U ROY レコード& CD

Review: You don't get dubbed The Originator for nothing: U Roy was a real reggae pioneer almost from the moment he burst onto the Jamaican scene in the early 19070s. He was an early pioneer in the vocal style known as toasting, which also had an influence on the earliest days of ra across the water in America. His fourth full length album Natty Rebel has not been in print for 30 years but now the 11 bouncy cuts produced by Tony Robison are back on wax once more. Next tot he reggae rollers are some special disco-tinged grooves such as 'Have Mercy' and 'Go There Natty' to make this all the more essential.

Review: Both tracks on this crucial new drop from Duke share a common theme of love and harmony, which were of course the cornerstones of reggae and part of the reason it has such an enduring appeal as the universal need for compassion and unity has never diminished. In fact, it might be more needed now than ever. First, 'Peace & Love' by U-Roy, The Jamaicans, and Tommy McCook & The Supersonics is a timeless cut with U-Roy's toasting sat next to horn-driven rhythms that were first released in the 1970s. Similarly, Tommy McCook & The Supersonics' "The World Needs Love" captures the essence of70s reggae, with McCook's smooth saxophone leading the instrumental arrangement.