Customer Reviews

Jah Son of Africa

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Son of Africa is a great record. I knew of U-Roy before I bought this title on vinyl a couple of days ago, but had never heard his stuff before. The sound is unique and much different than the Marley or Tosh style, but I like the style equally. I am a fan of this reissue and am thankful there are those out there that still appreciate good music like this title here. Go out and buy it. Its worth the money.

The mighty U-Roy wasn't the first reggae D.J. but he was the first D.J. to really count. Even now at age 64, U-Roy is capable of lighting a fire under the third genration of dancehall toasters, young enough to be his grandchildren. The joy of U-Roy is in his lyrical consciousness, his exuberant delivery and his riveting presence, even within the limitations of a compact disc.

The album, "Jah Son of Africa" was the first reggae D.J. ina dub style record I ever purchased. I bought at record shack in Kingston in 1978, just as U-Roy launched his Stur-Gav sound system which was bringing the message of dread to the youth, dance hall by dance hall, all over the island.

"Jah Son of Africa" has become my personal standard of brillance by which to measure all other deejay stylists. Papa Levi may can roll off a rap with the speed of an AK 47 and Charlie Chaplin can mezmerize your mind, but even the Big Youth, himself, dwells beneath the long shadow cast by the mighty U-Roy.

This remastered CD has a much cleaner sound than my copy from Jamaica which was one of those thick brittle vinyl 33 rpm pressings on the cheap plastic. Probably melted-down bowling balls but at least they were recycled in the process.

It was hard to avoid the sound of the record "Jah Son of Africa"...it was in the music in the air of every shanty and trenchtown government yard that year. Many U-Roy fans will tell you that this is U-Roy at the peak of his powers. His session players include the muscular riddims of Sly and Robbie, alternating with Lloyd Parks on bass and the brilliant off tempo drumming of LeRoy the Horsemouth mon. U-Roy deejays classics by the Wailers, Boney M and the Gladiators.

Most powerful, however is U-Roy's original music and lyrics which he collaborated on with session producer Prince Tony of Aswad. Two of those cuts "Tom Drunk" and "Africa For Africans" are standouts on an album where each selection is a stone cold reggae classic.