A Slice Of English Toast

A DJ with the Black Rock sound system, Ranking Ann cut the splendid A Slice of English Toast album for Neil "Mad Professor" Fraser in 1982. All of the six tracks (the CD reissue adds a seventh, the highly politicized "Kill the Police Bill") are presented in extended mix form appended by their fabulous dubs. Ann introduces the British sound system she DJed for on "Black Rock Possee," a rock-hard number making clear that the toaster earned her "Ranking" title with a toughness that bristles across the entire track, accentuated by a big, booming riddim as rough and tough as Ann herself. The title track, in contrast, seethes with defiance as the DJ delivers up her Jamaican credentials, and throws down the gauntlet to the locals and foreign competition alike. "Liberated Woman" is even more aggressive, as Ann takes on British society and male chauvinism, giving a nod to Linton Kwesi Johnson and cocking a snoot at Michigan & Smiley. Having more than proved she's tougher than tough, Ranking Ann now shows her softer side, finding "Love on a Mountain Top" and chanting out her adoration for her "Moonlight Lover," before writing to the "Problem Lady" for solutions to life's intractable difficulties. The DJ's performances are strong throughout the set, bolstered by the Professor's mighty riddims. On "Toast" he tosses in some steel drums, to add a touch of Notting Hill carnival to the piece; on "Liberated" he sends swooping jets to help Ann fly even higher. "Black Rock" boasts a riddim as solid as granite, "Mountain" is marked by dreamy harmonies and melody, while "Moonlight" and "Problem" feature the quirky effects that gave him the producer his "Mad" moniker. A stellar set by any and every standard. ~ Jo-Ann Greene