A. Frankie Jones & The Nazarines – Give Me What I Want
B. Prince Alla – Last Train To Africa
Label: Starlight Records – SLD510
Frankie Jones, born Tony Palmer in Kingston’s Greenwich Farm neighborhood, embarked on his musical journey in the mid-1970s alongside his brother, Cliffird Palmer (known as Junior Ross). They released several singles as Junior Ross & The Spears. Frankie’s solo career took flight in 1977, with releases appearing on various labels and the acclaimed album Satta An Praise Jah, produced by Bunny “Striker” Lee. While he continued to produce strong singles, it wasn’t until 1984 that he released another album, a collaborative effort with Michael Palmer on Empire Records.
This pattern continued with several more split albums in the following years, featuring collaborations with artists like Pad Anthony and Patrick Andy. In 1986, Trojan Records released The Best of Frankie Jones Volume One, a compilation showcasing his earlier work produced by Keith Wignall. George Phang produced his 1986 album Old Fire Stick, followed by another album for Wackies in 1987. Unfortunately, information regarding Frankie Jones’s career beyond this point is scarce.
Frankie Jones shines on the 12-inch single Give Me What I Want, alongside The Nazarines. This pure roots tune, produced by the legendary Prince Jammy and the recently departed Fatman, is a masterpiece of late 1970s Jamaican roots music. The single is completed by an excellent dub version.
Prince Alla, the second artist featured on this 12″ single, is a deeply spiritual and highly distinctive artist born Keith Lorenzo Blake. Raised in Kingston’s Greenwich Farm, he began his musical journey with The Leaders in the late 1960s before embarking on a solo career with producer Joe Gibbs. Deeply influenced by Rastafarianism, Alla temporarily left the music industry in 1969 to live with Prince Emmanuel Edwards in Bull Bay. He returned to the forefront of Jamaica’s music scene in the mid-1970s, collaborating with Bertram Brown’s Freedom Sounds to create enduring roots reggae classics such as Blood A Run, Sun Is Shining, Funeral, Bucket Bottom, Lot’s Wife, and Stone.
Alla’s career reached its zenith in the latter half of the 1970s. While his releases became less frequent in the 1980s, the release of two Blood & Fire albums featuring his 1970s recordings, Only Love Can Conquer and I Can Hear The Children Singing, reignited interest in his music and introduced him to a new generation of fans. In the 21st century, Alla experienced a resurgence, enjoying renewed success with new releases and a high demand for his performances worldwide.
Prince Alla’s 1979 tune, Last Train To Africa, initially released on Canadian Generation Records and Starlight Records in North London, is a rootsy reinterpretation of The Melodians’ classic, Last Train To Expo ’67. Alla’s profound lyrics explore the theme of repatriation, offering a moving perspective on the return of people of color to Africa. The single also features a captivating dub version that extends the musical journey.
A. Creator – Such is Life
B. The Jolly Brothers – Dread Dreader
Label: Label: Seven Leaves Records – SL DD 001
Our second disc features a 1977 recording by Trinidad-born Kenrick Randolph Patrick, better known as Lord Creator (or simply “Creator”). Although originally a calypso artist touring Jamaica, Creator decided to stay in the country after arriving in 1962. That year, he catapulted to fame with his chart-topping song Independent Jamaica. A prolific career followed, marked by several albums and countless singles, most notably Kingston Town (also known as King And Queen).
However, Creator’s musical success waned during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite continued recordings, such as Such Is Life featured on this disc, he faced personal hardships. With the support of friends, Creator returned to his homeland of Trinidad. A significant turning point came when UB40 achieved massive success with their cover of Kingston Town. The substantial royalties from his songwriting revitalized his life. Creator returned to Jamaica, settling in Montego Bay, where he passed away in 2023.
Produced with finesse by Lee Perry, Such Is Life, is a remake of Lord Creator’s 1968 song of the same name, originally produced by Randy Chin. The B-side of the record incorrectly lists Prodigal Creator with Such Is Life. In fact, it features Dread Dreader by The Jolly Brothers, another Lee Perry production.
The Jolly Brothers, a reggae group hailing from Hellshire Beach, St. Catherine, Jamaica, consisted of Winston Edwards, Willis Gordon, and Clevian Lewis, often joined by Lennox Miller or Henrick Nicholson. In 1978, the group recorded several songs with legendary producer Lee Perry, including the iconic Conscious Man and Colour. Conscious Man achieved significant success in the UK, prompting further recordings with the intention of releasing a full album.
However, disagreements between Lee Perry and Ballistic Records delayed the album’s release until 1993, which included the track Dread Dreader. In 1979, another album titled Consciousness was released, this time produced by King Jammy, featuring several disco mixes. Notably, Conscious Man was also included on this album, but with production credited to Tony J. The Jolly Brothers disbanded in the years that followed.