

WINSTON GROOVY: Nose For Trouble / Version (Explosion EX 2086).
Story about an unfortunate guy who`s lying on his hospital bed worrying about how long he`s got to live after taking a pill a chick gave him at a discotheque when he had a headache.

LLOYD CHARMERS: Save The People / Salvation Train--Scotty (Green Door GD 4064).
Intro sounds like "Pap Was A Rolling Stone" but it`s a preaching song. Sounds like a church session: Someone`s soul`s gotta be saved tonight and all that.

BRENT DOWE: Build Me Up / Close To You (Horse Hoss 36).
Brent is at his best on these two songs from his LP. The A side has a great rhythm in which a prominent guitar riff is complemented by synthesiser.

ERIC DONALDSON: The Way You Do The Things You Do (Dragon DRA 1018).
Dunnow why Eric suddenly stopped making such great singles as "Blue Boot", "Miserable Woman" or "I`m Indebted" but he sure has. This version of The Temps` first hit isn`t very inspired but it`s good to do the skank to.

THE CHOSEN FEW: Children Of The Night / LLOYD CHARMERS: For The Good Times (Duke DU 162).
"Children Of The Night" employs the same rhythm as The Few`s version of Hayes` "Do Your Thing" and the same mood as their version of THe Stylistics` "People Make The World Go Round". It`s in no way original but it`s a fine song nonetheless. "For The Good Times" is Lloyd`s best performance for a long time.

LLOYD CHARMERS: White Rum And Salvation / Jam Dung (Big Shot BI 624).
B side employs a late (`68) rock steady rhythm and works well. A side is a nonentity because it fails in trying to be humorous and has nothing else to recommendit.

JUDY MOWATT: Emergency / Version (Gay Feet ).
Another great record from Judy. Her fabulous voice cries out` "Operator please get my man on the telephone" aided by a strong rhythm which sounds like The Wailers again. Watch out for Miss Mowatt!


BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 4

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 4

UK REGGAE CHARTS MARCH 1974:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. Little Bit Of Soap / Hit Me With Music - The Pioneers (Trojan TR 7906).
2. Pussy Cat - Lloydy And The Lowbites (Harry J HJ 6660).
3. Emergency Call - Judy Mowatt (Gay Feet GS 207).
4. In The Dark - The Maytals (Dragon DRA 1016).
5. Build Me Up - Brent Dowe (Horse Hoss 36).
6. I`m Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More - Lloyd Charmers (Harry J HJ 6662).
7. Mellow Mood - Judy Mowatt (Horse Hoss 40).
8 Say Wonderful Things - Ken Parker (Dragon DRA 1015).
9. The Way You Do The Things You Do - Eric Donaldson (Dragon DRA 1018).
10. Dr. Kitch / Molly - Judge Dread (Trojan TR 7905).
11. Way Over Yonder - Judy Mowatt (Horse Hoss 40).
12. Kiss An Angel In The Morning - Ken Parker (Attack ATT 8063).
13. Let`s Get It On - Ken Boothe (Trojan TR 7907).
14. Save The People - Lloyd Charmers (Green Door GD 4064).
15. Year Full Of Sunday - King Sporty (Green Door GD 4063).
16. Single Girl - Barbara Thompson (Explosion EXP 2087).
17. I`m Gonna Get Married - Danny Ray (Trojan TR 7903).
18. Endlessly - Dobbie Dobson (Ashanti ASH 401).
19. I Miss You - The Heptones (Ashanti ASH 407).
20. I`ll Light Your Fire / Reggae From The Ghetto - John Holt (Trojan TR 7902).
21. He`s Got The Whole World In His Hands - The Marvels (Trojan TR7904).
22. What A Festival - Eric Donaldson (Dragon DRA 1017).
23. Feeling High - Sydney George And Jackie (Attack ATT 8054).
24. Sandra - Upsetters (Count Shelly CS 052).
25. Blackbirds Singing - Roslyn Sweat And The Paragons (Duke DU 160).
26. So Long Baby - Jimmy Stratdan (Ethnic ETH 13).
27. Pardon - George Dekker (Trojan TR 7908).
28. For The Good Times - Lloyd Charmers / Children Of The Night - The Chosen Few (Duke DU 162).
29. Hec Boy - Tit Collins (Ethnic ETH 14).
30. Free Education For All - Flick Wilson (Count Shelly CS 037).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. 1000 Volts Of Holt - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 75).
2. The Marvels - The Marvels (Trojan TRLS 67).
3. Twenty Dragon Hits - Various Artists (Dragon DRLS 5003).
4. Funky Kingston - The Maytals (Dragon DRLS 5002).
5. Sings For I (The Further You Look) - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 55).
6. Jimmy Brown - Ken Parker (Trojan TRLS 80).
7. Build Me Up - Brent Dowe (Trojan TRLS 67).
8. Twenty Explosive Reggae Hits - Various Artists (Trojan TRLS 81).
9. Freedom Feeling - The Pioneers (Trojan TRLS 64).
10. Just Tito Simon - Tito Simon (Horse HRLP 702).
11. Double Dekker - Desmond Dekker (Trojan TRLD 401).
12. DJ`s Choice - Various Artists (Trojan TRLS 74).
13. Grounation - Count Ossie And The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari (Ashanti NTI 301).
14. It May Sound Silly - Gladstone Anderson (Ashanti SHAN 103).
15. African Herbsman - The Wailers (Trojan TRLS 62).
16. Burnin` - The Wailers (Island ILPS 9256).
17. John Holt`s Greatest Hits - John Holt (Melodisc MLD 12171).
18. Images Of You - Nicky Thomas (Horse HRLP 701).
19. Hell And Sorrow - I. Roy (Trojan TRLS 71).
20. Tighten Up Volume 8 - Various Artists (Trojan TBL 207).

