The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Prince Lincoln Thompson, together with his backing group The Royal Rasses. The collection is unique because various songs originally omitted from albums have been included. It is the most complete discography of Prince Lincoln Thompson available.
The work of Lincoln Thompson together with varying Royal Rasses is one of the corner stones of roots reggae. As Bob Marley and Peter Tosh had their own style, so does Lincoln Thompson. As Bob and Peter have been exposed to a wider public their sound is at first more recognizable. We are now introduced to falseto roots reggae, the voice of Lincoln Thompson which is different from what we have previously heard.
In many ways the story of Lincoln Thompson and Cedric Myton show similarities to that of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Where Peter taught Bob to play music in Trench Town, a few blocks west in Jonestown another ska/rocksteady band had formed, The Tartans. The group was initiated by Cedric Myton and Devon Russell and included Berg Lewis and Lincoln Thompson, the youngest, being born in 1949. Young and inexperienced as Lincoln was at the time, he would grow out to become a very important figure in the roots archives. Where Bob Marley and Peter Tosh have there own characteristic sound, so has Prince Lincoln, and so do many others. As it says on the back of his first album, "this music is for the moral upliftment of all humanity". Various lyrics will be reproduced occasionally in the analysis of the albums, as they are not provided on any other web page.
After The Tartans had split up, their members all chose individual paths. Lincoln Thompson would form The Royal Rasses and recorded three singles for Studio One. Thompson figured that if he was to earn money making reggae music he would have to establish his own record label. He then started to work on new songs to be produced under his God Sent label. Lincoln attracted the attention of Ballistic Records who would sign him to produce the first album as Prince Lincoln & The Royal Rasses. Besides Prince Lincoln Thompson as the head vocalist for the the group, Cedric Myton was included as one of The Royal Rasses background vocalist, together with Keith Peterkin, Clinton Hall and Jennifer Lara. After the recording of Humanity Cedric Myton would form The Congos. The Humanity album's first is 'San-Salvador', where he sings about uniting his fellow rastaman. Thompsons high falsetto voice can not be missed. Prince will chant the name of Jah throughout all of his songs.The natural rastaman, "no money no cars, no mansion I have got", needs to stand strong against unconventional people, "no matter who you are, 'Unconventional People' create war", who have been causing "nothing but oppression" "instead of giving an helping hand". 'They Know Not Jah' is typical for the Rastafari theme in Prince his songs. Strong friendship is the theme of 'Old Time Friend'. This song and the next have a soul influence flowing through their rythms. Although they both have a slow tune, they are in fact very different songs. It is noticeable how Lincoln addresses similar issues as for instance Tosh did, but does it with a softer tone. Where Tosh leaves a very direct message and impression, Lincoln seems to be more timid in his songs. But as we hear in 'Humanity' there is often a cry for increased tolerance and love.We are then sharpened by 'Mr. Kissinger', a tirade against USA imperialism by the hands of Henry Kissinger. After the National Security Study Memorandum 200 was adopted which was thought to be an outlined plan to reduce population growth by use of birth control, and implicitly through war and famine. More populous countries could produce destabilizing opposition forces against the USA in the process of extracting minerals of which the USA required a large and increasing amount. These sorts of policies inflicted much damage upon countries such as Jamaica as we have seen in Live And Debt. Besides this, Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords, although no peace agreement had been made. Lincoln sings "I know you'll never get any peace. Oh no, you just can't get no peace. No matter how you try, never get any peace. Even until you die, just can't get no peace". The song is continued in the trend of Kissenger related remarks. 'Kingston 11' is the only live performed track that is brought including video images. It will be the title of a live album which we discuss later. Originally the album ended after this uplifting tune. The following three songs were produced for Studio One and were added to this album by me. For the first time, in 'Live Up To Your Name' we hear a song on which Lincoln Thompson brings a much lower voice, a better resemblance of his spoken voice. On one of the other recorded singles, 'Daughters Of Zion', again the higher notes are being touched. Last is a single that would form the basis for the recording of his second album, 'True Experience'.
Later in 1979 The Royal Rasses recorded Experience without the presence of Cedric Myton. The vivid tune of 'Nobody Here But Me' opens the album in style. "Take of your shoes, come on inside, I'll give you a smoke, just in a while" after which he continues to sing that love is the key. 'Blessed Are The Meek' "cause they shall inherit this whole earth" is a beautiful Rastafari chant. 'Slave Driver' instantly reminds of Bob's 'Slave Driver' and Peter's 'Where You Gonna Run'. Love was the theme in 'Humanity', 'Nobody Here But Me', and so it is in 'You Gotta Have Love'. As in all his songs it is projected through the word of Jah. Just like Peter did in 'Mystery Babylon', Prince Lincoln with The Rasses chant 'Babylon Is Falling'. On the Humanity album we had heard a preview of the title track, then recorded as a single for Studio One. On the album itself, track number six is 'True Experience'. The new jacket of the song fits it well. 'For Once In My Live' addresses the struggle of daily life in poverty, in which the only light shining bright is that of Jah Rastafari. These praises are extended in 'Walk In Jah Light'. A rastaman can not survive in this jungle of concrete and steel. Lincoln wants to go home to Africa in 'Jungle Fever'. Bob Marley had recorded a demo track with the same name, but there is no correspondence to that song musically. 'Thanksgiving' perfectly describes the rasta perspective of live. As we had heard Peter Tosh sing in 'Burial' that he would not attend a funeral, as he has no interest in the dead. Many have therefore not understood and misinterpreted his words after the death of Bob Marley. 'Thanksgiving' "while you're living", is where the focus should be.
