Best Ijahman album?

[slengteng]

His first two are his best, by far, to me.

But take a listen to his last one, Versatile Life, quite good...

[Version Control]

OK, here goes:

HAILE I HYMN (Chapter One) Island ILPS 9521 [1978]
1. Jah Heavy Load
2. Jah Is No Secret

3. Zion Hut
4. I Am A Levi

HAILE I HYMN Tree Roots CDJMI100 [1989]
1-4 as above

then, as listed bonuses:
5. Praises In Strange Places
6. Marcus Hero
7. Zion Train (Version)

then, not listed on packaging:
8. Africa Crisis Extended

Also, the LP's inner sleeve lists the lyrics in the following order - Jah Heavy Load, Jah Is No Secret, I Am A Levi, Zion Hut (Chapters 1, 2 & 3) but the last track fades out before the end of Chapter 2.

This probably means Zion Hut was meant to cover the whole of Side B, but they cut it and re-arranged the songs to fit after the design had gone to print. I can't prove it, but the fact that the later CD version of Zion Hut extends to all three Chapters seems to support the theory.

VC

[Version Control]

Back again with the second album:

ARE WE A WARRIOR Island 9557 [1978]
1. Are We A Warrior
2. Moulding
3. The Church

4. Miss Beverley
5. Two Sides Of Love

ARE WE A WARRIOR Tree Roots CDJMI200 [1989]
1. Moulding & Version
2. Are We A Warrior
3. The Church
4. Two Sides Of Love
5. Miss Beverley
6. Lend A Hand
7. Darling
8. Master ideas

As far as I recall, the last three tracks were the same versions that first appeared on his other LPs. But the first five tracks were all variously extended or shortened and 'remixed', mainly by the addition of further instruments. For those who weren't around in the late 1980s, there was a view in the industry that the CD format's greater clarity would leave original recordings sounding too sparse and with gaps in the music that needed filling.

Those are my words rather than a quote, but that's basically why such further production was seen as necessary. It was nothing to do with trying to crossover or modernise to prevailing musical tastes at the time of re-issue.

But please note I'm just telling it how it was - I don't want to start another vinyl vs CD vs mp3 debate!

VC

[ital kemar]

thanks v.c. was wondering were there songs i didnt have on the cds. but as you rightly state they were released on later albums. thanks for reply.

ites

ital kemar

[Funkyfred]

Thanx for the info VersionControl!

Wow, hidden track and all!!
But I just got the Island-CDs, no bonustracks for me neither.