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CORNELL CAMPBELL

I SHALL NOT REMOVE 1975-1980

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1975-1980 - Blood and Fire - studio - discs:1

The producer Bunny "Striker" Lee, famous for the "flying cymbals" sounds developed by his drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis was an important figure during the 70's. Cornell Campbell started his career at the beginning of the 60's under Coxsone Dodd and will became the leader of the Uniques and later of the Eternals. After that he went solo and his professional relationship with Lee begun. By the middle of the 70's he started to gain some success. This compilation contains some of his most successful songs recorded for Lee. With the exception of the Dub of "Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm" produced by Winston Thompson and the Dub of "Hard Time" produced by "Ranking Joe" Jackson, the rest was all produced by Bunny. Blood and Fire label (great as always) adds to almost every tune its King Tubby dub. The compilation opens with two versions of "The Gorgon": "The Gorgon" (extended version) and "The Gorgon Speaks" (extended version). The first, based on Derrick Morgan's Rocksteady hit "The Conqueror", was recorded and voiced at Harry J Studio and later mixed by Tubby in his studio. The second cut was recorded at Harry J's and voiced and mixed at Tubby's. The second version provides a deeper approach than the first. With its "flying cymbals" pushed even harder, it is actually edgier and especially the Dub refurbishment makes it sound better. The third track is called "The Conquering Gorgon" and it is a version of the following track: the classic "Lion Of Judah" (extended version). These tracks were again recorded at Harry J's and voiced and mixed by Tubby at Tubby's. Follows "I Shall Not Remove" (extended version), a classic from Cornell recorded at Randy's and voiced and mixed by Tubby in his studio. The sixth track is another classic: the great "Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm" (extended version) again recorded at Harry J's and voiced and mixed at Tubby's by the owner. Follows "Forward Natty Dread", based on Delroy Wilson's Studio One Ska hit "King Pharaoah", recorded at Dynamic and voiced and mixed at Tubby's by Tubby. Follows "Dance In A Greenwich Farm" (extended version), recorded at Randy's by Errol Thompson and voiced and mixed at Tubby's by Tubby. This release presents "part two" as "The Chalice Blaze" featuring Dr. Alimantado and "part three" as "Dancing Roots", the Dub counterpart by Tubby and The Aggrovators. The nineth track is the five stars "Two Face Rasta" (extended version), a track again recorded at Harry J's, but voiced and mixed at Tubby's my Prince Phillip Smart. An amazing track. A classic. Stellar. Follows another strong track: "Righteous Rastaman" (extended version) again recorded at Harry J's and voiced and mixed by Tubby at Tubby's. The compilation closes with the stellar "Bandulu" with "part two" called "Hard Time" featuring Ranking Dread again recorded at Harry J's and voiced and mixed at Tubby's by Scientist. This a good compilation presenting some classics plus other material. But what shines here are the Dub B-sides provided by King Tubby. With his mixes, Lee's "flying cymbals" and in some cases highly strong lyrics, "I Shall Not Remove 1975-1980" is itself a compilation not to be missed.

NATTY DREAD ANTHOLOGY

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1973-1983 - Trojan - studio - discs:2

Cornell Campbell's (born in 1945) career started back in 1956 when he recorded his debut "My Treasure" for Coxsone Dodd. He was eleven years old. In 1966 he went back to the studio to record a couple of more tracks. In 1964 he joyned the Sensations. After this experience he moved to the Eternals. In 1972 Bunny Lee was impressed by Cornell and invited him to record. They cut some material but the success came in 1975 with "Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm", recorded at Harry J's Studio. This deserved hit came one year after Earl Zero's "None Shall Escape The Judgement", initially a song that Cornell should have sung, was passed to Johnny Clarke to deal with. At this point Cornell voiced an alternate take called "Gun Court Law". Followed by Clarke's "Joshua's Word". This sort of competition under Bunny's presence continued with Campbell's "The Gorgon Is The Ruler" (1975). So Clarke responded with "Move Out Of Babylon" and Campbell with "Dance In A Greenwich Farm" and "Duke Of Earl". Talking about full length sets, Cornell's debut came with "Cornell Campbell" in 1973. The second set called "Gorgon" was again produced by Bunny Lee and released in the UK in 1976. The "Stalowatt" set appeared in 1976, followed in 1978 by "Sweet Baby". After singing Lovers' and reality themes supported by the great Lee, Cornell faced the upcoming Dancehall late 70's sounds with the same strength. This fortysix tracks release covers the highlights of this soft voiced artist's career, giving us the opportunity to catch more than a glimpse of the material recorded by one of the often overlooked Roots figure of the golden age of the Jamaican music. Since this compilation covers ten (!) years it is interesting to get how Cornell's style remained the same through the changes that occurred during this long time. Faithfull to his own style, Cornell have been able to follow the musical changes of the decade without loosing his trademrk. The result was always high. From my point of view the late 70's songs are more powerfull and therefore interesting that those from the period around 1973 / 1975. But to appeciate them we can not avoid listening to the "early" efforts. A very good compilation indeed. The gems are two versions of the same track: "Press Along Natty Dread", produced by Lee (1976) and "Press Along Natty", produced by Tapper Zukie (1978). These songs are over the top. Like a shining thought along the road leading to the cliffs of Portland, Jamaica.