The Techniques – Queen Majesty (The Best Of The Techniques 1965 to 1974)

Trojan Records was originally set up by Island Records to handle their reggae catalogue, distinct from the main Island label. Celebrating 50 years of the London based reggae specialist label, we are going to bring to mind some of their releases.

This Techniques double CD is a pleasure, taking in large areas of reggae’s history as it progresses. CD 1 kicks of with blue beat, and rude boy Ska, whilst CD 2 moves into lover’s rock with an edge of conscious rebel Rockers to the later tunes, with a powerful spiritual focus manifesting on certain tracks.

Clearly, artists like Curtis Mayfield, The Neville Brothers and Otis Redding influenced Slim Smith and Pat Kelly — but the influences of early jazz and US Rudy Vallee style mainstream crooners also seem all too apparent, and it is highly likely that crooners like Rudy Vallee would have been regularly played on the JA airwaves in the post war years.

Besides, reggae lovers will find the line up of vocalists on the CD irresistible — the early selection is dominated by the metaphysical beauty of Slim Smith, who will be well known to DJ and dub fans due to Dr Alimantado’s/Tubby’s use of “Beatitudes”. Sadly, Slim Smith died in uncertain circumstances. It is unsure how he died, but one thing which seems clear, is that the sad event was probably linked to the artist’s depression and resulting unstable state of mind. Whatever the events, reggae lost a great talent that night.

Later vocal duties are taken by the talented and under rated Pat Kelly and Dave Barker. The latter is usually known for his DJ work, but his singing is perhaps even stronger.

The instrumental performances here are consistently strong too, with, at times, some distinctly eerie, ghostly arrangements belying the romantic preoccupation of the lyrics. The bass tones are heavy too — geometric, booming bass lines act as a heady undertow to these deeply soulful melodies.

“You are My Everything” recounts a tale of lonely, cold isolation, and eventual salvation through a deeper love. “Time Has Come” is made into thing of beauty by the lonely metaphysical vocals and lyrics of Pat Kelly — Kelly discourses on the lonely state of humanity, cold and unloving, showing so little warmth and closeness that it becomes a state against the dictates of nature. Kelly displays his existential insights in these compositions, a lyrical skill and power that should have gained him far more acclaim than he is currently afforded.