VA-From Jamaica With Love-Classic Roots
ARTiST...... : VA
TiTTlE...... : From Jamaica With Love-Classi
lABEl....... : Hardwax/VP
GENRE....... : Reggae
ENCOdER..... : Lame 3.97
QUAlitY..... : VBR 44.1kHz
StORE dATE.. : 00-00-2007
RElEASE dAtE : 11-24-2008
SiZE........ : 90,1 MB
TRACkS...... : 19
Tracks:
01 Beres Hammond°-°Last War 04:01
02 Barry Brown°-°Far East 02:58
03 Gregory Isaacs°-°Babylon Too Rough 02:56
04 Jacob Miller°-°Forward Ever Backward Never 03:07
05 Black Eagles°-°Forward Home 04:39
06 I Kong°-°Ghetto Cry 03:16
07 John Holt°-°Up Park Camp 03:36
08 Dennis Brown°-°Stop Fussing & Fighting 04:18
09 Jacob Miller°-°Keep On Knocking 02:43
10 Sugar Minott°-°Babylon 04:21
11 Junior Byles°-°Fade Away 03:02
12 Ras Michael°-°None A Jah Jah Children No Cry 04:04
13 Fred Locks°-°Vision Of Redemption 03:00
14 Black Uhuru°-°I Love King Selassie 04:31
15 Congos°-°La La Bam Bam 03:48
16 Wailing Souls°-°Things & Time 03:20
17 Leroy Smart°-°Ballistic Affair 03:15
18 Barrington Levy°-°No Fuss, No Fight 03:33
19 Dennis Brown°-°Revolution 04:22
68:50 min
Notes:
Roots music is a term that is used both frequently
and ambiguously in the Aotearoa music scene, often
to describe anything ranging from Shapeshifter to
Hollie Smith. However in the world of reggae,
'roots' has a pretty specific meaning. It refers to
the genre defining sound that exploded across
Jamaica during the 1970s when traditional African
rhythmic patterns, Rastafari consciousness, and
more than a lickle collie weed came together to
spawn the rockers music. It was sound of
unprecedented musical and spiritual depth that
offered hope to a generation of ghetto sufferahs in
Jamaica and beyond.
The Classic Roots compilation in VP's From Jamaica
with Love series attempts to capture the essence of
this sound with a collection of classic tracks from
the rockers period. The founder of VP, Vincent
Chin, owned and operated Randy's (one of most
prolific studios in Kingston during the 1970s) so
they had a pretty impressive vault of dub plates to
choose from and this is certainly reflected in the
quality and diversity of the selections. A number
of heavyweight tracks are featured from artists
such as Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Black Uhuru
and Wailing Souls. However for me there are three
stand out tracks.
The first is Beres Hammond's Last War. It is a
track that will be instantly recognisable to many
reggae followers as the original riddim sampled in
the recent Collie Buddz hit Come Around. For me the
original is streaks ahead of the Buddz version.
Hammond's husky, soulful voice sits perfectly above
this surging, horn driven riddim as he sings about
the need for unity and justice in the face of
sufferation.
The next stand out track for mine has to be the
classic rockers anthem Forward Ever Backward Never
by the legendary Jacob Miller. In this track the
Miller (who was tragically killed in a car accident
at the age of 27) brilliantly applies his unique
staccato vocal style over a bass heavy Sly and
Robbie riddim. The marching steppers beat is a
prime example of the skills that have led to Sly
Dunbar being considered the premier drummer in the
reggae world. The track is bursting with militancy
and righteousness that leave the listener with the
impression that Jah music is truly unstoppable.
Another track that deserves special mention is the
seminal Junior Byles cut, Fade Away. The track is
built around a Soul Syndicate riddim that is
heavily stripped back so as to not distract from
the poignant melodies of Byles voice. Byles was a
true sufferah who struggled terribly in the Babylon
system. The track was recorded in 1976 at a time
when he was in and out hospital battling severe
mental illness. The haunting message that Byles
delivers is one that decries the exploitation of
the poor brought about by the pursuit of material
wealth. The line 'He who seeks of only vanity and
no love for humanity shall fade away' is a warning
that seems just as relevant today as it must have
thirty years ago.
New comers to the beautiful sound of 70's roots
reggae should be aware the production quality is
not technically perfect. The extreme treble highs
and earth shuddering bass lines don't always make
for ideal listening on headphones. However if you
utilize a decent sound system you'll really
appreciate the warm, heavily saturated sound in its
fullness. All in all I think the Classic Roots
compilation is an excellent way to dip ones feet in
the world of Rockers music. However there is an
ocean of roots reggae out there to discover so this
album should be seen more as a launching pad rather
than a comprehensive guide to roots and culture.
Forward movement...
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