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Music: SAMMY DREAD
Record date : 1982 Playlist
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Producer : Soljie Hamilton Vocals : Sammy Dread Studios
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Looking at the animated cover of this album, you might think that the material contained within is vibrant, fun, and freewheeling. You might also think that Propecia is a Mediterranean island. Quite simply, Road Block put me to sleep. There's little life to either the vocals -- which have a generic medium high-pitched Horace Andy/Barry Brown type of air -- or the music -- which consists of re-hashed rhythms (classics, but a bit overly familiar at times). The slow, rumbling catchy title track is undoubtedly the best-known of the bunch (remade by Shinehead on his Praises album), but the lovers-edged "So Long" might be the best tune on the album. "In a Man's Heart" and "Come Back Darling" are both decent, but they are merely decaf when what is called for is a double tall mocha grande latte frappaccino to keep you awake. It all just sounds so half-hearted and familiar. This album knows its style -- early pre-digital dancehall utilizing old rhythms versioned umpteen times on the Channel one label -- and it sticks to it to the end . . . the plodding, straight-laced, predictable end. I'm not saying that Road Block is terrible (and I'm sure there are some who consider it to be a classic), but it's nothing that will jump up and grab you.
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