Cherry Red Reggae Reissues
By Leggy Mountbatten
Ethiopians Reggae Power/Woman Capture Man
UNIQUES ABSOLUTELY THE UNIQUES: EXPANDED EDITION’
Doctor Bird Compilation
Following from Novembers Hot Shots Of Reggae reissue, Doctor Bird/Cherry Red reissue more classic Trojan compilations from the vaults.
The Ethiopians are one of Jamaica`s t finest and most loved vocal groups responsible for many hits during the mid 60`s and early 70`s, and one of the first bands to come and perform these classics in the UK.
Here we have the 2nd and 3rd albums originally released by the band on Trojan records in 1969 and 1970 repackaged by the Doctor Bird label.
If youre a fan of early boss ska these are classics, and include some great tunes.. both albums cut to one disc gives you Everything Crash, Robert F Kennedy the brilliant Hong Kong Flu and one of my favourite instrumentals One Dollar of Soul highlights from Reggae Power album, also packaged in this is the Woman Capture Man album sees the band continue its boss reggae catalogue.. slightly better production but still serious cuts. So You Look On It.. Things get a Bad to Worse and the single Everyday Talking originally released on JJ records in 1969 and its a pleasure having them on CD at last.
Also released to accompany the Ethiopians albums is Absolutely The Uniques by The Uniques another classic album by one of Jamaica`s most celebrated vocal groups. The band had a string of hits with producer Bunny Wailer on Jamaica`s national chart with the previously released material from the Tramp label being used to compile this album, sadly the band split soon after and now its available 50 years after its original release.
The album features some corkers, in particular the Slim Smith classic Just A Mirage, way ahead of its time early ska dub in the form of Gypsy Woman and the 1968 Island classic single See No Evil.
All in all 3 more essential releases from Doctor Bird and at RRP £10.95 you cant go wrong, Boss reggae at its best.
8.5/10
Leggy Mountbatten
TRACK LIST:
REGGAE POWER
1. WOMAN CAPTURE MAN
2. EVERYTHING CRASH
3. WHAT A FIRE
4. LOSING YOU
5. ROBERT F KENNEDY
6. HONG KONG FLU
7. GUN MAN (AKA YOU)
8. ONE (HEART, ONE LOVE)
9. FEEL THE SPIRIT
10. ONE DOLLAR OF SOUL
WOMAN CAPTURE MAN
11. THINGS A GET BAD TO WORSE
12. JOY JOY
13. SO YOU LOOK ON IT
14. HIGH HIGH
15. I’LL NEVER GET BURNT
16. OPPORTUNITY
17. HANG ON
18. I WANT YOU MY BABY
19. YOUR PROMISE
BONUS TRACKS
20. EVERYDAY TALKING
21. MY TESTIMONY
22. BUSS YOUR MOUTH
23. WELL RED
24. MY GIRL
25. MEK YOU GO ON SO
26. WRECK IT UP
Uniques Tracklist
1. RUN COME
2. WATCH THIS SOUND
3. JUST A MIRAGE
4. OUT OF LOVE
5. A YUH
6. SPEAK NO EVIL
7. STANDING IN
8. MY CONVERSATION
9. YOU’LL LOSE A PRECIOUS LOVE
10. THAT’S THE WAY (LOVE IS)
11. GYPSY WOMAN
12. FREEDOM SONG
BONUS TRACKS
13. FOLLOW THIS SOUND
14. MY WOMAN’S LOVE
15. MY LOVER’S PRAYER
16. COOYAH
17. WHAT A SITUATION
18. FOREVER
19. I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU LOVE ME 20.CRIMSON AND CLOVER
21. WE’VE ONLY GOT ONE LIFE
22. MY RHYA
23. LOVE AND DEVOTION
24. FREEDOM SOUND
