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Reggae Singers' Revenge

Various Artists
1 disc

1. Grammy - Junior Reid
2. Mr. Man Deh - Big Youth
3. Why Worry - Luciano
4. Another One - Everton Blender
5. Workie Workie - Yami Bolo
6. Live Good - Sugar Minott
7. One Right One Left - Anthony B.
8. Bobo Dread - Junior Reid
9. Winsome - Gregory Isaacs
10. Run Come - Phillip Fraser
11. Blood Shed - Ranking Trevor
12. Natty Dread Locks Time - Linval Thompson
13. Sheryl - Jah Mickey
14. Judgement - Angie Angel
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 54608
Credits

Producer Davey & Mickey; Junior Reid
Engineer Bob Shaun
Personnel: Deadly Headley (horns); Style Scott (drums); Junior Reid (percussion); Janette Denton, Mikey General (background vocals).
Recording information: JR Recording Studio, Kingston 10, Jamaica.
This moving tribute to the late Grammy Reid, who was slain January 1, 1999, is full of anger, pain, regret, and compassion, all voiced over a dub plate known as the Bobo Dread Rhythm. While the lack of rhythmic variance in this kind of collection can often get tedious, it doesn't here, and the sheer emotional intensity that such singers as Big Youth, Luciano, Gregory Isaacs, and Linval Thompson bring to this project more than carries the day, making a memorial suite that verges on the magnificent. "Grammy," the lead track, is sung by Grammy's brother, Junior Reid, and the performance is full of sorrow and rage. A later track over the same rhythm, the hopeful "Live Good" by Sugar Minott, offers the possibility of emotional healing. The accumulation of voices here speaking over the same backing track gives Reggae Singers' Revenge an uncommon singularity in vision, and a remarkable depth and weight. This probably isn't an album for everybody, but anyone hearing it can't help but be moved by its raw emotion and strength of purpose. ~ Steve Leggett