Customer Reviews

Haile I Hymn

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much have been said about Bob Marley and many are those that love his music. I too like Marley's music but I feel that there are many reggae artists that don't get the recognition they should because people are to focused on Bob Marley when it comes to reggae.

Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh (as the Wailers) helped bringing reggae to an international audience. But in the 60's/70's and 80's many great roots artists emerged and one of them was IJahman Levi.

I am not hesitating to say that IJahman Levi's debut album Haile I Hymn (Chapter I) is the best roots reggae album ever. If this album is not part of your collection, then don't consider yourself a roots reggae fan. This excellent album feature four of the reggae world's most enchanting and beautiful tracks, wrapped and well produced by Chris Blackwell.

One word of warning: There are currently three (3) versions of this album on the market today. Two from Mango (a subdivision of Island records) with numbers: 162-539 521-2 and RRCD35 (510 273-2) and one released from IJahman Levi's own label JAHMANI. I have not heard the third one, but I own the two versions from Mango. My advice is GO FOR THE FIRST ONE! There are HUGE differences in the production of the two versions from Mango.

This was released at a time when a reggae album had to have 10 tracks unless it was by King Tubby in which case 2 would suffice. The cast list is enormous for a reggae album including just about everybody making music in Jamaica at the time (including Steve Winwood who was probably passing through). In the UK, Island records released it and labelled it "The Greatest Reggae Album Ever". It hardly merits this billing but it is worth a listen. Whipping himself into a sort of trance like state, Ijahman lets out his feelings about Jah. Perhaps it is overly relgious for some tastes. The original sleevenotes indicated that the album was intended to be even longer or would be followed by a sequel. Its a pity that this didnt happen because it is a very interesting and unusual album. The CD copy that I bought was remixed with some additional horns on the opening cut which rather spoilt it for me. However, this should not put off the potential purchaser. The only album that comes anywhere close to it is Burning Spear's Classic Haile HIM (similar title huh?) where Winston Rodney makes heavy use of Chanted Vocals and teams up with the Wailers Rythmn Section.

I originally had this on vinyl when it first came out in 1978. It has since worn out with the number of times I've played it so I've bought the CD. It is quite simply one of the best albums I have ever listened to. As it took Ijahman nearly two years to produce is it any wonder why it's so good.

Enjoy.

Grooving, driving, spiritually engulfing