Search - Linton Kwesi Johnson :: Independant Intavenshan: Island Anthology

Still-relevant non-rasta political dub-reggae!

12/07/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation flows as few compilations do. Island holds some of the credit for that, but the main credit should go to the originators of this sometimes-volatile, always enlightening music - LKJ and Dennis Bovell. LKJ wrote the words - declamatory but humanistic, with a deep regard for Jamaican self-determination - and Bovell made sure the voice and the lyrics were complimented and enhanced by supple and often sophisticated riddim tracks. Since all of LKJ's Island material is on here, the dubs of the original tracks flow "stream-of-consciously"; the album tracks usually were deconstructed by Bovell after the first few verses, making the dubs re-iterations and continuations of the themes. For the casual and the heavy reggae listener, the fact that these performances have only minute relation to Rastafarianism makes this set very refreshing and unique. (See also Yabby You's "Jesus Dread" on Blood & Fire records for a further example of great non-Rasta reggae and dub.)"

LKJ...Dub...classic

M. Golosinski | Evanston, IL United States | 11/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've dug LKJ for 15 years and this album nicely summarizes why. Powerful storytelling backed by an unstoppable reggae/jazzy sound. These are songs that only grow better with age--perhaps the definition of a classic. While I tend to agree with another reviewer who said that those listeners who don't especially appreciate version may find some of the dub cuts a bit redundant (maybe these folks are not smoking enough), for my money having the dub tracks alongside the A-sides simply creates a broader, deeper understanding of the poet and his poetry. Truly an album where the lyrics and melodies buttress one another in ways that never detract from the elegance and conviction of the songwriter. It really doesn't get any better than this."

Buy this anthology! Disregard nonsense regarding remixes.

H. Howorth | Chicagoland | 08/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two disc collection contains every track from all four of LKJ's Island albums exactly as they appeared on the original LP's with two exceptions: "Di Black Petty Booswah" from the "Bass Culture" LP and "Di Eagle An' Di Bear" from "Making History" appear in 12 inch extended versions. One reviewer from Brazil erroneously wrote that the collection is brought down by no less than 15 remixes that are "not the artists music but remixes produced by the label." Nonsense! What Island Records chose to do with this collection was to insert the tracks from LKJ's masterpiece "LKJ In Dub" (his 3rd Island album) immediately after the corresponding vocal tracks from the two previous albums ("Forces Of Victory" and "Bass Culture") and I find that the discs flow beautifully in this manner. They are NOT remixes but the original tracks from "LKJ In Dub." One can easily re-sequence the albums with their cd player's remote control if one wishes to hear the albums in their original running order (thereby restoring "LKJ In Dub" as a separate album) but I would recommend listening to the running order as it appears here the first time through, as the dubs are really fascinating to hear immediately after their vocal counterparts. Of course, hearing "LKJ In Dub" straight through is also a great listening experience, which is why I burned a cd-r of those tunes for blasting in the car. And how else are you going to get LKJ's long out-of-print final Island album "Making History" on cd without paying a fortune, if not by buying this anthology? Buy it, crank it and enjoy!"