Rastafari Teachings

Artist : Various Artist compilation
Title : Rastafari Teachings
Label : Reggae On Top
Cat No : Rotcd 014
Release Date : Out Now
Format : CD/LP

The full title for this one is 'Rastafari Teachings, Various Artists, Vocals And Dub Showcase, Part Two'. Which in itself tells you quite a lot. It highlights the work of Hughie Izachaar, Pablo Gad, Barry Issac, Levi Judah, Eli Emmanuel and Tony Roots.

This is the latest compilation from 'Reggae on Top', one of the UK's foremost providers of quality roots. 'Rastafari Teachings' bears all the hallmarks of a traditional 'roots reggae' album, but with the added bonus of digital-age quality recordings. Nevertheless, this album's focus is very much on the traditional side of things, and I don't think you'll find anything here to offend purists. Rastafari Teachings is moulded in the tradition of classic-conscious steppers-style reggae-and-dub. Each track is followed by it's dub counterpart - which (in this case) works very well, putting you in mind of a dance where you'll often hear first the vocal and then the dub. So to the track breakdown :-

• 'Hola Zion' by Tony Roots. Whose's vocal style reminds me of 'The Twinkle Brothers'. The tune has a summer-vibes/outdoors-in-the-sun feel.

• 'Zion Dub'. A version which is particularly suited to the sound-system play-out.

• 'History' by Pablo Gad. Which takes the beat up a pace into a pure stepper's rhythm.

• 'History Dub'. DJ's: this is an ideal cut to pull your audience up onto the floor.

• 'The King of Kings Shall Reign Forever' : Barry Issac. A fine reworking of this tradional psalm from Barry 'Reggae On Top' Issac.

• 'King Of Kings Dub'. One that's fast become a particular favouite with this writer. It has a beautiful introduction and is the most radically reworked version of all the dubs featured on this album.

• 'Rising Of The Sun' by Levi Judah. Features a lyric full of optmism and a happy, uplifting warm-summer feel. It puts you in mind of outdoor skanking with the sun beating down. A perfect festival playout and an ideal summer tune.

• 'Rising Of The Dub'. Features beautiful guitar and tabla's interacting within a lovely Dubpiece. This one is also fast becoming a personal fave.

• 'Move' by Hughie Izachaar. A tale of police oppression & harassment.

• Moving Dub : A rocking dub 'version'. This one will get your head nodding, your toes tapping & your fingers rolling.

• Mash Down Babylon : Eli Emmanuel. A tale of warning to all Babylonia

• Mash Down Dub. The version on this one is a storming 'steppers' delight. An ideal tune to close this fine compilation LP.