Max’s masterpiece & prime Upsetter.

This essential reggae LP was recorded at Randy’s and the Black Ark, and originally released in 1975 on Black World. Powerful songs, steeped in no-messing revolutionary socialism, beautifully delivered by Max Romeo at his peak, clear as a bell, with expertly lean production by Bullwackies’ Clive Hunt (besides Pete Weston and Lee Perry himself). The CD adds a heap of dubs, and toasts by Prince Far-I and I-Roy.

“Got to clean up your hammer and sharpen your sickle… In this time of revelation… Dread… Coming from high places where there is no screw faces… Selfish barbarism has got to stop.”

Soon after leaving JA for the US in 1978, Max conducted this moody survey of 8th Avenue, Manhattan.
With the same measures of disgust, funk and soul as Melt Away.
Don’t miss the organ instrumental on the flip, originally entitled Sin City. Jackie Mittoo in his own time and space.

Island disco sung by a Rasta in the Bronx, over an 808 & chopper bass, with a gospel chorus, and fuzz guitar which sounds like P-Funk! Originally released in 1982 on the Sunshine label.
Plus Wilie Lindo leading a mellow instrumental version of Barry White’s Midnight & You, with Lloyd Charmers at the controls, for all the lovers in the dance. Original released in 1975 on Wild Flower.

Still breathtaking.

First time out for this recent do-over of Yabby You’s mighty King Pharaoh’s Plague — with dub.

Scorcher!
Rothadam aka Errol Gayle tried out for Bunny Lee before following his brothers from Trenchtown to Toronto in the early-1970s. Here, his fellow-welder Sid Lovejoy also ran a record shop, label and studio, at 917 Bathurst Street; and in 1975 the first iteration of Rebel was unleashed on Sid’s LMP imprint (cut a little slower than this reissue), featuring none other than Leroy Sibbles on bin-wobbling bass; and massive, rearing, swinging horns (and melodica). The brass brings to mind the Otravis crew on Skyjack Version, also with Sibbles, for Half Moon; the hi-hats tick with the same serious-mindedness as at the start of Joe Higgs’ Creation; Rothadam channels Horace Andy to full effect.
Then Gayle reprised the song at Half Moon itself, with the Super Eight Corporation. Producer Oswald Creary passed the second recording — side two here — onto Ron Lewis, to put out on Ron-Lew. It’s more Upsetters in style, with a lighter touch; more limber, smoke-filled and cosmic, with a vibesing spoken intro and tasty percussion.
Both sides are raw, intense, inspiring roots.
Neither came with a dub… so dream on, rudie.
Hotly recommended.

Luminously upful mid-seventies roots.
Scunna’s bro King Tubby dishes up a heavy dub.
Lovely record.

This rare roots outing by the lovers specialist is a sweet, heartfelt tribute to the great JA revolutionary. A Lloyd Parks production, with a proper dub.