Monday Long Song

U-Roy & Big Youth

The list of golden-age reggae greats who are still performing grows ever smaller with the passage of time. One of the true greats, the mighty U-Roy, passed away in February and his final studio album, 'Solid Gold' has just been released on Trojan Records. It's a mixed bag to be honest, the guest-heavy reinterpretations of classic material are a little hit and miss, though when they are good, they are very very good indeed. Take for example the epic re-working of 1978's 'Every Knee Shall Bow', featuring terrific guest turns by Big Youth and Mick Jones no less. Remember him this way. (Buy 'Solid Gold' here).

U-Roy - Every Knee Shall Bow (Feat. Big Youth & Mick Jones)

Saturday Scratch #24

Here's The Mighty Diamonds with their 1974 lament for lost love, 'Talk About It', together with a sweet version featuring Lee Perry's children, Marsha and Omar, chanting hypnotically over the rhythm.

Later that year, Scratch re-used the same rhythm for U-Roy's 'Yama Khy' and was clearly pleased with the efforts of his offspring, placing them high in the mix.

Previously on Saturday Scratch