Long-overdue
Undeniably, Albert Ilawi Malawi’s single Children Of The Emperor stands as one of the finest roots reggae recordings of the 1970s, truly a must-have for any serious reggae collector. For decades, the track was only available through its original 7″ and 12″ vinyl releases or limited reissues. Now, fifty years after its debut, this timeless roots anthem, finally takes center stage as the title track of Malawi’s long-overdue first full-length album.
Ilawi Malawi
Born as Albert Russell Johnson in St. Andrew, Jamaica, his musical journey took root in the late 1960s at the legendary Alpha Boys School. It was there that he sharpened his drumming technique and took on the role of selector for the school’s sound system. These early experiences laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in Jamaican popular music. Albert’s artistry reached far beyond the drum kit, He became a multifaceted artist serving as vocalist, songwriter, producer, and selector for the spiritually-driven Jah Love Muzik sound system. Closely aligned with the Twelve Tribes of Israel and their Rastafarian teachings, Jah Love became a powerful platform for spreading consciousness and roots reggae. Through this work, Albert played a pivotal role in shaping both the Rastafarian movement and the roots reggae sound. His name, Malawi, was inspired by the coronation of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I as the Great King of Kings of Malawi. As a devoted Ras Tafari, he replaced the “M” with “I,” adopting the name Ilawi. Over time, people blended the two and affectionately referred to him as Ilawi Malawi.
The A-side
Pressed on black as well as silver vinyl, this LP gathers ten tracks recorded throughout the 1970s and 1980s, most, if not all, previously released as singles. The A-side opens in regal fashion with Children Of The Emperor, a horn-rich, bass-heavy roots anthem produced by Carl “Stereo” Fletcher and long favored by the Zulu Warrior, Jah Shaka. It’s followed by another standout: Lonely Walk. Produced by Clayton Downie and originally released in 1978, this track carries a haunting depth. Tracks like Let’s Get It Right and Around The Country continue the momentum, each leaving a lasting impression with their lyrical weight and rhythmic strength. Closing the A-side is Give Me Loving Baby, a tune that remained unreleased until 2013. It reveals Malawi’s versatility, showing he’s equally at home with conscious themes and romantic sentiment. The riddim for this track was laid down at Channel One in the early ’80s and has a warm, familiar groove that resonates deeply.
The B-side
Mirroring the strength of the opener on the A-side, the flip kicks off with Looking For Signs, an inspirational roots rockers gem from 1978 produced by Jah Love Muzik. Following in the footsteps of Give Me Loving Baby, the next two tracks, Jah Is Sweet and Mercy Of Jah, were also recorded in the early ’80s at Channel One but remained unreleased until 2014. Both are standout cuts, originally circulated only as exclusive dubplates played by Malawi himself on the Jah Love Muzik sound system. No roots reggae album is complete without a repatriation anthem, and Ethiopia Land delivers just that. This digital roots track is steeped in longing and spiritual conviction. The album closes with Redemption Rock, where Malawi sets aside singing to deliver a spoken-word meditation on his Rastafarian faith, bringing the record to a powerful and reflective conclusion.
Most Potent
The Children Of The Emperor album pulses with raw authenticity and profound spiritual deep roots reggae at its most potent, designed to stir souls and inspire across generations. For these sessions, Albert “Ilawi” Malawi brought together a stellar lineup of Jamaica’s elite musicians, including Dalton Browne, Pablove Black, Steely, Bagga Walker, Don D Junior, and Deadley Headley. Recording took place at some of the island’s most iconic studios, Channel One, Treasure Isle, Aquarius, and Harry J’s, where legendary engineers Sylvan Morris, Bunny Tom Tom, and Errol Thompson lent their masterful touch at the mixing board.