Search - Hugh Mundell :: Africa Must Be Free

Conscious Youth

Graham Hunt | Richmond, VA United States | 05/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the albums most precious to me. The inclusion of the dub versions on the cd means 2 albums are included here. I have always been impressed by the consciousness and conviction, to say nothing of the musical beauty, of Mr. Mundell's vocal work. I believe that he was in his mid-teens when these tracks were laid down, which makes them all the more impressive. This work belied the continued vibrancy of reggae music following the loss of Bob Marley. Infuriatingly, we were to lose Hugh Mundell to gun violence not long afterward. This is a cd any reggae fan ought to have. It is the best Hugh Mundell cd to buy first because of the inclusion of the dub album. I've sung "Run Revolution A Come" and "Day of Judgement", while walking down the street, knowing the songs had the capacity to scare and shock. I've also sung "My Mind", "Let's All Unite", and "Jah Will Provide" in the same settings, knowing the hearts and souls of those who heard would be balmed by the lyrics and music."

Musical genious!!!!

Andrea Oyarce Castro | Santiago de Chile | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Hugh Mundell had lived past, ironically, 1983, there's no telling what his legacy would be today. Africa Must Be Free By 1983 is simply one of the most remarkable debuts in the history of reggae, considering Mundell was only 16 when it was released. Guided by the adept hands of Augustus Pablo, he wrote and co-produced all of the songs on this powerful classic. The potent roots melodies and emotional vocals provided by this prodigy blend beautifully with the robust musical accompaniment from an all-star line-up (Robbie Shakespeare, Jacob Miller, Leroy Sibbles, Augustus Pablo, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Carlton "Santa" Davis, and more). While no one track is spectacular, practically all are solid, as they cohere in a prototypical "album album." Luckily for us listeners, when RAS re-released Africa Must Be Free in 1989, they threw in the equally strong dub version as well. Although Augustus Pablo's rockers sound runs throughout the dubs (Fans will certainly recognize the music in "Book of Life" and its dub from Jacob Miller's "Keep on Knocking."), he doesn't dominate them with his trademark melodica, allowing Mundell to retain his identity. Some of the dubs are better than the vocal versions (the dubs of "Jah Will Provide," "Run Revolution a Come," and "Day of Judgement," for example), while a few of the vocal tracks are preferable ("My Mind" and "Africa Must Be Free By 1983"). If you're like me, the track listing of the dub versions may cause some confusion. Either Mundell named the dubs with the intention to confuse, or the track listing is simply wrong (I vote for the latter.), assuming that "Unity Dub" is supposed to be the title of the dub of "Let's All Unite," "Africa Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "Africa Must Be Free By 1983," "My Mind Dub" is supposed to be the dub of "My Mind," etc. I list below under "Track Listing" how the songs are listed on the album, but track #9 is actually the dub of "Jah Will Provide" (whatever the title is), #10 is the dub of "Book of Life" (ditto), #11 is "Revolution Dub," #12 is "Judgement Dub," #13 is, um, I'm not sure, #14 is "Unity Dub," #15 is "My Mind Dub," #16 is "Africa Dub," and #17 is again a mystery. I don't think that tracks 13 and 17 are dubs of anything on Africa Must Be Free; neither sound like "Why Do Black Men Fuss and Fight," the only track without a dub here. To confuse matters, there is an extra dub (9 dubs, 8 vocal tracks). Anyway, in the end, all that really matters is that it's all good, whatever the order. Great music, great lyrics, great message, JAH RASTAFARI!!!!!"

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the Late, Great Augustus Pablo?

Andrea Oyarce Castro | 03/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a true dUb masterpiece. Personally, I prefer the dub version, but the vocal tracks are all solid as well. True RASTA thoughts and vibrations. Produced by Augustus Pablo himself (The Most High King Haile Selassie I is given production credit on the album sleeve as well!!), it comes on with wicked, DEEP vibes that no one with any reason can deny. Prince Jammy serves as the enigneer on this one as well. This album was layed down in the mid-70's. Several of the tracks were cut at the infamous Black Ark Studio of Mr. Lee Perry fame. The photo of Augustus and the crew passing the chalice around on the back is great. Augustus Pablo was a true Genius and I say this with NO hesitation whatsoever. If you're interested in true, pure to the core, deep, underground ROOTS dub reggage BUY this. I also recommend anything A. Pablo did in the 70's and VERY early 80's. Get your head RIGHT and groove to these heavenly streams of melody...BIG up ROCKERS PRODUCTIONS. Needless to say, 5 stars."