The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features The Gladiators, a group from Trenchtown, Jamaica, just like The Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Their discography is extensive, with studio albums and singles. This collection is unique because it is everything binded together, including a number of live performances. It also features five albums from the earlier career of the Gladiators, which I personally composed.
The frontman of The Gladiators is Albert Griffiths, who was born in St. Elizabeth, on January first in 1946. He moved to Trenchtown, Kingston, which is more than hundred kilometers away from his hometown, at the age of fourteen. He got a job as a mason where one of his co-workers was Leonard Dillon, the frontman of The Ethiopians. Together they got into a recording session at Studio One, resulting in Griffiths having a song on the B side of The Ethiopians Train To Skaville single. Afterwards, Albert formed The Gladiators with David Webber and Errol Grandison. They recorded sessions with the inimitable Lee 'Scratch' Perry, whom we know of through The Wailing Wailers. After Webber left the group, suffering from serious mental illness, he was replaced by Clinton Fearon who had arrived in Kingston at the age of sixteen, living in Kingston 11 (of which we have heard Prince Lincoln sing) and had previously been playing in a vocal group called The Brothers. In 1973 Grandison left the group and was replaced by an old friend of Albert's masonry days, Gallimore Sutherland.
Every reggae artist has his own unique style, and this can definately be said for The Gladiators. It was Clinton Fearon, when he joined the Gladiators who started introducing what he calls a 'question-and-answer' harmony. Saying that "when I start recording with The Gladiators, we push a whole other tone to it. An answering kind of choir harmony. A sort of of trademark there".
I start with presenting five Rocksteady Albums, that include the early works of The Gladiators, songs recorded on a Ska and Rocksteady rhythm. These songs were recorded as singles, and I have made these albums to provide a unique overview. After these five albums, we turn to the Studio Albums.
The Gladiators - Bongo Red
01. Fling It Gimme
02. Sonia
03. Boy In Long Pants
04. Bongo Red
05. Beautiful Locks
06. Roots Natty
07. Mister Baldwin
08. Big Boo Boo Day
09. Pretending
10. Don't Fool The Young Girls
11. Happy Man
12. Righteous Man
The first Rocksteady Album of the Gladiators which I will present here. It contains 12 songs, whereas the other four contain 11 songs. A number of songs found on this album would be recorded for their later Studio Albums. Those songs that were not re-recorded are still worth listening to. This will be the common story for all other Rocksteady albums as well, as you will find. The album is named after the earlier recording of the track 'Mix Up', called 'Bongo Red' here. Unique to this album are 'Sonia', 'Beautiful Locks', 'Mister Baldwin', 'Pretending', 'Don't Fool The Young Girls' and 'Happy Man'. Other songs you will encounter when listen to the Studio Albums, be it recorded later and therefore with different rhythms.
I have named the album after the first song I have put on this album. Some of the songs featuring on this album were recorded by The Gladiators, but under a different name, such as the songs 'She Said She Loves Me' and 'Pretty Face Girl' which were recorded as The Sealmates. I have personally made the cover art of this album as well. 'I'll Take You To The Movie' is an unknown Gladiators track. 'Message To The Nation' was an early solo single by Clinton Fearon, and 'Cookie Want Wood' was sung by The Prophets, again another name of The Gladiators. 'Sweet Soul Music' and 'Socking Good Time' feature next, after which you will hear Gallimore Sutherland play 'Can't Stop Natty Dread'. The albums end with the songs 'The Train Is Coming Back' and 'You Were To Be'.
As was a custom with The Wailers and later tracks of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, early songs that were recorded again on Studio Albums would now and then have different names. Where the structures of the collection of these earlier works had existed previously, ordered by Studio One, the album you find here, just as with Freedom Train, has been created by me as a whole. The album starts with 'You Are The Girl', the very first track recorded by Albert Griffiths alongside The Ethiopians. We hear the beautiful 'Live Wire', 'Jah-O Jah-O', 'Jane', 'World Gone Mad', 'Rock A Man Soul', all very hard to find songs. The Gladiators recorded the last two tracks, 'Till I Kiss You' and 'Blessed Are The Poor' as the Prophets, which was their name during their back-up vocal career for Yabby You.
One of the interesting thing in these early albums of The Gladiators to pay attention to is when and where they switch from the faster Ska to the slower Rocksteady rhythm. The song 'Peace Truce' itself has been featured on a Ska rhythm on the Live Wire album, but here we find it being played just a tad slower. Songs that can not be found elsewhere, such as 'Rainy Night In Georgia', 'Jah Almighty', 'Love And Meditation', 'On The Other Side', 'Down Town Rebel', 'Sweet Soul Music', and 'So Fine'. You will hear another song on the next album, which is also called 'So Fine'.
The songs 'Watch Out' names this album, and together with songs such as 'Millionaire Of Love' and 'Tribulation', a few personal favourites feature on this album. It is the last of five early Gladiators albums, and we are now ready to continue by looking at their Studio Albums. Songs that can not be found elsewhere include 'Mr. Sweet', 'I Said I Love You', 'Millionaire Of Love', 'The Kicks', 'Time' and 'Ungrateful Girl'. These songs were all part of a Studio One singles album.
The first album of The Gladiators, a true gem in reggae history, is Trenchtown Mix Up, released in 1976 on the Virgin label. Playing the songs again and again will make them sound better and better. I personally feel that the album is very notable for it's beautiful bass lines.We are first presented the raw roots sound of 'Mix Up', which had been recorded earlier as a single called 'Bongo Red', on the so called album I have made. We can immediately recognize the 'question-and-answer' trademark of The Gladiators, singing "I man don't like to get mix-up, mix-up, (high pitched) mix-uuuup". We hear them sing about the same streets that Bob Marley walks, trods, skips and reaches in 'Natty Dread'. "From corner to corner you can hear, yes the youth them a shout, natty dread, yes them dread, natty dread, natty rule, natty cool". Griffiths makes his statement by singing that he doesn't like to get mixed up by pushing his mouth in things he cannot prove. He doesn't take hearsay, doesn't repeat others, but rather proves things for himself. You will find many of the messages similar to those of Marley, for example hearing 'Bellyfull'. At first remembering Bob, who sang 'Them Belly Full' in 1974, then realizing that 'Bellyfull' is different, just as strong, and with a vibrant reggae tune to it, reflecting the hardship of the Trenchtown ghetto. The parables of 'Looks Is Deceiving' are in style with the former two. The 'Chatty Chatty Mouth' is bound to find his actions turn against him, as Jah said "the humble and the meek they shall prevail". It is sung by Clinton Fearon. He first wanted to title the song 'Big Toe Joe'. After it, The Gladiators sing a song written by The Wailers, 'Soul Rebel', demonstrating their close relationship with Marley, Tosh and Bunny.. Although it is the same song, there is a significant Gladiator sound to their version. "Forget what colour you may be", the unity advocated in 'Eli Eli'", as we all are one brothers, one sisters, one blood. 'Hearsay' to me has the best first 13 seconds ever recorded on a reggae track. It is a fierce assault on gossip, which was also heard in 'Mix Up' and 'Chatty Chatty Mouth'. Griffiths lays down the nature of hearsay, a reoccurring theme of The Gladiators. Their harmony then vocalizes to bring another Wailers track, 'Rude Boy', as 'Rude Boy Ska'. As Bob had recorded it much earlier on, the track of The Gladiators has a fresh feel to it. 'Know Yourself Mankind', "this is 1976, we don't want no more war". No more needs to be said for this strong roots calling. The warning of Jah's wrath is sealed in a seemingly happy melody, but its message is powerful. Clinton Fearon, who sung the lead vocals in 'Chatty Chatty Mouth' sings 'Thief In The Night'. The Gladiators had earlier recorded a hit single with 'Hello Carol', and it has been put in a new coat on Trenchtown Mix Up. The original single of 'Hello Carol' has been stuffed in Studio One Presenting The Gladiators, which I have named Peace Truce. As Bob Marley & The Wailers did on their studio albums, quite some songs have been re-recorded for later albums.