In the summer of 1980 The Royal Rasses produced a new album in London, having invited English rock musician Joe Jackson to play with the Rasses. The album starts with a strong message about the current state of materialism in the world. 'Mechanical Devices' is a song in which Lincoln makes brilliant use of his high falsetto voice. In an rare interview with Joey Jay's Word, Sound and Power radio program on Kiss FM Lincoln explains that the world is the way it is as he describes in 'Mechanical Devices'. "Mankind has become mechanical because they have lost all the natural powers that he has originally". He uses his falsetto again in the title track, 'Natural Wild'. This song however bears a more positive tune and can be seen as Lincolns version of Peter's 'Mystic Man'. The Rasses turn serious again playing 'My Generation', in which there is too much sufferation and segregation. The first three songs on the album are wonderful in many respects and perfectly build up to a personal favourite, 'Spaceship'. A vivid sound brings "we are rocking on a spaceship". With that comes a strong message, "evil man are gon' a war, you can look at for their warships, coming round the straits of Gibraltar. Man can not manage on the earth, how they gon' do out a space?". 'Second Sight' is an instrumental reprise of 'Spaceship'. Lincoln Thompson would like to change men for the better and calls for those oppressed to fight for their rights in 'People's Minds'. A tribute to reggae music is being made, as was done in 'Spaceship', in 'People Just Love Jah Music'. "We're living in imaginary illusion, living in a world of confusion" and "there are lots of bright and 'Smiling Faces', in many warm and tender places, still all those people suffer a loss" in 'Smiling Faces'. Then you will find three additions by the Roots Reggae Library. 'Human Rights' featured on Centenary II, a recording of various artists. I am a big fan of this song, "there is a change that we can all enjoy the virtues of this earth". On the God Sent label Prince Lincoln Thompson had previously recorded two other singles which I have added to the album. 'They Didn't Know Jah' "after all this time. They didn't know Jah, and so they are left behind" is the first. 'Time Is Running Out' is the other which was produced on a separate LP.
Soon after the production of Natural Wild Ballistic Records went bankrupt. Lincoln and The Rasses returned to Jamaica, where the God Sent label was given new live with the help of German company Juicy People. In 1982 Ride With The Rasses was recorded at the Tuff Gong studios and Channel One studios. The back of the album tells us that 'The Rasses is a concept based on I and I faith in Jah Rastafari. I consider I and I selves to be the ambassadors of His Imperial Majesty's Kingdom. And as for the testimonies of I and I message, I and I deters mination is inexhaustable." Another quote of Lincoln was printed saying "How can a wall of peace be built or constructed with un-plements of war?" Thompson reflects on the traits of humanity in 'One Common Need' singing "some people are all filled with greed", "food clothing and shelter, is all people need, now make we mount water". He opposes the complete monetary system in 'Kinky Money Game'. Those who recall 'The Day The Dollar Die' will understand the position of a natty dread in this 'Kinky Money Game'. The first two songs might very well have been influenced by the bankruptcy of their previous record label. Remembering the cold times in England he recorded 'Come Spring', touching for anyone who prefers a warmer climate. The serious tone of Lincoln and the Rasses is continued in 'Fall Back'. "In this world of so many different races, so many different kind of faces. Where everyone points a finger, but nobody says he's an offender" we must come together, in 'The Brotherhood of Man'. The inspiring beat of 'Ride With The Rasses' calls for us to vibe along with Lincoln. Then again the tone changes back to strong messages, "some people the world they will achieve, but in the end they are the ones who gonna bleed, some people you see they don't care, they keep on walking with their nose in the air, some people no matter how they try, they'll only slave until the day they die, some people's their backs against the wall, these are the people with 'No Future At All'". This album too originally ended after seven songs. The first song I have added is different recording of 'San-Salvador' which was released in the mid 70's and named 'Dreadlocks Man'. The next song was recorded by The Royal Rasses with The Soul Rebels, 'I Man Feel It'. It featured on the album Centenary II on the Surr Zema Muzik label on which various artist perform songs. On the same LP as the added song 'Time Is Running Out' on Natural Wild is 'Dancehall Jam'. It took me ten years to find the full version of the song, and this is the true diamond in your Prince Lincoln Thompson discography. 'Has No Beginning' was a aucoustic jingle Prince Lincoln had recorded in 1981 and is the last added track on this album.
