Beat Down Babylon cover

Beat Down Babylon

Released

One of the greatest singers of reggae’s roots-and-culture period, Junior Byles is also something of a tragic figure, one who has battled mental and physical health challenges throughout his life. On Beat Down Babylon you can hear some the foundational recordings from when he was at the peak of his powers: the yearning repatriation anthem “A Place Called Africa,” the celebratory “(Festival) Da Da,” the very dread title track. All of this music was recorded at the legendary (not to say notorious) Black Ark studio under the supervision of Lee “Scratch” Perry, whose unique production style turned out to be a perfect match for Byle’s musical vision. An essential document of reggae’s classical period.

Rick Anderson

Suggestions
Blackboard Jungle Dub cover

Blackboard Jungle Dub

The Upsetters, Lee "Scratch" Perry
 Mañana Dub cover

Mañana Dub

Mellow Mood, Paolo Baldini DubFiles
Long Time Traveller cover

Long Time Traveller

Jeb Loy Nichols
Super Ape cover

Super Ape

The Upsetters, Lee "Scratch" Perry
Super Ape Inna Jungle cover

Super Ape Inna Jungle

Douggie Digital, Juggler, Mad Professor, Lee "Scratch" Perry
Pull It Up cover

Pull It Up

Overproof Soundsystem
Shrunken Head cover

Shrunken Head

African Head Charge
Super Ape Returns To Conquer cover

Super Ape Returns To Conquer

Subatomic Sound System, Lee "Scratch" Perry