BLACK MUSIC MARCH 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 4

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974
[cover=2314,2673][cover=8483,2673]
Toots And The Maytals `In The Dark` (Dragon DRLS 5004)

Got To Be There / In The Dark / Having A Party / Time Tough / I See You / Take A Look In The Mirror / Take Me Home Country Roads / Fever / Love Gonna Walk Out On Me / Revolution / 54-36 / Sailing On: -

The best LP of the year--bar none! "In The Dark" has been the best single since its release last year (despite the efforts of Al Brown, Ken Boothe and everybody else) and it`s still a very popular party record. The Maytals may be erratic on stage but they still bring the most enjoyment and excitement to a reggae audience. And Toots is still the most intense, inimitable vocalist, and one of the best lyricists. "Got To Be There" if it becomes a single, will be hard to surpass even by this time next year. It`s the track that counts on this album, just like "Road Block" is on the Wailers` newie. Both songs have something special that makes you want to hear `em again and again--they say a lot with few words and simple melodies. "Got To Be There" is a reggae rocker, a chucky dancer to equal any other. You already know all about "Country Road" and the title song. The other tracks are almost as good. "Having A Party" is a funky number with whistles. It`s not as frantic as "Funky Kingston" and it retains that subtle church flavour that Toots` vocals always brings to a song. "54-36" is "54-46 Was My Number", itself an updated version of "54-46 That`s My Number", a song inspired by Toots` time behind bars for a ganja rap. If you haven`t gotten the message by now I`ll make myself quite clear. This is a magnificent album!
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974
[cover=4777,894][cover=4776,894]
John Holt `A Love I Can Feel` (Attack ATLP 1010)

A Love I Can Feel / Do You Want Me / Make Up / Love Divine / Nobody Else / (If You Let Me Make Love To You) Why Can`t I Touch You / Tonight / It It Don`t Work Out / Stranger In Love / Its Alright / Your Arms Reaching Out For Me / My Heart Is Gone: -

Originally released on Bamboo, over three years ago, this was the first album by Holt LP released in Britain. It`s still as good as most of his others, in content if not in sound quality. Personally I find some of Holt`s relentlessly sentimental lyrics embarrassing. Holt`s songs are all emotional fantasies inspired by titles like "Love Divine", "My Heart Is Gone", "Nobody Else", in which he pledges his love and grieves his lost love. But if you dig the man--and many people do--then these tracks will send you romantic souls hurrying on down to the local record shop in search of sentimental memories. There`s nothing wrong with all that is there? And I prefer Holt`s music as it is here, raw and earthy.
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974
[cover=6308,3926][cover=6309,3926]
Various Artists `Big Bamboo` (Attack ATLP 1011)

Rainy Night In Georgia - Lord Tanamo / Got To Get Ourselves Together - Winston And Jerry / Choking Kind - Ken Parker / Fat Dog - Roy Richards / Heavy Beat - Im And David / So Long Rastafari Calling - Im And Count Ossie / Suspicious Minds - Heptones / Selection Train - Selected Four / Maga Dog - Larry Marshall / My Whole World Is Falling Down - Ken Parker / Mr. Fire Coal Man - Wailing Souls / Sweet You Sour You - Freddie McKay: -

