Search - Junior Reid :: Listen to the Voices

Conscious reggae

The Djeli | Ile Ife, Nigeria | 04/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Junior Reid's reggae career initiated after replacing Michael Rose as the lead vocalist for the revolutionary band, Black Uhuru, during the mid-80s. He began a solo career in 1990 with his classic debut "One Blood". Reid continued the conscious reggae sound in the early and mid-90s as demonstrated with the 1996 release of "Listen to the Voices." Grounded on roots reggae principals and a dosage of early 90s dancehall gave the diversity Reid needed to expand his audience. Not quite as successful as other artist popular at the time, such as Supercat and Maxi Priest, yet more respected than most. His solo work and work with Black Uhuru contributed to the spawn of several conscious reggae artist which emerged in the mid 90s, including Buju Banton, Sizzla, Capleton, and Luciano. Junior Reid's music is essential to the movement of reggae and should be looked in by anyone interested in authentic reggae, particular those looking for conscious artist to fill in the gap between the Marley Era and the New School Conscious artist like Sizzla. Listen to the voices."