British label offers
choice reggae tunes

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By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

This compilation is from the best archive label for 1970s roots reggae music, bar none. The influential British outfit has put out a goodly number of reissued material over its 10 years, from both major and minor artists, and all are accorded due respect with each album's thorough annotation and fine art direction.

"Dubwise & Otherwise 2" Various artists Blood and Fire

"Dubwise & Otherwise 2" is the follow-up volume to the first 1997 release, and budget-priced to attract reggae fans who may not know the superb work Blood and Fire has and continues to do. Choice selections from 17 of their latest releases are featured here.

The collection is bookended with two cuts that pair up singers with toasters: Linval Thompson and U Brown lend their vocal talents to an easy-skanking "Train to Zion," and Leroy Smart sings "Jah Is My Light" over the same instrumental track that I-Roy toasts on later on "Wicked Eat Dirt."

That track is produced by the legendary Niney the Observer, who also worked on a rare, non-lovers rock track by Gregory Isaacs, whose "Slave Master" is included here.

Several Bunny Lee productions are also highlights on this compilation: the edgy and atmospheric "Bag a Wire Dub" by King Tubby, a hypnotic extended version of Max Romeo's "Valley of Jehosaphat" and another extended track by Cornell Campbell titled "Two Face Rasta."

The genius of Big Youth is also represented with "Mama Look," from the superb "Natty Universal Dread" collection that the label put out in October of 2000. And the master riddim duo of Sly & Robbie boldly rubs some grit into Randy Newman's relatively genteel "Baltimore," with the Tamlins floating their smooth vocal stylings through the song.

Blood and Fire also releases today "The Promised Land" by the late premiere singer Dennis Brown.

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