Buju Banton
Di Woman Dem Fat

Originally released in 1981 on VP Records’ Jah Guidance imprint, this release finds Johnny Osbourne in peak form, working with producer Linval Thompson (Freddie McGregor’s Big Ship, Viceroys, et al) and with backing from the Roots Radics Band at Channel One. The original mix is by Hopeton “Scientist” Brown. Highlights include the extra heavy title track, as well as “Kiss Somebody” and clash-ready “Back Off.”

Produced by Jah David Goldfine, Celestial Rockers is a vocal and dub Showcase LP that features 8 tracks, four vocal cuts and four dub excursions. Ras Teo is a master wordsmith whose songs on this LP are full of thematic elements that range from Rastafari to spirituality, and meditation. Vocally he’s a singer with a fine voice which now and then reminds of Pablo Moses’ vocal style. Side One opens with the impressive Gone Ah Search, a song that fires on all cylinders. Besides the awesome bassline played by Jah D, it are the gorgeous horns play of Drew Keys and Aba Ariginal and the backing vocals by the Mighty Diamonds that elevate this track to the highest heights. The second vocal cut, the compelling Jah Waterfalls, is underpinned by a haunting riddim with a slower tempo than the previous vocal piece. It’s an intoxicating piece in which Ras Teo’s distinctive voice fully comes to the fore very well. The opener on Side Two, 1 n 2 n 3, needs several listenings before you discover it can be appreciated to the fullest. This is different from the fourth and last vocal cut, Cooyah Cooyah. This head-nodding track – with the Mighty Diamonds together with Paul ‘Lymie’ Murray and Carlton ‘Dehdeh Blacks’ Scarlett providing harmonies – instantly appeals and goes on repeat as it impresses mightily. The four vocal cuts are accompanied by four wonderful dubbed out versions done by Ben ‘Ashanti Selah’ Smith, Andrew ‘Moon’ Bain, Jah D, and Tippy I respectively.

Patrick Andy – Living On Ice

AGOBUN RIDDIM SECTION / WISE ROCKERSAyatollahAgobun