Four Trojan Records albums,
all produced by Linval Thompson – and featuring some bonus tracks too! First up is Poor Man Style – a gem of a record from Barrington Levy – done in that laidback, easy-stepping style that always worked perfectly for the singer's vocals! Linval Thompson produced, and he brings in
all these cool touches around the edges – early dancehall modes that are nicely understated, and which still maybe resonate more with the roots generation than later crossover hits – a righteous vibe that makes the whole album simmer beautifully
all the way through! Titles include "She Is The Best Girl", "Don't Give Up", "Sensimella", "True Love", "Poorman Style", "This Little Boy", "Rob & Gone", "I Can't Wait Too Long", "Man Give Up", and "I Love I Love You". Next is Scientist & Jammy Strike Back – a record in which Scientist and Prince Jammy look an awful lot like Star Wars characters on the cover – but with grooves that are every bit as deep as their other dub classics from the time – completely amazing from conception to execution! If anything, the stars might be the perfect place for the music – given that the sounds here are very open, spacious, and way-out – full of as much echo as attack, at a level that reminds us that the pair are maybe some of the most minimalist of the dub generation! Rhythms are by the Roots Radics, but are always nice and spare – and there's plenty of splash and electro echo to link
together the space between the notes – on titles that include "Flash Gordon Meets Luke Skywalker", "Crushing Of The Stormtroopers", "The Princess Takes Her Revenge", "Buck Rogers In The Black Hole", "Death Of Mr Spock", and "Storming The Death Star". Next is
We Must Unite – a tremendous album from The Viceroys – a Jamaican vocal trio that
we'd rank right up there with The Paragons and Melodians, and who work in this beautiful message-oriented mode next to wicked production from Linval Thompson! The record's got some slight electro-styled touches at the edge – used gently next to slow-tripping rhythms – while the trio step out with these warm harmonies that really bring a lot to the lyrics of the songs – a righteous batch of tracks that include "
We Must Unite", "The Intelligence Of Her Mind", "Come Closer My Love", "They Can't Stop Us Now", and "Rising On The Strength Of Jah". Singer Tristan Palma follows in a very similar mode, but as a solo lead – on the well-crafted Settle Down Girl, also produced by Linval Thompson! Titles include "Settle Down Girl", "Run Around Woman", "Losted My Wife", "Don't Make Me Cry", "Come Turn Me On", and "Rosie Bell". CD also features bonus tracks – "If I Didn't Want Your Loving (12" mix)" and "Loving Version" by The Melodians – and "Settle Down Girl (12" mix)", and "Settle Down Girl Version" by Tristan Palma.