Roots Archives Forum

Okay benjamin, it's all a matter of tastes as we all know, but to my humble ears Lacksley Castell's album 'Morning Glory' is one of the most heartfelt recordings ever to come out of Jamaica.

Actually I only know his collaboration with mundell on jah fire which I like but not love, his interventions sound a little ordinary to me. but I'd like to hear this Morning glory you're talking about (beautiful title indeed)

Junior Reid, another singer connected with Augustus Pablo's Rockers set up, used Hugh Mundell's 'Jah Fire Will Be Burning' rhythm for his killer 'Bottomless Pit' back in 1995.

I already heard some of his songs, but I don't have any album. In roots-archive, the first mentionned recording is from 1985, is there anything good before this ?

Before going solo Junior Reid was part of a vocal group called 'Voice of Progress'. Their only album 'Mini-Bus Driver' was originally released on Negus Roots Label in 1981 and has been rereleased on the Blue Moon Label on CD. Voice of Progress can be found in the archives.

Hugh Mundell produced Junior Reid's first record in 1979.

"Speak The Truth" / "Waterhouse Step" by Little Junior Reid (Rockers International)

thanks, I'll try to listen to it, maybe voice of progress will be easier to find. Is it really good ? I heard yesterday Reid's Boom shack a lack. He truely has a nice voice but the sound is a bit to disco for me (the last song could be michael jackson's)

you see benjamin, that's what even the rootsiest did. they always made the odd one in between, like copying soulmusic or even country songs. these tunes could be very popular with the dancehall crowd in JA. Just take it with a good humour and enjoy the rest.
Voice of Progress has a fine early 80s Sly & Robbie backbone with some dry and hard riddims, mostly originals. The voices are fine too, even if Junior's wail is sometimes not hitting the right notes. Looking back from now I wonder why everybody who heard the record back in 1981/82 didn't see Junior directly on his way to Black Uhuru whom he joined 1986.
If you're interested in more classic Junior Reid stuff I recommend the 'Original foreign mind' album to you. I think it's even better than 'Boom shack a lack'.
Greetings.

Yeah, that's funny when in the middle of a fine roots album you find that kind of stuff.. I think to Ijahman's fourth song on Tell it to the children..
I think my next researches are going to be this voice of progress and I also would love to get the Tetrack album from 1980 in which there is a song I very much love : Isn't it time.
No need to search for the Junior Reid album you're talking about : my friend Guido (met on this forum, at the beginning of this very topic)has already gracefully sent it to me across the oceans, I'll soon get it. Big up.
Thanks

You should listen to the albums "One Blood" by Junior Reid and "Firehouse Clash" By Junior Reid and Don Carlos. Two of my most favourite singers. Junior Reid also covered the hugh mundell song "arise and shine" on his album "Listen To The Voices" in 1996. But like I told you before. I like his 80ies stuff much more than his new.

When I listen to Up Life Street by Yami Bolo. It reminds me also of hugh mundell.