Barrington Levy’s rise started early and moved fast. In 1977, he teamed up with his cousin Everton Dacres to form a band called The Mighty Multitude, releasing My Black Girl. A year later, he went solo with A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love. The record wasn’t successful, but that didn’t matter much. At fourteen years old, Barrington was already a proven performer, packing dancehalls and winning over crowds night after night.
Producer Hyman Wright aka Papa Life spotted that raw talent early. He recorded several tracks with Levy before introducing him to Henry “Junjo” Lawes, a meeting that would define Barrington’s career. Those early sessions eventually became part of the Bounty Hunter album on Jah Life Records. With Junjo as producer, Scientist behind the mixing board, and unstoppable Roots Radics band laying down heavy riddims, Levy delivered one classic after another. Songs like Ah Yah We Deh, Looking My Love, Englishman, and Collie Weed became massive tunes and locked in his reputation.
And the hits didn’t stop there. Shine Eye Girl, Wicked Intention, Jumpy Girl, Reggae Music, Never Tear My Love Apart, and When You’re Young And In Love kept Barrington firmly at the top. Albums weren’t really the main focus in Jamaica at the time, but Levy still dropped four before 1980. The included Shaolin Temple, Bounty Hunter, Shine Eye Gal, and Englishman, the last of which earned serious respect from critics and fans alike. By the time Robin Hood dropped in 1980, Barrington Levy was no longer just a local star. He was one of the biggest names in Jamaica, with his sound traveling fast, especially in the UK. In 1981, he even stepped into production himself with the showcase album Run Come Ya!, released on Jah Life and Canada’s Puff Records.
This is one of those Barrington Levy albums fans have been hunting for years. And now, finally, it’s back on black wax. If you know Levy’s early ’80s work, you already understand why this one matters. The reissue is done properly too, cut from the original sources and staying true to the original, which really matters with music like this. Recorded at Channel One, the album brings together a powerful crew. The Roots Radics lay down thick, driving riddims, while Scientist handles the mix with his trademark low-end weight and sharp dub touches. Barrington Levy is in top form throughout, sounding focused and commanding from start to finish.
The album is built around six tracks, and it clearly reflects the tougher, more stripped-down sound that defined the early ’80s. Three tracks stretch out into extended discomix versions, giving Scientist plenty of space to strip things back and rebuild them in dub. The results are heavy and immersive. One real gem here is Full Understanding, a tune that’s been a Jah Shaka staple for years and still can’t be found easily elsewhere. It’s a highlight, but the whole album holds strong. The sound is uncompromising, the performances are sharp, and Levy’s vocals stay with you long after the needle lifts. This one rewards repeat listening, no doubt about it.