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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AN ALL TIME CLASSIC., 10 Oct 2003
This album really is a classic and has to be rated as one of the greatest albums of all time,from any genre of music. This album was first released in 1976 and is a perfect example of the rockers sound beginning to dominate. To me the 70's are without a doubt the best period for reggae. It was the first decade when reggae was taken seriously on a world stage,artists such as The Wailers,Burning Spear,Mighty Diamonds, Abyssinians, Wailing Souls, Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs were getting signed by major labels and started to record full albums rather than releasing collections of singles, which tended to happen alot in the sixties. The Mighty Diamond released this album on the Frontline label which was part of Virgin Records.
The song Right Time starts the album and straight away it's obvious why there was so much interest in this group. The harmonies are immaculate. Jamaica has produced some of the greatest vocal groups of all time and the Mighty Diamonds are unquestionably near the top of that list. The sweet harmonies sound like they would be better suited to love songs rather than full on roots lyrics, but this just creates an interesting counter point to the lyrics. From black on black crime (Why Me Black Brother Why),the awful treatment suffered by Marcus Garvey (Them Never Love Poor Marcus), to repatriation (Africa) the rasta message is delivered in the smoothest way possible and throughout the lyrics remain as tight as the harmonies.
The musical backing is exceptional and you would'nt expect anything less when you know that Sly and Robbie were the rhythm section for some of the album. Many of the backing tracks are updates of various tracks that had been recorded by the Revolutionaries band and provide a perfect soundscape for the vocals. The keyboard duties (which were shared by Ansel Collins and Ossie Hibbert) are also excellent. Choosing standout tracks is difficult, but my personal favourites are Why Me Black Brother Why, Gnashing of Teeth, Them Never Love Poor Marcus, Go Seek Your Rights and Africa. As you can see I've just listed half the album but I think you get the point. If you like reggae or if you're looking for a place to start this album by the Mighty Diamonds would be a wise choice.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic reggae from Jamaica's foremost vocal trio., 13 Oct 2001
Concious reggae at its purest, this classic album dates from the mid 70's when Channel One rythms ruled the dance floor. Blending impecable vocals and crisp rockers music these songs cover the full range of social and political issues that dominated reggae at that time. Stand out tracks include the title track and "I need a roof", rerecorded later by the group but never bettered. Any collection should include this disc. Start with "Right Time" and you'll soon be searching out the rest of their catalogue. The Diamonds are still going strong with the recent release of "Rise up" but this CD still stands as one of their best moments.Buy it, you won't regret it!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent songs, great harmonies and singing, 2 Feb 2002
This album is considered by many as a key work in reggae music, and as one of the best works of the Mighty Diamonds. Rightfully so, I think. It also is said to have made the 'rockers' reggae style popular, which differs from e.g. the 'one drop' reggae style. Elaborating on this would go too far, and information regarding this maybe can be (or ought to be) found elsewhere on the Web. With respect to this album, I consider a major strong point the soulfulness of the songs, which seem also Soul-influenced, but are definitely reggae: roots reggae, with Garvey-ite lyrics. Lead singing is great, and the (original) harmonies give many songs that extra quality. The songs 'Them never love poor Marcus' and 'I need a roof' I find amazingly beautiful, but all songs on 'Right Time' are solid and well-composed, to my opinion. Many songs stay in your head, and you'll keep on singing once heard (I did).
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