Search - Prince Far I :: Golden Years 1977-1983

Great Collection by a sorely missed Artist

Steve Irons | Minneapolis, MN United States | 02/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For some reason, the amount of Prince Far-I CDs readily available in America is very small. I suppose it makes sense though. When the big labels tried to cash-in in the wake of Bob Marley's international success, they promoted the most pop/rock oriented act they could find: Prince Far-I's music was just too pure.In his is prime, Far-I made some of the deepest, darkest roots reggae ever committed to vinyl. A big man (former bouncer) with a booming voice, Prince Far-I's music, has a deep, mystical quality to it. No doubt the American & British labels probably felt it would have scared off the dilletantes who considered their Third World albums on the cutting edge of exotica. I guess the best way to describe his sound is to say the following: think of the deepest loudest Reggae bass you can. Now imagine what if would have been like if Howlin' Wolf had been a Jamaican DJ, and put the two together. This Collection serves up a good helping to his finest offerings. Since most of the original albums containing these songs are out of print, you'd do well to grab this while you can. Like many of Reggae's greats, Prince Far-I left us long before his time. In 1989, he was gunned down in his bed in Jamaica."

Essential roots reggae

Sean M. Kelly | Portland, Oregon United States | 03/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If he had been a Baptist minister, Prince Far-I would have converted the masses by the powerful force and tone of his deep, gruff, bassy voice alone, no less his burly stature.At was, Far-I was a minister of roots reggae, and his impact can be seen as no less effective. His renditions of the "10 Commandments," for example, needs to be listened to intently to understand his zealousness, especially as he proclaims and praises the name "RASTAFARI." Chills.In a day and age where Marley's brand of commercial reggae ruled the roost, it's easy to understand the backlash in the community, where Far-I, Culture, and other purer roots acts became more militant in their messages (Far-I, however, does praise Marley in several of his songs). Far-I stood in a league of his own.This best of lp is a great way to be introduced to his Trojan recordings- by far his most complete and superior recordings. While I am not a fan of best-of's by nature, the lack of Far-I's material that we can get forces me to highly recommend this one. The music IS great, so it's not a let-down by any means to recommend this lp. A wonderful pure roots exploration."

FarI ForIver

Adjua Dubb | Gaithersburg, MD United States | 05/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album features handpicked tunes from various Far I Albums, It's a great collection if you can't get your hands on all of his material, which many are hard to finds. The Golden Years, gives us the great "Under Heavy Manners" a song which defined the Prince's stature and entry in the league of the heavyweights of reggae, the 10 Commandments, Reggae Music, Head of the Bucchaneer, and a couple of dubs on the album do great justice to Fari's versatility and his committment to reggae music. Its a good album and you will not be disappointed, as with many reggae artist, his spirit is truly missed,but his work lives on very strong."