Search - Junior Murvin :: Police & Thieves

Even better now

aliled | Shawnee, Kansas United States | 04/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was already one of reggae's most sublime works and one of producer Lee Perry's most consistent efforts, but this recent remaster really is improved. The artwork is much better, incorporating the original liner notes, improved representation of the original cover, as well as a few photos and extensive new (additional) sleevenotes. The sound is much clearer, giving the Black Ark production a nice shimmer that was lacking in the original CD release. But the best news of all are the bonus tracks - nearly an additional album's worth in time (32+ minutes). "Childhood Sweetheart" is a sweet track meant for a 12" with "Bad Weed (discomix)" that was never released. The aforementioned "Bad Weed" is the extended version of an edited track found on the "Arkology" box set. "Roots Train (extended)" is the only bonus track previously on CD in identical form, it was also on "Arkology". "Memories" was the b-side of the "Tedious" single and "Rasta Get Ready" a never-before-used outtake from the album - also a Rastafied adaptation of the Impressions' "People Get Ready". All the bonus tracks are fabulous, as good as any of the album tracks, and actually better than a couple of them. For those who've never heard the album, the entry point is the massive 1977 reggae hit, "Police And Thieves", which topped the reggae charts in the UK for months and was shortly after covered by the Clash for their debut album. Murvin's voice has a quality somewhere between that of Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield - a very light, high voice which contrasts nicely with the hypnotic music and lyrics, which are largely concerned with social injustice and other tough, topical issues. Lee Perry's fingerprints are all over the sonics of the record, and he manages to mix up the sound nicely without losing a general cohesiveness.Island is currently reissuing much of its reggae catalog, at least with improved sound and packaging (Bunny Wailer's "Blackheart Man", Black Uhuru's "Chill Out") and sometimes with bonus tracks (the Marley catalog, three excellent Gregory Isaacs titles and a Toots & the Maytals two-fer of "Funky Kingston" and "In The Dark"). All are worth your time and especially your support - major label reggae releases are rarely treated so well."

Expanded reissue of reggae classic

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though many know Murvin's landmark title song through its cover by The Clash, the original, featured here among the album's ten cuts and a quintet of equally worthy bonus tracks, shows just why this song so intrigued British punks. The entire album, one of the best produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry at his Black Ark studio, is rife with the sort of socially charged songs that found resonance half way around the world.Life in mid-70s Kingston, factionalized by poverty, and the oppression of highly divisive political and police institutions, is at the root of Murvin's exceptional set of songs. His dark contemplations of Rastafarian life, and the plight of blacks worldwide, is matched by Perry's thick, heavily reverbed production. Even the drums and cymbals are heavily flanged for additional rhythmic effect. It's not necessarily the most accessible sound in reggae, but it's certainly among the most powerful.Island's latest reissue adds five bonus tracks to the original ten, including a remix of "Roots Train" that features an extended toast from Dillinger, a reworking of the "Police and Thieves" backing track as "Bad Weed," a rare 12" titled "Memories," a previously unreleased track titled "Childhood Sweetheart," and Murvin's rewrite of Curtis Mayfield's seminal "People Get Ready," rechristened "Rasta Get Ready." For anyone who didn't notice up front (and it would be difficult not to), the latter tips one of Murvin's primary vocal influences."

Classic. Much better than I expected

J. Hypothesis | Northern Jersey | 09/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Junior Murvin on the Lee Perry 'Ultimate Collection', and I didn't like either of his songs or his voice as much as most of the other stuff on that record. Once I had bought many other 'Black Ark' records, I decided to give this one a try, and it blew my expectations away. While I do love Perry's 12" Disco mixes, the album versions of 'Roots Train' and 'Police & Thieves' are better in this case (just my opinion). Also, compared to the Ultimate Collection, this version of the album has a much clearer sound, which allows you to hear all of the instrumentation much better. After hearing these versions of the songs, I like Junior Murvin's voice very much now. There aren't any songs on this album I don't like, and it definately holds it's own to War Ina Babylon, Party Time, and Super Ape from the same period. Strongly recommended."