'Jah Works', Jah works, Jah works, is how the second album of The Gladiators starts of, again released on the Virgin label. 'Jah Works' has Albert singing about his profound relationship with almighty Jah. It also celebrates all those things Jah made, such as the sun, the moon and stars, which they sing about in 'Best Thing In Life'. On the Rocksteady Album Bongo Red, 'Dreadlocks The Time Is Now' had been recorde as 'Roots Natty'. It calls for Rastas to unite, stand up for their rights, because the time is now. As in 'Eli Eli' it is proclaimed that there is no difference within the human race, that we are all one skin, one blood. The harmonies heard in 'Fly Away' show why Albert Griffiths needs Clinton Fearon and Gallimore Sutherland, not only to sometimes lead the vocals, but to sing background vocals as well. The Gladiators wouldn't bé without them. Clinton, who's deeper voice is easy recognizable, sings "'Marvel Not' oh we children, marvel not there will be freedom". It tells how the hypocrites have set traps and snares, filling the people's minds with enmity forgetting the love of humanity. 'Stick A Bush' is quite different from previous numbers we have heard. Some clarity here, Griffiths sings 'hoe', an agricultural tool, and for every size hoe there is a stick that size in the bush for it, so "to each his own". "To prevent is better than having to cure", 'Stop Before You Go'. Take some time to think before you act. Clinton, after his previous song, asks us 'Can You Imagine How I Feel', explaining he works hard day and night, but is only given sorrowness, bitterness and pain. He goes on to sing that violence is not the answer, so can you imagine how he feels? A praise to Jah is given in 'We'll Find The Blessing'. The penultimate song of the album does not originally belong on the album, but is a single from 1977 that did not make it to any other album. 'Pocket Money' is a fine track, telling us not to forget Jah. The album ends with 'Music Makers From Jamaica'. The "reggae got soul" line will sound very familiar to fans of Toots & The Maytals.
A year later it was Naturality that was presented as the third Gladiator studio album. The album is introduced by it's title track, 'Naturality', explaining the style of music they play. An non-materialistic way of living brings us a naturalistic music. "Cause everything you do in life there always been a 'Struggle'. And once you git the road there ain't no turning back. Jah is our guiding star so we shall overcome." The powerful 'Struggle' is one of The Gladiators better tracks so far. We hear that also on their third album, The Gladiators have not lost the strength of Trenchtown Mix Up. The love theme turns up in 'Write To Me'. One by one, Albert says he is 'Counting My Blessing'. Afterwards it is Clinton Fearon singing "'Get Ready' brothers and sisters". Ready to dance away our troubles, sorrows and bad vibes. 'Praises To The Most High' has quite a self explanatory title, it is again a beautiful Gladiators song, with Albert Griffiths on lead vocals. Since Bob Marley we now what Nyahbingi is, and under the red green and gold it is 'Nyahbingi Marching On'. Alltogether The Gladiators sing 'Dry Your Weeping Eyes' to a girl, inviting her to a shakeup party. Love is further pursued, in 'Greatest Love'. War doesn't solve any problems, and will only make bad things worse, instead, unite, because the greatest thing is to love. In 1977 Bob Marley had released Exodus, and as they had done on Trenchtown Mix Up with 'Soul Rebel' and 'Rude Boy Ska', The Gladiators sing one of his songs, 'Exodus'. Instead of "exodus, movement of Jah people", they sing "Africa, the country of Jah people". 'Evil Doers' does not appear on the original Naturality album. It is the backside of the single 'Pocket Money', that I had added to Proverbial Reggae'. "So lets stand, unite and tell them that, we ain't gonna find no more war".
We continue the year 1979 with yet another Gladiators album, Sweet So Till, with a Japanese album art cover. As Naturality did, Sweet So Till starts off with the song that the album is titled after. 'Sweet So Till' gives a number of metaphors for marijuana. It is not very obvious, but with the right interpretation there is no way around it. 'No Disturbance', for the Gladiators are skanking and jamming. Skanking they will be on the strong 'A Day We Go'. Because "when this music hits you my friend, you've got to show appreciation". "Hold on to this feeling", as it is followed by the equally beautiful praise to Jah in 'Let Jah Be Praised'. The former, 'A Day We Go' is sung by Albert Griffiths, who is responsible for the majority of The Gladiators lead vocals, whereas 'Let Jah Be Praised' is sung by Clinton Fearon. Their voices are very distinct. Going to Mount Zion, a reoccurring avocation in reggae music, we hear Albert sing in 'Red, Green And Gold'. The track is softer than the previous two, but a smooth roots track. Fearon sets in for 'Backyard Meditation', gathering the sheep that gone astray. There is a road for every man to try, and so we are told to 'Press Along' to reach our destination. 'Merrily' has a similar style as Backyard Meditation. The Sweet So Till album would then end with 'Holiday Ride', a good song, nice rhythm and fine lyrics. However, I have added two more songs. Clinton Fearon had recorded a single around this time, with The Gladiators providing the music, 'Give Thanks And Praise'. The other is a 1980 single of The Gladiators called 'Miss Jones', where Fearon asks sister Jones to get out of town with him. The first four albums of The Gladiators can be seen as a combined series as the sound is generally similar. You will find that the next album is somewhat different. Now let's take a look!
