PRINCE FAR I Vinyl & CDs

Review: Prince Far I's debut album was originally released in 1976 and produced by Lloydie Slim. It's a powerful and spiritual work in the roots and lovers rock world and features Far I chanting Psalms and prayers over heavyweight rhythms including reworks of Alton Ellis' 'Truly,' Ronnie Davis' 'Power of Love' which was also used on Horace Andy's 'You Are My Angel', and the thunderous 'Jah Jah Jahovia.' Although previously reissued over a decade ago, this new edition comes with original artwork and is pressed from fresh stampers made using the original mother plates. The result is a deep, full sound that faithfully captures the richness of the original Jamaican mastering.

Review: Prince Far I worked with Joe Gibbs's house band The Professionals on Under Heavy Manners, his 1976 full-length recorded at Gibbs's studio in Kingston, Jamaica. Gibbs composed all of the tracks bar one from Errol Thompson and it is generally considered one of his finer works. His messages throughout his career were always focussed on social and political issues and lend this album its extra lyrical edge on top of the killer rhythms. It's been a hard to find gem over the years now the originals are uplifted by a selection of new tunes and dubs. A real doozy for fans old and new.