Linton Kwesi Johnson - Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology CD

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology album for sale Digitally remastered by Ted Jensen (2001, Sterling Sound, New York, New York) Marley is in a mellow and happy mood as the album opens with "excuse me while I light my spliff" on "Easy Skanking" and maintains the feeling throughout. "Kaya" has one of the best bass riffs of any Marley song (played by the wonderful Aston "Family Man" Barrett). The hit single "Is This Love" is included and he sounds upbeat singing "She's Gone," although the subject is that his lover has just left him. Nothing fazed him; he was able to address political and emotional subjects with the same degree of feeling and his manner was truly saintly. KAYA is one of his finest moments. Originally released on Island (9517). Additional Tracks Bob Marley & The Wailers: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, percussion); Julian "Junior" Marvin (guitar); Tyrone Downie (keyboards, percussion); Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass, percussion); Carlton Barrett (drums, percussion); Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (percussion). The I Threes: Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt (background vocals). Producer: Bob Marley & The Wailers. Reissue producers: Bill Levenson, Maxine Stowe. Personnel: Bob Marley (vocals, percussion); Vin Gordon (saxophone); David Madden, Glen DaCosta (trumpet); Tyrone Downie (keyboards, percussion); Aston Barrett (bass guitar, percussion); Carlton "Carly" Barrett (drums, percussion); Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (percussion); Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Robert Ash. Photographer: Dennis Morris . Additional personnel: Vin Gordon (saxophone); ...

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology buy CD music Digitally remastered by Ted Jensen (2001, Sterling Sound, New York, New York) Bob Marley And The Wailers' seventh studio album finds the masterful Jamaican singer turning his attentions away from purely domestic Caribbean matters to the African continent. His songs had previously often cited Africa as both an influence and a final spiritual destination for Rastafarians; RASTAMAN VIBRATION's "War" had even named a laundry list of aggrieved nations struggling for freedom. But with SURVIVAL's "Africa Unite," and "Zimbabwe" in particular, Marley focuses for the first time both on solutions to the struggle, and on a specific nation and its fight against oppression--all to the Wailers' characteristically irrepressible skank. "So Much Trouble in the World" is an apt scene setter for an overtly political album worldwide in its aspirations, while "Babylon System" ("is the vampire...") expertly skewers the West and its centuries-old involvement in Africa. Marley's strength as a songwriter, and the Wailers' strength as a band, is that they can perform an operation like this and still leave the victim smiling and happily tapping his feet as they stick the knife in. The album's highlight is unquestionably the inimitable "One Drop," an irresistibly danceable paean to the Rastafarian religion and the glory of the almighty beat. Additional Tracks Recorded at Tuff Gong Recording Studio, Kingston, Jamaica. Originally released on Island (9542). Bob Marley & The Wailers: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, percussion); Aston "Familyman" Barrett (guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion); Junior Marvin (guitar, background vocals); Al Anderson (guitar); Tyrone Downie, Earl "Wya" Lindo (keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Carlton Barrett (drums, percussion); Alvin Patterson (percussion). The I Threes: Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths (background vocals). Producers: Bob Marley & The Wailers, Alex Sadkin. Reissue producers: Bill Levenson, Maxine Stowe. Personnel: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion); Junior Marvin (guitar, background vocals); Aston Barrett (keyboards, electric bass, percussion); Earl Lindo, Tyrone Downie (keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Carlton "Carly" Barrett (drums, percussion); Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, I-Threes (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Alex Sadkin; Bob Marley & the Wailers. Recording information: Tuff Gong Recording Stuido, Kingston, Jamaica. Author: Marcus Garvey. Photographers: Adrian Boot; Neville Garrick.

