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Darker Than Blue: Soul from Jamdown

title

Darker Than Blue: Soul from Jamdown

label

Blood And Fire

format
various artists CD

A collection of Motown styled tracks from Jamaica recorded between 1973 and 1980. I like this compilation alot and think that anyone who likes Mod music, Curtis Mayfield, Motown or Northern Soul bands would enjoy this too. Almost all the songs stand well on their own.

  1. The Boris Gardiner Happening featuring Leslie Butler - Ghetto Funk 3:09 - The only instrumental. Led by very soulful organ and funky beat.
  2. The Chosen Few - Collie Stuff 2:52 - An ode to smoking the rasta way.
  3. Carl Bradney - Slipping Into Darkness 3:06 - Lots of harmony vocals
  4. Ken Boothe - Is It Because I'm Black? 3:28 - The best version of this song I've heard. Powerful. Great.
  5. Freddie McGregor - Get Involved 3:34 - Energetic song that is a call to action.
  6. Al Brown - Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City 3:26 - The lyrics bring this song intomy 'faves' list. Talks about guns coming into the ghetto.
  7. In-Crowd - Mango Walk 3:22 - very staccato guitar and keys in a reggae style.
  8. Ken Boothe - Ain't No Sunshine 2:15 - Version of the well known song.
  9. Milton Henry - Gypsy Woman 3:01 - Almost like slowed down ska with the horns in this. Cool background vocals.
  10. Junior Murvin - Give Me Your Love 2:07 - Very Curtis Mayfield sounding in the high pitched vocal.
  11. John Holt - For The Love Of You 3:40 - My fave on the whole comp. I love the whole thing - the music, the words, the melody: everything.
  12. Alton Ellis - It's A Shame 2:48 - Crooned almost like Nat King Cole. Very smooth and nice.
  13. Jimmy London - I'm Your Puppet 3:38 - More reggae than soul, but sung with the heart.
  14. Delroy Wilson - Get Ready (12' mix) 5:40 - Version of the well known Motown song. Not an imitiation, this one rules alone.
  15. Lloyd Charmers - Darker Than Blue 2:59 - Very Curtis Mayfield sounding in the high pitched vocal.
  16. Tinga Stewart - Why Can't We Live Together? (extended) 7:00 - Great cowbell percussion is my favorite part of this track
  17. The Tamlins - Baltimore 4:01 - Cheap disco-era effects along with an offbeat percussion effect and a great lyric.
  18. Welton Irie - Hotter Reggae Music 3:50 - The last 'soul' type track to my ears. Reminds me of Mikey Dread songs I used to hear back when he was heavily tied in with The Clash.

Faves: 4,6,10,11,14,16

---Carl, September 11, 2001