Search - Congos & Friends :: Fisherman Style

MIXED CATCH

Locks Lion | Blue Mountain Peak | 04/25/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"FISHERMAN STYLE: This is the Blood & Fire team's second one-rhythm effort following last year's TREE OF SATTA release, which celebrated The Abyssinians' mighty SATTA MASSAGANA with versions old and new. This time, it's The Congos' classic FISHERMAN from their Lee Perry-produced masterpiece, HEART OF THE CONGOS. The basic rhythm has been carefully touched up by the Rhythm & Sound production crew in Berlin, but it's still an almighty blast of roots reggae, even now, nearly thirty years after its original release. Since only two versions of FISHERMAN had previously been available (The Congos' original, and Perry's great dub workout, BRING THE MACKABACK, both included here), the majority of this collection consists of new vocal recordings over the original rhythm, and to be fair, it's a bit of a mixed bag.



The first CD in this two-disc set focusses on an impressive roster of veteran Jamaican artists. Big Youth, Horace Andy, Dillinger, Sugar Minott, Max Romeo and U Roy are definitely the biggest guns on show, but with all due respect to these legendary names, all - with the possible exception of the hard-working Horace Andy - are past their prime, and none truly comes close to matching the blinding brilliance of The Congos' original, which kicks off the set in fine style. I'm not suggesting that these are inferior versions by any means, but it's almost impossible to hear, for example, the great Big Youth and not think back to his early-mid seventies glory days when his toasts were fresh and fiery and full of invention. The same problem applies to most of the veteran singers and DJs recruited for this set, and while they all turn in decent efforts, there's nothing particularly outstanding on offer; enjoyable, but not really essential listening.



The second CD takes a definite upswing, featuring the latest generation of singers and chanters from Jamaica and elsewhere, and is on the whole a more satisfying experience. Fan favourite Luciano leads the way with his solid GOING HOME, and Lutan Fyah just about locks it off with WHITEWASH WALLS. There are good works from Al Pancho and Lucan I (whose voice is basically indistinguishable from Luciano's), but the highlights here come from two of the lesser-known artists. Early One's fine JIG JIG JIG is perhaps the best that FISHERMAN STYLE has to offer - not altogether surprising when you learn that this part-time DJ is actually a fisherman by trade - and the UK-based Country Culture's MAKE POVERTY HISTORY isn't far behind with a sharp commentary on PM Tony Blair's plans for African development. There's also a really nice melodica instrumental from Mr. Raggamonica, which is definitely a welcome inclusion. Aside from these though, there are certainly two or three cuts that don't quite make the grade, and on the whole, I think that the two disc format is perhaps a little overextended.



Overall, despite some reservations, I think this is a commendable effort from Blood & Fire and The Congos (who produced most of the new vocal tracks), and I'm sure a labour-intensive project in which the label has invested a lot of love and money. As per usual, the sleeve notes and general presentation are first class, and the package is on offer at a very reasonable price, so I'd certainly not hesitate to recommend this release. Of course, any reggae listener should already own Blood & Fire's exemplary reissue of the original HEART OF THE CONGOS album - if not, then you should definitely pick it up before you investigate FISHERMAN STYLE. This isn't the best roots-oriented one-rhythm collection currently available (for example, check out Lustre King's excellent NEW DAY RIDDIM release), but it's at least an interesting project, and one that deserves to be heard.

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