United Africa (Vinyl 12") Afrobeat & African

United Africa (Vinyl 12") Afrobeat & AfricanBunny Wailer, respectfully called "The Blackheart Man", produced Johnny Scar's one off recording 'United Africa'. The mystic singer wrote this heavy roots song and sang with his unique chant like a voice of the roots reggae icon, Burning Spear. And the song appeared as 12"on the Solomonic Production imprint in 1986.

It was a sellout and despite the limitations with Billie's voice she delivered a superb performance

what we find here captures a more stark and stripped-back The Underground Youth as the project was about to come out of its embryonic phase: "All five tracks were recorded in my bedroom and I really wanted to strip back the sound

dynamic rhythms and energising bass lines

McCoy Tyner and Jackie McLean

I add these to the band's sound

and remains a prerequisite possession for all self-respecting fans of classic Reggae sounds

combined with their kaleidoscopic aesthetic

"Am I Black Enough" was originally a Billy Paul hit and has been covered by Derrick Harriott and The Chosen Few

their final 45 for Brunswick - the Northern Soul anthem - "Shing-A-Ling" failed Stateside

Jimmy Rowles

they readily incorporated the sounds they heard all around them

for A&M (their first of 4 for the label)