Just a quick post tonight for a tune I like since long but only recently got an original copy in my box.
Sir Collins was a London based sound system operator and producer since the early days of British reggae scene (he launched his Collins down beat label in 1967!).
The tune featured tonight came on another imprint in 1976 and is classic super roots material.
Slow pace, nice drumming, slavery repatriation themed lyrics, echo put to good use, all ingredients are there.
What makes this number special to me is the clarinet solo and ornaments on side A, and the thematic difference between the two sides.
Side A is about remembering the slavery days (basically : they take us from Africa, "can't you remember" somehow like Burning Spear's Slavery days) when side B is about repatriation : "Africa oh Africa is calling, take off all your baggage, get on that freedom train. We gonna start with Ethiopia where we all will be free...".
Side B is more like part 2 of the tune than a straight version, it's therefore relevant to hear both, which you will find by cut/pasting the dropbox link below the label scans.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4asr8jstyi5wa5m/Unity%20Stars%20-%20Africa%20-%20Nice%201%20label7%27%27.zip?dl=0
As always, if you can, please buy records to support the artists. Sir Collins has reissued this nice piece which you may find here (hum, it seems that the reissue itself is now expensive also...) :
http://www.discogs.com/Unity-Stars-Big-Dread-Unity-Stars-Africa-Africa-Is-Our-Home/release/3816979
As always, it's nice to share this with you all and it's also nice to hear what you think, so please feel free to comment, add more info, or whatever!
Love to each and everyone,
Ben
