Junior Reid – Junior Reid’s Classic Hits Volume 1

There was a reason he took over the lead vocal role for Black Uhuru in the md-80s when Mykal Roze left – yes, he did sound like his predecessor though that was the Waterhouse style anyway – but it was more than that. As Original Foreign Mind hits, the years roll back; so do they also with Higgler Move, originally issued on Jammy’s. It might be a cliche, but the dancehall hits just keep on coming: Badman from 1991, a hint of Dennis Brown in the vocal on 1989’s When It Snows, Bubblers on the Taxi riddim, the re-imagining of The Beatles Eleanor Rigby recalling a time when reggae artists would hit the charts internationally with older songs, the lovely classic roots sound of Babylon Release the Chain from 1984.

Then there is Mashing Up The Earth (Earth Song Cover) a niyabinghi flavoured reworking of Michael Jackson’s hit (not the first time on this set Jacko is referenced), and Junior’s version of Labi Siffre’s Listen To The Voices shows a very different vocal approach.

Hopefully, you’re now getting the idea. There is a rich variety of styles here, though all within dancehall parameters. The album title puts it exactly right – Junior Reid is a supremely, multi-talented artist. Unless you already have a lot of his music, do check this out.