Rastaman Vibration
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
A step backwards from the peaks of
Natty Dread.
Apparently there is some meta light/dark concept going on with this one, but frankly it's half great and half shite.
Awesome:
Positive Vibration -
Roots, Rock, Reggae -
Crazy Baldhead - not as good as
this, obviously, but what is?
Night Shift - shout out to all warehouse crew! Apparently inspired by his brief stint in a car factory in the US.
War - again, it's great to hear this as a studio version rather than the overplayed live one. IMO.
Rat Race
Rubbish:
Johnny Was
Cry To Me
Want More
Who The Cap Fit (I know people rate this, but I think it's dreary)
I will challenge anyone who disagrees with me to a fight* outside the where Centerprise** used to be in Dalston.
I was trying to figure out WTF was happening with the writing credits for these songs and apparently Bob credited a bunch of his mates or people he owed stuff to, possibly because he hated his publishing company.
Tosh and Bunny released their classic LPs in 1976 also, which I will get to eventually.
Also some of my favourite ever reggae vocal LPs:
The Gladiators - Trenchtown Mix Up (including two superb Marley covers - Bellyful and Soul Rebel)
The Mighty Diamonds - Right Time
Max Romeo - War Inna Babylon
Plus deejay business from Big Youth, Tappa Zukie and dubwise you have King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown AND Super Ape.
An
amazing year for music, but really
Rastaman Vibration is a junior partner, unless you see it in its correct context. Which is that Bob was a gateway drug for a lot of people which allowed them to explore and find those other albums.
Next up:
Exodus!
*Not really. Be interested to know if people really like the tracks I hate, actually.
**Andy Martin of The Apostles once used a fanzine to challenge a whole bunch of people he didn't like (including former teachers) to a fight outside Centerprise