Police & Thieves

Junior Murvin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 19, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mango
• ASIN: B000003QH4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,269 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Roots Train

2. Police and Thieves

3. Solomon

4. Rescue Jah Children

5. Tedious

6. False Teachin'

7. Easy Task

8. Lucifer

9. Workin' in the Cornfield

10. I Was Appointed

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded deluxe two CD edition of this classic 1977 Reggae album includes a plethora of bonus tracks. Originally released to widespread acclaim in the spring of 1977, the Police And Thieves album has since become regarded as one of the finest and most important Reggae collections of all-time. Recorded at Lee `Scratch' Perry's famed Black Ark studio in Kingston at a time when both singer and producer were at the peak of their creative powers, the LP caught the mood of the times, its themes of civil unrest and social injustice striking a chord on both sides of the Atlantic. Its significance in the history of Jamaican music is reflected in this deluxe edition, on which 21 pertinent vocal, Dub and instrumental Black Ark recordings from the period augment the original album's 10 tracks. Universal. 2009. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even better now, April 6, 2003

By 

aliled "aliled" (Austin, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Police & Thieves (Audio CD)

It was already one of reggae's most sublime works and one of producer Lee Perry's most consistent efforts, but this recent remaster really is improved. The artwork is much better, incorporating the original liner notes, improved representation of the original cover, as well as a few photos and extensive new (additional) sleevenotes. The sound is much clearer, giving the Black Ark production a nice shimmer that was lacking in the original CD release.

But the best news of all are the bonus tracks - nearly an additional album's worth in time (32+ minutes). "Childhood Sweetheart" is a sweet track meant for a 12" with "Bad Weed (discomix)" that was never released. The aforementioned "Bad Weed" is the extended version of an edited track found on the "Arkology" box set. "Roots Train (extended)" is the only bonus track previously on CD in identical form, it was also on "Arkology". "Memories" was the b-side of the "Tedious" single and "Rasta Get Ready" a never-before-used outtake from the album - also a Rastafied adaptation of the Impressions' "People Get Ready". All the bonus tracks are fabulous, as good as any of the album tracks, and actually better than a couple of them.

For those who've never heard the album, the entry point is the massive 1977 reggae hit, "Police And Thieves", which topped the reggae charts in the UK for months and was shortly after covered by the Clash for their debut album. Murvin's voice has a quality somewhere between that of Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield - a very light, high voice which contrasts nicely with the hypnotic music and lyrics, which are largely concerned with social injustice and other tough, topical issues. Lee Perry's fingerprints are all over the sonics of the record, and he manages to mix up the sound nicely without losing a general cohesiveness.

Island is currently reissuing much of its reggae catalog, at least with improved sound and packaging (Bunny Wailer's "Blackheart Man", Black Uhuru's "Chill Out") and sometimes with bonus tracks (the Marley catalog, three excellent Gregory Isaacs titles and a Toots & the Maytals two-fer of "Funky Kingston" and "In The Dark"). All are worth your time and especially your support - major label reggae releases are rarely treated so well.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic record, April 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Police & Thieves (Audio CD)

Police And Thieves was perhaps the best album to come out of Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark-studio in the 70's. Perry creates a dense, complex and mindblowing musical backdrop for Murvin's haunting falsetto voice and songs about social injustice: what comes out of your speakers is the closest you'll ever get to hear Curtis Mayfield accompanied by an earthquake. Some of the heaviest riddims in the history of reggae and some of Jamaicas greatest (and must underrated) songs. Don't miss out on this one - it's a classic!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expanded reissue of reggae classic, June 3, 2003

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Police & Thieves (Audio CD)

Though many know Murvin's landmark title song through its cover by The Clash, the original, featured here among the album's ten cuts and a quintet of equally worthy bonus tracks, shows just why this song so intrigued British punks. The entire album, one of the best produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry at his Black Ark studio, is rife with the sort of socially charged songs that found resonance half way around the world.

Life in mid-70s Kingston, factionalized by poverty, and the oppression of highly divisive political and police institutions, is at the root of Murvin's exceptional set of songs. His dark contemplations of Rastafarian life, and the plight of blacks worldwide, is matched by Perry's thick, heavily reverbed production. Even the drums and cymbals are heavily flanged for additional rhythmic effect. It's not necessarily the most accessible sound in reggae, but it's certainly among the most powerful.

Island's latest reissue adds five bonus tracks to the original ten, including a remix of "Roots Train" that features an extended toast from Dillinger, a reworking of the "Police and Thieves" backing track as "Bad Weed," a rare 12" titled "Memories," a previously unreleased track titled "Childhood Sweetheart," and Murvin's rewrite of Curtis Mayfield's seminal "People Get Ready," rechristened "Rasta Get Ready." For anyone who didn't notice up front (and it would be difficult not to), the latter tips one of Murvin's primary vocal influences.