Reggae Roundup

Rip It Up, Issue 29, 1 December 1979, Page 13

Reggae Roundup

Recently, there has been a very healthy upsurge in the amount of reggae released in this country. In the hope of further fostering this, Rip It Up will be running a round-up of the latest crop of reggae albums as they come to hand. Marley, who stands alone, has already been reviewed elsewhere. Top of this list, but by no means an also-ran, is Tribute To The Martyrs (Island), the second album by Birmingham band Steel Pulse. The martyrs in this case are Paul Bogle, George Jackson, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Haile Selassie and Steve Biko. Their faces, carved in a mountainside a la Mount Rushmore, are the centrepiece of a beautiful cover picture. The contents are no less stunning. Tribute surpasses its predecessor, the sublime Handsworth Revolution, in immediacy and vigour. The opener, "Unseen Guest", is for Bogle, hanged in 1865 for trying to improve the political status of the Jamaican people. Jah Jah watch over I. Evil, what you gonna do? "Jah Pickney (Rock Against Racism)" speaks for itself, and the title track features a chilling recital of the way some of the martyrs met their end. Which part dem gone, which part dem deh... Elsewhere, stones are cast for Jackson and Biko, blasphemers are cast into the fires, and the joys are extolled of dancing to the sound system DJ’s.. David Hinds confirms that as a vocalist he is second only to Marley, and Karl Pitterson's production, as always, is exemplary. Mean, moving, magnificent music. Third World have been in action since 1973, and each of their four albums has plotted new courses, the later ones especially forging new links with American R&B rhythms, to the stage where their most recent work has taken on an almost disco feel. This is not to belittle their achievements, since their later work has, to these ears, been the most satisfying. Up for grabs here are their first album Third World, the follow-up 96 Degrees In The Shade, and their latest product The Story's Been Told

(Island). The first album is a sombre affair, starting on the cover, showing a woman with her head downcast in defeat and resignation. Thecovers of each of the albums carry on a concept. The first album features a depressingly accurate reading of Winston Rodney’s "Slavery Days", and while worthy for "Sun Don’t Shine" and "Freedom Song", its interest is more of a historical nature.

It’s hard to believe that its successor, 96 Degrees, was made by the same band. It brims over with self-confidence, influences from other cultures, mainly western, are starting to intrude, and the production and arrangements are far more adventurous. 96 Degrees also introduces the massed vocal harmonies for which Third world have become known. It’s still subdued, compared to its successor, Journey to Addis, reviewed earlier this year, but an air of optimism prevails, as a solution has been found. The cover shows a man, again with head bowed in submission, but surrounded by craftwork, things of beauty and symbols of his culture.

The band’s most popular release, according to one overseas reggae dealer, the standout tracks being "Jah Glory", "Human Market Place” and "Rhythm Of Life.” A very different band is heard on The Story's Been Told. Bunny "Rugs” Clarke, who joined on the 96 Degrees set is a fanmore American vocalist than the man he replaced, Milton Hamilton. The crossover sound has been completed. The cover shows the children of Babylon arriving on the shores of Addis, and the album has a very "up" feel, epitomised in the sheer elation of "Having A Party". Third World are now making the most accessible music to come out of JA. The Heptones’ Night Food is a re-release, which was snapped up by enthusiasts the first time around, and is bound to get the same reception again. Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn have been singing together since their voices broke, and it shows in the precision of their work. If Sibbles has become infatuated with Jah, it didn’t show in this set, recorded in 1976. That’s not to say he's without a conscience. There's plenty of evidence on tracks like "Deceivers" and the classic "Book Of Rules". The only non-original is a worthy rendition of the Four Tops’ "Baby I Need Your Lovin' The Gladiators, Albert Griffiths, Clinton Fearon and Dallimore Sutherland, have been recording since 1967, and have released two superb records, Trenchtown Mixup and Proverbial Reggae, since signing to Virgin in 1976. Naturality (Front Line) continues this heritage, refining their songwriting, with numbers like "Write To Me” and "Nyahbingi Marching On” showing off their lovely harmonies to the best advantage, Marley's "Exodus" is also given reverent treatment. Skank till your ankles break.

Duncan Campbell