John Clarke

Rootsy Reggae: Visions of John Clarke

2006 reissue of the classic 1979 Rootsy Reggae, featuring all of the tracks from the rush-released original release and the reworked reissued version. Many significant changes were made on the second version of the album. For example, on 'Wasn't It You', Lloyd Barnes and Prince Douglas lend new treatment to the old track with drier dub. They also added guitar to the "Jumbo Caribbean Disco" 12", while on "Pollution" they removed the horns from the Wackies 7" (though generally Baba Leslie is in full effect here). The tracklisting rounds out with a Johnny Osbourne cover; several New Breed jams, featuring the likes of Jah Scotty, Clive Hunt, Harold Sylvester, Jah Hitler, Jerry Johnson, the Love Joys, even Mickey Mouse makes an appearance. On a handful of remapped rhythms, Clarke takes the mic from brethren like Joe Auxumite, K. C. White and Wayne Jarrett. Wackies.