The Bristol Reggae Explosion Vol. 1 1978-1983

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By the late '70s, multiple waves of Jamaican immigrants had come to England and congregated in such industrial centers as London and Birmingham, bringing their music with them and helping to create vibrant reggae scenes in those cities that are amply documented. Less so is the smaller but equally vital scene that grew up in the small town of Bristol, and which is now being given its due by the Bristol Reggae Archives label. Apart from reissuing albums and compilations by such locally iconic bands as Talisman and Black Roots, the label has also put out a two-part compilation of recordings by lesser-known acts like Joshua Moses, the Radicals, Buggs Durrant, and Restriction. This first volume thoroughly establishes the importance and startling quality of Bristol's reggae scene during this period: not only are the featured tracks of consistently high quality, but they also vary substantially in style. Although the darker, more serious "roots" school predominates (and is exemplified beautifully by excellent tracks like Joshua Moses' "Africa Is Our Land" and Black Roots' "Tribal War"), there are also smoother and more modern entries by the Radicals ("Nights of Passion") and Buggs Durrant ("Baby Come Back Home"). And with "Mr. Guy," the sweet-voiced Sharon Bengamin anticipates the lovers rock style that would take London reggae by storm in the 1980s -- her take on the sound is a bit scrappier and more rough-edged (and the sound quality on this vinyl transfer is marginal), but all the elements are in place. Iffy sound quality is a sporadic problem, but it's not serious enough to diminish the significant pleasures of this excellent collection. ~ Rick Anderson