REVIEW: LITTLE ROY - Children Of The Most High (Pharos Records)

Little Roy (aka Earl Dowe) is one those foundation artists from the seventies who's songs you definently heard although you might not heard him sang them. Because I reckon even if you're not the biggest reggae listener you know tunes like "Tribal War" and "Prophecy" which have been covered more than once by the likes of John Holt and Freddie McGregor among others.

Little Roy began his musical career in 1966 doing the occasional recording session with Jackie Mittoo at Studio One as well for Prince Buster who also gave him his name. A few years later he scored a number one hit with "Bongo Nyah" (of which a recut appears on this album) on the Matador label. In the seventies Little Roy formed the Tafari Syndicate label who's main purpose was to release only Godly songs. Apart from releasing his own material Little Roy has worked with such great names as Dennis Brown and Leroy Sibbles along with the Heptones. Throughout the seventies he worked closly with the Twelve Tribes of Israel label Orthodox Muzik and in the early eighties he released the album "Columbus Ship" on UK label Copasetic. Around 1992 he relocated to the UK where he was invited to record a album ("Longtime") with Adrian Sheerwood on the On U Sound label. Since then he has continued working and releasing music on various labels as well as making parts of his back catalogue available again through the reggae revive label Pressure Sounds.

Soundclip - Little Roy - Christopher Columbus

On this album Little Roy has teamed up with the upcoming label Pharos Records, who's given us a small yet solid output of releases up to date. Apart from a bunch of seven inch singles they've released The Amharic's third album "Descendents" and recently the astonishing "Pharos Frontline" compilation which featured both international and UK artists like Gregory Isaacs, Anthony John and Empress Ayeola. Little Roy, Pan Lemos of Pharos Records and Donald Henry of The Amharic has shared the production work on the album. The result is a very mellow and orthodox sounding reggae album with lots of soothing reggae rhythms to make any man at ease.

Old tunes like "Christopher Columbus" and "Bongo Nyah" who've saw their first release in the seventies get a respected work over with the old vibes remaining. Little Roy stays true to the conscious lyrics and the laidback singing style his known for. This is best portrayed in "Children of The Most High" and "False Talk" (which is co-written by Willie Williams) where he reasons on things concerning his faith in Rastafari. The herb tune "Bomazee" also surely catches the good vibes with it's driven bassline and rockers rimshots. Among the ten tracks featured on the album there's two love tunes to be found as well. "Stay (A Little Bit Longer)" rides a upfull rocksteady rhythm while "Our Day Will Come" rides a slow rockers with beautiful back up harmonies. On both those tunes I suspect Little Roy recalls the days of young love and infatuation.

Soundclip - Little Roy - Bomazee

The live instrumention on all rhythms and the way Little Roy carry his voice on them is where the strength of this album lies. He's maybe not the best of singers but you probably heard the saying, less is more, which in this case is more than true. It's a joy to hear a foundation artist like Little Roy still have what it takes to make a good and interesting album. Hopefully the partnership between Little Roy and the people of Pharos Records will continue so we can look forward to hear more good music in time to come.

/Rootsy Collins 16/2-06

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