Some albums have to be heard to be truly believed, and so it is with 's , the companion to his 1979 vocal album, . That title was even more apt for the set, so far removed is it from anything else being produced in Jamaica (or anywhere else for that matter). As a vocalist, was no great shakes, and although an emotive singer, his vocals sounded a bit like a strangled cat. But as a producer he had no peers, and on he led his studio group, , down brooding, bluesy byways they never navigated on their own. But it was with the dubs that he and the band seemed to leave this planet entirely. On the group steams straight into a swamp -- imagine done steppers style or born Jamaican on a number with an unstoppable rhythm, as 's guitars flicker out of the Spanish moss-lined gloom like St. Elmo's fire. The equally magnificent has an upbeat feel but quivers with militancy, its disjointed rhythm continuously throwing the listener off balance, the off-kilter feel heightened by the instrumentation that seems totally out of whack with the rhythm itself. That is driven by the beats, while is powered by 's thick-as-a-stump bassline -- a big, bold that echoes and reverberates into the ether. The title track follows a similar trajectory, but ladles on the effects, juxtaposed against bright splashes of organ. in contrast, is a masterpiece of deconstruction, as strips down the original vocal track, then feeds the various elements back in one by one. Not all the numbers are dark and moody -- both and are sprayed with bright splotches of melody, the former particularly so, the latter as beams of light cut across hefty, reverberating rhythms. too, has gleaming pieces of melody scattered about, but in between times, hollows out the sound until the sounds like it is echoing out of a vast cavern. 's fabulous guitar licks are showcased across and fans have few chances better than this to hear the feted guitarist in all his glory at his -era heights. The organ/synth players (there are at least two) are spotlighted on a lavish keyboard extravaganza far removed from the sparse Equally instructive are the differences to be heard on the second version of -- compare them and you can hear a genius at work. Unbelievably, this stunning set was barely noticed in its day -- fans preferred his two earlier sets, , and although both are excellent, this one was obviously the most creatively inspired of the trio. If had never made another album, this set alone would have ensured his legendary reputation. ~ Jo-Ann Greene