The Early Sessions-1974-1982

They Say...

Review by Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

This nicely chosen and lovingly packaged retrospective of the work of reggae legend Linval Thompson makes a couple of things clear: first, that it's crazy and unjust that he is primarily known for his production work rather than his singing. He had (and still has, as the accompanying documentary DVD makes clear) one of the prettiest and mostly subtly expressive voices in reggae music -- not quite on the same level as Cornell Campbell or Johnny Clarke, but surely more supple and attractive than those of many more popular artists of the era. But the other thing this collection makes clear is the reason why his work as a singer has been less successful than his work as a producer: it's his lyrics, which are almost always banal and sometimes sound like they're being improvised in the studio, and not particularly well. Banal lyrics are hardly anything new in reggae music, though, and if you don't listen to the words too carefully you'll have no trouble at all basking in the rock-hard roots rhythms, smoky dub mixes and ecstatic vocal performances that are on offer here. Skip past the silly "Kung Fu Man" and the strangely halting "Westbound Plane" and immerse yourself in the brilliant "No Other Woman," the wonderful showcase track "Six Babylon" (featuring a dub mix by Scientist and a toast by Ranking Trevor) and the stone classic "Dread Are the Controller" (in an extended mix with another Scientist dub appended). Then turn to the DVD, which offers a half-hour long interview with the artist and live footage of a recent performance at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival. A roots classic.