Rootsman Vibration at King Jammys

Rootsman Vibrations At King Jammy's collects four of Prince Jammy's most sought after roots testaments. Folly Ranking, issued in 1980 at the height of Johnny Osbourne fever, contains some of Bumpy's best performances including "Mr Walker," "Jah Over," "Trench Town School," and of course the massive hit title track.

The year also saw the crucial pairing of Hugh Mundell and Lacksley Castell for the release of the Jah Fire roots summit. Mundell performing at his peak for "Jah Fire," "Walk With Jah," and "King Of Israel," while Lacksley Castell delivered in his signature Waterhouse style on tracks like "Be My Princess" and "Million Miles." Jah Fire reminds us what a tragic loss the music world suffered when these two shining talents were taken from us so young.

Barry Brown's Showcase album from the same year was unleashed in true drum and bass Jammy fashion with "Best Thing In Life," "It Ago Dread," "School Days," etc. stretching out twelve-inch style to deliver a Waterhouse rock-solid vocal and dub masterpiece.

Noel Phillips' big break came when Jammy voiced the Maverley youth for the classic "Youth Man" / "Living In The Ghetto" double-sider. Its success would lead to the release the following year of the Youth Man Vibrations album, and its ten tracks did not disappoint. Many further classics were to be found, including "Money Man Skank," and while Noel would go on to even greater success as Echo Minott, for many, it's these early roots recordings that are still his most in-demand and affectionately remembered cuts.