The last album that The Gladiators would release on the Virgin record label is self titled, Gladiators. It is produced by Eddy Grant, who plays guitar on the album. We begin by listening to 'Oh What A Joy', progressing from the days of sorrow, hunger and war into a better tomorrow. 'Good Music' is what we should feel on that day, because with it, everything is alright. We hear an uptempo version of 'Hello Carol' which was earlier recorded on Peace Truce and Trenchtown Mix Up. 'Feel like A Star' telling us that once we are on the right track, perseverance will help us get there. As preciously on Trenchtown Mix Up and Naturality there is a cover song of Bob Marley, this time it is 'Duppy Conquerer'. It will not be the last time that The Gladiators sing one of The Wailers songs. Clinton Fearon, who sung the first song on the album, gives us the vibes of 'Disco Reggae'. We can hear that also The Gladiators have tried to evolve there music with the passing of time. Building upon 'Disco Reggae', Griffiths asks to 'Come And Take My Hand', so we can move and groove. 'Behind Closed Doors' has an electric guitar solo from Eddy Grant halfway through. Love has quite a footprint on the album, coming with the next 'Mine For All Time'. It is a sweet romantic song, drawing from the line "stick by me and I will stick by you". The album originally has ten tracks, and ends with one in which we can hear a bit of that old Gladiators harmony from earlier times, although the music has a new sound. It is 'A Man Who's Strong', and it too is is meant for a girl. We then turn to something quite different. Clinton Fearon teamed up with Watty Burnett, background vocalist of The Congos to record a track 'Rise And Shine'. The single did not appear on any of The Congos or The Gladiators material, hence its inclusion on this album. The alternative sound, more Congo-like, fits the different sound recorded for Gladiators.
Following the last album, which was not a great success, The Gladiators turned back to their old roots style of music for their next album in 1982, which was first called Babylon Street, and later reissued as Back To Roots in France. To give us an idea of the roots style of this album The Gladiators start strong with 'Marcus Garvey Time'. "Throw away your guns, throw away your bombs". Marcus Mosiah Garvey was the Jamaican founder of the Black Star Line and the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. He inspired the movement of Rastafari, for whom he is a prophet. No one can touch Albert, because he's a 'God Bless', so needless to try, you won't catch him. The next tremble comes from 'The Race', which we are already in. "Say you've got to have 'Guts', to be a natty dreadlocks. You got to be strong or else they will, trample you to the ground". Coming to the next song I want to refer to a live album on which it features. This is Live In Apeldoorn, where one of the first Gladiators concerts was recorded. Apart from mixture of songs from previous albums, they play Bob Marley's 'Talkin' Blues' and 'Small Axe'. 'Rich Man Poor Man' is the song from Back To Roots that is found on the album. Hailing that as soon as the war is over, all will be better, we just need a little faith. The further we progress on the album, the more we will see how noteworthy it is, as we continue with 'No Wrong Idea'. Again here we hear the real roots reggae of The Gladiators, getting back to hearsay, four hundred years, creation, puss and dog and more. To stay on the right track, and not go for the wrong idea we must 'Follow The Rainbow'. Although "the road may be rugged and stiff", Clinton won't let go. Those with a good memory will remember Peter Tosh singing on 'Equal Rights' that "what is due to Caesar, you better give it on to Caesar. And what belong to I and I, you better give it up to I". In 'Follow The Rainbow', Clinton Fearon sings that what is for Peter, James, Harry and Marcus can not be for Paul, John, Tom and Rufus. "Want you to know, what is for I can not be for another man". "We are 'The Warriors'", in which Albert Griffiths puts it to us straight. "We will tell you what we defend. We are soldiers marching for Jah. So they always want to track us down. To nail us when our eyes are closed. But we will never sleep nor slumber". He continues to sing, that although the word warrior might give a different impression, "but we ain't throwing no bombs, and we ain't shooting no guns". Through the protection of Jah they will be "fighting against the wrong, to bring rights into the light". 'A Prayer To Jah' had previously featured on Tribulation as 'A Prayer To Thee'. This version is recorded again to improve the sound to fit the Back To Roots album. We can hereby see The Gladiators really going back to roots. Clinton sings the lead vocals of 'Streets Of Freedom', as said before, it was the alternative title of the album.
We do not leave 1982, as there is yet another Gladiators album to review. It is Reggae To Bone. We hear "the sound of reggae music, in a different style" in the title song 'Reggae To Bone'. It has Albert Griffiths sing the high pitched voice as Prince Lincoln Thompson and others do. An early morning song is presented in 'Song In My Head'. Lighting up his spliff Albert starts the day with concentration to write his new song. Feeling irie he continued with 'This Spliff', the rocking vibration, sweet sensation he gets from the lick of his spliff is put in sound, played in reggae music. These three songs however do have a different sound from the core Gladiators songs we heard on earlier albums. This changes when we get to 'Ship Without A Captain'. The equivalent of Peter Tosh's 'Lessons In My Life', in the way it has Albert summing up a number of sad messages. "Please hear the voice of my cry, because I'm in distress. All of my days I've been wishing and hoping. Working so hard for a change to come, yes, but nothing ever comes my way, my days always filled with rain. Like a motherless child, no one seems to care". Beautiful lyrics for anyone who has ever felt alone. Connecting this to another musician who has felt the same he sings 'Fussing And Fighting'. It is nice to hear this strong song on all the wrongdoing in the world recorded in good quality, as Bob never re-recorded it in his later life. One might reckon that the next song is also a Bob Marley cover, regarding the title 'One Love', but it is not. Clinton Fearon chants that equal rights and justice is no where to be found. "Remember we are children of the universe", as he sings the 'New Song', with a "new vibe". The first two tunes of 'Run Dem' can remind one of 'Trench Town', from Bob Marley. It is completely different, although the messages brought to us are quite similar to many of those of Bob. Reggae To Bone does actually not contain more than eight songs. This is where we turn to two songs that I have added, taken from the collection album Full Time. Songs on that album have been gathered throughout the 80's, recorded but not included on any album. 'I'm Not Crying', "I'll soon be on my feet again", is a song about not giving up, sung by Clinton Fearon. Then, taken as the title song from the album, is 'Full Time'. As in Bob Marley's 'Nice Time', it is Albert telling a woman he does not want to wait in vain for a nice time, which has been a long time ago.
