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Police & Thieves (Island, 1977) Though this album is loved by many reggae fans (and particularly Lee "Scratch" Perry fans), I feel that it's somewhat overrated. Murvin's falsetto and the swimming production of Perry make Police & Thieves sound similar to The Congos' Heart of the Congos (and somewhat like Max Romeo's War ina Babylon), but in comparison to that classic, Murvin's album falls flat. Save for the title track, the melodies on Police & Thieves are somewhat lackluster, and only "Workin' in the Cornfield" and "I Was Appointed" have the type of hypnotic, wailing harmonies that permeate Heart of the Congos. Even Perry's production is a bit off, creating a less experimental, edgy, and fun sound than that on some of his other '70s works. Murvin's falsetto is unique and likeable on the title cut, but wears thin quickly and actually gets in the way of the music at times, especially when the mediocre sound quality makes his voice obtrusively louder than the music. Of course, though, a Lee Perry production during his peak years can't be all that bad, and this album indeed isn't. "Police and Thieves," of course, is a bona fide classic, while the aforementioned "Workin' in the Cornfield" and "I Was Appointed" are solid, as are "False Teachin'" and "Easy Task." |
| Track Listing 1. Roots Train 2. Police and Thieves 3. Solomon 4. Rescue Jah Children 5. Tedious 6. False Teachin' 7. Easy Task 8. Lucifer 9. Workin' in the Cornfield 10. I Was Appointed |
Inna de Yard (Makasound, 2007)
The ever-reliable Inna de Yard series continues, full steam ahead, with perhaps the most surprising star to date: the seldom heard-from Junior Murvin. Only his third album in 20-plus years, this set re-imagines a few hits from his iconic Police and Thieves: "Roots Train," "Solomon," and the title track, as well the earlier Derrick Harriott production "Rescue the Children." There's also "Badman Posse," a Mikey Dread production from the early '80s and nice covers of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Curtis Mayfield's "Gypsy Woman" (a natural choice, given Murvin's falsetto). It's "Police and Thieves," though -- Murvin's signature song -- that is the focal point, the type of transcendent tune that even non-reggae fans recognize, and as Inna de Yard is apt to do, it breathes new life into the classic by stripping it down to its essence. That said, with this the sixth release in the series since Chinna Smith's 2004 edition, it's good to hear the music stretch beyond acoustic guitar and drums into bass, melodica, keyboards, and (on other releases, at least) horns. I don't think this hurts the integrity of the endeavor or in any way hinders its "organic" feel. In fact, when the ballads "Gipsy Woman" and "Closer" stick to just an acoustic guitar, they sound more like soul tunes than reggae, so they may not resonate quite as much with listeners. "Ain't No Sunshine," on the other hand, though a soul remake, throws in drums for a lovely Nyabinghi feel that adds another dimension to the legendary song. Murvin's trademark high-pitched vocals are in fine form, sounding as fresh as they did in the '70s, and lending an urgency to great tunes like "Rescue the Children" and the lesser-known "World Inflation." Hopefully, he's back to stay this time. See makasound.com.
| Track Listing 1. Police & Thieves 2. Gipsy Woman featuring Next Yard's Dog 3. Badman Posse 4. Rescue the Children 5. Closer 6. Roots Train 7. Salomon 8. World Inflation 9. Ain't No Sunshine |
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