1974-1980 reviews on current reggae releases...

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BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1974

UK REGGAE CHARTS JANUARY 1974:

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. In The Dark - The Maytals (Dragon ).
2. Children Of The Night - The Chosen Few / For The Good Times - Lloyd Charmers (Duke ).
3. La La At The End - Norman Brown (Big Shot ).
4. Say Wonderful Things - Ken Parker (Dragon ).
5. Nose For Trouble - Winston Groovy (Explosion ).
6. Baby Don`t Do It - Now Generation (Pyramid ).
7. A Little Bit Of Soap - The Pioneers (Trojan ).
8. Mellow Mood - Judy Mowatt (Horse ).
9. Girl I`ve Got A Date - King Sporty (Attack ).
10. Stop Baby - Millie And Winston (Big Shot ).
11. I Miss You - The Heptones (Ashanti ).
12. Salvation Train - Scotty (Count Shelly ).
13. Emergency Call - Judy Mowatt (Gay Feet ).
14. It Comes And Goes - Ed Parkins (Ashanti ).
15. That Lady - The Paris Connection (Explosion ).
16. What A Festival - Eric Donaldson (Dragon ).
17. Everybody Join Hands - Desmond Dekker (Rhino ).
18. My Baby Just Cares - Cornell Campbell (Gay Feet ).
19. So Long Baby - Jimmy Stratdan (Ehthnic ).
20. Sweet Cherry - Honeyboy (Cactus ).
21. Hey Lttle Girl - Derrick Morgan (Down Town ).
22. Reggae Stuff - Matumbi (Horse ).
23. Blackbirds Singing - Roslyn Sweat And The Paragons (Duke ).
24. Here Comes Santa - Winston Francis (Rhino ).
25. Country Road - The Maytals 9Dragon ).
26. Every Man Ought To Know - Max Romeo (Pama ).
27. The Way You Do The Things You Do - Eric Donaldson (Dragon ).
28. Never Get Away - Winston Curtis (Count Shelly ).
29. Conquerer - Stranger And Gladys (Dragon ).
30. Where Are We Going - Shark Wilson (Fresh Air ).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Sings For I - John Holt (Trojan )
2. Reggae All Round The World - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires (Dragon DRLS 5001).
3. Grounation - Count Ossie & The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari (Ashanti NTI 301).
4. Funky Kingston - Toots & The Maytals (Dragon DRLS 5002).
5. Catch A Fire - The Wailers (Island ILPS 9241).
6. Burnin - The Wailers (Island ILPS 9256).
7. Presenting I. Roy - I. Roy (Trojan TRLS 63).
8. John Holt`s Greatest Hits - John Holt (Melodisc MLP 12-170).
9. 16 Dynamic Hits Volume 2 - Various Artists (Trojan ).
10. African Herbsman - The Wailers (Trojan TRLS 62).
11. Soulful Reggae - Various Artists (Trojan ).
12. This Is Reggae Volume 4 - Various Artists (Pama PMP 2016).
13. Version To Version Volume 2 - Various Artists (Trojan TBL 206).
14. Tighten Up Volume 8 - Various Artists (Trojan TBL 207).
15. Chi Chi Run - Big Youth (Melodisc MS 8).
16. The Heptones & Friends Volume Two - The Heptones (Attack ATLP 1001).
17. 1000 Volts Of Holt - John Holt (Trojan TRLS 75).
18. Double Seven - The Upsetters (Trojan TRLS 70).
19. Screaming Target - Big Youth (Trojan TRLS 61).
20. Silver Bullets - The Silvertones (Trojan TRLS 69).

BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1974

peace

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BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973: Vol. 1 / Issue 1
[cover=7114,4835][cover=7115,4835]
Various Artists `Version To Version Volume 2` (Trojan TBL 206)

What Did You say - Dennis Alcapone / Magnificent 7 - I. Roy / George Foreman - Bacca / Brother Louie - Matumbi / Facts Of Life - Big Youth / Station Underground News - Lee Perry / Sudden Flight - I. Roy / Burning Wire - Jerry Lewis / Meaning Of One - Prince Jazzbo / Dedicated To Illiteracy - Shorty Perry / 2 Wedden Skank - Glen Brown / Bathroom Skank - Lee Perry:-

