Rating:
Genre: Reggae
Release Date: 05/18/1999

As the formerly cassette-only ROIR label continues to slowly reissue its catalog of classic punk, reggae and ska titles on CD, hidden treasures are coming to light again, some for the first time in years. Ras Michael, one of the foremost exponents of traditional Nyabinghi drumming and chanting, recorded his Rastafari album in 1972, and a dub version of that album was released simultaneously in a limited edition. Scraps of it have turned up from time to time, some on legitimate releases and some not, but ROIR's cassette reissue in 1989 was the first complete and fully-licensed release since the original vinyl first came out. It's too bad the non-dub version isn't included as well (there's plenty of space on the disc), but this CD is still a treasure. Ras Michael and his crew of drummers are joined by reggae demigods Carlton "Santa" Davis (drum set), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Tommy McCook (flute), Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar) and others, and the fusion of electric, urban reggae and organic, rural Nyabinghi drumming is perfect. Particular highlights include the dub versions of "None a Jah Jah Children No Cry" (recommended especially in conjunction with its vocal version) and the very dry and heavy "In Zion."

~Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

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Ras Michael - Composer
Ras Michael - Vocals
Ras Michael - Producer
Ras Michael - Main Performer
Ras Michael - Repeater
Geoffrey Chung - Organ
Geoffrey Chung - Synthesizer
Geoffrey Chung - Piano
Tommy Cowan - Producer
Tommy McCook - Fiddle
Peter Tosh - Clarinet
Peter Tosh - Guitar
Doug Pomeroy - Mastering
Santa - Drums
Robbie Shakespeare - Bass
Earl "Chinna" Smith - Guitar
Sons of Negus - Vocals
Neil Case - Engineer
Elena Oumano - Liner Notes
Dawn Forrester - Vocals

Release Date: 05/18/1999
Genre: regg