Safe Travel - The Rare Side of Rock Steady
May 12th 2006 02:56
The most recent rocksteady release from label Pressure Sounds, Safe Travel, is a real gem. Though not exactly a new release anymore – it was released in 2005, it is so good I couldn’t help but write something about it.
For the uninitiated, rocksteady is the period in Jamaican music that came after ska and predated reggae. My appeal to rocksteady comes because the soulful vocalist really comes to the fore in the period and the hell bent pace of ska is replaced with more of a laid back feeling. It is obvious the Jamaicans were heading in the direction of reggae.
Safe Travel demonstrates that rocksteady was not as exclusively happy in its mood, either through its music or lyrics. The upbeat nature of ska is positive in its nature, but Safe Travel has a melancholy to it. It is very danceable which is highly important, but contains a mix of minor key songs and lyric content about love lost, loneliness and hard times.
My favourite tracks are by Phil Pratt & Ken Boothe called You Left the Water Running and Suicide by Alva “Reggie” Lewis. The legendary Ken Boothe really was at home during the rocksteady period with a penetrating wailing voice. The album also contains some very well respected names such as Horace Andy, Tommy McCook and The Clarendonians amongst others.
Phil Pratt released some very good tracks through the Caltone and John Tom labels in the two year period these tracks are drawn from and as an identity in reggae is quite overlooked. This album gives him some of exposure he deserves. It is available through Pressure Sounds on both CD or double LP.
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