Trojan seem to have a policy of classifying their product as (`Commercial` and `Ethnic`), separating them along those lines, and then pushing the commercial stuff while hardly bothering with the ethnic material. They believe that it hasn`t much chance of selling outside of the ethnic area and consequently not much thought is given to the presentation of the material which is usually lumped together simply because it has an obvious common factor.
Except for `Wedden Skank` all the tracks here are DJ dubs. So we have material by Big Youth, Capone, and I. Roy which are all good. The best of the others `Station Underground News` and `Bathroom Skank` by L. Perry, and `George Foreman` by Bacca use the most imaginative production techniques and are as good as anything else on the LP. It`s about time though that you-know-who realised that even the ethnic buyers will become saturated and tired of LP`s with nothing but DJ music on them. We all know that this is not the only way of presenting this music.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973

peace

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BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973: Vol. 1 / Issue 1
[cover=1279,1472][cover=4509,1472]
Various Artists `Tighten Up Volume 8` (Trojan TBL 207)

Ain`t It Groovy - Buster Pearson / Silver Words - Ken Boothe / You Can Be Serious - Tito Simon / You Don`t Know - Bob Andy / Nice Nice Time - Zap Pow / Is It Because I`m Black - Ken Boothe / You Can`t Buy My Love - Donna Dawson / My Island - Paulette Williams / I`ll Be Standing By - Jimmy Green / Meaning Of Life - The Heptones / Crowded City - The Messengers / Sweet Caroline - C. Danovan:-

Ever since volume 1 (which contained the track "Tighten Up" by The Untouchables, produced by Lee Perry) this series has always been a good buy. You`re no reggae collector unless you have the whole lot and I hope the series continues both for the quality and for the historical side of the music which it traces. Ken Boothe must be the most popular vocalist amoung young W. Indians in England at the moment, when is the world gonna discover him? The best track on the LP is "Is It Because I`m Black" which was originally recorded by Syl Johnson the black American vocalist. It takes just one song like this--one which speaks on black people`s behalf, individually and collectively--to popularize and endear an artist to even a previously disinterested audience. But Boothe is no stranger on the reggae scene, and his self composition, "Silver Words" ("Baby I`m Not Joking, and it`s not what I`m smoking, I really think you`re nice.") plus Bob Andy`s "You Don`t Know" are nearly as good, With the latter it`s the crystal clear cool voice of Andy combined with the compulsive dance rhythm that persuade you to like it. In "Crowded City" written by Boothe / Seaton / Charmers /
Brown, the production is imaginative. The song is a version of "Smiling Faces" by The Tempts, with different lyrics. Lloyd Charmers leads on vocals and if you listen carefully you can identify the voices of the individual singers who are in fact the four writers calling themselves The Messengers. Of the other tracks "Meaning Of Life" a slow moody number, does not carry the same weight as when I first heard it on a loud Sound System. The Heptones are one of the best vocal groups which makes the song more of a disappointment, and this album too is probably the weakest of all the Tighten Up collections.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973

peace

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BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1974
[cover=2277,2630]
Dandy Livingstone `Conscious` (Mooncrest CREST 5)

Right Connection / Let Me Tell You What`s going on / Black Star /Caribbean Rock /
Glory Be Ay Glory Be You / Everyday Gets A Little Bit Sweeter /I`m A Believer /
Love Is About To Get Me / Jack The King Of The Tramps / Check Out Yourself:-

Dandy Livingstone, following in the footsteps of The Wailers, has come up with a `concept` album based on `black consciousness`. Although unless "Jack" was black I don`t see where a song like `Jack The King Of The Tramps` fits in. Still, this is Dandy`s best album so far, one that will please his many fans. And there are many, for over the last five years Dandy Livingstone has been the most consistent hit maker of all Jamaican artists. Remember those pretty pop-reggae songs like `Reggae In Your Jeggae`. `Come back Liza` or `Big City`? Well `Caribbean Rock`, `Glory Be Ay Glory Be You` and `Everyday Gets A Little Bit Sweeter` are all in the same happy vein. These new numbers, however, show the sophistication in production which is Dandy`s forte now. `Black Connection` and `Black Star` are the only real `conscious` numbers and `Star` is the best thing Dandy has ever done. It`s excellent! It starts off slowly with tasteful strings and clavinet mixed well back, then the chorus breaks out suddenly: "I wanna see you perform, I wanna give the biggest applause / I wanna get your autograph, see you become a bigger star. . ." And the sax solo that follows it straight out of Junior Walker`s soul bag. `Connection` has a clipped blues guitar solo in the middle, and good lyrics but their effect is not enhanced by the unimaginative rhythm. The other two highlights are `I`m A Believer` and `Glory Be Ay Glory Be You` which are very imaginative and instantly infectious. But all the tracks here are good.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1974

peace

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BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973: Vol. 1 / Issue 1

