Next Bunny Wailer installment from Dubstore Tokyo. You know the drill: silkscreened sleeves, beautiful labels, and out of this world selecting, like this limber, jazzy gem, still wiser than Solomon.
Re-launching the Mittoo classic, aimed one step beyond, with intrepid space synths and drum machine (and mangled chanting on the flip). Strong Upsetters flavours.
Characteristically daring report of Haile Selassie’s visit to JA, kicking off in Amharic. A knees-up crossing of gospel, ska and rhythm and blues — the pianist and drummer taking different views — with vocal backing by The Gaylads. Plus a Soul Brothers on the flip.
Lovely Impressions impressions on the eve of the group’s departure from Brentford Road.
Including a disinterment of his great song Burial.
‘What a big disgrace, the way you rob up the place… everything you can find, you even rob the blind. Now we know the truth… taking people’s business on your head, might as well you be dead.’
The second LP contains the dubs.
The Stepping Razor’s inspired melodica cut of Armagideon has the dreadest atmosphere of the lot.
Magnificent, militant roots with the heart of a lion. Bunny’s greatest record under his own name, much superior to the version on the Liberation LP, this was originally released as a UK disco 45 in the early eighties.
The finest of his dancehall interventions with the Roots Radics, as the eighties progressed. This is taut and simple, tough and atmospheric, triumphant.
Heavyweight, apocalyptic Bunny, with a burial b-line, burning horns, masterful dub. By a mile the best thing on Blackheart Man.