Living In The Flood

Thanks to guest appearances made on all of Massive Attack's albums, Horace Andy's name leapt beyond the boundaries of reggae. For years, the legendary vocalist had been a much-loved favourite of reggae fans. He started out Jamaica's Channel One Studios during the late '60s and early '70s alongside a stellar class of reggae vocalists that included Delroy Wilson and John Holt. Andy's distinct soprano made him stand out among this highly talented group of singers.
LIVING IN THE FLOOD finds Andy returning to the studio after a layoff of more than a decade. Using traditional reggae music as a base, the Kingston native infuses these songs with a variety of musical nuances while covering a variety of lyrical topics. His devout religious beliefs are addressed in a pair of Rasta anthems, the percolating "My Lord" and rock-steady "Seven Seals". Elsewhere, Andy touches on numerous societal woes, including the ever-present threat of violence in the poorest communities in "Johnny Too Bad" and Hollywood's glamorisation of outlaw culture in the distinctly R&B-grooved "Don't Blame the Children". Other highlights include the bright and funky big beat of "Doldrums" (penned by Massive Attack's 3D) and the optimistic, melodica-soaked title track, which was co-written by Joe Strummer.|