Horace Andy – Good Vibes

Release Info

Title: Horace Andy – Good Vibes

Label: VP Records | Format: CD-2LP-DR | Street date: November 10, 2017 | Website: VP Reggae

Horace Andy

Horace Andy (born Horace Hinds, 19 February 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a legendary (roots) reggae singer, notable for numerous classic tracks. “Government Land”, “You Are My Angel”, “Skylarking”, “Zion Gate”, “Pure Ranking”, “Money, Money” and his sublime version of Bill Whithers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”. The singer made his earliest recordings in the late 1960s, at Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One. Known for his distinctive falsetto vocal style, he sang on many classic productions for reggae producers, including Phil Pratt, King Tubby, Bullwackie, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee and Prince Jammy. The 1970s was his most prolific period.

He found a new generation of fans in the 1990s, thanks to his work with trip hop pioneers Massive Attack, continued to record new music in the late 1990s and at the beginning of the new millennium, with an album called “Living In The Flood” released in 1999 on Massive Attack’s Melankolic record label, as well as productions for Ariwa, Jah Shaka and Bunny Gemini. He was also featured on the world music project “1 Giant Leap”. In 2007 he cut an impressive album called “Livin’ It Up” with legendary riddim twins Sly & Robbie. Recent albums include “Serious Times” (2010) and “Broken Beats” (2013) on the German Echo Beach label. He’s still active, recording and touring around the world.

Horace Andy-Good Vibes

In 1997 the legendary Blood & Fire label issued their second Horace Andy re-release called “Good Vibes”. VP brings this wicked compilation back to life in 2017 and adds one bonus track. The remastered edition features new artwork and updated sleeve notes by the original compiler, Steve Barrow. This compilation draws from his most prolific period 1975 – 1980 and is a delightful and superb selection of Horace Andy gems. It includes productions from obscure labels such as Trio International, check out the excellent album opener “Reggae Rhythm” inna extended version. Next comes the political song “Serious Thing”, written by John Holt about an incident in the political war of 1976. That one was done for Bunny “Striker” Lee just like his do-over of his Studio One classic “Skylarking”.

“Youths Of Today”, a song in which he expresses his worries ’bout the youths of today, was released on Everton da Silva’s Hungry Town imprint. From the same producer comes the awesome ode to Leroy Sibbles (being the Studio One bassman for years) “Mr. Bassie”. What a cut! Horace also put out some stuff on his own Rhythm label: “Don’t Let Problems Get You Down” and “Good Vibes”, the latter being underpinned by the “Shank I Sheck” riddim. Delroy Wilson’s “Won’t You Come Home Now” is perfectly versioned by Sleepy as “Controll Yourself”. “Ital Vital” (included here with a masterful deejay version by Jah Bull) recuts Freddie McKay’s tune “Rockabye Baby”.