Title
Artist
Label
Format
Date
   Album review
Nightfall Showcase
Johnny Osbourne
Majestic Reggae/Munich Records
CD
07-11-1997


Tracking list

  1. Back off ringcraft
  2. Ringcraft dub
  3. Kiss somebody
  4. Kiss kiss dub
  5. Reach the top
  6. Rude boy
  7. Nightfall
  8. Nightfall dubbing
  9. Love comes and goes
  10. Girl of my complexion
  11. Little lover (discomix)
  12. Turn me on
  13. Marijuana tree - Linval Thompson
  14. Qua she
  15. Qua she take over - Ringo
  16. Come along - Freddie McKay
  17. Qua she dub
Rating : from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor)

Vocals : 4/5 Backing : 4/5 Production : 4/5 Sound quality : 4 Sleeve : 5


Majestic Reggae is a Dutch record label, specializing in re-issueing vintage reggae. They have already released two Jah Thomas dub albums, and the excellent "Triston Palma Meets Jah Thomas In Disco Style Entertainment" set. Recently the label has issued "Roots tradition from the vineyard" and "Jah Jah dreader than dread". Their latest release is this Johnny Osbourne set from the early eighties, produced by Linval Thompson, recorded at Channel One, and mixed at King Tubby's. Most backing is done by the Roots Radics. The liner notes provide essential background info on the singer and the album as a whole.
The original Night Fall album was released in Jamaica (1981) on the Jah Guidance label. VP Records released the album in the USA. In Europe the album got a release on the Cha-Cha label, renamed "In Nah Disco Style".
Nightfall Showcase puts forth 10 incredible tracks plus heavy dubs and nice versions. The immortal "Qua she" is versioned three times (Freddie McKays' version is pure gold !), and producer Linval Thompson takes lead vocals on "Marijuana tree", his version of Johnny's "Turn me on". Most songs are lyrically inna lovers stylee, while "Reach to the top", "Rude boy", "Back off ringcraft" have strong message in them.
The riddims are strictly hard driven, mixed in the early eighties dancehall style : splashing and dashing in King Tubby's echo chamber with a solid bass as the foundation.
"Nightfall Showcase" is yet another essential Majestic Reggae release "dancehall galore in a Roots Radics fashion..enjoy once more the cool rocking sounds of the early eighties" !

Teacher & Mr. T.