UK REGGAE CHARTS DECEMBER 1973

REGGAE SINGLES:
1. In The Dark - The Maytals (Dragon ).
2. Lonely For Your Love - Nicky Thomas (Horse ).
3. I Miss You - The Heptones (Ashanti ).
4. Reggae In The Ghetto - John Holt (Trojan ).
5. Reggae Stuff - Matumbi (Horse ).
6. Say Wonderful Things - Ken Parker (Dragon ).
7. Tonight - Robert Lee (Ackee ).
8. Silver Platter - I. Roy And Keith Hudson (Randys ).
9. Build Me Up - Brent Dowe (Horse ).
10. Way Over Yonder - Judy Mowatt (Trojan ).
11. Country Boy - Charlie Ace (Ackee ).
12. Jennie Jennie - The Selectors (Ethnic ).
13. Everyman Ought To Know - Max Romeo (Pama ).
14. That`s When It Hurts - The Silvertones (Technique ).
15. Blackbirds Singing - Roslyn Sweat & The Paragons (Duke ).
16. Sweet Cherrie - Honeyboy (Cactus ).
17. Standing On The Hill - Shenley Duffus (Pama ).
18. La La At The End - Norman Brown (Big Shot ).
19. This Is Reggae Music - Zap Pow (Island ).
20. Wake Up Jamaica - Dennis Alcapone (Treasure Isle ).
21. Children Of The Night - The Chosen Few / For The Good Times - Lloyd Charmers (Duke ).
22. That Lady - The Paris Connection (Explosion ).
23. Theme From Peyton Place - Jackie Edwards (Trojan ).
24. Conqueror - Stranger And Gladys (Dragon ).
25. It`s Too Late - The Chosen Few 9Duke ).
26. Hole Under Crotches - Henry And Lisa (Dragon ).
27. Can You Keep A Secret - Big Youth (Pyramid ).
28. What`s Your Name - Audley Rollins (Harry J ).
29. Country Road - The Maytals (Dragon ).
30. Big Five - Prince Buster (Prince Buster ).

REGGAE ALBUMS:
1. Reggae Around The World - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires (Dragon DRLS 5001).
2. Sings For I - John Holt (Trojan ).
3. Grounation - Count Ossie & The Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari (Ashanti NTI 301).
4. Funky Kingston - The Maytals (Dragon DRLS 5002).
5. Tighten Up Volume 8 - Various Artists (Trojan TBL 207).
6. Version To Version Volume 2 - Various Artists (Trojan TBL 206).
7. Presenting I. Roy - I. Roy (Trojan TRLS 63).
8. This Is Reggae Volume 4 - Various Artists (Pama PMP 2016).
9. John Holt`s Greatest Hits - John Holt (Melodisc MLP 12-170).
10. Catch A Fire - The Wailers (Island ILPS 9241).
11. Screaming Target - Big Youth (Trojan ILPS 61).
12. The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff (Island ILPS 9202).
13. Chi Chi Run - Big Youth (Melodisc MS 8).
14. 16 Dynamic Hits Volume - Various Artists (Trojan ).
15. Cloak And Dagger - The Upsetters (Rhino SRNO 8002).
16. Reggae Time - Various Artists (Ashanti ).
17. Soulful Reggae - Various Artists (Trojan ).
18. African Herbsman - Bob Marley And The Wailers (Trpjan TRLS 62).
19. Soul Of Jamaica - Various Artists (Island ).
20. The Heptones And Friends Volume 2 - The Heptones (Attack ATLP 1001).

BLACK MUSIC DECEMBER 1973

peace

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The next batch are album reviews in `Black Music` that are not listed or/and not got cover art in the `Roots Archives` archive.

peace

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BLACK MUSIC APRIL 1974

Various Artists `Pipeline` (Trojan TBL 203)

Musical Alphabet - Dennis Alcapone / Things Gonna Change - The Maytones / Cool Down - The Untouchables / Searching For Your Love - Del Williams / Only One Wife - Lloyd Carey / Scorpion - Lloyd Carey / Abusing And Assulting - Shorty Perry / Loving Bride - Tya Hunter / Howdy And Tenky - Plowers And Alvin / Drummer Roach - The Maytones / If Loving You Is Wrong - The Maytones / In A De Pum Pum - Flowers And Alvin:-

