Fred Locks

Fred Locks - True Rastaman - Vista

A puzzle to some in the music is why Jahlovemuzik the musical collective of The Twelve Tribes Organisation in Jamaica has never really exerted itself more in the promotion of Rastafari. This album by Fred Locks, originally released in 1976 on Grounation in the UK, was such a good start musically. Yet then everyone involved with this album including Fred Locks seemed to disappear for years. Still 'True Rastaman' remains, like a plan. This is how you make music that is both religious and inspirational.

Fred Locks & The Creation Steppers - Love And Only Love - Tribesman - 1981. About five years after the release of 'True Rastaman', UK based producer Lloydie Coxsone followed the plan and gave us yet another great set from Fred Locks this time with vocal harmony support from the Creation Steppers. In contrast to the first album, this one was a lot tougher musically. Lloydie's Coxsone production are built around mainly steppers and rockers rhythms. Apart from that Fred Lock's lyrics are just as good, with 'Love And Only Love' being truly outstanding.

Fred Locks - Glorify The Lord - Blacker Dread

The chanting vocal style of Fredlocks the Dreadlocks is one much loved amongest reggae people - coming as he after the likes of Burning Spear and Pablo Moses - and with something a little bit different from those two mighty talents. It was the mid seventies and reggae was in the grip of its own cultural revolution. Fred Locksshould have gone onto greater things- but a much needed second album never appeared - Fred - then linked up with the Creation Steppers - once again it seemed like a good move - but nothing really happened. It wasn’t until the nineties and a connection to Fatis that Fred Locks was back on the track. A second album for Fatis was released - and then another big gap until now. And this set produced in fine style by Blacker Dread continues on that great work. There arenot too many ways to produced some one like Fred Locks - but this is the way - great songs with powerful multi-textured rhythms. Magnificent.