Freddie Notes & The Rudies

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Freddie Notes and The Rudies - Montego Bay - Trojan

This album is a snapshot of the mentality a the time that surrounded Reggae music, it was being pulled in three different ways,Pop, Soul, and Roots. In the case of Freddie Notes and the Rudies, Trojan Records finally resolved the problem by turning them intoGreyhound. While they were still Freddie Notes and The Rudies they released two sets, this one - ’Montego Bay’ - and ‘Unity’. This setcombines the best of both albums.

‘Montego Bay’ by Barry Bloom was a major pop hit - it had electronic funky Reggae feel, and it’s interesting that FN and The Rudiesjust made it more simple, a more Reggae cut, and nearly had another hit! Yet this band was not just about covers, they loved instrumentals and when they got going, they were as good as anyone. On this set there are numerous examples of raw skank instrumentals - a little taste of what was to come.Then you have ‘Babylon’ it’s a great Roots tune as good as any from the time. It’s such a shame that a very talented band did not goin this direction. There are plenty of ‘What If’s’ in Reggae music. This is another one!"