Customer Reviews

Reggae Sunsplash 81: Tribute to Marley

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Truly a great festival dedicated to the memory of Bob Marley. This CD includes most of the groups responsible for the resurgence of the "roots reggae" sound that regained popularity in the early 1990's. There is no so called "dance hall" music on this record, thank Jah (dance hall typically incorporates rap, reggae, and techno).

The CD includes fantastic tracks by Eek-a-mouse, Steel Pulse, and very soulful efforts from various female vocalists.

A special treat is the track "Sugar Pie" performed by a twelve year old Ziggy Marley which is both amuseing and enjoyable.

Enjoy this disk when your feeling especially IRIE.

Goes well with Ganga.

I have been transferring all my vinyl to digital and I've noticed a few things about the CD versions of these albums. One, for single Reggae albums, more obscure ones in particular, they will often rearrange song titles and add songs. Two, for double albums they will typically omit tracks, so they can release it on one CD. This album is no exception. Missing tracks on this CD are KKK and Smile Jamaica by Steel Pulse from Side 1.

Here is the original track list for those interested -

Side 1 (Steel Pulse)

Sound System

Ku Klux Klan

Handsworth Revolution

Smile Jamaica

Side 2

Belly Full A/K/A Them Bellyfull - Rita Marley & the I-Threes

Sugar Pie - Melody Makers & the Wailers

Wa Do Dem - Eek A Mouse & the Wailers

If I Had the World - Dennis Brown

Side 3

Plastic Smile - Black Uhuru

Guess Who's Comoming to Dinner - Black Uhuru

The Bed's Too Big Without You - Sheila Hylton

Soon Forward - Gregory Isaacs

Side 4

The Harder They Come - Carlene Davis

Right Time - Mighty Diamonds

1865 (96 In the Shade) - Third World

Rock the World - Third World

I bought this album in the early 80s, back before the days of CDs. It was a 2-disc compilation that had at least 18-20 tracks, including a total of four tracks by Steel Pulse. Their rendition of "Ku Klux Klan" was the best I've ever heard, but now it's lost to new listeners of this compilation. It's a deep disappointment to me that the people who released this CD chose to exclude some very great songs. All we have now are tidbits from each artist that whet our appetite for more. The sound quality of this festival is THE BEST I've ever heard of any live recording: you feel like you're really there (!), so it makes it all the more disappointing that any other versions I may get of the lost songs will be inferior. I suggest to anyone who really loves high-quality reggae concerts, that they buy the 2-disc record version instead of this CD version (those of you who still own turntables!). There are places online that do carry the record for about the same price [you can look the title up on your favourite search engine]. Or maybe one day Amazon will find copies of the record to sell (?).

For those who love vintage reggae, it just doesn't get much better. This cd also provides some nice Jamaican flavor and shows how recordings of live performances can have so much more soul than studio versions. An outstanding farewell to the master!

Black Uhuru, Mighty Diamonds, VERY young Ziggy Marley. Great.

I believe, the reviewer is absolutely correct, that KKK is missing from this release of Reggae Sunsplash; still:

Peak Performances are here, from Black Uhuru, perhaps the original record had 3 selections; instead of two.

"The Right Time", by the Mighty Diamonds, this is grade A ; all time hit. Excellent version;

You still get 2 Steel Pulse songs, 2 Third World;

album cover speaks well, for that time frame,

If Hendrix lit up Woodstock a comparison may be

Uhuru tears it up here!

Hey Now! Check this line-up! Many of them do their greatest songs, like Third World's "96 Degrees". The recording is loud and clear, and it makes you feel like you are there, in the front row- you can almost see the hot Caribbean sun splash over the rainbow garments and dreaded locks around you. What this recording captures boarders on mythical. The 1981 Reggae Sunsplash in Montega Bay, Jamaica was a great musical festival in dedication of Bob Marley. If you like an excellent mix of reggae music that highlights the masters, live ...CHECK IT!