Terrorists Forces (1977-82) CD

Over 75 Minutes of Roots & Ska.Two years before the UK Two Tone movement (Specials, Madness, Selector, Beat) announced a raw punky ska "new popular movement" in the UK, months before The Offs captured San Francisco with their dubby punk, the number one band playing reggae, ska, dub and punk on the East Coast, particularly New York City, were Terrorists. They were regularly gigging in N.Y.C. at Max's Kansas City, CBGBs, Irving Plaza, Mudd Club, Hurrah, Tramps, the 80's. Their unique punky, reggae, dub, ska were in great demand. Started in October 1977 by drummer Dro, bassist Gary Schiess (a/k/a DB), singer and guitarist Ray De Angel and keyboardist Frank Covello with early replacement singer John Collins and guitarist Mark "Dino Supreme" Levi, the band became truly solid and extremely bookable.Their commitment to reggae and their ability to consistently crowd the dance floor kept them busy week after week.These guys were hot, they brought in business and before long they played with Roland Alphonso and Lee "Scratch" Perry, who adopted them as his collaborators. They were punk, ska, dub, reggae freaks, just as the 1977 "Exodus" Marley punky reggae movement and Two Tone Earthquake captured the UK press and a new scene was born.A US cult audience (readers of the NME, Sounds and Melody Maker from the UK) propelled the Terrorists to enthusiastic cult audience adoration - but these guys were totally committed to reggae and its incarnations. They knew their stuff and became professors and teachers to a whole new generation of New Wave scenesters who started to dominate the US underground market.Because of the involvement of Lee "Scratch" Perry, who traveled with and fronted the Terrorists over 20 years ago, and the many tracks with Roland Alphonso of the Skatalites, also from 20 years ago, this is an important slice of reggae, ska, punk, dub from Manhattan in the late '70's. This is an historic document with material that is absolutely marvelous and unique. It puts a totally new perspective on reggae in Manhattan evenings during that period just before Marley was breaking through internationally with "Exodus" and brought reggae to a new tidal wave.Who will buy this? Reggae, dub, ska, punky reggae collectors in a time warp and a lot of new faces enticed by Blood & Fire, Pressure Sounds, Heartbeat and Simply Vinyl. An extremely strong release for a cult base. "Well I do them an honor and I do them a pleasure. Is a new group I want to see more of." - Lee "Scratch" Perry

Originally released on cassette only on ROIR in the 1980's.
The Terrorists: Ray De Angel, John Collins (vocals, guitar); Mark "Dino Supreme" Levi (guitar); Frank Covello (keyboards); Gary Schiess [DB] (bass); Dro (drums).
Additional personnel includes: Lee "Scratch Perry (vocals); Roland Alphonso (soprano & tenor saxophones).
Includes liner notes by Neil Cooper.
In the late '70s and early '80s, the legendary reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry left his longtime studio band, the Upsetters, behind and traveled extensively in the U.S. and U.K., hooking up with various ensembles for brief (and often tumultuous) periods. He forged one such brief partnership with a white New York punk-reggae band called the Terrorists; their project produced a number of live performances and one 12" single, both sides of which are presented here: "Love Is Better" and " Guerrilla Priest" (a dub version featuring typically disjointed toasting by Perry). The rest of the band's work collected here is of uneven quality, though it is sometimes inspired. There are some excellent examples of homespun dub, such as "Anittoo" and the Clash-influenced "Drainidge." There is also an interesting rendition of the roots classic "Fade Away," about which the best that can be said is that Ray de Angel is no worse a singer than Ari Up. Ska legend Roland Alphonso guests on saxophone on several tracks, but is frankly not at his best. Overall, this is a useful d