Owen Gray - Cupid - Melodisc
A true foundation figure in reggae with many many classic tunes in all era’s starting with the shuffle-beat era. By the mid-sixties Owen was doing shows in the UK with his first show at Stratford Town Hall - in 1965. Just a short walk away from the Olympic Stadium - still under construction.
This set came four years later in the reggae era - around the same time that Owen had a massive hit for Pama Records with ‘Girl What You Doing To Me’ it’s a shame that the tune isn’t here - but the good news is that most of the tracks on this excellent work are up to the same very high standard.
Working out where this album was recorded is a real challenge some of it sounds like it was done here. Some of it sounds like it was produced by Bunny Lee and some of it sounds like it was done at Studio One!!! They are all covers - and there is nothing wrong with that - if they are done with the style of these productions. Even the soul track ‘Just Out Of Reach’ works well.
Of the reggae tracks ‘Hold Me Tight’, ‘Cupid’ always sound good - and Owen versions are well to scratch…. Just like the album in fact…