Ashanti label boss Junior Lincoln originally intended to release this some three years ago, when he was running Bamboo Records. Now he has persuaded Trojan to put it out--and it was well worth the wait, for it represents some of the very finest Jamaican music released during 1970 and `71. The music varies from the cool rock steady instrumental of "Heavy Beat" to the rastafarian drums, brass, and chant singing of Im And Count Ossie on "So Long Rastafari". The two sentimental solo items by Ken Parker (both opposite sides of a single) is vastly different from Freddie McKay`s "Sweet You Sour You" a slow, solemn song that hints at right and wrong doing but isn`t about anything definable. The Heptones and the Wailers (Wailing Souls) emphasise how varied the reggae field can be. "Suspicious Minds" is an earthy brand of reggae/soul while "Mr. Fire Coal Man" is a good example of the Wailers subtle harmonic "protest" style. . . . "Maga Dog" is one of those novel Jamaican songs that uses a completely ethnic patois and in effect is a combination of a proverb and a put down of somebody who is analogised as the maga dog: "Sorry fe maga dog / maga dog turn round bite me". A great party LP that I`ve already worn out through overplay.
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974

[cover=3362,3618]
Cimarons `In Time` (Trojan TRLS 87)

Ship Ahoy / Zion / Over The Rainbow / I Wanna Please You / Utopian Feeling / You Can Get It If You Really Want / Time Passage / Moving On Up / Didn`t I Fool You / Reggae Time / My Blue Heaven / Kush Maroons: -

As a "concept" album this is only partially successful, containing too many songs which fail to sustain the "searching for the promised land" theme. But musically, it is resoundingly successful and demonstrates the Cimarons` great potential. In particular, the haunting "Zion", written by lead singer and relative newcomer, young Winston Reid, is a fresh and breathtaking piece revealing idealistic values in terms of spiritual well being in the Kingdom of Jah (God): "I want my soul, to go to heaven". In comparison, "Over The Rainbow" and "My Blue Heaven" may seem strangely out of context, but they fit into the overall concept of the album, that is if you accept that both convey a sense of the utopian feeling that the over ambitious track of the same title honestly fails to do. In contrast to the more thoughtful tracks, "I Wanna Please You" and "Didn`t I Fool You" (originally recorded by Ruby James) are somewhat funky, Cimarons sounding a little like the J5 in the latter. Both are concerned with "love" relationships and are adeptly arranged by the Cimarons themselves. Locksley Gichie`s "Moving On Up" is effective with its distinct melody and simple repetitive lyrics. All Cimarons need now is more time, which of course wil come.
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974

Various Artists `Rave On Brother` (Attack ATLP 1012)

I`m Alone - William Brown / You Keep On Running - Delroy And U. Roy / Hey World - Alton Ellis / With Every Dream - George Ferris / Rope Of Sand - Joncunoo / No More - Owen Grey / Anniversary - Junior English / Harder And Harder - Alton Ellis / I`d Like To Teach The World To Sing - Joncunoo / Room Full Of Tears - Ruffians / The End - Joncunoo / When We Were Children - Joncunoo: -

Despite the fact that these tracks date back to 1971 and beyond (the LP was meant to have been released around two and a half years ago by Bamboo but never was) this is still good reggae party music which doesn`t sound dated. Owen Grey and Alton Ellis turn in the most consistent performances in terms of quality. But "You Keep On Running", a joint dj version by U. Roy and Delroy Wilson, is the outstanding track. The whole album, though, is infectious, vibrant, raunchy and extremely danceable.
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace

[stepping razor]

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974

[cover=2410,2777]
B. B. Seaton `Dancing Shoes` (Caroline CA 2002)

Hold On (My People) / Everybody Loves A Winner / Who`s That Lady / No More Tribalism / Brother Stand Up / Brothers Beware / Dancing Shoes / Thinking About You / Making Love Is So Much Fun / I Believe When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever / Any Day Now / How Can I Exsist: -

B. B. Seaton used to be lead singer with the Gaylads, a Jamaican group of the rock steady era who finally broke up in 1971. He has also been singing solo since the late sixties and composing songs with people like Ken Boothe and Lloyd Charmers--both of whom he has sung with (plus Busty Brown) as the Messengers. One of his famous joint composistions was "Freedom Street" (a song constructed from a poem in fact) which was a tremendous hit for Boothe in Jamaica. Seaton wrote eight of the twelve songs here, of which "Brothers Stand Up" (non reggae), and "No More Tribalism", a song calling for unity, are two of my favourites. It`s a well-sung, above average album. Skin Flesh And Bones who assist with the backing music are a very tight band, and the other musicians include Ansell Collins and Geoffrey Chung.
Carl Gayle:

BLACK MUSIC OCTOBER 1974: - VOL. 1 / ISSUE 11

peace