Gunman

by Michael Prophet

Overview

Originally issued on LP in 1981, this is a long-overlooked classic of late roots reggae featuring a very good singer backed by one of the best studio bands of all time -- the mighty Roots Radics -- and mixed by the young dubmaster Scientist at King Tubby's studio. Like many of his colleagues, Michael Prophet had vocal skill that far outstripped his lyrical originality; even in a genre with a high tolerance for cliche, songs like "Hold on to What You Got" and "Love and Unity" come across on this album as unusually hackneyed. But the heavyweight rhythm section of drummer Style Scott and bassist Flabba Holt give the songs all the ballast they need, and in a couple of cases (notably "Hold on to What You Got"), Scientist makes the wise choice of dropping Prophet's vocal out early on in the song and filling the remaining space with expert dubwise effects. But on most tracks the balance between vocal quality, lyrical invention, and elephantine beats is perfect. Highlights include the brilliant (and chart-topping, at the time) "Gunman," the incisive "Guide and Protect You" (which features one of the album's wickedest basslines) and the equally fine "Upside Down." The four 12" remixes that fill out the end of the program are a very nice bonus, though it's too bad the songs' dubwise extensions don't include any scraps of vocal. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/14/2014
Label:	Greensleeves Records / Vp Records
UPC:	0601811002711
Rank:	89328

Tracks

1. Hold on to What You've Got
2. Guide and Protect You
3. Youthman
4. Gunman
5. Turn Them Round
6. Up Side Down
7. Love and Unity
8. Never Leave Me Lonely
9. Help Them Please
10. Sweet Loving

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael Prophet   Primary Artist
Bingy Bunny   Guitar (Rhythm)
Winston "Bo-Pee" Bowen   Guitar
Santa Davis   Drums
Winston Wright   Keyboards
Sky Juice   Percussion
Errol "Flabba" Holt   Bass
Dean Fraser   Horn
Skully   Percussion
Nambo   Horn
Style Scott   Drums
Sowell   Guitar (Rhythm)
Alan Bassford   Guitar
Gladdie Anderson   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Chris O'Brien   Liner Notes
Scientist   Mixing
Soldgie   Mixing
Roots Radics   Musical Backing
Henry "Junjo" Lawes   Composer,Producer
Barnabas   Mixing
Hi-Times Band   Musical Backing
Tony McDermott   Design
Andrew Ellis   Design