MAX ROMEO
CRAZY WORLD OF DUB
JRCD021

Max Romeo is blessed with one of the great roots voices to come out of the 1970’s Reggae Music scene.His work with the cream of Jamaica’s producers is testament to this.

Born Max Smith on the 22nd November 1944,St Ann,Jamaica. His first musical adventure was part of the vocal trio group The Emotions, alongside Lloyd Shakespeare and Kenneth Knight. Their first sessions were cut at W.I.R.L. studios in 1967, producing a hit in the form of ‘[ Buy You ] A Rainbow’.Later to be followed with ‘I Don’t Want to Let You Go’, ‘I Can’t Do No More’ and ‘Rude Boy Confession’.These hits were cut for Blonel Calnek who ran the Caltone label, then when he moved in 1968 to America, he introduced the group to his then protege Edward ‘Bunny’ Lee.Max cut some solo tracks with Bunny Lee,’Put Me in the Mood’,’My One Girl’ and ‘Walk into the Dawn’, which unfortunately were not commercial successes. It was around this time Max somewhat reluctantly, voiced a tune over Derrick Morgan’s ‘Hold You Jack’ rhythm that would become Max’s biggest hit ‘Wet Dream’.It reached No10 in the British Charts in 1969, and stayed their and around for 26 weeks.Its possibly lewd message,anchored the singer for sometime.

In many ways this would provide a reference point to people regarding Max’s career.His output in 1971 would provide the cynics,with classic cuts in his more favoured roots style.Such hits as ‘The Coming of Jah’, ‘Aily & Ailaloo’ ,’’Beardman Feast’ & ‘Rasta Bandwagon’ were cut for producer Winston ‘Niney' Holness, showing great promise of things to come.

1972 would see Max’s ‘Let the Power Fall on I’ tune being used by the PNP [ Peoples National Party ] in their election campaign. In 1975 his self produced ‘Revelation Time’ set was to prove another strong album.

His work with producer Lee Perry would produce strong cuts like ‘Public Enemy No1’ and lead through to 1975’s ‘local hit ‘Three Blind Mice’, culminating in the mighty 1976 album ‘War Ina Babylon’,One of the best roots albums of the 1970’s.

Max’s relationship with Bunny Lee continued throughout this period , when he was producing some of his best work.We have unearthed from the master tapes some classic lost cuts alongside some great unreleased material. Recorded when he was at the height of his creative powers and when his heavy roots message was at its most prevalent.

Max’s wide and varied career would also see him move to New York and record material for the Wackies label and where he become involved in the ill fated musical ‘Reggae’. Before he returned once more to Jamaica.We hope this slice of 1970’s magic will be put alongside his finest moments as we believe they deserve....

Respect Jah Floyd.

1.ETHIOPIAN ANTHEM.
Max works over the classic ‘Arti Bella’ rhythm.
Prophesying... ‘Beware what Babylon a sell ya’..
Wise words...

2.DIS DUB NHU FREE.
The first of many fresh rhythms on this set
that has not seen the light of day till now...

3.CRAZY WORLD OF DUB.
The ‘Tribal War’ rhythm again leads Max
to question a few moral happenings, and never
sounding more relevant, than in todays Political
climate.

4.DUB TROUBLE.
Max works over another fresh rhythm adding his
vocal reasoning..Trouble Indeed...

5.DUB DOWN ROME.
Biblical references are always at hand to
convey a story.Here.. ‘Daniel a mash down Rome’,
The small man rising against the oppressor...

6.DUB FOR MOSES.
This 1974 cut again uses the Bible
for lyrical inspiration....

7.DUBBING DANGEROUSLY.
Max works over the classic ‘Steppin Razor’ cut
and makes it his own...

8.TAKE DUB SERIOUS.
This Aggrovators rhythm in fine Steppers Style
provides the backdrop for the Max Romeo treatment...

9.DUB GANJA.
The Aggrovators again in fine form over which
Max speaks out for his rights to be a free ganja
smoking Rastaman...

10.LOVE THY DUB.
More wise words over yet another fresh rhythm,
sounding great...

11.THE DUB CLOCK.
Max works over ‘Clock’ rhythm which was also cut by
Mr John Holt.

12.DIS YA DUBWISE,KEEP YOU MOVING.
Max’s version of the ‘Keep Moving’ rhythm.This cut
has a great dubbed horn line and that great flying cymbals
sound.....

13.CAN’T HIDE FROM DUB.
The flying cymbals classic mid 1970 sound
gets another outing again on this fine Aggrovators rhythm.

14.DUB FOREVER.
Max chants that ‘music alone shall live’
breathing new life over the ‘legalise it’ rhythm.
Over cuts like these it can’t fail...