Various - Fire Over Babylon (Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds at Studio One) (Soul Jazz Records) (CD) (2021)

 

Another gem from Soul Jazz. The releases under the Soul Jazz Studio One Series are top notch and should be trusted by the public. The theme for this release is "Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds...". In other words, this release is full of great roots and culture reggae music - my favorite kind. Those that know me personally know that my love of reggae music is unquestioned and my passion for the music released on the Studio One label is unbound. This release satisfies the soul.

Some of the hardcore will complain that Soul Jazz doesn't dig deep enough to find rare tracks from the Studio One vaults. While that may be true, they always include a few treasures. The same is true on this release. For example, The Prospectors - Glory for I is new to me. Go buy! 

The Gladiators - Presenting The Gladiators (Studio One - SOR-017) (CD-Deluxe Edition) (2018)

Presenting..originally released on Studio One in 1978- has been reissued in a Deluxe Edition by Studio One. What a treat! This band, this label, and this release are considered classics in the reggae world. Led by vocalist, Albert Griffiths, The Gladiators, a self-contained band, also backed up other musicians at Studio One. Aside from including the full, original album, this Deluxe Edition, also includes some dubs, some unreleased material, and even some alternate takes.

The Gladiators had some success in the UK with releases on Virgin and Front Line in the mid-70s, but this Studio One release is where I got my first taste of this roots reggae band. This release also comes with a handy and pretty booklet which provides some background of the band some of the members that have passed through the ranks. The music? Well, listening to this album on CD for the first time allows me to hear some background harmony parts that I had not heard on the vinyl release. On some the tracks the bass can really be heard and distorts a little but if you are a fan of reggae music and Studio One, that will not be a problem. By the way, the bass parts are credited to Clinton Fearon and Bagga Walker. Solid!! If you are a fan of reggae music, you should have this. This CD is worth getting even if you prefer vinyl. Enjoy - Listen to Roots Natty

Roots Underground - Tribesman Assault (CD)(Wackies)(2003)

Pure dub. Originally released on LP in 1977 on the Wackies label out of New York. If it is on Wackies, then you know it is a classic. This CD is a reissue out of Germany. Back in the early 2000s, a lot of Wackies music was being re-issued for the first time on CD and Germany was carrying the point. I wonder what was the connection? Who knows. Based on my Discogs collection,  I already own the LP and the CD of this album. So, this is a double! I picked this copy a few months ago while visiting Chicago. It doesn't matter, I can't pass up any Wackies music when I see it in a used bin. : )

Roots Underground is made up of Jerry Harris and Trevor Earl Witter aka 'Jah Witter'. The Love Joys (from the Wackies stable of artists) provide some backing vocals. However, the star of the show is the music. A solid dubalbum that is meant for serious reggae music listeners. Here is what this album sounds like Open the Gates. 

 

Various - Brown Acid - The First Trip (CD) (2015)(Riding Easy Records)

 

Heavy Rock from the American Comedown Era. The first in a series of albums that documents and celebrates the 'heavy rock' or 'acid rock' era in the U.S. I tend to associate this sound with the early '70s. I was just a kid but this is the music that seamed to 'be in the air' during that era. Long hair, bell-bottoms, and barefoot. The liner notes to the CD describe the music contained here and in this series as:

"After Flower Power and before punk, heavy, hard rock bands dominated the American music scene. In towns across the country, garage bands that had grown up taking drugs, flashing peace signs, and listening to The Beatles had witnessed the atrocities of Vietnam and Altamont, gaining a new perspective in a darker, crunchier, and more bombastic sound in their music."

The bands on this CD are not famous. They come from garages and basements in Camden, New Jersey (Snow),  Farmington, Michigan (Lenny Drake), and Freeport, Illinios (Tour) among others. This compilation seems to be put together from 45 singles that these bands produced and pressed themselves. 

This is a solid release and is worth for all of you acid rockers from that era. I was a 7 year old in 1970 but I consider myself an acid rocker. My favorite on this CD is Zebra with Wasted from 1971.  However, Raw Meat's Stand-By Girl from 1969 is heavy! Looking forward to more from this series.

Various - The Sound of Young Sweden (Summersound) 1999 CD (Swedish Pop Collection #10)

 

There is something about Swedish pop bands. There is a sincerity about them. There is an element of innocence. I often call this type of pop as 'pure pop'. The Leslies' The Girl at Collins Ave is a great example. Pure, melodic bliss. These are some of the reasons why I bought that Swedish pop collection from my friend A.

This a compilation of young Swedish bands that came out in 1999. I do not know most of the bands on here, which include: Leslies, Happydeadmen, Acid House Kings, The Concretes, Edson, Shermans, and Club 8. Some of the bands have female vocalists which is always a favorite of mine. The Concretes' The Jeremiad is solid and captures that innocence that I mentioned above. The MVP of the album for me is Acid House Kings' Find Out for Yourself. Worth searching for this whole album.

Misty In Roots - Chronicles: The Best of Misty In Roots (1994) CD (Kaz Records)

 

Misty In Roots (MIR) - one of the finest British reggae bands ever.  While not as famous or prolific as their British brothers, Steel Pulse or Aswad, MIR's music is just as vital as those bands. In the UK, MIR was a significant participant in the Rock Against Racism Movement in the late 70s. During that key time in the UK, MIR often shared concert stages and audiences with bands such as Tom Robinson, 999, Elvis Costello, and Sham 69. If you do not know, those bands and musicians are not reggae bands!

This compilation mostly features MIR's 1980's output. So while some of their critical hits from the 1970s is missing, the music here is still fantastic and really captures some of the hypnotic roots reggae music that MIR is best known for...and those horn charts....if you like horns, MIR is your band! For a taste of Misty in Roots check out Wise and Foolish

Delroy Wilson & Ken Boothe - Sarge/Unlimited (2 CD) (Doctor Bird) (2024)

 

A 2-fer from Doctor Bird Records out of the U.K. that features two of the greatest vocalists in reggae music: Delroy Wilson and Ken Boothe. Delroy Wilson's Sarge was originally released in 1977 in the UK on the Charmers label, while Ken Boothe's (Boothe) Unlimited is from 1972 and was released in the U.S. on Clocktower. Each album comes with bonus tracks that contains some 12" inch single versions. Note- there are some questions regarding the re-issue of the Ken Boothe album. I am not sure how true these claims are so just be aware that this CD release may not exactly match the original album. Be aware, that the Ken Boothe album comes in a 'Showcase style' - the vocal version is followed by the version (i.e., dub). In addition to the original album, this CD includes 7 more tracks from 12" singles.

However, I think this is still a must have CD. Both Delroy Wilson and Ken Boothe are considered reggae royalty so any re-release of their music should be celebrated. I do not have the original albums so I am very happy that I now get to hear some fine 70s output from both of these stars. Both albums contain familiar songs to the more serious reggae collector and fan. For newbies, these are good performances. For a taste, check Delroy Wilson doing Moving Away and Ken Boothe doing Look What You've Done For Me