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Barrington Levy: Love Your Brother Man: The Early Years (TJACD248)

The early years from late 70’s to nearly mid 80’s. Personally this was exactly the time that I lived in Brixton and tyhese cahanging rhythms were all around, so I remember it well, the effect it was having on the dancehall, the airwaves, barrington was prolific and for a period of time was top man.

So most of these tunes strike a chord with me and it’s good to hear them now, from the full 12” version of Bounty Hunter with the Radics laying down that sparse laid back heavy beat. The track I remember most and best is Looking My Love, probably because the rhythm was so hot, especially on the radio soundclashes that abounded. Sweet reggae music is one of those summer reggae anthems. Shine Eye girl and Shaolin Temple with Jah Thomas and here in 12” finery were also top tunes,as was Give thanks and praise, top dancehall.

As we jump forward to 1983 the voice has mellowed somewhat but the tracks are nonetheless infectious. Wedding ring for example is a classic piece of Lovers.

One small point, previous Trojan sleevenote have been done in a kind of Trojan stylee, messy, barely readable but nonethlesss informative. This one is set in a much tidier fashion, is easily readably but a whole lot less informative.

In a nutshell loved it!

Barrington Levy: Love Your Brother Man: The Early Years (TJACD248)

Format: CD album Released: May 30 2005 Price: £7.99 Following on Barrington's Levy early work; produced by the likes of the late Junjo Lawes and Alvin 'G.G.' Ranglin; this collection brings together some of the most significant (and enduring) early Dancehall recordings of the late seventies and early eighties. Included are a number of rare; extended mixes of his biggest hits; which make their CD debut on this release. Quite simply; Levy was a giant of the Dancehall scene and 'Love Your Brother Man' illustrates just why!

Tracklisting

Bounty Hunter (12 Inch mix)

Skylarking

Collie Weed

Moonlight Lover

A Ya We Dah (12 Inch Mix)

Looking My love

(Sweet) Reggae Music (aka Don't Fuss Nor Fight)

Jah

Wedding Ring

Love Your Brother Man

It's Not Easy (aka Trod Along With Jah)

Jah The Creator

Shine Eye Girl (12 Inch mix) featuring Jah Thomas

I Hold The Handle

Shaolin Temple (12 Inch mix) featuring Jah Thomas

Young Free & Single

Give Thanks & Praise (12 Inch mix) featuring Trinity