{"product_id":"the-observer-book-of-i-roy","title":"The Observer Book Of I Roy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThough he kind of shot himself in the foot by deriving his stage name so obviously from that of the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eU-Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eRoy Reid\u003c\/strong\u003e nevertheless went on to become one of the most influential reggae DJs of the 1970s, arguably the classic period of his chosen specialty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe was a hugely popular feature of \u003cstrong\u003eKing Tubby's Hi-Fi\u003c\/strong\u003e sound system, and recorded for many of the top producers of the day, most notably \u003cstrong\u003eBunny Lee\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGussie Clarke\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eLee \"Scratch\" Perry\u003c\/strong\u003e. He also cut 11 tracks for a young producer named Winston Holness, aka \u003cstrong\u003eNiney the Observer\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll of those tracks were compiled onto a single CD for inclusion in the VP label's excellent \u003cem\u003eDeep Roots Observer Style\u003c\/em\u003e box set, and was subsequently released separately on vinyl as well. The rhythms over which he chats are mostly derived from the hit records Holness was making with \u003cstrong\u003eDennis Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e at the time; in fact, the \"Wolves \u0026amp; Leopards\" rhythm shows up twice here, once on the very fine \"\u003cem\u003eStep On the Dragon\u003c\/em\u003e,\" then again on \"\u003cem\u003eSister Maggie Breast\u003c\/em\u003e.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Up Park Camp\" rhythm makes an inevitable appearance as well, supporting an excellent toast on \"\u003cem\u003ePoint Blank Observer Style\u003c\/em\u003e.\" But the most enjoyable entry comes right near the end, with \"\u003cem\u003eJah Is My Light\/Wicked Eat Dirt\u003c\/em\u003e,\" a showcase track on which \u003cstrong\u003eLeroy Smart\u003c\/strong\u003e sings, and which segues immediately into a dub mix over which \u003cstrong\u003eI-Roy\u003c\/strong\u003e toasts in psalm-like mode. Brilliant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"VP Records","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50454070001995,"sku":"347070","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d12fa137-79a9-414d-af76-7bb05d83f7de_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727180467","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/products\/the-observer-book-of-i-roy","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}