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology songs RASTAMAN VIBRATION's burlap-esque jacket design couldn't be more appropriate packaging-this is a load of Natty knowledge delivered in simple, raw fashion. And there's a real beauty in the weave. This 1976 release finds Bob dropping ever more lyrics on human entanglements both local and global, his transcendent voice threading wisdom through it all. "Positive Vibration" and "Roots, Rock, Reggae" are anthemic in character, inviting all listeners to quit their negativity and start a-dancin'. "Want More" is a promise of bad karma for back-biters everywhere, leadened fearfully by solemn bass lines and seamless production. Perhaps most compelling here is "War," a musical setting of a 1968 speech on global justice by the Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Bob's echoing fade with the words, "Good Over Evil" is positively haunting. While Peter Tosh's voice is absent, the classic exchange between Marley and the I-Threes (backing vocal divas, for those not in the know) shines all the more brightly in the spotlight. Funky organs are everywhere. Every track on RASTAMAN VIBRATION is an excellent piece of vintage roots reggae, proving just how powerful and tight Bob's studio sessions could be. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Additional Tracks Recorded at Harry J Studios and Joe Gibbs Studio, Kingston, Jamaica. Originally released on Island (59383). Bob Marley & The Wailers: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, percussion); Aston "Family Man" Barrett (guitar, bass, percussion); Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar, percussion); Al Anderson, Donald Kinsey (guitar); Tyrone Downie (keyboards, bass, percussion, background vocals); Carlton Barrett (drums, percussion); Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (percussion). Reissue producers: Bill Levenson, Maxine Stone. Personnel: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion); Aston Barrett (guitar, electric bass, percussion); Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar, percussion); Donald Kinsey, Al Yasha Anderson (guitar); Tyrone Downie (keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Carlton "Carly" Barrett (drums, percussion); Alvin "Seeco" Patterson (percussion); I-Threes (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Aston Barrett. Recording information: Harry J Studios (1975-1976); Harry J. Studios (1975-1976); Joe Gibbs Studio, Kingston, Jamaica (1975-1976); Joe Gibbs Studios, Kingston, Jamaica (1975-1976). Photographer: Neville Garrick. Additional personnel: The I Threes (background vocals).

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology CD music The influence of the Skatalites on reggae, and on popular music in general, cannot be overestimated. They virtually invented the mid-'60s Jamaican style known as ska by turning American R&B rhythms inside out and giving them an island lilt. Generations of musicians the world over have sought to recapture the magic that was so effortlessly created by the Skatalites on their classic '60s recordings, collected here on a juicy two-disc anthology. Men like Jackie Mittoo and Roland Alphonso, who subsequently became premier session musicians in Jamaica, forged the Skatalites' unique, rhythmically propulsive sound. The horn stabs of R&B are inverted to punctuate the undulating staccato beat, and vocals, when employed at all, are used mostly as additional coloring. Pure ska, of the type represented here, is essentially an instrumental genre. "Simmer Down" features a young Bob Marley & the Wailers, making it plain just how important the Skatalites were in the development of Jamaican music. If you buy only one ska album, it should be this one. Double CD;From The Vaults Recorded at Jamaica Recording And Publishing, Federal Records, Kingston, Jamaica in 1964 and 1965. Includes liner notes by Chris Wilson, Brian Keyo, Lloyd Knibb and Roland Alphonso. Producers: C.S. Dodd, Duke Reid. Compilation producer: C.S. Dodd. Personnel: Ken Boothe, Stranger Cole (vocals); Tommy McCook (tenor, flute); Roland Alphonso (tenor); Ernest Ranglin (guitar); Lester Sterling (alto saxophone); Dennis Campbell (tenor saxophone); Frank Anderson , Johnny "Dizzy" Moore (trumpet); Don Drummond (trombone); Jackie Mittoo (piano); Lloyd Knibbs (drums). Liner Note Authors: Brian Keyo; Chris Wilson. Recording information: Federal Records, Kingston, Jamaica; Jamaica Recording and Publishing, Kingston, Jamaica. Unknown Contributor Role: Dro. The Skatalites: Jerry Hines (guitar); Lester Sterling (alto sax); Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso (tenor sax); John Moore (trumpet); Don Drummond (trombone); Jackie Mitto (piano); Lloyd Brevett (bass); Lloyd Knibbs (drums). Additional personnel: Bob Marley And The Wailers, Stranger Cole, Ken Boothe, Jackie Opel, Margarita, Doreen Schaffer (vocals)

