|
|
|
Reggae Jamdown: The RAS Tapes (RAS, 1990) A sampler of RAS Records' ever-growing arsenal, with tracks ranging from classic to run-of-the-mill. The former category is represented mainly by 3 songs: Half Pint's energetic "Level the Vibes," Dennis Brown's fiery "Revolution," and Freddie McGregor's "Push Comes to Shove," a song so well-written that it so it sounds like a remake (It's sort of sad that I assume that certain reggae songs are covers if they sound too good, but it's understandable since so many reggae songs are indeed covers.). Also quite good are Edi Fitzroy's remake of The Eagles' "Hotel California," Sugar Minott's make-you-move "Rub a Dub Sound," Ijahman's "Jesus Selassie I Keepeth My Soul," Don Carlos' "Deeply Concerned," and "Let's All Unite" from Hugh Mundell's album Africa Must Be Free By 1983. If all of the tracks maintained this level, Reggae Jamdown would be superb, but several songs disappoint, such as "Strength of My Life," by the usually dependable Israel Vibration (There are much better songs on the Strength of My Life album.), Brigadier Jerry's "Three Blind Mice," Gregory Isaacs' "Red Rose for Gregory," and RAS poster child Peter Broggs' "Blood Stain." While there is little that is truly bad on this album, there are so many cuts, it's inevitable that a bunch of them are bland. At the time this compilation was put together, RAS apparently didn't have enough good material in its archives to fit the bill. |
|
Track Listing |
 |