If you needed to be convinced of
Glen Brown's importance during the early part of reggae's mid-1970s golden era, check out the roster of deejays who lined up to chat over his rhythms:
U Roy,
Prince Jazzbo,
Big Youth,
I Roy -- this collection of singles is like a who's-who of first-generation reggae toasters. The rhythms will be familiar to those who already own Boat to Progress and Check the Winner, which feature the same tracks in vocal and instrumental settings, respectively. "Boat to Progress" is rendered here as "Mr. Want All" by the inimitable
Prince Jazzbo, who also gets the privilege of riding the "Dirty Harry" rhythm;
I Roy takes the latter rhythm even further with his excellent "Rasta on a Sunday." Dean Beckford does an equally fine job toasting over
King Tubby's stop-and-start mix of "Father's Call," while
Big Youth shows his stuff on "Opportunity Rock," "Spider to the Fly," and the title track. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson