One Man Against the World

Gregory Isaacs the Cool Ruler as he became known, grew up in the ghetto district of Kingston Jamaica. His influences lay not only in the American singers  he heard on the radio such as Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, but also local singers such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, and John Holt. His debut release ‘Another Heartache’ was recorded for producer Winston Sinclair and was released under Winstons’ name in the U.K. This saw Gregory move on to work with producer Rupie Edwards forming a vocal group called The Concords alongside two local singers Bramwell and Penros  Releasing ‘Buttoo’, I Need Your Loving’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Suffer’ as a trio on Rupies’ Success label. Then as a  solo artist with ‘Far Beyond The Valley’, ‘Too Late’ and ‘Black and White’. The latter track becoming a big hit in the U.K. for the group Greyhound. Gregory  Isaacs always had his sights on forming his own label which he did in 1972 alongside Errol Dunkley, called African Museum. Working out of his record shop of the same name on Chancery Lane in Kingston town itself. Gregory carried on working with various other producers  throughout his career,work that helped fund his own label. One of these producers was Tappa Zukie.

Tappa Zukie was also raised in the rough and tough areas of Kingston Jamaica, and very much like Gregory Isaacs found music as a way out of the tough environment in which he was surrounded. Music seemed like the only way out of a life of crime and gang culture. A path that Tappa Zukie found and by the mid 1970’s was establishing himself as a named star on the DJ Roots circuit. Back home in Jamaica he was also getting a name for his production work for other local singers such as Prince Allah and the group Knowledge. To release his own productions, like Gregory Isaacs, he formed his own label called `Tappa Records’. These two artists working together was a match made in heaven and resulted in this set of songs.

Nine of these songs originally saw the light of day in 1988 released on Tappa Zukie’s `Tappa Records’ initially called Red. Kingston Sounds have added some additional material also produced by Mr Zukie around the same time to expand that release and make their work together more of a complete story.

The CD edition of this release carries the version sides to ‘Tickle Me’ and ‘One Man Against The World’. The title track of this release seems to suit Mr Isaacs stance perfectly. A great set of songs worked by two of the great names in reggae. Songs that  deserve to be put out again to enjoy.