"Rastaman, is the 'Symbol Of Reality'". It is also what the album is called, and we are still in 1982. Again The Gladiators won't dissapoint us. "Dread natty dread, we a congo nyah". True Gladiator fans will remark that the Bob Marley, or rather Wailing Wailers cover features early in this album. Later on we will find another one. 'Small Axe', also covered by UB40, but left more to its original sound by The Gladiators if we compare the two. The Symbol Of Reality album was now produced on a new label, Nighthawk. They produced an album containing songs of several artists, with The Gladiators playing 'Small Axe'. After 'Fussing And Fighting' on Reggae To Bone, we have 'Bumping And Boring' on Symbol Of Reality. Then a very important track on the album, 'Cheater' which has been rerecorded as it originally features as 'Big Boo Boo Day' on Bongo Red, describing a girl being what we would call a 'golddigger'. "Woman, I didn't know, you were a cheater, when you see money, your eyes begin to shine". Saying that this way of going around from post to post, is a big disgrace. The reggae vibe in the song is irresistible. The Gladiators found another song in their earlier career to be retaken for this album, with a notably slower pace, 'Watch Out'. Originally recorded in the Rocksteady era, at first it might sound quite weird if you are more familiar with the earlier version. "Backbiter/weak-heart where will you run to when natty dread a come", reminding us of Peter Tosh his 'Downpresser Man'. 'Mister Goose' teaches us what happens when the rice won't swell, when the mouse is away, because he sings, you are never too old to learn. It has a more unworrying tune than the former 'Watch Out', and the next 'Streets Of Gold', which is a new recording of the song which we had heard as 'Roots Natty' on Bongo Red and as 'Dreadlocks The Time Is Now' on Proverbial Reggae. "Learn the truth and rights of the wisdom, which is love and overstanding". 'Righteous Man' is an good track. It had been recorded earlier and can be found on Bongo Red. Even more excellent is the version Albert sings of 'Stand Alone'. We all know that Bob his take of the song has quite a poor quality. Ziggy Marley, Bob's eldest son, would in 1993 record 'There She Goes'. The cover that The Gladiators perform her is very beautiful, helped by the marvelous songwriting that Bob had done. The Gladiators won't give up the fight in 'Not Afraid To Fight', ending another sweet album. In 1982 the Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay featured The Gladiators and Israel Vibration taking turns singing songs. Israel Vibration is a group that we will come to in a later edition of the Crucial Reggae blog. The Gladiators performed six songs. The live album then contains another four songs that were on the Back To Roots album. As I have drawn a strict line between studio and live albums, it features on Live At Reggae Sunsplash. Bob Marley's 'War' does not feature on Gladiator Studio albums. Live At Reggae Sunsplash's original album cover which formerly included Israel Vibration has been redesigned by Schalk "Irie" Burger.
Reggae Jamboree, an album that will need a little further explanation. The album itself does not exist. I have combined songs from two albums, and two separate singles. The first five songs come from an 1984 album of Don Carlos, Gold and The Gladiators, called Showdown 3. The first five songs on that album are played by Don Carlos and Gold, whereas the second five songs are of The Gladiators. Then, The Gladiators made the US Tour LP for Nighthawk in 1983. Two songs are the dub versions of other songs on the album, and two songs feature on other Gladiator albums. We will come to the added singles in the end. First we start with 'A Nuh Everything'. What a song! "Take it as a lesson, make it be a warning, make it be a guiding star, along the way", is how the song opens. Beautiful harmonies follow. With a strong sound we are introduced to 'That Nuh Right'. "We need to break away from this feeling of pain, covetousness. In these two first songs on this album we realize why we enjoy the Gladiators so much. For the next song, 'Can't Stop Righteousness', The Gladiators simply continue that trend. 'Can't Stop Righteousness' is played as a special request on Live In San Francisco, a 1983 live album on which Don Carlos and Mikey General enter the stage to fill 'Hello Carol'. After three powerful songs we find a love song, 'Call Me If You Need Me'. Even here, a message does not lack a message, "no man is an island", a Jimmy Cliff quote. Although at first not easy to make out, Albert sings 'You Can Say That I'm Lying' on the fifth track. I remind you that we then move on to the US Tour LP, for 'Reggae Jamboree', that has a drifting reggae tune. "Lively up yourself" is what we are told. Frankly it is opposite of what we expect from reggae. Here, the vibe is quite sad, though the lyrics are positive. That can not be said for 'Prince Tony's Head'. Prince Tony Robinson had been the producer for The Gladiators in their former years. With the release of Reggae To Bone he had stolen and copied the tracklist and released it. On the Full Time album the track had been named 'You Little Rat'. Clearly, Albert sings about Tony being a backstabber, appearing nice but filthy behind their back. However, we must not forget that Clinton Fearon recognized in an interview that Tony has had quite a deal in producing the early Gladiator sound on their Virgin label albums. Returning to the tracklist of Reggae Jamboree we stumble upon a true gem in reggae music, unknown to the public. It is a single that Albert Griffiths recorded, not with the other Gladiators but with the I-Tones, 'Sorrow'. Clinton Fearon would soon leave the group to pursue a solo career, but Albert kept recording under The Gladiators, which is why I have added his single to this album. Listen to the sweet tone of the song, it is simply incredible. Anyone who has ever felt just a little alone will enjoy the song. 'Mass Charley' is the other single, which was made in 1983. I can not grasp why The Gladiators have never included it on any album. We will get more familiar with the subject "susu" on a later album.
"Today you hear this, tomorrow you here that". We move a few months ahead in time and find Serious Thing, a genuine studio album of The Gladiators. 'Serious Thing' itself is a good track on the confusion caused by hearsay. It is a good opening for an album that contains a few nice Gladiators songs. On Peace Truce we had heard 'My Thoughts', which The Gladiators deemed good enough for a reappearance on Serious Thing. This is the case for a total of five songs on the album, excluding those songs added by me. Personally I am quite glad that The Gladiators did that, as the quality of Gladiator recordings in the the end 60's and early 70's was nearly not as good as it was in 1984. 'Fling It Gimme' is the second retake. As these songs have been created quite early in The Gladiators existence they naturally have the old roots sound. The same goes for 'Rearrange'. As in 'Can You Imagine How I Feel' on Proverbial Reggae and 'Ship Without A Captain', The Gladiators pray for a better time to come. 'Mid-Range' asks for us to wake up, be on our guard in the time that we are living in. It is obvious to see now that this is one of The Gladiators central themes. The 'Freedom Train' we listened to on the collection album with the same title containing earlier work is repeated here, with a more lively sound. We actually hear a train rushing through after forty seconds. "An hungry man is an angry man, A wicked man is a wicked one. But a righteous man, is a righteous one". Then Albert sums up how some people have different foundations, in 'Good Foundation'. The track 'After You', just as 'Good Foundation', has a fitting sound to the other retakes on the album. However, it is not a lengthy song. Just as the Reggae To Bone album, Serious Thing contains no more than eight songs. Consecutively I have added another three. As the album features a number of re-recordings I have made 'Boy In Long Pants' the ninth track. As well as the next, it featured on Full Time. 'Bongo Red', or 'Mix Up', recorded in a different style, needs no introduction. These tracks fit the album as there are quite a number of old songs in new jackets.
