Slim Smith

Slim Smith - The Early Days - Total Sounds

Keith 'Slim' Smith died in the early '70's. The cause it seems was that his hand went through a plate glass window. The result was that for many years afterwards the greatness of the man was not understood. It took the death of other great singer/songwriters before Slim became truly appreciated, and this album was the start of that process. It contains all, or most of the man's big hit's from the rock steady and reggae era's, all produced by Bunny Lee (plus some Tony Mack productions).

Slim Smith - Born To Love - Studio One

Coxsone was Slim's main other producer. He also worked with Prince Buster, but like so many of Coxsone's album it's very hard to work out a release date for this. Although it's true to say that this, like the other album was released after Slim's passing. Included here are tracks around the late rock steady /early reggae era's - including the incredible 'Never Let Go' titled here 'I'll Never Let Go' also 'Rougher Yet. Both tunes contain very popular bass lines, and 'Rougher Yet' is another one of Slim's message songs.

Slim Smith - Late & Great -

This set comes from the same source - Bunny Lee, but covers mainly the reggae era. Mainly, because this set also includes 'My Conversation' one of Slim's biggest hits, which is pure Rock Steady. In the same style is 'Gypsy Woman', the Curtis Mayfield song that is just perfect for him to sing. Another great favourite included here is 'The Beatitude' which shows a more cultural side to the man. Perhaps if Slim had recorded more tunes like this he would have been thought of more highly. Then again who knows-

Slim Smith - The Time Has Come - Pama

Apart from 'The Beatitude' and 'My Conversation' this selection really covers the early seventies - the roots era. The title track contains the same type of concern heard on 'The Beatitude'. It was also another big hit. The rest of the album consists of covers, like 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' and 'Sitting In The Park'. As the music's transformation into the protest music of the seventies was still one or two years away, Slim's music has much more in common with current trends than that of the rest of the seventies.