Four maxi singles from Jamwax

JOHNNY POWELL – TRUE LOVE / MOVING OUT

This repress transports the listener to 1985, when Ancel “Johnny” Powell returned to Jamaica from Pittsburgh, where he had lived since 1982. During a studio session, he enlisted Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin to provide backing vocals, reuniting the previously estranged members of The Clarendonians, a duo from the 1960s. With the backing of Burning Spear’s band at Aquarius studio, the trio recorded two songs, True Love and Moving Out. Produced by Ancel “Johnny” Powell and Patricia Wallace and initially released on the Macca Music label, these tracks are now available as a reissue.

LAURY WEBB – WOMAN MY QUEEN / IT SEEMS THE SAME / THE SAME DUB

Jamaican-born and New York-based Laury Webb is a multi-talented artist; he sings, writes, produces, acts, and was formerly a model. His career in music began when he started playing keyboard before he became a backing vocalist with The Meditations. Webb’s vocals are unique and diverse, as evidenced by this three-track 12″ single. He eventually left his backup vocalist role and went on to launch a solo career as lead vocalist with his Tigerbone Band. During this time, he recorded and released two singles, Woman My Queen and It Seems The Same, both of which are included on this vinyl platter alongside The Same Dub. Interestingly, his cousin, Barry Biggs, lent his vocals to It Seems The Same. Woman My Queen was originally on the flip side of Reality Records’ 1986 release Robot Taxi, but for this reissue, it’s paired with It Seems The Same (recorded at Music Mountain Studio, Jamaica) and its dub version that appeared in the US on 7″ vinyl in 1987.

JAHLIN – ROOTS REALITY / ROOTS REALITY (VERSION)

Colin Pitter, also known by his stage name Jahlin, was born in Clarendon, Jamaica. He relocated to Canada in 1975 to pursue his education. Following his graduation from high school where he excelled in welding in 1979, Jahlin started working as a welder in Toronto while nurturing his music career. He joined the reggae band Joshua in 1980 at the recommendation of fellow musician Gregory Frank. Subsequently, Jahlin produced his debut single dubbed Roots Reality which he released his own record label, Black Echo. Roots Reality was initially released under the Roots Reality label in 1983. The song is a testimony to Jahlin’s remarkable talent as both a singer and a songwriter. Additionally, it reflects his dedication towards using music as a tool to disseminate relevant messages. The song was recorded at Confort studio, Toronto in 1983 and is particularly notable for the incorporation of violin, a rare feature in roots reggae music.

WOODS – THE LONE PILGRIM / UHURU / STICKMAN

Wilfred Trevor Woodley, also known as Woods, is a well-kept secret in Caribbean jazz rather than reggae music. The late pianist and composer hailed from Point Fortin, Trinidad & Tobago, and traveled to over 70 countries during his incredible life. Despite composing countless songs, Woodley never officially released an album. He lived with daring fearlessness, even in the face of adversity, and those who knew him admired and respected him greatly. In a 1990 accident, a truck crushed one of his legs, but he remained courageous and calm, telling doctors that he would be fine as long as he could still play the piano. This 3-track 12″ single is the first installment in Jamwax’s tribute series to keep Woodley’s music alive and honor his legend.