Max Romeo

Max Romeo - Sings Bob Marley - Attack - CD

Many many moons ago when Bob Marley and Max Romeo shared the same

label Island Records, poor old Max was accused of being a Bob Marley

sound alike. That was the gist of the review of 'War In A Babylon'

That album is a true classic, and is loved by many reggae fans - and

I'm sure, like myself they never heard the connection. Oh well at

least they didn't mention 'Wet Dream' in the review. Now all these

years later, here comes this!!! A Bunny Lee produced 'Tribute' to Bob

Marley - Max singing over the original rhythms - that made Bob Marley

great. Its a bit weird - but Bob's songs are now standards, so we can

expect a lot more of this kind of thing. And if anyone can do it well,

its Max with Bunny at the controls. Hopefully Striker Lee will put out

his deejay set on the same rhythms, thats if he's not already done so

Max Romeo 'In This Time' - Right On Time - Satta

Some fantastic reggae albums were released just before Christmas,this

one from Max Romeo must take the prize though for the most

unusual.This is a first for reggae music, a nyahbingi set from a solo

artist.Until now most of this music has come from groups like Count

Ossie & MMR orRas Michael & The Sons Of Negus.

Just to make it even more special this excellent album was recorded

and produced in Italy By Trbu Acoustica.This is truly essential work.

Max Romeo � Open The Iron Gate � Blood & Fire. - CD When this first

came out on Tropical Sound Tracs in 1975 it was a major event. Not

only because it�s a truly essential album, but because it was the

first album released in the UK from a Jamaican Musical co-operative.

Recorded at Black Ark and Randy�s and mixed at Dynamics it contains

some of Max Romeo's best music. 'Tacko' 'Three Blind Mice' and 'No

Peace' are as advanced as anything on the 'War In A Babylon' set.

Production credits then went to Clive Hunt and Geoffrey Chung. Max's

contribution to the production now needs a credit.

Max Romeo - The Many Moods Of Max Romeo - JA Gold - CD. Finally,

someone has had the conviction to release a set of Maxie Smith's early

sides. It was always going to be a difficult compilation knitting

those early Slack sides like "Whine her goosie" and, of course "Wet

dream", with the more socio-political / Cultural sides "Let the power

fall (on I)", "Holla (Holy) Zion" and "Black equality", particularly

when Blood & Fire have just re-issued his classic "Revelation time"

cultural set at the same time ! In fairness to JA Gold, and all things

considered, such as switching producers and the inclusion of UK

recorded sides next to the JA recorded ones, the set is interesting to

say the least. The album kicks off with five Rock Steady tracks from

the vocal group Max was a part of, for one time Skatalites road

manager, Blondel Calnek (Ken Lack). We then progress to the early Rude

Reggae sides, visiting covers of "Melting pot", "Swing chariot" and

"Michael (row the boat ashore)" before closing nicely with the more

serious sides mentioned above. I don't think this is going to be a big

seller, but will fill the gaps in anyones Reggae collection. Charlie

Reggae.