BOBO REVOLUTION
VARIOUS ARTISTS
MAXIMUM SOUND"Rastafari. Me say Bobo revolution with the solution," chants Warrior King at the start of this spellbinding collection of contemporary roots music from the Maximum Sound label, the majority of which was recorded in Jamaica by the genre's biggest stars or most thrilling newcomers. Songs like these, infused by a mix of reality, black history and Old Testament style spirituality, can turn people's lives around; they're that potent. And, whilst not all the featured artists are followers of Prince Emmanuel or members of the priestly Bobo Ashanti, all share the same central faith and write lyrics expressing a similar, righteous message.
Some of the tracks have appeared as singles and are voiced on popular Maximum Sound rhythms such as Jah Powers, Zion Train, Truth And Rights, and the Intercom, which hosts Jah Mason's fiery Mama Earth, for example. Others, like Junior Kelly's Tough Life and Anthony B's Powers Of Creation, became the title tracks of hit albums or have remained unreleased until now. Cuts to the Blackboard Jungle rhythm by Sizzla and Morgan Heritage - whose Guards Up is another masterpiece from reggae's "royal family" - come into this latter category, as do wonderful sides by the young Rasta lions Warrior King and Natty King.
Add to this tally cuts to Damian Marley's Welcome To Jamrock by Richie Spice and Luciano (who sings in a conscious dancehall style on A No Like We No Like Them), and songs by highly acclaimed trailblazers like Gyptian, Turbulence, Lutan Fyah, Natural Black, Fantan Mojah, and Chezidek, and the result's an album that reads like a Rastafarian manifesto. Or at the very least, the blueprint for a musical revolution that's every bit as cultural and compelling as anything heard from Jamaican roots artists of the seventies.
Liner Notes by John Masouri.
Look out also for these two NEW RIDDIMS!
The BLACK BOARD RIDDIM and the ASHANTI WARRIOR RIDDIM
The Black Board Riddim will feature tracks by Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Alborosie, Burro Banton, Chesidek, and Anthony B.
The Ashanti Warrior Riddim will feature tracks by Natty King, Warrior King, Jah Mason, Jah Mali, Da'Ville, and Anthony B.
These new Riddims will be available on 1st September as 7″ vinyl singles.
See our NEW RELEASES page for full details
