Michael Palmer – Angella

Burning Sounds’ reissue programme for 2023 starts with the release of Michael Palmer’s album titled Angella, which was originally released in the UK by Vista Sounds in 1984. In 2019, the label re-released the LP together with 1985s Michael Palmer Meets Kelly Ranks At Channel One on one CD. The riddims for the Angella LP were laid at Channel One Recording Studio by the Roots Radics Band, voiced at Harry J’s Recording Studio, and produced by Keith “Gorgan” Wignall.

Michael Palmer’s Story

Born in 1960, Michael Palmer grew up near the famed Channel One Studio in Whitfield Town, a tough neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica, where singer Leroy Smart was one of his neighbours. It actually was this singer who encouraged and inspired the youth to become a singer. He started his career in the late 1970s, singing live on the mic on Echo Tone Hi Fi alongside deejays Welton Irie and General Echo. In 1980, he made his recording debut with the Ossie Thomas produced song Mr Landlord, which wasn’t successful. In the next three years, Michael Palmer established his name with several singles including Ghetto Dance for Jah Thomas, (Don’t) Smoke The Weed for the Hookim Brothers at Channel One, and Long Run, Short Ketch for Sugar Minott’s Black Roots label. However, the accomplished singer really hit his stride with the George Phang produced 1984 single Lick Shot on the relicked riddim of Alton Ellis’ Mad Mad (also used for Michigan & Smiley’s Diseases). Together with young vocalists like Frankie Paul, Cocoa Tea, Half Pint, Junior Reid, and Robert Ffrench, Michael Palmer had his own input and distinctive sound in the dancehall genre. Following the hit success of Lick Shot, the then hot singer recorded over a dozen albums – solo as well as those shared with artists like Frankie Paul, Johnny Osbourne, Haf Pint, and Frankie Jones – in the next two years. One of these album releases was Angella, done for Keith Wignall who also produced Tenor Saw’s dancehall anthem Golden Hen. By 1985, Michael Palmer slowly stepped out of the spotlight due to problems with his vocals which caused him to stop singing. He then relocated to New York, rarely recorded anymore, and nothing was heard of him until he released new music in 2017.

The Album

As with most LPs from that time, there are only eight tracks on the Angella set, equally divided over two sides. Besides fresh originals, the album also features cover versions of well-known hit songs. Included is a nice reggae-fied version of Stevie Wonder’s much covered 1969 minor hit song My Cherie Amour. And furthermore, Michael Palmer revisits Keith & Tex’s rocksteady hit Tonight in real fine style. Although Michael Palmer has recorded much mediocre material during his brief glory years, this album surely has to be ranked among his better ones. Here it’s especially side 1 that features tracks that are memorable as most of them belong to the standouts. In particular, the 12″ version of the killer roots ganja tune Collie Man aka Collie Mr. Collieman is one listeners can enjoy to the fullest. The same goes for the matching Have Faith In Jah that rounds off the first side. For the other two tracks featured on this side, Michael Palmer goes into lovers territory. Both love songs are solid efforts with Give Me One A Your Girl Friend being the better one. The other side features the awesome title track Angella, a lovers lament that first appeared on 7″ single in Jamaica on Keith Wignall’s Yah Wee Gone label. Although underpinned by a recut of Larry Marshall’s Nanny Goat riddim, the second track here isn’t a cover version of the Studio One classic. It’s a nice storytelling song worth hearing more than once.