Heart of the CongosArtist: The Congos
Lee Perry is generally acknowledged as a production genius, but on occasion that genius can be destructive, and while there's no disputing his talent, sometimes the results can be less than aurally satisfying. This is especially true when it comes to albums, where Perry's efforts were often erratic. On Heart of the Congos he was brilliant, and...
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Best Dressed Chicken in TownArtist: Dr. Alimantado
One-of-a-kind Jamaican DJ Dr. Alimantado found unexpected fame with U.K. punks after Johnny Rotten bestowed his blessings. The hoopla was certainly warranted based on the high quality of his mid-'70s sides, several of which are included on Best Dressed Chicken in Town. Handling production chores himself, Alimantado enlisted top reggae engineers...
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LiveArtist: Burning Spear
After recording two exceptional albums under Clement Dodd at Studio One (Presenting and Rocking Time), Winston Rodney (aka Burning Spear) signed to Island Records. The albums that followed (Marcus Garvey and Man in the Hills) quickly established him as one of the finest, most impassioned practitioners of the flowering roots style. Live, this...
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Harder Than the BestArtist: Burning Spear
After gaining exposure with producer Clement Dodd between 1969-1975, Burning Spear (aka Winston Rodney) and singing partners Rupert Willington and Delroy Hinds cut a handful of stunning albums for Island over the next three years. The first two releases, Garvey's Ghost and Man in the Hills, were produced by Jack Ruby and introduced Jamaicans and...
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NaturallyArtist: Marcia Griffiths
This is one of two exceptional albums Marcia Griffiths recorded in the late 1970s for producer Sonia Pottinger's High Note label. Her singing voice (known to many now from the years she spent as part of Bob Marley's backing trio, the I-Threes) is a thing of wonder, almost classical in its nuanced sweetness and perfect control. Opening with...
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Artist: Gregory Isaacs
Gregory Isaacs had been haunting the Kingston studios since 1968, but it wasn't until 1973 that the singer notched up a hit, and another year before he finally topped the chart. That first number one, "Love Is Overdue," was produced by Alvin Ranglin, one of a slew of sensational songs Isaacs cut for the former Maytone in the mid-'70s. Like many...
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