Cool Down The Heat, a posthumous release from Junior Murvin, showcases a vibrant selection of the late falsetto singer’s 1980s digi recordings revitalized for 2025 by veteran producer Lloyd “King Jammy” James, who was a dominant force in the digital reggae movement, shaping the sound that ruled the Jamaican dance halls in the latter half of the 1980s.
Junior Murvin rose to international prominence in 1976 with Police And Thieves, a landmark collaboration with reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry. The track became a global hit and has since been covered by a wide range of artists, including The Clash and Boy George. Murvin continued to build his legacy with notable singles such as the seminal Cool Out Son, and other tracks like I’m In Love, Bad Man Posse, and Muggers In The Street. Over the course of his career, Murvin, who died in 2013, maintained a steady output that upheld his reputation, while avoiding oversaturation of the market.
Almost forty years after his last release with Greensleeves Records, Junior Murvin returns posthumously with Cool Down The Heat, a compelling compilation that bridges the digital reggae era with contemporary production. This marks Murvin’s third album for the label, following Muggers in the Street (1984), produced by Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, and Apartheid (1986), helmed by Lloyd “King Jammy” James, who also oversees this new release. The tracks were originally recorded at King Jammy’s studio in Kingston’s Waterhouse district, a crucible of digital innovation in the 1980s. The album opens with its fiery title track, Cool Down The Heat, an anti-violence anthem riding a captivating riddim familiar from Nitty Gritty’s Run Down The World and Echo Minott’s Whip Appeal. It’s a bold and timely opener, setting the tone for a collection that’s both nostalgic and freshly relevant.
Among the highlights are 1987 reworkings of Murvin’s signature songs Police And Thieves and Cool Out Son, the latter delivered over the much-versioned Real Rock riddim. These versions retain the spirit of the originals while benefiting from Jammy’s crisp digital touch. The album also includes a mix of non-album singles and previously unreleased material, with noteworthy tracks like Come From Far, Ism Schism, Zoops, and Lion Mouth offering deeper insight into Murvin’s lyrical range and vocal finesse.
Cool Down The Heat doesn’t attempt to reinvent Murvin’s legacy, it reinforces it. The compilation is a testament to his enduring voice and the production genius of King Jammy, reminding listeners why Murvin’s falsetto remains one of reggae’s most haunting and distinctive sounds.