In the 1970s, Handsworth was a great place for tasty takeaway curries. I lived close by in Gravelly Hill, so I would often go there for cheap snacks. I don't remember these outskirts of Birmingham as a hotbed of revolution, but outbursts of rioting from 1981 onwards indicate that a simmering violence in the area is a constant.
Black Symbol's compilation album of righteous reggae is a reflection of these inner city blues. It was first released in the early 1980s, a decade dominated by Thatcher's regime. At that time, there were plenty of causes to rally around and a need to foster some sense of oppositional community to counter the Iron Lady's insidious 'there is no such thing as society' message.
These being the days before digital, it came out on vinyl and has gradually accrued a collectable status. To mark Record Store Day 2014 it is re-released with identical track listing on limited edition green vinyl and features two tunes apiece from Benjamin Zephaniah, Man From The Hills, Mystic Foundation, Black Symbol and Black Knight.
'Fatman', producer, lead vocalist and founder member of Black Symbol wanted this music to "explode in the minds of many", adding that "this combination of music can only be played in the Ghetto by musicians who live and bear the weight of their society". His band contributes the Ska infused rhythms of Feeling Is Irie and Trouble Trouble.
|
The heart of the album's themes can be found in Mystic Foundation's Life In The Ghetto ("Jah know it ain't easy") and Handsworth ("is not a crumbling town").
Meanwhile, Man From The Hills' Redemption Day and How Long speak of the desire for spiritual uprising to realise the Utopian ideal of Zion.
Benjamin Zephaniah's Stop The War does not specify any particular conflict so is an all purpose call for peace and unity against warmongers ("them can stick them theory up them ass". The Rasta poet's Unite Handsworth brings the global issues onto a local level.
The slow, lover's rock of Black Knight's Let's Make Up and Feeling offer a romantic contrast to all this revolutionary zeal.
Handsworth Explosion is a snapshot from the past but the themes and philosophies, just like good curry, never really got out of fashion
Reggae Archives Records' website
|
