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Linval Thompson Productions
official Web site
Easy Star Records store
Track List:
1. They Can't Stop Us Now - The Viceroys
2. Jah Help the People [Extended Mix] - Freddie McGregor
3. Mr. Big Man - Junior Reid
4. Jah Help Us - Barrington Levy
5. Give a Little - Dennis Brown
6. They Can't Stop Me - Johnny Clarke
7. Night Fall [Extended Mix] - Johnny Osbourne
8. Sensi Party - Eek-A-Mouse
9. Poor & Humble - Wayne Wade
10. Tenement Yard - Gregory Isaacs
11. Sensimilla - Barrington Levy
12. Africa - Anthony Johnson
13. Jah Jah Is Calling - Rod Taylor
14. Bad Boys - Barrington Levy
15. Move Up - Sugar Minott
16. Sweet Africa - Don Carlos
17. Happy Song - Triston Palma
18. You Can Stay - Wailing Souls
19. Guide Us Jah Jah - Freddie McKay
20. Love Is What the World Wants [Extended Mix] - Barry Brown
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Various Artists - Can't Stop Us Now: Linval Thompson
(Easy Star Records)
By Paul Rosner
Since the mid-'80s, reggae music has been dominated by computer-generated "riddims." Obviously, it was not always that way. In the late '70s/early '80s, producer Linval Thompson set the standard for Jamaican dancehall's spread into Europe and the United States with his roots-based grooves and infectious songwriting talents. Working with some of the biggest names in reggae history, including Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Reid, and Eek-A-Mouse, among many others, Thompson established himself as the premier producer of the day. Soon thereafter, when digitally-manipulated production became the norm, Thompson left the studio for real estate sales in Kingston. Now, twenty years later, when ears have once again become open to the sounds of actual musicians performing their soulful magic, Easy Star Records releases Can't Stop Us Now (buy the CD), a rewarding trip through the vaults of Linval Thompson Productions.
Backing for most of these tracks—almost all of which were cut at the famed Channel One studios—comes from the Roots Radics, though several feature the excellence of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. The disc kicks off with the Viceroys' anthemic "They Can't Stop Us Now," in which Thompson lets the heavy bass and drums drive the train. The producer takes things to a fully extended dub mix in Freddie McGregor's "Jah Help The People," seamlessly weaving together past, present, and future into one highly influential sound. In addition to the great skills on display here—production, singing, musicianship—Can't Stop Us Now is also noteworthy for its inclusion of 13 tracks which were previously unreleased on CD, including such gems as Anthony Johnson's "Africa," Barrington Levy's "Jah Help Us," and Don Carlos' "Sweet Africa." Perhaps the best new-to-disc cut is Dennis Brown's outstanding "Give A Little," featuring soulful vocals from one of reggae music's finest singers, lovely soprano sax work from Dean Fraser, a hook that stays in the head for days, and pointed lines like "let no one try to fool you/wisdom is worth more than gold." Thompson, who became well known as a singer before making it big as a producer of timeless records, even has his vocal moment in the sun, singing a duet with Levy called "Bad Boys." Songs which have seen the light of CD are well represented by artists like Eek-A-Mouse ("Sensi Party"), Sugar Minott ("Move Up"), Johnny Osbourne ("Night Fall"), and Wailing Souls ("You Can Stay").
Though he has produced a scant number of tracks since his early '80s heyday, Linval Thompson remains one of the giants in reggae history. His musical vision carried the torch for Jamaican music for a brief but extremely prolific few years, and continues to influence musicians and fans alike. Easy Star Records, which received an award for best independent reggae record of 2002 (Sugar Minott's Rare Gems), moves further into prominence with another essential release. Can't Stop Us Now is a must for fans and collectors.
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