The Congos:
Heart of the Congos:
VP:
3xCD/3xLP:
Out Now:
In terms of reggae album landmarks, you'd be hard-pressed to find one as melodic, harmonious and spiritual as Heart of the Congos. Somewhat annoyingly, HOTC seems to languish in vaults in an out-of-print state far too often, although a Record Store Day vinyl-pressing of the Lee Perry original mix recently surfaced to satisfy eager punters.
This new VP LP edition manages to complete the picture with the second version and attendant extended versions added to spread things out over three platters, while the triple-CD includes all the tracks from both of Lee Perry's studio album mixes and 12" mixes. Finally, we're presented with the nearest thing to an ultimate version (again), which leaves you with little excuse not to pick up a copy.
The key difference between the original withdrawn mix and the buffed up second version is fairly clear to hear - less tricksy, less reverb and more in the way of organic roots production, version 1 is still very much a holy grail for aficianados and a must-have addition for any fan of reggae, dub and Jamaican music. The primitive rhythm-box used on Congoman hasn't dated, the vocals still sit somewhere between soprano and falsetto and those bumping basslines resonate in velveteen splendour.
The second-disc in the CD package is a great go-to for lovers of chilled-out heartical rhythms with Congoman Chant and Neckodeemus standing out as superlative experimental and leftfield extensions. Sleevenotes included.
1977 was an incredible year for music, not least for the resurgence of the unlikely bedfellows, reggae and punk, a time when like-minded free-spirited individuals were just as likely to own records by The Clash and The Wailers, The Sex Pistols and Peter Tosh and SLF and Steel Pulse. Those who were happy to dig a little further forty years ago, may have garnered Heart of the Congos.
8/10
Heart of the Congos:
VP:
3xCD/3xLP:
Out Now:
This new VP LP edition manages to complete the picture with the second version and attendant extended versions added to spread things out over three platters, while the triple-CD includes all the tracks from both of Lee Perry's studio album mixes and 12" mixes. Finally, we're presented with the nearest thing to an ultimate version (again), which leaves you with little excuse not to pick up a copy.
The key difference between the original withdrawn mix and the buffed up second version is fairly clear to hear - less tricksy, less reverb and more in the way of organic roots production, version 1 is still very much a holy grail for aficianados and a must-have addition for any fan of reggae, dub and Jamaican music. The primitive rhythm-box used on Congoman hasn't dated, the vocals still sit somewhere between soprano and falsetto and those bumping basslines resonate in velveteen splendour.
The second-disc in the CD package is a great go-to for lovers of chilled-out heartical rhythms with Congoman Chant and Neckodeemus standing out as superlative experimental and leftfield extensions. Sleevenotes included.
1977 was an incredible year for music, not least for the resurgence of the unlikely bedfellows, reggae and punk, a time when like-minded free-spirited individuals were just as likely to own records by The Clash and The Wailers, The Sex Pistols and Peter Tosh and SLF and Steel Pulse. Those who were happy to dig a little further forty years ago, may have garnered Heart of the Congos.
8/10