Revenge of the Underdog (On-U Sound, 1997 [orig. released 1982])

Singers & Players is a loose conglomeration of, well, singers and players (of musical instruments), featuring stars like Prince Far I, Bim Sherman, and Mikey Dread, along with lesser-known artists and members of Roots Radics, Creation Rebel, and other musicians associated with Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound label.  Although this re-packaging of Revenge of the Underdog was released in 1997, and War of Words' re-release in 1998, War of Words was actually released earlier originally.  In fact, Revenge of the Underdog was pushed out a mere 3 months after the success of War of Words, and the hasty production schedule shows in this rather dull disappointment.  Revenge features vocals by Prince Far I, Bim Sherman, Lizard, and Jah Woosh (with emphasis on Prince Far I), with songs that showcase the slow, bass-heavy, dub/early dancehall sound for which Adrian Sherwood's productions are known.  Typical is "Resolution," an overly drawn-out dub of Bim Sherman's "World of Dispensation" (on War of Words).  But "Resolution" is better than most of the other cuts on Revenge of the Underdog (except perhaps "Too Much Work Load"), whose lethargic, monotonous sound is sleep-induing.  The only song truly breaking out of that mold is the fun, upbeat "Thing Called Love," which I would more precisely label as funk than reggae, with its funk base line and drums and jazzy sax.  I can't decide whether or not I actually like this song, but it is different.

Staggering Heights (On-U Sound, 2000 [orig. released 1983])

Like Revenge of the Underdog and War of Words, the 8-track (that is, 8-song) Staggering Heights provides just a taste of Singers & Players' magic.  On this set, Prince Far I, Bim Sherman, Mikey Dread, and Congo Ashanti Roy (formerly of The Congos) are featured, with the latter surprisingly grabbing top honors, with his enjoyable "Snipers in the Street" (which has a bit of that falsetto "Police and Thieves" vibe) and the classic "African Blood" (found also on On-U Sounds' Discoplates Collection Part 1).  A pair of superb DJ tunes rounds out the best of this album: Prince Far I's playful yet insightful "Bedward the Flying Preacher" and Mikey Dread's "School Days."  Prince Far I's "Autobiography" (not to be confused with Singers & Players' "Autobiography (Dread Operator)" on the Dub Xperience: The Dread Operators collection), however, is a bit dull for me.  Although he talks straight through "Bedward," it works there because the music is so intoxicating.  But with "Autobiography," no such luck.  Bim Sherman's two cuts are the real disappointment on Staggering Heights, though; they go nowhere fast.  Still, half of the 8 tunes here are worthwhile, and although you might balk at buying an album for 4 songs, where else are you gonna get these gems?