The background to this set can be found on our site here where the personnel of this session musicians supergroup is laid out, and it is noted that some members havepassed over since this was recorded – a good reason to buy this set. If it is the music that matters though, then there is no problem with that either, no problem at all. The Kingston Lions rework fourteen classics from sixties andseventies Jamaica, from Alton Ellis’ rocksteady classic Girl I’ve Got A Date, Bob (Andy) & Marcia (Griffiths) with Young, Gifted And Black – without the strings that featured heavily on the UK hit version -and even Desmond Dekker with the iconic Israelites to roots anthems such as Willie Williams’ Armagideon Time and Max Romeo’s War Ina Babylon. Along the way are such beautiful tracks as Rivers Of Babylon, Book Of Rules, Dreamland, Johnny Too Bad, and Wonderful World among others.
Bob Marley is represented with Soul Shakedown Party showing a welcome Jamaican perspective instead of choosing one of his later songs. The singers and musicians performing here need no bigging up from me – these are stunningly good renditions, mostly sticking close but not overly so to the originals, and there are subtle – sometimes very subtle – changes some of the time (in particular, listen to the guitar work). These classics are treated respectfully but thankfully not over-reverently, keeping the messages of the originals, whether simply joyful or purveying a deeper message. But I will give an extra-special shout-out in particular to trombonist Calvin Cameron, and of course to lead vocalist Karell Wisdom.