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Tafari Earth Uprising (Pressure Sounds, 1996) Little Roy is overlooked a lot of times because he has put out so little material, but like Prince Alla and Fred Locks, it's not the quantity that maters, it's the quality. Tafari Earth Uprising contains some bona fide classic cuts, several of which have been remade many times since. If you're like me, you're constantly frustrated trying to figure out who originally did a particular song. Well, here he is: Little Roy! This album compiles most of his '70s hits ("Bongo Nyah" would've been nice, though), and though this isn't a superb collection as a whole, it has tunes that every roots reggae fan should have. "Prophecy" is the most well-known here, popularized even more by a '90s Freddie McGregor remake. Its stirring rhythm and melody are instantly recognizable and likeable, but even more enjoyable for me is the pure roots of "Christopher Columbus," its African drums and early Wailers-esque sound making it irresistible. The melancholy "Tribal War" is another classic later covered by the likes of Buju Banton and others, while the poignant "Easy Chair" is likewise memorable. Less known but comparably strong is the catchy Abyssinians-like "Jah Can Count on I," as well as the melodic "Working." A few decent dubs are included as well, "Blackbird" being the most notable. If the remaining tunes were as strong as "Prophecy" and "Christopher Columbus," Tafari Earth Uprising would be one of the greatest reggae albums available, but, of course, this collection isn't full of classics. Although Little Roy maintains his raw, righteous, vinatage Wailers-esque sound throughout the album (His vocals are particularly Marley-like on "Richman Laugh."), the material is a bit uneven, at times drifting into drab territory. Still, if you're into roots, you should listen to Tafari Earth Uprising as a vital piece of history. |
| Track Listing 1. Prophecy 2. Christopher Columbus 3. Don't Cross the Nation 4. Earth 5. Easy Chair 6. Mr. T 7. Tribal War 8. Forces 9. Working 10. Richman Laugh 11. Blackbird 12. Jah Can Count on I 13. Rocking Chair 14. Forces Dub |
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Packin House (Pressure Sounds, 1999)
Packin' House gathers rare and, in some cases, previously unreleased material from Little Roy's Tafari label -- the best-known material released on the label having been featured on Tafari Earth Uprising. Unlike that album, Packin' House (named for the house of Tafari co-founders Melvin and Maurice Jackson's mother where the label set up shop) focuses on artists other than Little Roy, although he contributes 4 tracks, including the best one on this set, "Hurt Not the Earth," unbelievably unreleased until now. Little Roy's coarse, tortured, yet worldly and knowing vocals draw irresistible comparisons to Bob Marley, particularly on "Hurt Not the Earth" and "Natty Yard." On "Ticket to Zion," meanwhile he presents a fun take on the Beatles' "Ticket to Ride." The most notable of Little Roy's "friends" here are the Heptones, who provide a tune reminiscent of their Lee Perry collaborations in "Revolution" (with an instrumental and rare DJ version with Leroy Sibbles chatting!), and the rather un-noteworthy "Forward On a Yard," and Dennis Brown, who contributes the wonderfully catchy "Set Your Heart Free" -- a real find for collectors of his material, I'm sure. Of the other lesser-known artists, John (not Johnny) Clarke provides the most memorable moment with the poignant tale of the plight of the unemployed on "Recession," while a couple of funky instrumentals are thrown in by the Tafari All Stars. The Tafari label wasn't very prolific, preferring quality over quantity, and its sound favored a gritty, righteous roots vibe that might be a little too harsh for some listeners, but '70s roots fans will lap it up. Note: the liner notes are quite entertaining and informative, providing insight into the conniving nature of the music biz and giving little tidbits of information like Dennis Brown played bass on Little Roy's classic "Tribal War," and Glen Brown's "Two Wedden Skank" is a version of a Little Roy/Leroy Sibbles cover of Isaac Hayes' "Do Your Thing."
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Children of the Most High (Pharos, 2005)
*GUEST REVIEW*
An important part of the appeal of Little Roy's songs is his voice. It's soulful and emotive enough -- almost -- to lift up a song on itself. I think that this later album, with some remade older songs, should appeal to Little Roy fans who did like his classic Tafari Earth Uprising -- at least, because I think it will appeal to roots reggae fans more broadly. The voice is still strong, carrying through or lifting up even a few simpler songs. The music is great, a bit more modern (and tighter) than on the earlier albums, but still conveying the roots feel. "Bongo Nyah," the opening track, is melodically perhaps not very complex, yet convinces due to, well, the heartfelt vocals, and in part the lyrics. It/the original is historical in that it is said to be the first (in 1969) recorded song referring to Rastas (or Rastafarians). Roy also remakes his "Christopher Columbus" to solid effect. In fact, every track is good, keeping the quality between enjoyable and high. There are songs co-written with others (e.g. "Fast Talk" with Willie Williams), or even of others (the last two), but Roy's singing and fervour does not make that all too disturbing. Even the (arguably) odd choice of covering/reworking "My Sweet Lord" of Beatle George Harrison is soon forgotten because it seems to improve on the original, although I must admit it's been a while I've heard the original. It's just solid, but maybe not great. However, the songs by Roy himself, and as far as I know originals, are great, and simply roots classics: "Heat," "Membership Card" (somehow Bob Marley-like), and the superb "Bomazee."
- Michel Conci
| Track Listing 1. Bongo Nyah 2. Children of the Most High 3. Christopher Columbus 4. False Talk 5. Heat 6. Membership Card 7. Bomazee 8. My Sweet Lord 9. Stay (A Little Bit Longer) 10. Our Day Will Come |
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