Knowledge

Knowledge - Stumbling Block - Tamoki-Wambesi

Knowledge's 'Hail Dread' album produced by Tapper Zukie was released on A&M. This was the first Reggae album ever released on the label. The label did a good job in promoting the album, although the distribution was not so good. The bulk of the sales for albums during that time was in the Reggae shops. You don't connect with the Reggae shops… A&M were not alone - EMI suffered from the same problem - and that caused big problems for Jimmy Cliff.

The next time I heard about Knowledge they were recording in Switzerland - at the same place that I Kong recorded his excellent 'Africa' set. Since then Knowledge have been part of the Roy Cousins/Wambesi camp. Anthony Doyley, the leader of Knowledge, has now recorded at least three albums for Roy. This album 'Stumbling Block' was the first and is a truly excellent work!!! Anthony Doyley's song writing skillls are up there alongside that of Joe Hill of Culture - although he don't sing like him. Knowledge's sound is unique. It’s deep Roots - Tony's voice is powerful but with a great deal of expression. The harmonies come from a great number of singers including Roy Cousins himself. A major work.