Mike Darby’s diligent Bristol Archive imprint has already significantly enriched British reggae’s heritage thanks to key archival collections from under-rated Avon-based heroes Black Roots, Talisman, Bunny Marrett and more.
BA’S latest release dates back to the mid-1980s. A transitional time in reggae history, it found Kingston skanking to the heavier dancehall rhythms of the time while keeping an eye on the digital sound which would later become established as ragga, while London was a lot keener to push the radio-friendly, lovers’ rock style which continued to present commercial opportunities aplenty.
Back in Bristol, aspiring roots reggae singer DAN RATCHET had already served an impressive apprenticeship as a member of Full Force & Power (see Bristol Archive’s ‘Bristol Reggae Explosion’ series), but it was through his writer/ producer cousin Simbarashe Tongogara’s connections in the wider reggae world that Ratchet would spend 1986 zigzagging between London and Jamaica laying down the tracks now collected here.
When you consider these 16 tracks were conceived in legendary reggae studios such as Channel One and Tuff Gong and feature the likes of guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and legendary drummer Sly Dunbar, it seems hard to believe that anything less than perfection would be possible, but there’s one thing to remember: this was the mid-1980s and even the reggae scene wasn’t immune to the technological advancements. Thus, the slow to medium dancehall riddims are driven by those dreadful Simmons drums that were so prevalent at the time.
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So, while we’re on the subject, let’s get the other carp outta the way too. Although ‘Jah Poor People’ proffers 16 tracks, that’s really 8 tracks backed by their respective dub ‘versions.’ With the exception of the laid-back and sparse ‘Early Morning Smoking Dub’ and the horn-led ‘The Time Has Come Dub’ (which wouldn’t disgrace Tommy McCook & The Aggrovators), they are fine, but unremarkable instrumental takes which add little to the songs themselves. If you’re expecting speaker-stretching King Tubby-style manoeuvres, you’ll be disappointed.
However, you won’t be disappointed by the quality of the eight songs themselves. Ranging from militant, sufferers time anthems (‘Ekome Is Unity’, the title track, the anti-apartheid ‘Afrikana Policies’) through to swooning lovers’ rock (‘Sweet Rosie’, ‘Girl You Want My Love’), the songs are beautifully poised and caressed by Ratchet’s silky smooth vocals. And, frankly, it’s worth picking up ‘Jah Poor People’ for that voice alone, even though LP closer ‘If Jah Should Leave Me’ – a soulful, spiritual gem – also goes some way to bulking up the record’s essential purchase status.
Bristol Archive Records online
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