Customer Reviews

Police & Thieves

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I first heard Junior Murvin on the Lee Perry 'Ultimate Collection', and I didn't like either of his songs or his voice as much as most of the other stuff on that record. Once I had bought many other 'Black Ark' records, I decided to give this one a try, and it blew my expectations away. While I do love Perry's 12" Disco mixes, the album versions of 'Roots Train' and 'Police & Thieves' are better in this case (just my opinion). Also, compared to the Ultimate Collection, this version of the album has a much clearer sound, which allows you to hear all of the instrumentation much better. After hearing these versions of the songs, I like Junior Murvin's voice very much now. There aren't any songs on this album I don't like, and it definately holds it's own to War Ina Babylon, Party Time, and Super Ape from the same period. Strongly recommended.

This is considered one of the top ten reggae classics of all time, and the accolades are well deserved. Murvin's unique falsetto comes into its own on a collection of brilliant, melodic songs, masterfully produced by Lee Perry. My favorites include Roots Train, Solomon, Rescue Jah Children and the title track, which has been covered by The Clash and Boy George among others. Serious social issues are addressed here but it never becomes preachy or repetitive. A unique album with great music that will reward the casual listener and reggae enthusiast alike.

This is roots reggae at its best, overlaid with the fantastic falsetto vocals of Junior Murvin. Great tracks from start to finish, with the Upsetters driving the drums and bass that make you say "yeah mon". Junior has a lot to say as well, and the combination of social commentary with irie meditation sounds make this one a crucial part of any reggae collection.

This is reggae pretty much at its' purist. The high pitched voice on the cd is of course of Junior Murvin. His falsesetto is rather well known. And for this reason The Clash (the only band that matters) covers "Police and Thieves", which also appears on the soundtrack of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barells". If reggae is your deal, than this is it........

Two discs-60,76 minutes each approximately. The sound is very good-the instruments are clean and well defined,with the vocals out front slightly in the mix. The booklet is very informative-setting the scene both in Britain and Jamaica in the 70's,when hard times hit both countries. Woven into this is Junior Murvin's story,with the accent on his musical beginnings,and how he came to record for Lee Perry at Perry's Black Ark studio. All the tracks on this 2 CD set were produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Taking the fine American soul singer Curtis Mayfield as a role model,Junior Murvin sang in a high voice (at times not quite falsetto),much like Mayfield. The tracks here (especially the title track) were written by Murvin in response to the political unrest he witnessed in Jamaica,and the attendant violence from rival gangs supporting various movements in the country. Using a hand-held tape machine,Murvin would sing his thoughts and ideas into it,and then decided that the only producer who could shape the songs into the powerful roots music he envisioned,was Lee Perry.

The title track,"Police and Thieves",was banned in Jamaica at the time (mid-late 70's)because of the unrest throughout the country. Perry new this track would be popular/powerful,just as another song Perry released,Max Romeo's "Sipple Out Deh"-known as "War In A Babylon",which addressed the same concerns as Murvin's. The musicians on Murvin's track were Boris Gardiner-bass,the great Ernest Ranglin-guitar,Sly Dunbar-drums,and a couple of different people on keyboards,along with backing vocals from another great group,THE HEPTONES. While the single was banned on Jamaican radio,in Britain it was widely played and sold well. Eventually an entire record was released and was critically acclaimed in Britain. So popular and powerful was the single,that THE CLASH reworked the single and released it on their first album.

The original album had a number of tracks that were limited to Jamaican release. On this great 2 CD set we get to hear these tracks and much more. The first disc has the original album along with dub versions,on which THE UPSETTERS are the band laying down some deep dub sounds. The combination of Murvin's voice and THE UPSETTERS,along with Perry's production is hard to beat. The versions range from upbeat ("Version Train") to deeper sounds ("Grumblin' Dub"),and are a real addition to the album.

The second disc consists of singles,more dubs,and extended versions. "Childhood Sweetheart" was not issued originally,and languished in the vaults for 25 years or so until finally showing up (with several other tracks in this set) on an expanded release of the album a few years ago (some were released on the "Arkology" set),and is heard here in all it's glory. "Roots Train" is an extended version which features DJ Dillinger toasting over the track. There are also several Curtis Mayfield songs ("People Get Ready"here as "Rasta Get Ready"),"Grow Closer" and Gypsy Woman",which are some of the highlights on this disc. Combined with some alternate tracks and the extended mix of "Bad Weed",this disc is crammed full of great music,and it's nice to have it all in one well put together package.

This is another instance of having to purchase something over again. But in this case,the extra tracks are not throw-aways,but are all good music,which only deepens the importance of this album. But putting importance aside,this music is just plain great Jamaican roots music from the era of roots music. If you liked the original release (or the expanded version),bite the bullet,for this 2CD set is even weightier with good music. If you haven't heard this roots classic,do yourself a favor and purchase this soon-you won't regret it.

Junior is the real deal. If you want real reggae/dub skip all the One Love junk and just go to Police & Thieves. The melodies couldn't be sweeter, the grooves couldn't be more infectious or the atmosphere more haunting. I would even suggest this over Lee Perry's Super Ape or Black Board Jungle work, but then I'd have to think on that. Do yourself a favour and get this lickity split -- you won't be disappointed.

While my taste in reggae tends to be more along the lines of Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley, this album is a classic and should not be overlooked in the pantheon of the genre. With these current reissues, the sound has been beautifully remastered to enhance the overall clarity of Junior's very distinctive falsetto and the instrumentation. On a side note, I splurged and got the "Deluxe Edition" that came with a second disc. If you're on the fence as to whether to get the "Extra Tracks" or "Deluxe" version, keep in mind that many of the additional tracks on the "DE" (and not on the "ET") are just different riffs on the "Police and Thieves" song and it gets a bit repetitious.