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Africa Must Be Free By 1983 + Dub (RAS, 1989 [orig. released 1978]) If Hugh Mundell had lived past, ironically, 1983, there's no telling what his legacy would be today. Africa Must Be Free By 1983 is simply one of the most remarkable debuts in the history of reggae, considering Mundell was only 16 when it was released. Guided by the adept hands of Augustus Pablo, he wrote and co-produced all of the songs on this powerful classic. The potent roots melodies and emotional vocals provided by this prodigy blend beautifully with the robust musical accompaniment from an all-star line-up (Robbie Shakespeare, Jacob Miller, Leroy Sibbles, Augustus Pablo, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Carlton "Santa" Davis, and more). While no one track is spectacular, practically all are solid, as they cohere in a prototypical "album album." Luckily for us listeners, when RAS re-released Africa Must Be Free in 1989, they threw in the equally strong dub version as well. Although Augustus Pablo's rockers sound runs throughout the dubs (Fans will certainly recognize the music in "Book of Life" and its dub from Jacob Miller's "Keep on Knocking."), he doesn't dominate them with his trademark melodica, allowing Mundell to retain his identity. Some of the dubs are better than the vocal versions (the dubs of "Jah Will Provide," "Run Revolution a Come," and "Day of Judgement," for example), while a few of the vocal tracks are preferable ("My Mind" and "Africa Must Be Free By 1983"). If you're like me, the track listing of the dub versions may cause some confusion. Either Mundell named the dubs with the intention to confuse, or the track listing is simply wrong (I vote for the latter.), assuming that "Unity Dub" is supposed to be the title of the dub of "Let's All Unite," "Africa Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "Africa Must Be Free By 1983," "My Mind Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "My Mind," etc. I list below under "Track Listing" how the songs are listed on the album, but track #9 is actually the dub of "Jah Will Provide" (whatever the title is), #10 is the dub of "Book of Life" (ditto), #11 is "Revolution Dub," #12 is "Judgement Dub," #13 is, um, I'm not sure, #14 is "Unity Dub," #15 is "My Mind Dub," #16 is "Africa Dub," and #17 is again a mystery. I don't think that tracks 13 and 17 are dubs of anything on Africa Must Be Free; neither sound like "Why Do Black Men Fuss and Fight," the only track without a dub here. To confuse matters, there is an extra dub (9 dubs, 8 vocal tracks). Anyway, in the end, all that really matters is that it's all good, whatever the order. Africa Must Be Free By 1983: Africa Must Be Free Dub: Africa Must Be Free By 1983 + Dub: |
| Track Listing 1. Let's All Unite 2. My Mind 3. Africa Must Be Free By 1983 4. Why Do Black Men Fuss and Fight 5. Book of Life 6. Run Revolution a Come 7. Day of Judgement 8. Jah Will Provide 9. Ital Sip 10. Unity Dub 11. Africa Dub 12. My Mind Dub 13. Western Kingston Style 14. Levi Dub 15. Revolution Dub 16. Judgement Dub 17. Sufferer Dub |
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Mundell (Greensleeves, 2004 [orig. released 1982])
*GUEST
REVIEW*
Hugh Mundell, tragically, was shot in 1983, at the age of 21. This album, first released in 1982, showcases his talent in a later stage of his unfortunately short-lived career, after 1980, for producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes. Mundell's vocals are (were) excellent, with a tortured feel, and with the underestimated quality of making you not only hear, but also "feel" the songs. Not only the vocals are great on this album,
but also the music is tight (in a good sense), maintaining a solid roots reggae feel of (on most songs) the
Roots Radics at their best. Especially the horns are inventive on these songs, and the riddim section well-balanced. This drum and bass, crisp, "clear" sound differs from Mundells' rougher-edged, and somewhat more atmospheric, earlier album
Africa Must Be Free by 1983, but works on Mundell well. Mundell's emotive, heartfelt vocals are convincing throughout, in their expression of Rastafarian commitment. Especially "Rasta Have The
Handle," "Tell I A Lie," "Red Gold & Green," and "Jah Music" draw you in with their beauty, especially vocally but also musically. Most remaining songs are, in my opinion, also good, though somewhat more chaotic and with some simpler compositions. The vocals remain engaging, however, and musically the sort of "dub" approach to roots reggae is entertaining enough, while the
2 dubs are okay, though somewhat strange (or original?), with added sounds. This 2004
rerelease adds 4 bonus tracks, including the good, previously unreleased "Walk with Jah."
- Michel Conci
| Track Listing 1. Rasta Have the Handle 2. Tell I a Lie 3. 24 Hours a Day 4. Red Gold & Green 5. Going Places 6. Jah Music 7. Jacqueline 8. Your Face Is Familiar 9. Walk With Jah 10. Can't Pop No Style 11. Jacqueline Dub 12. Rasta Have the Handle Dub |
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