Heads Of Government

The Mighty Diamonds (Donald "Tabby" Shaw, Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson, Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson) have recorded with most of the major Jamaican producers in their long career as one of the island's greatest harmony trios, and their body of work has shown a remarkable consistency. Heads of Government collects the best of the tracks the group made with producer Donovan Germain at Channel One and Tuff Gong in the mid- to late '90s. While it doesn't quite measure up to the benchmark material the Mighty Diamonds recorded in the mid-'70s at Channel One (and which led to their classic Right Time album from 1976), there is still a lot to like here, including the wonderful smooth soul vocals on "Natural Man," "Tell Me What's Wrong," "Heads of Government," and the opening track, the dancehall-inflected "Tamarind Farm." It might not be the best place for listeners new to the Diamonds to start, but longtime fans of the trio will definitely want to check out this one. ~ Steve Leggett|