Search - The Meditations :: Reggae Crazy- Anthology 1971-1979

Great Jamaican trio

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 02/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am really puzzled why, if this is supposed to an anthology, certain great cuts are omitted from this disc. The debut disc in 1976, "Message from The Meditaions"," was well received and had many outstanding cuts that are not here. I find only one and that is, "Woman Piabba." Songs like "Running from Jamaica," "Rastaman Prayer" and one of their signature cuts "Woman is like a Shadow" are all omitted. Strange, very strange. Nonetheless, as anthologies go, this one is better than average because of the artistry of The Meditations. However, a better choice for someone new to The Meditations is the greatest hits package, entitled, Deeper Roots: The Best of the Meditations ,which includes most of the aforementioned tracks. This is anthology is saved by including "Play I" which is a roots rocker not overly produced , highlighting their sweet harmonies, "Marriage" which is a playful, happy tune about the institution but giving warnings to young couples and the outstanding "Senotita" that sounds a little like the modern reggae singer Damian "Jr.Gong" Marley. The Meditations if you missed them were one of the best vocal trios to come out of Jamaica during the seventies when reggae first left it's shores to worldwide markets. Like many reggae groups they were influenced by American R&B, in this case most notably by the likes of the Temptations and Curtis Mayfield I'm So Proud: A Jamaican Tribute to Curtis Mayfield of the Impressions. Their style is simple harmonies that dominate the disc;the reggae beat is propelled by their soaring vocals. They should be included with any collection of great reggae vocal groups alongside Culture Two Sevens Clash: 30th Anniversary Edition (Dlx), The Mighty Diamonds The Best of Mighty Diamonds and of course the original Wailers The Wailers - Live. Check this out for some good, no, check that ,some great reggae roots music. Recommened for fans of original roots reggae music and guaranteed to make you feel irie."