Not sure whether Del Williams is a girl or a boy--the voice is that ambiguous--but he or she has come up with one of the strangest tracks I`ve ever heard. "Searching For Your Love"has banal lyrics and the voice is off-key and totally unmusical--yet so compelling that somehow it works. On a more musical note the best track here is "Howdy And Tenky", an amusing song with lovely piano, great rhythm, and vocals that owe a lot to calypso. Lloyd Carey`s two tracks are fine, especially "Scorpion" an uptempo DJ number with skilful, inspired rapping. "Things Gonna Change" is the only other track that succeeds in conveying any real emotion in an LP collection which is only average to poor.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC APRIL 1974

peace

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BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1975

Various Artists `Just Between` (Count Shelly CSLP 07)

I`ll Be Missing You - Billy Campbell / How Long - The Saints / What Am I Living For - Hubert Lee / Mocking Bird - Stranger And Gladys / Sincerely - Roy Alton / Too Late -
Otis Brother / Where Must I Go / Shelly Reggae Rock - Errol Dunkley / Never Get Away - Winston Curtis / Baby I Love You / That Ain`t Right - Errol And Pressure Shock / Man In Your Life - Max Romeo:-

* * *

Whoever chose this pleasing selection obviously had an "older" audience (upper twenties and over) in mind. The music is earthy and a little coarse sometimes; a true reggae audience likes it that way. They want to be able to feel it as well as hear it. Above all the songs are sentimental and things like "What Am I Living For", "Mocking Bird" and "Sincerely" encourage the sentimental journey into the past that this audience likes so much and the slow pace of the music encourages close dancing in pairs. The musicianship is not outstanding but never less than satisfactory. Errol Dunkley, again, is in top form, especially with "Shelly Reggae Rock", where he uses Alton Ellis` classic "Rock Steady" as the basis for the song. Errol, now living in London, but desperately wanting to go home, is the absolute mainstay of earthy JA music in this country. Can`t wait for his new album.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JANUARY 1975

peace

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BLACK MUSIC MAY 1975

Various Artists `This Is Reggae Music` (Trojan TRLS 104)

This Is Reggae Music - Zap Pow / I Shot The Sherriff - The Wailers / The World Is Upside Down - Joe Higgs / Hey Mr Yesterday - Jimmy Cliff / Funky Kingston - The Maytals / Breakfast In Bed - Lorna Bennett / Louie Louie - The Maytals / Guava Jelly - Owen Gray / Book Of Rules - The Heptones / Concrete Jungle - The Wailers:-

* * * *

Featuring eight top Jamaican performers this set is a must: entertaining, danceable and engrossing. Every track has party impact but most are far more than good dance tunes. It`s a showcase of the various styles of JA music; the dance music of the Maytals, the message music of the Wailers, the pop styled Jimmy Cliff, the soul styled Zap Pow. Compare the styles of "The World Is Upside Down" and "I Shot The Sherriff" composed alternately by Joe Higgs and Bob Marley, two of Jamaica`s finest writers. Marley was once a pupil of Higgs but now is the more renowned. Yet Higgs` style is more articulate, more poetic. Both songs say it all, Higgs is detached, Marley is angry. "Book Of Rules" was one of the best original songs last year and one of the biggest JA sellers. "Funky Kingston" is one of the Maytals best ever records. "Breakfast In Bed" was a winner in `72. "This Is Reggae Music" and "Concrete Jungle" are both excellent pieces for the way they achieve a musical blend: the former with soul, the latter with rock. A really fine collection.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC MAY 1975

peace

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BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1975

Byron Lee & The Dragonaires `The Midas Touch` (Dragon DRLS 5006)

Up Park Camp / None Shall Escape The Judgement / Girl We Got A Date / You Can`t Blame The Youth / Here I Am Come And Take Me / I Shot The Sheriff / You Must Believe Me / My Girl / Road Block / Ode To Billy Joe:-

* * *

With my prejudice against sophisticated reggae I`d not expected to be recommending this LP, the umpteenth from Lee and the Dragonaires, the inventors, pioneers, and upholders of middle of the road reggae. But it`s a good album. They`ve been practising this kinda style up there at Dynamic for years it seems. Now they`ve got it down to a T: tight, tidy, and tasteful. Maybe it`s the impeccable choice of songs that make the difference. One of my favourites is "You Can`t Blame The Youth" written and performed originally by the brilliant Pete Tosh. Even standards like "Up Park Camp", and "Ode To Billy Joe" sound refreshing in their reggae treatment. Lee seems to have found that midas touch all right.
Carl Gayle:-
BLACK MUSIC JUNE 1975

peace