Roots Archives Forum

I know they are one of the biggest roots reggae bands, but I still feel they don't get their due. The level of talent, originality, consistency, and sheer output is remarkable not just in reggae, but in the world of music.

It's even more impressive when you consider their solo work, especially Clinton Fearon, who to me ranks among the top reggae artists today.

What are your thoughts on The Gladiators? What is your favorite album, excluding Trenchtown Mix Up, if that's your first choice.

Their Proverbial Reggae album is one of my favorite reggae albums. I like every song on it except Music Makers From Jamaica.

Burning Spear and The Gladiators were the 2 bands that most got me into reggae, and remain two of my all time favs, but even though Burning Spear gets ~5x as much mainstream exposure and coverage, I think his output took a huge dip after 1980's Hail HIM. Compare that to The Gladiators, who to my ears remained consistent and continued to grow all the way to their final album in 2005.

Not to take anything away from Burning Spear, and to be fair his career started earlier and he paved the way for The Gladiators.

giant panda wrote: Not to take anything away from Burning Spear, and to be fair his career started earlier and he paved the way for The Gladiators.

The Gladiators started their career earlier then Burning Spear. 'Pave the way' I guess you mean BS is more mainstream. And therefore helped reggae and lesser known bands. That is true.

'Trenchtown Mixup' is one of my favourite reggae albums - I'll have to listen to that again now, in fact.

I've heard 'Proverbial Reggae' too, which I didn't think was quite as good, TBH. The only song that sticks in my head is 'Stick A Bush', I think mainly because of the discussions on here about whether the lyrics were about Griffiths wanting lots and lots of poon...

I feel that the Gladiators as a band are very much underrated. They were obviously a very talented singing group but also fantastic musicians as well.
It would be great & interesting to see a list of their recordings as a backing band for other artists.... & my favourite Gladiators album (or half an album) is Show-Down Vol 3 (W/D. Carlos) on Channel One.
Also love their Nighthawk albums too.

j j

"Back To Roots" lp from 1982 was produced by a french.
I didn't know if it was released in others countries(before Tabou1).

Trenchtown mix up is their best lp.
I'm always wondering if tony robinson had released a dub album at that time(from Gladiators or others).

The Gladiators were definitely one of the best to do it.
Looks Is Deceiving and Tribulation always ranks as some of my favourites.
Vocally, their arrangements were well constructed. IMO
Coincidentally, i was listening to Clinton Fearon's acoustic album the other day and have to say it definitely gets a thumbs up.
They seemed to have found much more success out of JA, which is a bit unfortunate.

Funky Punk wrote: I've heard 'Proverbial Reggae' too, which I didn't think was quite as good, TBH. The only song that sticks in my head is 'Stick A Bush', I think mainly because of the discussions on here about whether the lyrics were about Griffiths wanting lots and lots of poon...

I notice they have a few songs with that subject matter, for example No Disturbance. Fantastic song, questionable lyrics. Same goes for Give it Up Willing and Fling it Gimme. Love songs work well in reggae, but overtly sexual lyrics almost always feel out of place.

I've really been enjoying revisiting their music over these past few days. Major gems are scattered throughout their discography, in addition to the albums Trenchtown, Proverbial Reggae, Serious Thing and Country Living, which are brilliant from start to finish.

almost every other song is marvelous: Can't Stop Righteousness, Easy Squeeze, Gone Already, Country Living, Rich Man, Happy Man, The Best Things in Life, No Wrong Ideas, God Bless, etc. They had a knack for incorporating both major and minor segments to make chorus's really stand out. I also like how the backing vocals are used like instruments to create additional melodies, rather than just matching notes.

Gladiators is my number one Reggae group, (among other number ones).
My favorite album is Babylon Street.