Tag Archives: album

Misty In Roots “Bail Out” 12″ Vinyl (People Unite)

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What a perfect tune to play today as the vampire leaves the Vatican, fat from sucking the blood of the children.  At the same time, here in the U.S., the politrixters prepare to place a Band-Aid on the gaping, infected wound that is the failing U.S. economy.  Shame on all of these godless politrixters, from the head down in this Babylon town.  Babylon is falling, and we get to witness it first-hand.
“Bail out, bail out, bail out
Babylon’s sinking…”

“Bail Out” is the stunning opener to Misty In Roots’ ‘Wise and Foolish’ LP, an album which plays in my head constantly.  Formed in Southall in 1974, the band’s debut album ‘Live at the Counter Eurovision’ (1979) remains the benchmark against which British reggae is judged and is generally held as on of the very best live reggae albums of all time. 

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MIDNIGHT RAVER’S ALBUM PICK OF THE WEEK (February 10-17, 2013)

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MIDNIGHT RAVER’S ALBUM PICK OF THE WEEK:  Cedric Myton & The Congos ‘Face The Music’ (Go Feet, 1981) Vinyl [24/96]
This week’s album pick is the 1981 album by Cedric Myton & The Congos titled ‘Face The Music.’  Not a well known album amongst casual reggae fans, ‘Face The Music’ is an absolute stunner.  In my humble opinion, this album ranks up there with my favorite Congos album ‘Congo Ashanti,’ and the much overhyped, but classic Lee “Scratch” Perry-produced debut album ‘Heart Of The Congos.’
Cedric Myton’s legendary falsetto is in top form here as are the song melodies and vocal harmonies The Congos are known for.  I am blessed to own a mint ‘original press’ vinyl copy of this album, and the sound is redmarkable when you consider that it was pressed more than 30 years ago.  As I try to do with all my vinyl, I have digitized the album at 24-bit/96 kHz, preserving the original sound and vibes in top quality.
Have a listen.  I consider the first 3 Congos albums as essential to any serious reggae fan’s library.  You can purchase the 1995 VP Records reissue of the album HERE!
As I reported back in November, the Congos are planning the release of a new album in 2013.  The working title for the album is ‘BLOODLINE DNA.’

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Cedric Myton & The Congos
Face The Music
Go Feet Records, 1981
Record date : 1981
Album style : roots, group vocal
Playlist :
1. Can’t Take It Away
2. Bank Of The River
3. Where He Leads Me
4. Face The Music
5. Dance All Night
6. Problems
7. Woman In The Dark
8. Love & Understanding
9. Scoffers & Scorners
10. Sinking Ship
Producer : Cedric Myton
Mixing Engineer : Sid Bucknor
Engineer : Noel Hearne & Christopher Daley
Vocals : The Congos
Backing Vocals : Watty Burnett & Devon Russell & L. Lewis
Drums : Santa Davis
Bass : Val Douglas
Lead Guitar : Dougie Bryan & Cat Core & Cedric Myton
Rhythm Guitar : Dougie Bryan
Piano : Harold Butler & Leslie Butler
Organ : Harold Butler
Horns : Rico Rodriguez & Dick Cuthell & Jimmy Becker
Studios :
Recording : Dynamic Sounds (Kingston, JA) & Aquarius (Kingston, JA)
Mixing : Roundhouse (London, UK)

Pick Of The Week: ‘Strength Of My Life’ by Israel Vibration (Dubs included!)

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This week’s album selection is a special one for me.  Israel Vibration’s Strength Of My Life was one of those albums that comes along at just the right moment in your life.  Right when you need guidance, reassurance, and a new hope, that album comes along and finds you at just the right moment.  Strength Of My Life is THAT album for me. 
Although the album has a much different sound and vibe than their previous 3 albums, it was recorded in Washington, D.C. and produced by Doctor Dread, founder and chief of RAS Records.  Doctor Dread is responsible for reuniting the Holy Trinity of Skelly, Apple, and Wiss, and bringing them to Lion & Fox recording studios, where studio engineer Jim Fox recorded, mixed, and mastered their first record to be recorded on US soil.  Click HERE to read my 3-part piece on the recording of this album.
It’s hard to believe that 2012 was the 25th anniversary of the release of this landmark album. 
So our good friend Doctor Dread, still active on the scene in Washington, DC (visit www.tafarimusic.com), made a substantial contribution to the MIDNIGHT RAVER archives last week.  I came home one night to find a huge box sitting on my front porch.  In the box were crucial RAS archives including books, posters, magazines, news clippings, vinyl, photos, and much more (including several of Doc’s personal RAS files)!  An unbelievable gesture from a man responsible for keeping roots reggae alive and kicking during the 80s and 90s when the market was cursed with soulless dancehall records and slackness.  One more thing, a likkle bird told me that Doctor Dread will be playing a more active role in the MIDNIGHT RAVER BLOG….soon come…

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Until then, enjoy this album mix I put together which includes each album track followed by the dub track from Dub Vibration.

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Pick of the Week: ‘Princess Lady’ by Lacksley Castell

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‘Princess Lady’ by Lacksley Castell is one of only two studio albums that he released in his short career.  Both albums are considered masterpieces of roots and culture reggae.  There simply aren’t many reggae albums that match Castell’s two albums: ‘Morning Glory’ (1982) and ‘Princess Lady’ (1983).  If you like these albums, you most assuredly should check out Hugh Mundell’s ‘Jah Fire’ which features Lacksley Castell.
Like I did with ‘Morning Glory,’ I mixed at the end of each album track the rare dub versions by Mad Professor.  You will not find anything like this on the web.  Enjoy!

Mixing Engineer : Mad Professor
Recording Engineer : Mervyn Williams
Arranger : Lacksley Castell & Robert Flako Palmer & Dean Fraser
Producer : Robert Flako Palmer
Vocals : Lacksley Castell
Drums : Mikey Boo Richards
Bass : Ranchie
Lead Guitar : Duggie
Rhythm Guitar : Lloyd Willis & Duggie
Organ : Robert Lynn
Piano : Ansel Collins
Synthesiser : Robert Lynn
Horns : Dean Fraser & Nambo Robinson
Percussions : Alvin Haughton
Strings : Robert Lynn
Studios :
Mixing : Ariwa (London, UK)
Recording : Aquarius (Kingston, JA)