Dread in Babylon

U-Roy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Frontline
• ASIN: B000000HUJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Runaway Girl

2. Chalice in the Palace

3. I Can't Love Another

4. Dreadlocks Dread

5. The Great Psalms

6. Natty Don't Fear

7. African Message

8. Silver Bird

9. Listen to the Teacher

10. Trench Town Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Used to U-Roy, March 12, 2006

By 

K. Anderson "Pseudo-Intellectual" (Irvine, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dread in Babylon (Audio CD)

U-Roy's Dread in Babylon is another in line of classics for the unorthadoxed singer/writer. Even though its a rather old cd, many of its songs are used in soundtracks for recent films. I.e. High Tension, After the Sunset, and City of God. For those of you unfamiliar with his style I caution you before buying this cd. Be prepared for elonggated scats and pseudo-harmonic melodies. The structure of the songs follow the traditional syncapation more familiar with reggae, but he primaraly talks the listener through each vocal journery, never jumping octaves or escalating in pitch. If you're expecting a Bob Marley, Ky-mani, Buju Bantu or I-Wanye sort of musician, this is not the cd for you. If on the other hand you enjoy "live" sounding bands, with improvised melodies, vocals and tunes then you'll defeniately want to buy this cd.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look beyond the cloud of smoke, January 29, 2008

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dread in Babylon (Audio CD)

Mid-seventies toasting DJ U-Roy(not to be confused with I-Roy) Musical Shark Attack was at his peak when he created this classic. You may want to try the excellent Version of Wisdom that presents two of his best works on one disc. His style is unique to say the least. His ability to improvise over tacks, with his happy-go-lucky vocals is a real treat. Take a listen to "Chalice in the Palace." The backing vocals by the Soul Syndicate is a nice doo wop infusion to a crushing, toasting back beat, multi-layered musical experience. Part of beauty in these early reggae recordings are the spontaniety imposed over well crafted chorus backgrounds;it's really produced quite well. The whole disc is great but favorites are the chastising "The Great Psalms," that is part gospel, part blues, part reggae covered by a DJ who is possessed,"Runaway Girl" that has the simplicity of a pop song, drenched in reverb, presented in a R&B fashion, with a dash of toasting and a firm rock steady beat, the catchy all instrumental "Trench Town Rock" led by a melodious harmonica and the the deep echo sing in rhyme "Listen to the Teacher" with U-roy's taunting lyrical phrasing about the "teacher say you shouldn't do that" and "the golden rule between abrupt shrieks and a laid back back beat.If you are looking for something different in reggae this is it. Recommended for fans of classic roots reggae.

5.0 out of 5 stars vinyl, April 15, 2011

By 

Master T (Fiji born indian-NZ - Aust) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dread in Bablyon (Audio CD)

disya maan n i-roy beat any rappa, dem talk so fass, dat u can never ever rpt whadem say like speedy gonzalus, riva riva, homre......zzzzzz.
these two can 'light up your life'. juss too good. and yes, the back of the vinyl has four fotos, pullin on his coconut made chalice, next one blow thick smoke outta his nose, third one, out his mouth, but can still see his face, and last shot - no can see u-roy, him gowan! totally n absolutely, unda da smoke.
gotta dread inna babylon, got keep fightin 4 ur rights.