Albert Griffiths was left by Clinton Fearon around 1985 after a tour they did together with Yabby You, as the group formerly had been his back-up band, calling themselves The Prophets. Part of this tour, just before the release of Country Living, was recorded as a live concert, Live In Arizona. Notable is the tribute to Bob Marley, playing 'War' first, after singing lines of 'Get Up Stand Up', 'Crazy Baldheads', 'No More Trouble', 'One Foundation', 'Lively Up Yourselves' and 'Exodus'. Back to the album, which starts with 'Country Living', displaying the way of live in the country. Having moved to and growing up in Kingston, the rough and tough life, The Gladiators were longing for the good old days. The Gladiators never received too much money from any of their recordings. It seems like a spell over reggae artists, that anything they would gain is recognition. This is where the roots music comes from and is what makes it a ghetto music. Bob Marley set an example how you could 'Rise And Shine'. We have Albert singing about it after 'Country Living'. He believes this can be achieved, as long as Jah 'Guide And Protect'. These things can not be rushed, "your time will come, that's why you must, 'Take Your Time', be patient. Following 'That Nuh Right' from Reggae Jamboree, introducing the proverbial blind man on the last album, Albert sings 'See And Blind', "hear and deaf", as "no one can hold you or frame you wrongfully, for what you didn't do nor say". We feel how Albert is firmly grasps on to the roots sound in the era where dancehall became the popular genre. The same can be said for 'Easy Squeeze', a sad, down to earth cry, where The Gladiators once again bring that strong and firm reggae sound. Listening to the first fifteen seconds of 'Gone Already', try to recognize the Bob Marley vibe. After starting to sing "yes me friend, me good friend, me depon' street again" in the back of your head, you will find that The Gladiators choose for different lyrics to the melody and background vocals of 'Duppy Conquerer', not 'Mr Brown' as it says on reviews elsewhere of this album. In 'Mass Charley' we heard about 'Susu'. Another word for "hearsay". Fighting against one another, backstabbing, is destructive, that is what 'Susu' is about. "Help your brothers instead of criticizing, "think about your brothers as yourself". 'Take It Or Leave It'. Focus on moving forward, what has happened, has happened, no need to mourn about that. Here to the message is to look out for your brother. Concluding an album that deserves its title, with a nice country, roots style, we listen to 'Give Me Your Love', a romantic song, which still contains a strong reggae sound, including a good bass line.
On this album you will hear that the instruments used are more modern. It was produced on the Heartbeat label in 1988. From here onward we will find Albert sing about love on his albums more often. 'Give It Up Willing' can be seen as the follow up of the last song on the previous album. Obviously it is a Gladiator love songs, a strong one though, with much feeling. There is a good feel for rhythm in the chorus. Now that Clinton Fearon has left, Albert sings the 'question and answer' fully by himself. For the Caribbean influence in the city, 'New York' features. Surprised by the title of the song we might be, so Albert introduces the song, telling us he is going to sing a song about the city. It seems that he liked to have seen a place so different from Jamaica. He sings about Broadway and the fashion and elegance of the city. We notice the continuing love mentioning also in 'Make It Work'. But "love is here to stay", although we can here from the lyrics from the song that there is quite some doubt on whether the feeling is mutual. Feeling sick, a girl gave Griffiths the finishing touch, after providing him with 'Vitamine A & C'. Getting sick and being cured. By now you can predict the first tune used for the songs on this album. For playing reggae music, your heart cannot be corrupt but must be pure. Also, 'Clean Hands', as a figure of speech, is a prerequisite. With freedom of speech, praises to Jah are made, on the rhythm of the beat. "He was going around, trying to find some food to eat, when he was shot by a 'Careless Gun'". We turned back to one of the original messages of fighting street delinquency with this track. It shows some resemblance to 'Johnny Was' of Bob Marley. "Young man take heed, the time is near. Open up your heart, and let Jah in". 'On TV' is a song where The Gladiators shine their light on technology of the day, television. The stirring tone we hear throughout the song gives a fine feel to it. It first sets in after 36 seconds. "A tooth for a tooth, a knife for a knife", what goes around comes around, in reggae "what comes up, must come down. "Don't rob and cheat what don't belong to you". The Gladiators have not lost us, although the sound has shifted. 'Merciless Pay', it reflects on how we treat one another. A tribute to Jah is given in 'The Holy Hill', also giving their opinion on ignorance. Where often the title song of an album is the first number, on 'In Store For You' it features last. It is quite clear that Albert has something on his mind. It reminds us of Peter Tosh's "anything you can do, I can do it better" in 'I'm The Toughest'.
1989, one year after In Store For You, we move on to see that On The Right Track is up next. Please note that the quality of the album anywhere else on the internet is by far not as good as it is here. The tracks skip tunes throughout the songs and have a background noise that seriously annoys. With special thanks to Laura Cyrek we can enjoy a good quality album. We have to head the right way, not confuse ourselves, choose the way we want to, take a 'Right Turn'. He brings us 'Must Come True'. With the right underplaying music it turns out to be a brilliant Gladiator track. "Jah break these chains and set me free, no more living in poverty", "when trouble come our way, we go greet it with a smile, no matter how it tough, we know we, we will come true. Jah is our light, he will guide us along the way". 'It's Now Or Never'. For those who don't recognize it, the song is a cover from Elvis Presley. It does not give the reggae feeling that other songs do. We have heard similar lines of "getty no want it and wanty no get it" before sung by The Gladiators, and by others too. in 'Getty Getty' we hear it once more. Albert finds himself stuck, or rather 'Caught In The Middle'. Where normally a remake of a song later in the career of reggae artists features them played on a slower pace of tune, 'Stick A Bush', here 'Big Or Small', sounds like the song on Proverbial Reggae but with a faster beat. We hear a new track with 'On The Right Track'. And what a track it is! Albert Griffiths shows his poetic side. "All we see is sorrow and pain, all live day long, and we keep asking the question, times and times again. Are we to blind to see, afraid or what. The truth cause offense they say, but we know, and a sin. Speak the truth and speak it ever, cause its what it will. He who hide the wrong he did, will do the wrong thing still. Throw down you arms we don't want no more stunts, why practice war yes. Which only lies ahead pain and sorrows, and we don't want that. We want to be on the right track". Marching soldiers for Jah sing 'Pharoa House'. The Gladiators in their younger years had sung the background vocals for Yabby You on 'King Pharoah's Plague'. We are being told that pretending is bad, which we knew from the Bongo Red album. A more roots like song we hear when turning on 'Proverbial Stick', which is as good as the title track. If it would have been made much earlier by The Gladiators it would have fitted Proverbial Reggae majestically. 'Cool Breeze' is retake of 'Muss Muss Tail', one of the lesser known earlier songs of The Gladiators which can be found on Live Wire, originally established by The Ethiopians.