The next album, recorded as both Roots Man Blues and Unite The World, sets in strong. Although Lincoln has given many stage performances, little of the material has been captured. 'Unite The World' can be found on Kingston 11 which is filled with four other live tracks, namely, 'Kingston 11', 'For Once In My Live', 'Dancehall Jam' and 'Nobody Here But Me'. The title track there, 'Kingston 11' has been recorded in London, the other four in Bilbao. The next tune on Roots Man Blues seems to show some similarity with that of 'Want More' on Bob Marley's Rastaman Vibration, when suddenly after 29 seconds the vibe swifts and Prince sets in for 'Hail Shanti', paying tribute to Bob singing "Jah Marley said the more you get is the more you want". The Rasses then bring us a 'Whopping Good Vibration'. Sax, as Cedric Myton called Lincoln, sings the 'Roots Man Blues', "sweet reggae music, the music that carries the message based on reality. In this world of social injustice and so much partiality. But when you're ready, skank human skank, we want to see you rocking at the dance". 'Revolutionary Man' "they call me, but they don't know who I am" "I'm just a chanting rastaman'. The other half of the album consists of five tracks with a love message. The last three were recorded as singles that I decided to include on Roots Man Blues. These are not typical romantic love songs. First 'You Make Me Feel Alright' which simply feels like a great reggae song. 'Love The Way It Should Be' is an alternative version of 'Humanity'. The remaining songs on this album are additions unique on the Roots Reggae Library. I have included 'Revelation' as the first addition, which was released in 1993 on the album called The Songs Of Bob Andy, where various artists pay a tribute to Bob Andy.'I Gave You My Devotion' was not included in any album but fits the spot. 'I Gave You My Devotion' is a love song and the two tracks that follow fall in the same category. 'Cool Cool Lover' appeared on an LP and is the tenth song on Roots Man Blues. Prince Lincoln is rising, not falling, 'Rising In Love'. He does not like the negativity of the word "falling", similarly to Bunny Wailer on 'Stand In Love'.
Lincoln Thompson had by then returned to England and set up The Rasses Fish & Grocery Store in North London, which was a co-operative venture run on strictly "ital" products. It was not before 1996 before he released his final album, 21st Century, after having found a sponsor from the USA. The album can be considered a roots reggae gem for those times as most roots artist had passed away, changed to Dancehall, given a few exceptions such as Cedric Myton, Max Romeo, Ijahman Levi and Toots Hibbert. However, it proved to be increasingly difficult to find a steady roots reggae tune in the later years as many new reggae artists blended in with more digital tunes. Different from the other albums, 21st Century starts with an 'Intro' and ends with an 'Outro', but these are simply fractions of the song 'Meditation Time' on the album. Instead of the introduction we start with the first actual song on the album. Prince Lincoln decided that for this album the time had come to pay tribute to some reggae legends, namechecking Bob Marley, Garnett Silk, Jacob Miller, Terence Hall and Peter Tosh in 'Heroes Just The Same'. It is the only song for which Prince Lincoln & The Royal Rasses recorded a video clip. Lincoln Thompson died of lung cancer in 1999 while recording the album '21st Century' in 1996. That's not irony, that's just unfortunate. The title track comes third on the album. 'Hard Time Comes Again' is again a call for his generation, as we had heard one earlier on the Natural Wild album. The Rasses chant 'Hear Our Cry' to ask for redemption. "When the trumpets sound, you know the wicked gon' be found" "them all gone astray" 'Let Freedom Reign', referring to Martin Luther King. In 'Fire Burning' he sings about the Yugoslav Wars. He also mentions warfare in African countries, turning to Jamaica and others. 'Preacher Man' is a song for Jah. "From the day that I been born I knew I had something to live for. Now that I have grown to be a man, I must live on, live on, on and on I got to keep on saying, they 'Ain't Gonna' turn us back, oh no that's a fact. Gonna be a slave no more since Jah, came knocking at my door". We had heard about some 'Meditation Time' in the 'Ride With The Rasses' song. It is the last song before the original outro would kick in, which is a section of 'Meditation Time'. On the Roots Reggae Library there are three bonus songs on 21st Century. Two of them feature Devon Russell, with whom Prince Lincoln had earlier formed The Tartans, together with Cedric Myton from The Congos. 'African Herbman' is of course a cover of the song by The Wailers. Devon Russell takes the lead on this track. You can find the song by The Wailers on the Rocksteady album Soul Revolution. On 'Love Or Lust' Prince Lincoln steps in front to take the lead vocals. 'Love Sweet Jamaica' by Daddie Freddie is not much of a Reggae song but Prince Lincoln is nevertheless able to give his Reggae vibe to it.
Studio Albums
««««« (1978) Humanity
««««« (1979) Experience
««««« (1980) Natural Wild
««««« (1982) Ride With The Rasses
««««« (1983) Roots Man Blues
««««« (1996) 21st Century
Original Date Of Publishing: July 2012
Wish I can get all of this albums in cd’s!!!! This is one of my favorite ROOTS ROCK REGGAE MUSIC FROM JAMDOWN
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