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology buy CD music KING TUBBY MEETS ROCKERS UPTOWN compiles King Tubby's dubwise mixes of twelve classic Augustus Pablo-produced tracks. According to the Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, this is "regarded by many as one of the greatest dub albums of all time." Such regard is doubtless thanks to the stature of the individual talents collaborating here. Augustus Pablo, born Horace Swaby, 1954, proprietor of Rockers International record store & sound-system, was better known as an artist in his own right (developing a signature "Far East Sound" both as producer and soloist on the melodica). King Tubby, born Osbourne Ruddock 1941, began his adult life as a radio repairman and sound engineer, going on to pioneer a revolution in sound production, single-handedly inventing the art of the remix and the sub-genre of dub. These tracks are less characterized by echo-chamber pyrotechnics and tricky manipulation of sonic space than many dub versions of the era, focusing more on subtle shifts in mood and complex ensemble playing. In addition to Pablo on melodica, the sessions feature such Jamaican studio legends as bassist Robbie Shakespeare and virtuoso drummer Carlton Barret of Wailers fame. Contains 4 bonus tracks. Personnel: Augustus Pablo (piano, Clavinet, organ); Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar); Richard "Dirty Harry" Hall (tenor saxophone); Bobby Ellis (trumpet); Vincent Gordon (trombone); Robbie Shakespeare, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Leroy (bass); Carlton Barrett (drums). Personnel: Augustus Pablo (piano, organ, keyboards, synthesizer); Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar); Richard Hall (tenor saxophone); Bobby Ellis (trumpet); Vincent Gordon (trombone); Robbie Shakespeare, Aston Barrett, Leroy (bass guitar); Carlton "Carly" Barrett (drums). Recording information: King Tubby's Studio, Kingston, Jamaica.

Independant Intavenshan: The Island Anthology songs Linton Kwesi Johnson went under the name "Poet & The Roots" for this release. The debut album by Linton Kwesi Johnson hits with the force of a fist. A Jamaican-born British immigrant, Johnson worked as a poet and political activist before deciding to set his rhymes and convictions to deep roots music, effectively inventing the style known as "dub poetry." DREAD BEAT AN' BLOOD directly addresses the racial and economic strife of Tory-ruled England in the late 1970s, particularly as it manifested in West Indian and other immigrant communities. With narratives that balance unflinching journalistic accounts of specific injustices ("It Dread Inna Inglan") with high-octane associative lyricism (the title track), Johnson embodies both the militant revolutionary and the visionary prophet. DREAD BEAT's superb backing band weaves a dub-heavy web that is churning and ominous enough to suit the messages, and when the rhythms combine with Johnson's no-nonsense monotone, with its heavy cadences of British Jamaican patios, the effect is mesmerizing. Although many of the cuts cover issues that are time and site-specific ("Man Free" and "Five Nights of Bleeding" speak to the then-current political plight of individuals), the sheer intensity of Johnson's fervor makes the record timeless. DREAD BEAT is a statement that is impossible to ignore. Digitally Remastered Reissue By The Group That Launched Linton Kwesi Johnson As A Major Force of Conscience In The Reggae Movement. An Original Rapper, Johnson Recites His Incredible Rhymes In A Kind of Monotone That Demands The Listener's Attentionand Fascinates and Resonates Even Today. Includes liner notes by Vivien Goldman. This is the first Heartbeat label release. Personnel: Linton Kwesi Johnson (vocals, percussion); Lila Weathers (vocals); John Varnom (guitar); Dennis Bovell (keyboards, guitar); Desmond Craig (keyboards); Floydie Lawson (bass, guitar, background vocals); Vivian Weathers (bass, guitar, vocals); Winston "Crab" Curniffe, Jah Bunny (drums, percussion); Everald Forrest (percussion). Producers: Linton Kwesi Johnson, Vivian Weathers. Personnel: Linton Kwesi Johnson (percussion); Vivian Weathers (vocals, guitar, bass guitar); Lila Weathers (vocals); Floyd Lawson (guitar, bass guitar); John Varnom (guitar); Desmond Craig (keyboards); Everald Forrest (percussion). Audio Remixer: Dennis "Blackbeard" Bovell. Recording information: Gooseberry.