Description

1LP Vinyl – JL003

Released in 1979 by the sixteen-year-old Barrington Levy, Englishman is among the progenitors of Jamaica’s immensely influential dancehall scene. Recorded at Channel One with backing from the Roots Radics, production by Henry “Junjo” Lawes, and engineering from Prince Jammy and the still-teenage Scientist—essentially a Voltron of 1979 Jamaican musical talent—Englishman is equal parts roots reggae and dub, perfectly mixed in service of the songs. The bass is a mile deep, the percussion is swimming in echo and reverb; instruments drop in and out of the mix, punctuating Levy’s lyrics and allowing his high, clear voice to take command. Barrington Levy never managed to cross over to an American audience like some of his contemporaries did, but he remains an icon in Jamaica, and his influence on the global pop landscape—especially during the dancehall-pop explosion of 2016-2017—is undeniable. Englishman is a perfect album for warm, sunny days, and I’ve had it on repeat all week.