I hope you did not get tired yet of the different 'Bongo Red' versions, as it is what the 1991 Gladiators album Valley Of Decision starts with. Please forgive Albert Griffiths for that. Extra sound effects have been added on the take of this version. After two minutes and forty seconds a lyrical tweak is added as well. He makes up for repeating 'Bongo Red' with 'Consciousness', in which he asks Jah for mercy and guidance, following the road of life chosen On The Right Track, pointing out that every man chooses his own path. Tired of being surrounded by hypocrites, slave drivers and murderers 'Valley Of Decision' is being sung. Be aware that where The Gladiators would earlier be associated with Bob Marley, singing several covers and matching his sound, Valley Of Decision is closer related to Peter Tosh. "Running to the rock for a hiding place" and asking "where will you run?" on the title track. A happy tune is being heard in 'Bad Habit', were we are told to control our actions and beware of the wrongs we should not commit.'Dog Bite', a beautiful track, reminds us of many of the messages Peter Tosh shared with the world. Apart from the title itself, close to, "be careful of who you eat with, be careful who you tell your plans. They will eat and drink with you, then they susu on you. Your enemies cannot hurt you, it's your friend who always let you down". And "then they bite you like vampires". "Be wise and take your time", 'Take Heed', because "what comes up, must come down". 'Take Heed' is a song too, telling to take our time when we are in a hurry, "haste make waste", and has Albert chanting like time stood still. For that it is why we appreciate him as a 'Songwriter'. "When things get rough on you, don't just sit down and cry. Listen to my song, you will be nice". The song itself might not be the best Gladiator song, though the message that is brought to us is wonderful. "where you gonna run, where you gonna hide". As I have said before, where earlier albums had some Bob Marley sound lingering through it, Valley Of Decision pays a tribute to Peter Tosh. 'Mr. Wicked Man' definitely does exactly that. From the 'Mark Of The Beast' to the lyrics of 'Downpresser'. 'Walk Foot Man', a completely different melody, lyrically it is very similar to 'Naturality'. From a positive perspective, it is amazing how The Gladiators can make these songs sound so different from one another. Good 'Manners And Intelligence' are highly respected by Albert, singing about those who do not posses it, respect and politeness are taught. Related to the issues mentioned in 'Consciousness' we have 'Tricks' a fair and good sounding melody. 'Beware' is more of a dub used by The Gladiators to tell us a message, rather than sing.
At a steady pace The Gladiators continue to bring us new albums. Through the years we have seen their style change slightly, but considering the circumstances they have kept their reggae to its roots. A True Rastaman is a title capturing that idea. "'No Rice & Peas' for dinner tonight, because the people can't afford the price". I have earlier mentioned the movie Life & Debt in the edition of Bob Marley. Those who have watched it will know about the economic situation in Jamaica at the time. 'Let's Face It' is a reflection on time. Listening to the upfull melody, at first some happy thoughts might spring to mind. However, as is usual in reggae, the text is far from that. We live in a difficult time of killing, weeping and mourning, but we must prepare and move on to improve and "get ourselves together". A wise saying, 'Think Twice', which Albert apparently was taught by his grandmother. The idea is to think twice before you say yes to something. "Love is in the air", something that Albert has not kept hidden lately. For all the good things in life, he sings 'Sea Breeze'. Here, we have a genuine track that celebrates life, without facing any hardships, let's enjoy and rejoice. 'Heart On Fire' further describes the way he feels, with a wink to Eric Donaldson, singing "cherry oh baby", a song that by then had been covered by The Rolling Stones and UB40. The Gladiators too made an anti-apartheid song, although "apartheid" itself is not mentioned. The album was made in 1992, two years before the National Party in 'South Africa' would loose their power. Although understanding the decision for titling the album, 'A True Rastaman' is not the strongest track on the album. It does however explains that A Rastaman plays his game fair, does not "mix up, mix up" and loves everyone. A faster pace is taken that is not natural to The Gladiators. 'Giddie Head', asking "what's the matter with you", again quite different, adding to the variety of sounds The Gladiators produce. Feeling love run through his veins, 'Every Moment' focuses on his relation with a woman. 'Every Moment', although being a love song, shares a rough reggae vibe. 'One Way Ticket', having the pace of 'Giddie Head', for me falls into the same category as 'A True Rastaman'
In 1994 it was The Storm that was brought to us. It's original album cover is quite hard to get hold of. It is not a bad album, compared to the previous few. Deeply in love the album starts with the song 'Lovin You'. We can notice that reggae love songs are different from conventional love songs. When fond of reggae music it can be a nice twist to the genre. Incorporating some earlier lyrics in 'Cuss Cuss' we hear about susu and mix up. It is also meant as a love song, although slightly different from 'Lovin You'. "Let's teach the youth the way to live", 'Community' reflects on juvenile delinquency, and in it's lyrics we can be reminded of the lyrics of Black Roots. It is a very strong and vivid song that again teaches us that The Gladiators kept it real, relating to their early roots. "Cause rules must be from the start in our community, to teach the young man on the street to play and stop from doing wrong". "'Fools Rush In', never know what he was running too", the song can be categorized in the same way as 'Community'. Regardless of what comes next, these first songs pay in the expectation of a fresh new Gladiator album. For the next song you will be able to guess the subject, as it is called 'Reggae Music'. Here Albert actually sings to us he feels that the music has to be played in the roots style, "play it in the roots rock way". 'The Storm' gets whispered to us, singing about the rain, the stars, the storm and rocky roads. 'Hello Carol', oh no, named 'Hello My Love' on The Storm, is slightly uptempo compared to the earlier song on Trenchtown Mix Up. It is the only song on the album that we knew beforehand. There is no Bob Marley cover on this album. Instead, 'Love Got The Power', which is as beautiful as any Marley song. "I don't want to see you get hurt any more", "loving people never fight". The song should be better known around the world as a anti-war song if it was up to me. 'Rewind', has Albert celebrating the music genre once again, similarly to 'Reggae Music' that we heard earlier on the album, which is probably why it is named 'Rewind'. The sun is energy, Albert agrees, singing 'Sun Comes Out', and tells us to rise and shine, not to let ourselves down. In 1994 another Gladiators live album has been recorded. On Live In Grenoble we hear a beautiful trembling on Bongo Red and some songs from later albums we have not heard live yet.
