
		9

Various Artists

Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988

Light In The Attic | 2007 | Album

Biography

Comments (0)

Read Full Page

Digg Review

Add del.icio.us

There’s enough smooth reggae goodness and sweet dub rhythms packed on this disc to lively up the ears of and hips of even the most soulless listener. Granted, I’m not a spliff-smoking enthusiast overly familiar with the many awesome acts to come from the great island nation of Jamaica via Jerry Brown’s Ontario, Canada-based Summer Sound Studios where these songs were made, but I know what I like.

I mean, how could I not go gaga over Earth, Wind & Roots spacey “Awakening,” Ranking’s tasty “Chatty Chatty People” or the previously unreleased cuts by heavies Willi Williams and Johnny Osbourne? Osbourne’s opening “Love Makes The World Go Round” supplies some serious vocal tenderness, but also provides lovely reverb interludes that segue perfectly within this three-minute cut. Jerry Brown’s own “Dreadlock Lady” throws in everything from flute backing to amazingly muddled horn refrains that sound like they could have been recorded in a studio deep beneath the Caribbean surf. Stretched over seven minutes, the emotive sincerity of “Reach My Destiny” by Noel Ellis blazes brightly, highlighted by one of the coolest mellow dub codas I’ve ever heard.

Defined by the absurdly competent underground vibe of this compelling music, the overall effect is nothing short of stunning. Don’t expect the harsh sexual pumping of, say, dancehall Beenie Man or even the straightforward jam band flavor of the Bob Marley songs we all know and love. The Summer Records Anthology instead exhibits a gorgeous melding of gifted performers creating tight tracks with a host of singular production techniques that standout among the crowded history of quality reggae, roots and dub.

Sean Lambert