I Shall Not Remove 1975-80
I Shall Not Remove 1975-80
$25.99
As of 2024-04-16 00:36:23 UTC (more info)
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Manufacturer Description
Most Blood & Fire releases should be considered essential purchases for any fan of golden-era reggae, but this one is even better than most. Cornel Campbell is one of the best reggae singers ever recorded -- a sweet-toned falsettist with effortless intonation and a cool, assured delivery that is incredibly easy on the ear. The centerpiece of this collection is the three-part "Gorgon" series of singles produced by the legendary Bunny "Striker" Lee, all featuring the "flying cymbals" style of drumming popular at the time. "The Gorgon" having been a huge hit, it was followed quickly by "The Gorgon Speaks" and "The Conquering Gorgon," all three of which are presented here (the first two in extended versions, the second in its original version and then again in a Rastafarian variation titled "Lion of Judah"). Almost equally important, though, are "Natty Dread in a Greenwich Town" (an answer record to Bob Marley's "Natty Dread") and "Dance in a Greenwich Town," the latter in a megamix format that incorporates a deejay version by Dr. Alimantado and a dub version mixed by King Tubby. But really, just about every track reaches the same standard -- there is not a single weak cut or boring moment on this spectacular album. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
The mellifluous Cornell Campbell was greatly influenced by American soul singers, especially Curtis Mayfield, and had a reasonably successful career (as a solo act and harmony-group singer) performing ska and rock steady in the 1960s and early 1970s. However, his career peaked in the mid-1970s after he hooked up with producer Bunny Lee and dub pioneer King Tubby. This set collects 11 remarkable singles from the period, and the contrast between Campbell's sugar-sweet vocals and Tubby's bold dub experimentation makes for compelling listening. With Bob Marley changing the face of Jamaican music at the time, it's not surprising that Campbell moved away from lover's rock and toward Rastafarian themes. The "Gorgon" series is what Campbell is best remembered for, but his reworking of the age-old American spiritual (and civil rights beacon) "I Shall Not Remove" is equally powerful. With star musicians like Tommy McCook, Carlton Barrett, and Robbie Shakespeare offering support, this is landmark Jamaican music, and a clear illustration of the alchemy that occurred when old-school Jamaican soul music came together with modern mixing technique and Rastafarianism to forge roots reggae's classic period. --Marc Greilsamer
The mellifluous Cornell Campbell was greatly influenced by American soul singers, especially Curtis Mayfield, and had a reasonably successful career (as a solo act and harmony-group singer) performing ska and rock steady in the 1960s and early 1970s. However, his career peaked in the mid-1970s after he hooked up with producer Bunny Lee and dub pioneer King Tubby. This set collects 11 remarkable singles from the period, and the contrast between Campbell's sugar-sweet vocals and Tubby's bold dub experimentation makes for compelling listening. With Bob Marley changing the face of Jamaican music at the time, it's not surprising that Campbell moved away from lover's rock and toward Rastafarian themes. The "Gorgon" series is what Campbell is best remembered for, but his reworking of the age-old American spiritual (and civil rights beacon) "I Shall Not Remove" is equally powerful. With star musicians like Tommy McCook, Carlton Barrett, and Robbie Shakespeare offering support, this is landmark Jamaican music, and a clear illustration of the alchemy that occurred when old-school Jamaican soul music came together with modern mixing technique and Rastafarianism to forge roots reggae's classic period. --Marc Greilsamer
Key Product Details
- Artist: Cornell Campbell