Smile a While

（不足10人评分）

31人收藏

共12首歌曲

艺人: U-Roy
语种: 其他
厂牌: Ariwa
发行时间: 1993年02月14日
专辑类别: 录音室专辑

专辑介绍

by Nathan Bush

There are few figures in the Jamaican DJ tradition as important as Ewart Beckford (aka U-Roy). Generally credited with elevating the chanting, sound system style to a respectable (and highly popular) musical form, U-Roy had no equal from the time of his debut until Big Youth hit number one with &S 90 Skank& three years later. Surviving the transition to dancehall in the '80s, U-Roy ran his own Stur-Gav Hi-Fi sound system, recording sporadically on his own. It wasn't until the following decade, however, that a steady output began to flow once again. In 1991, Mad Professor produced the True Born African set, followed closely by Smile a While (1993). Backing U-Roy are a number of players from the Professor's Ariwa stable, among them multi-instrumentalist Black Steel (who also co-produces and shares mixing duties) and bass and drum man Preacher. There are also contributions from a staggering 13 vocalists, including singer Sandra Cross and the great roots man Yabby You. Unfortunately, the productions provide U-Roy with rhythms to ride but little else. They are hardly the equal of Mad Professor's Lee &Scratch& Perry collaborations, let alone the early dub plates provided the DJ by Duke Reid and Bunny Lee. Thankfully, U-Roy quickly recovers from the &you really make my day& sentiments of the title track to join Yabby You for a reality check on &I'm a Rastaman,& setting the stage for the subjects that follow. Loosely thematic lyrics offer affronts to Babylon, praises to Jah, and words of wisdom to both the converted and non-believers. U-Roy's efforts are best heard unaccompanied. In the gaps between harmony vocalists chiming choruses on songs like &Freedom& and &A Chapter a Day,& the spark of the DJ's work flares once again.