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The Mighty Diamonds - Deeper Roots (Back At The Channel) (1979)

The Mighty Diamonds - Deeper Roots (Back At The Channel) (1979)

BAND/ARTIST: The Mighty Diamonds

  • Title: Deeper Roots (Back At The Channel)
  • Year Of Release: 2002
  • Label: Virgin Records Ltd
  • Genre: Roots Reggae, Dub
  • Quality: FLAC (track)
  • Total Time: 1:07:48
  • Total Size: 431 MB
  • WebSite:
The true follow-up to the Mighty Diamonds' brilliant debut, Right Time (aka Need a Roof), and just as much a masterpiece as its predecessor. A few albums had appeared in the interim, but Deeper Roots brought the trio back to Channel One. There, under the aegis of producer Jo Jo Hookim and accompanied by the stellar rhythms of the Soul Syndicate Band, the Diamonds recorded this classic, with a companion dub album, Deeper Dub, duly following; Deeper Roots Plus Dub brings together both crucial sets. This was the height of the rockers age, and the militant rhythms Hookim was unleashing, many updating old Studio One rocksteady gems, were a revelation. Drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis' flying, cymbal-heavy beats and George "Fully" Fullwood's sinuously pulsing bass fired the rhythms, further fueled by percussion; sliced and diced by the taut guitar, piano, and organ riffs; and blown sky-high by the brass section. As tough as the arrangements were, however, Hookim enriched them all with plenty of melody, reflecting the sweet rocksteady numbers from whence they were drawn. The songs' original sparkle seeps through in places, notably on the effervescent "Dreadlocks Time," the breezy "Diamonds and Pearls," and the warm and bouncy "Reality." All three numbers are particularly effective backdrops for Donald "Tabby" Shaw's glorious leads and Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson and Lloyd "Judge" Ferguson's luminous harmonies. Yet, the Diamonds took much of their vocal inspiration from American soul-pop groups, as is evidenced on such numbers as "Master Plan" and "Be Aware," even while the backings remain tough and tight. While Hookim created a distinctive sound, it was never formulaic, giving Soul Syndicate plenty of room for creativity. "Blackman," for example, is shadowed by smoky brass, guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith plunges "Two by Two" straight into the surf, while "Be Aware" boasts a fabulously funky percolating organ line. Above these phenomenal backdrops, the trio showcases its own diversity and exquisite vocals. By turns sweet and mellow, warm and gentle, soulful, melancholic, tough, and tender the Diamonds pack the numbers with deep emotion, insight, and thoughtful reasoning. Sufferer's numbers like "4000 Years" and the more personal "Two" are eloquent and heartfelt; the tough, unity-themed "One Brother Short" is sung straight from the soul; while the equally militant "Bodyguard" also reverberates with emotion. This album is a masterpiece of word and sound; its dub companion is equally exceptional, as Hookim deconstructs the numbers and rebuilds them into magnificent aural pieces that add further weight to the original mixes. Unfortunately, the dubs were not taken from the masters, but vinyl, and scratched vinyl in places. Well, better that than nothing, and for all their flaws they remain magnificent examples of the genre. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Tracklist:
1.01 - The Mighty Diamonds - Reality (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:15)
1.02 - The Mighty Diamonds - Blackman (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:48)
1.03 - The Mighty Diamonds - Dreadlocks Time (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:16)
1.04 - The Mighty Diamonds - Diamonds And Pearls (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:01)
1.05 - The Mighty Diamonds - One Brother Short (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:45)
1.06 - The Mighty Diamonds - Bodyguard (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:31)
1.07 - The Mighty Diamonds - 4000 Years (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:30)
1.08 - The Mighty Diamonds - Master Plan (2002 Digital Remaster) (4:01)
1.09 - The Mighty Diamonds - Two By Two (2002 Digital Remaster) (3:35)
1.10 - The Mighty Diamonds - Be Aware (2002 Digital Remaster) (2:49)
1.11 - The Mighty Diamonds - Reality (Dub) (3:17)
1.12 - The Mighty Diamonds - Blackman (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:42)
1.13 - The Mighty Diamonds - Dreadlocks Time (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:09)
1.14 - The Mighty Diamonds - Diamonds And Pearls (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:01)
1.15 - The Mighty Diamonds - One Brother Short (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:06)
1.16 - The Mighty Diamonds - Bodyguard (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:30)
1.17 - The Mighty Diamonds - 4000 Years (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:33)
1.18 - The Mighty Diamonds - Master Plan (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (4:01)
1.19 - The Mighty Diamonds - Two By Two (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (3:04)
1.20 - The Mighty Diamonds - Be Aware (Dub / 2002 Digital Remaster) (2:55)

Reggae | FLAC / APE

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