Although 8 years later released again as Day Of Harvest, and more widely known as such, we discuss the 1996 album as The Cash, which is its original title. The two albums contain exactly the same songs, although the order of tracks is different. As it is on The Cash, we start with 'The Cash'. As long as you have the money, a girl will go out with you. Albert has distributed that specific view before, having sung "when you see money, your eyes begin to shine" on 'Cheater'. 'Phangs Of Hell', a good track, on which we hear a number of reggae related proverbs. "All the youths are crying, feeling the phangs of hell, no food to eat, no money to spend", introducing the leading subject of the song. "You know well, and I know too, no birds can not fly on one wing" "a hungry man is an angry". "Help me today, I help you tomorrow, in this way we will both survive". Another beautiful melody fills our ears as 'Man Of Stone' starts to play. "Where's your heart, man of stone" is asked, not understanding those who seem to have no heart. It is quite remarkable to hear such good roots reggae songs in this time, as 'feel good reggae' has taken over the role of original roots reggae. Different from the previous songs in sound, Albert is on his conquest to protect 'Life'. After having listened to as much reggae as this, there is no need for me to explain what 'Jah Conquering Lion' is meant for. The same is true for 'Jah Is The Man' and 'The Kingdom Of Jah'. These are three tracks in which The Gladiators hail the word of Jah. The first is purely about the attributes of Him, where the second is also a plea to love and life in the same way as the previous song, 'Life'. 'The Kingdom Of Jah' has Albert introduce the track in a very similar style to Ijahman Levi, another Kingston dweller. 'The Kingdom Of Jah' is the strongest track of these three. Albert expands on the lyrics that open the song, testifying he will sing alone unto Jah in the morning time, at noon and at evening time. 'Trail Bound' is a song about finding a specific girl and bringing her home. It is very different in contrast to the previous three songs that celebrated Jah. 'Slow Down' repeats the line of Marley's 'Wake Up And Live', but it is a very good track in itself. We are advised to slow down for once and take our time, as it was on 'Take Heed' on Valley Of Decision. The chorus really does stick around in your mind. The same is true for 'Day Of Harvest'. It is actually imaginable why this would be a better album title when looking at the tracklist. We end with Albert defending himself in 'Big Ginal'. We hear Alive & Fighting, a live album set released one year later. The Gladiators understand that their fans are in need of hearing the songs from the late 70's.
Writing the Strong To Survive album in 1999, Albert has a good feeling he expresses in 'Jah Glory', attributing the feeling to Jah. "I can feel Jah, in my corner, every day now, in every way now". 'Riddle Me Dis' has Albert chanting over a dub track, creating the different style he sings about. "Rastaman vibration" it is for 'Big Fish', a song that was recorded on the live Sold Out tour that they ran from 1997 to 1999. On that album they start with the 'Big Fish' track. It has a drifting reggae tune, similar in feeling to 'Reggae Jamboree'. 'Sister Ruby' is asked what she is doing to night, as Albert has got two tickets for Broadway tonight. We had previously heard that he had been there, having listened to 'New York' on In Store For You. His plan is to dance with her on the music that will be played there. You will find that the title of the supposedly title track differs slightly from the album name, 'Strength To Survive'. "Give me strength to be strong, so I can climb those hills", slowly Albert chants on to ask Jah to stand by his side. 'Not In My Life Before', a soft and sound mellow reggae tune. In a new jacket, we here 'Struggle', named 'Thorns & Pickle', faster, but also softer in a way. We do miss the sound of Clinton Fearon backing up Albert Griffiths. "War will got to stop" in 'New World Order', addressing the president, prime ministers and all Jamaicans. The Gladiators felt like redoing another one of there famous older songs, 'Thief In The Night', calling it 'Watch And Pray'. The message has not changed, and is still eminent to the time in which it is song. It is not to be confused with the same titled song that The Congos recorded later. A true love song, leaving the spheres of reggae, therefore quite alternative, 'The Winner'. Where The Gladiators seemed to adore Bob Marley early on in their career, they have shifted the attention slightly to Peter Tosh like titles, especially here with 'Frying Pan'. The melody is completely different from that of Peter's, but the message it brings is quite similar. It retains the reggae sound quite drastically compared to the previous 'The Winner'. One might even argue that Albert looks quite like Peter on the album cover of Strong To Survive.
The album that we are going to discuss next is one that we will enjoy to the fullest as it has a couple of fine vibes and lyrics. It is the album that brings The Gladiators into the 21st century. 'Trouble' sets it off immediately, where the music is good and so is the mumbling singing voice of Albert Griffiths. It is a soft tune setting in for a good album. We can hear how Albert his voice aged over the years. We find out that 'Something A Gwaan' itself is quite a happy track. That can not be said for 'Slim Thing', and we hear that Albert has not lost his feeling for the roots just yet. Although it is another love track, this is what we expect from him. The chorus will linger on in your mind. To present us some variety we have 'Hug Me Up', played on a ska rhythm. Both these two songs were played during the concert Live In Paris. Albert is 'Sick And Tired', not literally, but he is fed up with tribal war, brothers killing brothers, all around the world. He asks "'Hold Me Jah' don't let me go, through the days through all the nights, even in my sleep. Cast away those evil spells, give I eyes to see, what is right from what is wrong". We are truly grateful that Albert lived to prolong such a long musical career. We do however hear that his voice has grown older, in 'The Bull'. The female background vocalist are very present on 'Follow You'. The song 'Reggae Genius' attacks the stereotyping of rasta, being compared with a monkey or baboon. The "my brain is bigger than yours" line we had heard previously on 'Mass Charley'. Also 'Head To My Toe' can be heard on the Live In Paris album.
Once Upon A Time In Jamaica. 2002 had The Gladiators produce yet another album. This album starts of to be more tinted towards modern reggae, where later on some good roots tracks feature on it.. Singing to his brothers and sisters, telling them that there is no reason to fight nor to live in pain, in 'Jah Garden'. Having a woman by his side he then continues to sing 'Good Good Loving'. "The train is blowing", and the 'War Is Over', so we have time to love one another. Writing a letter, singing it out loud in 'Lonely Heart'. The next song is for I & I, and for everyone, we hear Albert sing. 'Babe And Suckling' has a more serious tone than the previous tracks, mentioning methods of communication to spread the music, reggae music to rock our bones. "The hotter the battle, the sweeter Jah victory", "he who have ears will live to hear, and he who have eyes will live to see. Jah is my light, my salvation". 'Trial & Crosses' is a track that can be found on Live In Belém, and only there. It is a live album from 2007. 'World Gone Made', which we heard on Live Wire is reproduced to feature as 'Unite' on Once Upon A Time In Jamaica. It also features on Live In Belém. 'Red Hot' is about trouble caused by mix up and hearsay. 'Determination' teaches us that you should keep on trying, never give up, "where there is a will, there must be a way". Sharing his love for Jah, Griffiths sings 'Wicked Man'. As you have found, this album lacks a title track. However, an extra eleventh track song has been added by me. Paint It Black is a tribute album by reggae artist celebrating the career of the Rolling Stones. Fans will recognize the cover version from the Gladiators of 'Time Is On My Side', which was covered by the Rolling Stones in 1964, after originally being written by Jerry Ragovoy.
