Creation Rebel (Esoldun, 1995)

This no-frills album collects Bunny Lee-produced tracks performed by some of the biggest names in the business between 1973 and 1977.  As such, the styles found here range from slow, funky roots like Horace Andy's classic "You Are My Angel" to more up-tempo, rock steady-paced tunes like Dennis Brown & Johnny Clarke's "So Much Pain" to Lee's trademark "flying cymbal" sound.  Although several of the tracks on Creation Rebel were popular, I didn't find many to be terribly stimulating.  Songs like "Love of a Woman," "Rasta Don't Fear," and "Don't Cut Off the Dreadlocks" are OK, but not distinctive or captivating enough.  Much better are a pair of Cornell Campbell tunes, "Beginning of the End" and the funky, funky "Jah Jah No Born Yah," which has to be the best song here.  Rivaling it, however, is Johnny Clarke's irresistibly catchy "Too Much War," while the Paragons' old-fashioned love song "My Number One" is also nice.  Overall, the song quality doesn't match the star power, but the star power is so high, this is inevitable.

Track Listing
1. Rasta Don't Fear -- Derrick Morgan
2. Beginning of the End -- Cornell Campbell
3. The Love of a Woman -- Horace Andy
4. Collie Dread -- Johnny Clarke
5. Natty Dread Take Over -- Max Romeo
6. So Much Pain -- Dennis Brown & Johnny Clarke
7. Don't Cut Off the Dreadlocks -- Linval Thompson
8. Forward Natty Dread -- Cornell Campbell
9. Too Much War -- Johnny Clarke
10. Jah Jah No Born Yah -- Cornell Campbell
11. Joshua's World -- Johnny Clarke
12. Creation Rebel -- Johnny Clarke
13. If You Should Lose Me -- Johnny Clarke
14. You Are My Angel -- Horace Andy
15. My Number One -- The Paragons