Monumental soul-reggae in its full 12-inch glory, with a terrific old school rap from Welton Irie, and two dubs.
Arguably the definitive version of the Randy Newman song, though it’s probably a Nina Simone cover.
This started out a couple of years ago as a grounation drumming session above the old headquarters of the Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari, in Wareika Hill, Kingston, JA. Four funde, a repeta and a bass drum. Back in London, contributing flute and guitar, Kenrick Diggory unbottled the deep rootical psychedelia and sheer awe of Hunting — the Keith-Hudson-versus-Count-Ossie wonder of the world — and Tapes added electronics, a shot of Drum Song… and a giddily intense binghi dub.
The Tartans — Prince Lincoln, Cedric Myton, Devon Russell and Berg Lewis.
Tasty rudeboy anthems from Cedric ‘Congos’ Myton, Devon Russell and co — a dancehall tribute and a jailhouse portent. Double-bass in the place.
Bumping rocksteady — with a gospel, Toots flavour to the A; a little more booting rhythm and blues to the flip.
Lovely harmonising by Devon Russell, Prince Lincoln Thompson, Cedric Myton and Lindburgh Lewis, over a chunky rocksteady rhythm. Plus a sweetly imploring Tommy McCook instrumental on the flip, with deft guitar-work by Hux Brown, and a gently rocking brass section.
Outstanding roots from 1979, produced by Prince Hammer. Tough dub. too.
The great roots singer totally bossing this killer piece of late-eighties digi Lovers.
Like the Singing Melody excursion on the same stone-classic I Won’t Give Up rhythm, this is previously unreleased.
Next cut of Spear’s Marcus Garvey rhythm.
Bumping, soulful ska. Plus Tommy McCook’s brilliant Goldfinger, on the flip.
Irresistible mix of sublime, Impressions-style harmony singing, punchy horns supervised by Tommy McCook, soulful existentialism and rocking steady rhythm; beautifully presented by Far East Records.