DILLINGER Vinyl & CDs

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record ever so slightly warped & light surface marks, otherwise in excellent condition***


Dillinger, real name Lester Bullock, is a prolific reggae artist from Jamaica. He was part of the second wave of DJ 'toasters' who rose to prominence during the mid '70s. He continued to record and perform, his last tour was in 2014 with Yellowman. His classic from 1978 'Dread No Warrior' originally appeared on the Gorgon label. With its classic roots reggae swagger, you can hear why this one is a favourite with the heads out there. Typically, there's a dub version over on the flip. Bullock was also known for starting his own label called Scandal Bag.

Review: Clash, first released in 1977, was one of a series of definitive reggae albums to highlight the eminence of the soundclash, in which two reggae or dancehall crews rig up opposing soundsystems in a face-to-face musical standoff. Fashioning this album after the competitive form, Dillinger's sparring partner in this case is 'Trinity' aka Wade Brammer, who was active during the 1970s and 80s. Trinity as Dillinger is best known for deejaying over reggae and dancehall numbers; Clash albums became very popular at the tail-end of the 1970s and into the next decade, with singers and deejays alike competing for status, track by track.