Horace Andy - Showcase '2019

Tracks list

Horace Andy (born Horace Hinds, 19 February 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a
legendary roots reggae singer, notable for such classic tracks as
“Government Land”, “You Are My Angel”,
“Skylarking” and his awesome version of Bill Withers’ 1971
classic “Ain’t No Sunshine”. The singer made his earliest
recordings in the late 1960s, at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One. Known for his
distinctive falsetto vocal style, he sang on many classic productions for reggae
producers, including Phil Pratt, King Tubby, Bullwackie, Bunny
‘Striker’ Lee, Tad Dawkins and Prince Jammy. The 70s was his most
prolific period. He found a new generation of fans in the 1990s, thanks to his
work with trip hop pioneers Massive Attack, continued to record new music in the
late 1990s and at the beginning of the new millennium, with an album called
“Living in the Flood” released in 1999 on Massive Attack’s
Melankolic record label, as well as productions for Ariwa, Jah Shaka and Bunny
Gemini, and was also featured on the world music project 1 Giant Leap. In 2007
he cut an impressive album entitled “Livin’ It Up” with
riddim twins Sly & Robbie. He’s still active, recording and touring
around the world

This album, actually a collection of singles, was originally released in 1980
(and then in 1984 on Vista Sounds) and shows Horace in fine form across well
known riddims, mostly built for Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee. Backing
credited to the Roots Radics (seems to us this must be The Aggrovators). The
tracks are well known Horace Andy classics and it’s an unpleasant
surprise that the digital rerelease adds no bonus tracks. The first tune,
“Cus Cus”, is a Harry J. production and relicks with verve Lloyd
Robinson’s “Cuss Cuss”. “Money Is The Root Of All
Evil” (“Money Money”) is one of the hardest reggae riddims of
all time and the combination with Horace’s falsetto voice makes this one
a winner.

A truly strong version of “Cherry Oh Baby” runs across an echo
dominated riddim of “Mr. Walker”! Tad’s released a superb one
riddim set of the “Shank I Shek” riddim, Horace’s
lover’s tune pon the riddim is included here. The
“Heavenless/Entertainment” riddim is used for “Strictly Rub A
Dub”, his wish for a non-violence dancehall culture in Jamaica. The album
brings two hard hitting roots tunes. First there’s “Chant Rastaman
Chant” followed by the awesome “Babylon System”.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” is one of Horace’s best known
tunes. The superb sparse but effective backdrop is also used for one of the best
deejay tracks of all times, Dr. Alimantado’s “Best Dressed Chicken
In A Town”. The album closes with the hit tune “Something’s
On My Mind”, an authentic religious tune.

Tracklist:
01. Horace Andy - Cus Cus (2:36)
02. Horace Andy - Money - Money (2:39)
03. Horace Andy - Cherry O. Baby (3:37)
04. Horace Andy - Shank - I -Sheck (3:46)
05. Horace Andy - Strictly Rub a Dub (3:05)
06. Horace Andy - Chant Rastaman Chant (4:13)
07. Horace Andy - Babylon System (4:50)
08. Horace Andy - Jah Love Light (3:23)
09. Horace Andy - Aint No Sunshine (2:33)
10. Horace Andy - Something on My Mind (2:24)

Related artists