Jungle Beat (Esoldun, 1992)

Zap Pow is perhaps best remembered as the launching pad for Beres Hammond’s solo career, but this band recorded some great material itself in its day, and Jungle Beat is a wonderful start if you ever want to look into their contribution to reggae.  When Zap Pow formed in the early ‘70s, Beres Hammond wasn’t part of the mix, and although they were highly regarded musicians (including Dwight Pinkney of Roots Radics fame, Max Edwards, David Madden, Mike Williams, Joe McCormack, and Glen Dacosta), much of their best – and best-known – work wasn’t recorded until Hammond came onboard in 1975 (the biggest exception being their anthem “This Is Reggae Music,” which helped spearhead the spread of reggae worldwide with the Island compilation of the same name).   Zap Pow wasn’t around for very long, but they managed to release four albums between 1973 and 1978: Revolutionary, Revolution, Now, and Zap Pow.  There are a few compilations of their material also: Reggae Rules, Love Hits, and the recent Beres Hammond/Zap Pow showcase Beres Hammond and Friends.  Jungle Beat basically is a re-packaging of 1976’s Now, although the tracks are in a different order, and sadly is one of the few Zap Pow sets that are readily available.  Fans of Hammond’s solo work might be a bit surprised by the material here.  First, since he was only a teenager when he joined Zap Pow, his voice is not as mature, not as raspy, not as distinct as we’ve come to expect – frankly, I had to check the liner notes to make sure it was indeed him.  Second, many of the songs here are quite serious-toned roots reggae with overt social commentary and even some Rastafarian overtones.  Although Hammond’s works from the ‘80s through the 21^st century occasionally touched upon social messages, “Cry Inflation,” “System Dread,” “It’s a Trap,” and “Them Lie” are a far cry from the lovers rock and light dancehall style in which he scored most of his hits.  Still, there is a soulful edge inherent in Zap Pow’s music (even before Hammond joined, as evidenced by “This Is Reggae Music”) that emerges, making for an easy listen