Level Vibes – Congo Ashante Roy

Congo Ashanti Roy (aka Roydel Johnson), had been badly burned by the major labels. In 1978, Island refused to release his band, the Congos', seminal masterpiece Heart of the Congos, (The English Beat stepped up and put it out on their own Go Feet label in 1981). Roy subsequently signed as a solo artist to the Charisma imprint Pre, but within a year, that label left reggae behind. At which point, Mikey Dread took control, bringing the artist to Adrian Sherwood and the Players & Singers family. Thus, two years later, in 1984, when Roy began work on his solo Level Vibes album, he brought in Sherwood to assist. Eight songs strong, and bulked up by two dubs, the set starts strongly with the always timely "Roadblock," a blistering, jittery number whose backing captures all the anxiety and tension of being caught up in these ubiquitous checkpoints. A sturdy roots reggae riddim underlies "Tell Them," which lyrically stresses the importance of the youth knowing their African roots. "Yes I Know" was also culturally themed, revolving around man's need for Jah, and set to a bubbly version of Gregory Isaacs' "The Border." In contrast, the equally cultural "Children of the Ghetto" and "Look Before You Leap" are more dancehall flavored, the former so light and airy it soars above the poverty infected city below, the latter's words of wisdom wrapped around a wonderfully dreamy atmosphere. "Give Me Some Love" is positively effervescent, an anthemic romance set to a booming beats and a breezy tinge of steel drums. The soulful "Sweet Love" boasts an equally enticing backing, the dancehall rhythm offset by keyboards which seem to froth up and bubble off towards the clouds. "Give It to the Postman" provides instructions on communication, with a hook big enough to land Moby Dick. Sherwood leaves his distinctive imprimatur on the dubs, turning the latter two light as feather songs into excursions into the stratosphere. With its level mix of culture and romance, light and heavy performances, and roots and dancehall fare, this was an impressive set with a Jamaican feel, but Sherwood's production and mix gave it a unique twist. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide