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FREDDIE McGREGOR
BOBBY BOBYLON
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1971-1979 - Heartbeat - studio - discs: 1
Freddie McGregor was born on June 27, 1956 in the Clarendon Parish. At the very young age of seven Little Freddie was brought to Studio One by the Clarendonians (Ernest "Fitzroy" Wlson and Peter Austin). By the mid 60's the Clarendonians split and Freddie started to record with Wilson as Freddie & Fitzy. Clement Dodd released "Why Did You Do It", "Do Good", "The Truth Hurts" and "Why Did My Little Girl Cry" in 1966 and 1967. He also released solo material from McGregor as Little Freddie between 1966 and 1968: "Too Young To Love", "I'm Feeling Good" and "After Laughter". Freddie continued to record for Coxsone during the 70's. His songs were built around his Rastafarian beliefs and love issues. In 1979 his debut "Mr. McGregor" was released by the producer Niney The Observer. In 1980 Coxsone released his Studio One debut which consists of songs recorded during the previous decade. The original set contained ten songs with a running time of just over thirty minutes. Here follows some informations about those songs. "Bandulo" uses the rhythm "Soulful Music" (1968) by the Invaders. "We Need More Love" (first release: 1980) uses the rhythm "I Make A Woman" (1968) by the Kingstonians. "What Difference Does It Make" is a version of a previous song from Freddie. "Go Away Pretty Girl" was released in 1971 as a single. This is an updated version. "Tomorrow Is Like Today" (first release: 1980) follows. "Bobby Bobylon" (first release: 1980) uses Jackie Mittoo's "One Step Beyond". "Wine Of Violence" uses "Undying Love" by Ernest Wilson (first release: 1980). "Gonna Take Over Now" (first release: 1980) uses "I'm Gonna Take Over Now" by The Ethiopians. "Rastaman Camp" was recorded in 1975 and released in 1976. This is an updated version. "I Am A Revolutionist" (first release: 1979) is a recut version of Freddie's "I Man A Rasta" (1976). This version firstly appeared in 1980. This is the original core of "Bobby Bobylon". The re-release in 2006 offers eight bonus tracks. Here follows some informations about those bonus, which never appeared on CD before. "Freddie" was originally released in 1975 "Studio One Sales Conference Vol.1" album. "Homeward Bound" was a 1979 hit. It seems that the flute is played by Tommy McCook. "Little Girl", released in 1978, uses "Love Me Girl" by the Heptones. "When I'm Ready / Jacklyn" is was hit in 1981 as "When I'm Ready" and it used "A Love I Can Feel" (1970) by John Holt. This extended version features Lone Ranger's "Jacklyn". "Come Now Sister", released in 1979, uses "Get In The Groove" by the Heptones. "I Man A Rasta" is a single from 1979, recut and retitled "I Am A Revolutionist" in 1979. "Rastaman Camp" (1975) follows. "Bobby Bobylon / One Step Beyond" (previously unreleased) includes parts of Jackie Mittoo's "One Step Beyond". Well, that is it with the main informations. Talking about this release, but especially about the main original core, is really a tough thing. The material is such ethereogeneous that no real complete shape comes out. The songs are mainly recut of vintage songs and reworkings of previous Freddie's material. But even if everything seems as something not new, there is an incredible cleareness and new light shining on. It is like a very old car with some proper work to make its engine roar again and a new polish on its exterior: in this case some vintage songs that shine for what they are, a marvellous musical sculpture that stands high above some of its rivals. This edition with the bonus tracks is unmissable. My preferred track is "Rastaman Camp" (from the main set), with its Nyahbinghi dark and deep atmosphere: a real Rastafari chant that could (and should) be five hours long!
CARRY GO BRING HOME
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1993 - Greensleeves - studio - discs: 1
This 1993 set stands miles below Freddie reputation and skills. It mood is basecally pop, and this do not help at all. Gregory Isaac's "Night Nurse" is reduced to a poor pop slow tune and it is quite embarassing. As with this track all the rest is uninspired. The arrangements are structured on an unlistenable tasteless digital - pop mood. Maybe Freddie himself got it and put a second version of Justin Hinds "Carry Go Bring Come" at the end with a Rocksteady flavour. But you cannot save a set with one song. "Land Of The Rising Sun" is a little bit better than the other songs, but it is an "all inclusive resort" kind of song. And unfortunately it is not the only one: "I Want Love" has the same approch and poor result. The only other songs that maybe can be saved are "Ghetto Street" and "It's So Hard", but in any case they are very tastless. This set is almost depressing.
yardie-reggae.com - 2007