Musical Journey
Although starting out their career in 1966 as part of a five man group, Keith Rowe and Texas Dixon pursued their musical journey as a duo after the group’s disbandment due to feeling disillusioned following rejections from auditions with producers such as Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid. It then was singer/producer Derrick Harriott who decided to take them under his wings. He enabled the duo to record a successful run of singles including their famous 1967 hit Stop That Train. They parted ways in 1970 when Keith emigrated to the US and Tex to Canada. However, the end of the singing duo turned out to be a temporarily one as they reunited in 1994 for some live shows and released a new album in 1997 aptly titled Back Together Again. Since then they’ve released four albums with fresh originals including Same Old Story (2017) and Freedom (2022) on Spain’s Liquidator Music label.
Collaboration
Similar to the prior two albums by Keith & Tex released under Liquidator Music, Gun Life showcases the collaboration of the dynamic duo with Roberto Sánchez and the Lone Ark Riddim Force, an exellent group of Spanish musicians. Once more, this partnership proves to be an excellent decision, as Sánchez and his studio band consistently demonstrate their remarkable skill in drawing inspiration from the development of Jamaican music history. Whether it’s ska, rocksteady, or roots reggae, they always successfully embody the true essence while seamlessly incorporating their own delightful originality. In this instance, it are fresh crafted rocksteady riddims that allow the duo’s harmonious vocalizations to truly stand out in every track. The sole riddim recognized from the past is a reworking of a classic Bob Marley backdrop featured in the lovely Gave You My Heart.
Reflective Tracks
As the album title Gun Life already indicates, this 12-track collection demonstrates that rocksteady’s lyrical scope goes further than the well-trodden path of love songs. It highlights that engaging with contemporary issues can be a significant and meaningful approach for the genre as well. Songs exploring romance, including One More Dance, She’s Gone, If You Love Say Yeah, along with the previously mentioned Gave You My Heart, feature of course on this album. These are enticing tracks that greatly enchant the listener’s ears, owing to both the wonderful vocal performances and the superb riddims. Moving on to some of the collection’s more reflective tracks, the first is the sublime Give Me One Reason. This track poignantly articulates the idea that Babylon has unjustly seized Africa’s resources. Although it’s rocksteady, lyrically this song falls into the roots reggae category. Next comes another winner, the title track Gun Life, sadly reinforcing a reality all too familiar: the devastating grip of guns on inner cities and towns, where lives are tragically lost daily. The deeply moving track For A Better Life resonates profoundly, portraying the heartfelt search of refugees who have left their homes for a brighter future. The magic continues with On The Streets, a thought-provoking and steady rocking anthemic tune with the duo and the band at their very best. This brilliant track warrants repeated plays. While a few tracks aren’t highlighted here, don’t disregard them. Each one is strong in its own right.
Keith & Tex’s Gun Life serves as a big follow-up to their earlier collaborations with Roberto Sánchez and Toni Face’s Liquidator Music, and it also stands firmly as a compelling album in its own right.