Although not the last Gladiators album, it is the last album that Albert Griffiths will sing on, as he turns the reins of the group over to his two sons, singer Al Griffiths and drummer Anthony Griffiths. Both are prominently featuring on Father And Sons, which was released in 2002. The harmony with his song is displayed right away on the first track 'Promise Me', which has a good sound and a chorus on which the two sing together. "Speak the truth always" is the message. "Jah is my guide, my salvation, who shall I be afraid of", 'Can't Get Around Me' is a good duo tune between Albert and Al, singing a song to Jah. It is for these sort of tracks that we have kept listening to The Gladiators. Likewise, the mellow 'Captivity' is a nice tune to listen to. 'Bull Buck', "duppy conquerer", "water out of your fire", another nice combination of generations. The tremble of 'Mercifull' reveals a track on which Al Griffiths shows that he can take over his fathers stick in the future. The last love track that we will ever hear from Albert, since it is his last album, is 'Holding On'. Ready to 'Attack' as a true Gladiator, the seventh track on the album. In a dream it was seen that better days are coming, so "keep the fire burning", 'Jumping' for love, joy and Jah. Sadly, we have to say Albert 'Farewell', a track which he sings at the cutting edge of Father And Sons. For this track he leaves the reggae genre, to say to us goodbye after more than three decades of The Gladiators. The lead vocals of 'Good Old Days' come from his son. He sings about the lack of love, tenderness, shared feeling, kindness, sincerity and equality. In the same year The Gladiators performed in Brazil, At Salvador Bahia, on which they perform three Bob Marley covers after which they end with paying a tribute to Jacob Miller of Inner Circle, singing his 'Tenement Yard' in style.
In 2009 The Gladiators would produce Continuation, where Al Griffiths completely takes responsibility for the lead vocals, rather than his father. It is an interesting album for those who want to hear how The Gladiators continue in a somewhat different fashion, as Al is not the same singer as Albert, although we have heard previously in Father And Sons that his voice is quite similar. The album contains nine new tracks, and one reproduction of an earlier song. It starts with 'Good Over Evil', in which Al casts away evil spells. In the process of finding righteousness he wants to 'Teach The Children'. To understand what he wants them to be taught, listen to 'My Vision', in which Al Griffiths sings about his dream. No matter what others say, regardless of the obstacles in his way, he will reach his goal, guided by Jah. 'Hey Girl', a song by Gallimore Sutherland, shows slight similarities in musical sound to that of 'Jane', on Live Wire, one of the collection albums. We had not heard Gallimore Sutherland sing lead vocals since his 'Can't Stop Natty Dread' on Freedom Train, another collection album. Sutherland continues to sing 'Seek And Find', which does have a roots like sound. "Some day you will find what you are looking for". 'Today Is For You', comes from the original 'Seven Times To Rise'. Al Griffiths sings it somewhat in a different fashion, but those who have listened closely to the collection albums will recognize it from Watch Out. Wisdom, knowledge and overstanding have been given to Al, as he sings in 'Jah Bless Me With Something'. The hypocrites are left with knothing. Gallimore sings 'Happy Children', concluding the three songs he sings the lead vocals of on this album. "'Repatriation' is a must", one of the central themes in reggae. Al Griffiths starts 'What You Worry About' with similar lyrics to his dad's 'Greatest Love' on Naturalirty, which ends the extensive discography of The Gladiators.
The Gladiators - Back On Tracks
01. Bongo Red
02. Bellyfull
03. Hello Carol
04. Ghetto Life
05. Burning And Looting
06. It Takes Time
07. Jah Works
08. Looks Is Deceiving
09. Battle Of The Beast
10. Faith
11. Naturality
12. Dreadlocks The Time Is Now
13. My Rights
14. Lion Roars
Together with another Jamaican artist, Droop Lion. Rather than having the title as The Gladiators ft. Droop Lion, I feel that making a whole album with The Gladiators kind of makes you a Gladiator as well. Exactly half of the songs here are re-recordings of well known Gladiator hits. On this album I have edited the fading of many tracks, as some end very abruptly and unnatural. The album starts with one of the long time Gladiator favourites, 'Bongo Red'. This song we had heard previously on Bongo Red, Serious Thing and Valley Of Decision. An extra line is added at the end of the song, which sounds "natty gone international, natty gone worldwide". 'Bellyfull' is also well known. I suppose everyone listening to The Gladiators knows this track from Trenchtown Mix Up. 'Hello Carol' is found on Peace Truce, also on Trenchtown Mix Up and on Gladiators. The first original song on this album is 'Ghetto Life'. The song has a Ska-like pace. 'Burning And Looting' is the title of a Bob Marley song as well, but the song that The Gladiators perform is much different. 'It Takes Time' to let go, a new addition in the discography of The Gladiators. Most will know that 'Jah Works' is not a new song, but The Gladiators have thrown a new jacket around this song for sure, and it fits well. The original version of the song is found on Proverbial Reggae. On Trenchtwon Mix Up features 'Looks Is Deceiving', and now it is found on Back On Tracks too. Again, the song sounds different and definitely not bad at all. Squeeking as if it were an old track sounds in 'Battle Of The Beast', singing about Jesus Christ and Selassie I. In both they have 'Faith', the name of the song that follows up. 'Faith' is a very strong track, arguably their best new song on this album. For one thing, they have done a good job in making an coherent album containing both old and new. Two old melodies come after 'Faith'. 'Naturality' is taken from the album with the same name. That track had been reissued before as 'Walk Foot Man' on Valley Of Decision. 'Dreadlocks The Time Is Now' is from the album before Naturality, Proverbial Reggae. "The cup is full and running over", "here is 'My Rights' I say, in your hands". The 'Lion Roars' to end of this album with an instrumental track.
Rocksteady Albums
««««¶ (1966 - 1975) Live Wire
««««¶ (1966 - 1975) Freedom Train
««««¶ (1966 - 1975) Watch Out
««««¶ (1966 - 1975) Peace Truce
««««¶ (1966 - 1975) Bongo Red
Reggae Albums
««««« (1976) Trenchtown Mix Up
««««« (1978) Proverbial Reggae
««««« (1979) Naturality
««««« (1979) Sweet So Till
««««« (1980) Gladiators
««««« (1982) Back To Roots
««««« (1982) Reggae To Bone
««««« (1982) Symbol Of Reality
««««« (1984) Reggae Jamboree
««««« (1984) Serious Thing
««««« (1985) Country Living
««««« (1988) In Store For You
««««« (1989) On The Right Track
««««« (1991) Valley Of Decision
««««« (1992) A True Rastaman
««««« (1994) The Storm
««««« (1996) The Cash
««««« (1999) Strong To Survive
««««« (2000) Something A Gwaan
««««« (2002) Once Upon A Time In Jamaica
««««« (2004) Father And Sons
««««« (2009) Continuation
««««« (2014) Back On Tracks
Original Date Of Publishing: December 2012
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ReplyDeleteWhat a majestic work. Thank you so much for sharing culture. I will email you to request some albums. Thanks again and blessings mi friend!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Thanks for all the extensive info ! Gladiators are playing in Vienna next week and Im introducing them on my radio show so this is well helpful. Soooo looking forward to seeing them live, what a treat - and how amazing are they, still going and touring, just like LSP. Bless <3
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