Johnny Clarke - Rockers Time Now '1976/2000

Tracks list

       One of the crucial albums of the 1970s, Johnny Clarke delivers up a
masterpiece in a mere 12 tracks. Produced by Bunny Lee, at the height of his
"flying cymbals" work, Rockers Time Now, contrary to its title, doesn't so much
rock as find the perfect lackadaisical groove, and slides along it into nirvana.
If the Jamaican term "irae" had a musical personification, Rockers would be it.
Clarke's own laid-back, unruffled delivery dovetails perfectly, and Lee's
equally easygoing house band the Aggrovators were the perfect music complement.
Several of the songs are covers that on paper seem to be recipes for disaster,
like the Abyssinians' militant "Declaration of Rights." But miraculously it
works brilliantly, as if the revolution had come without bloodshed, with Babylon
brought to ruins by a haze of ganja smoke. That haze swirls around "Satta Massa
Gana" as well, conjuring up a dream world Africa, an exquisite paradise far
removed from the real world. However, Rockers isn't all wrapped in mists, "Ites
Green and Gold" is actually pretty punchy, while "African Roots" bounces across
the grooves, buoyed by the bubbly guitar riffs. Airiest of all is the title
track, which almost floats off the record entirely. The rest of the record is
rootsier, with just enough simmering guitar slithering through to justify the
rockers title. The standout is arguably a cover of the Mighty Diamonds "Them
Never Love Poor Marcus," the most passionate track on the record, although
"Let's Give Jah Jah Praise" runs a very close second. The album remains a
contradiction in terms, rockers without the rock, roots without the fire, but
Clarke's silky delivery, and the Aggrovators' subtle performance had classic
written all over it. The Front Line label dropped the singer after the release
of this album and Authorized Version, philistines blind to the rare gems in
their hands, and time has only increased the value of Rockers Time Now. ~ Jo-Ann
Greene

Tracklist:
1.01 - Johnny Clarke - Rockers Time Now (Remastered 2000) (3:29)
1.02 - Johnny Clarke - Ites Green And Gold (Remastered 2000) (3:43)
1.03 - Johnny Clarke - African Roots (Remastered 2000) (3:19)
1.04 - Johnny Clarke - Be Holy My Brothers And Sisters (Remastered 2000) (3:39)
1.05 - Johnny Clarke - Satta Massagana (Remastered 2000) (3:41)
1.06 - Johnny Clarke - Stop The Tribal War (Remastered 2000) (3:09)
1.07 - Johnny Clarke - Declaration Of Rights (Remastered 2000) (3:26)
1.08 - Johnny Clarke - Let's Give Jah Jah Praises (Remastered 2000) (3:08)
1.09 - Johnny Clarke - I Wish It Could Go On Forever (Remastered 2000) (3:02)
1.10 - Johnny Clarke - Natty Dreadlocks Stand Up Right (Remastered 2000) (3:22)
1.11 - Johnny Clarke - Prophesy A Fulfilled (Remastered 2000) (3:20)
1.12 - Johnny Clarke - Them Never Love Poor Marcus (Remastered 2000) (3:28) 

Related artists