“I have made good albums, but Blackheart Man is really an exceptional album, as to the valuation of the message and the amount of people who have received that message and have made themselves better people through them lives within the spiritual and cultural settings that the Blackheart Man exhibits.” Bunny Wailer’s self-produced debut album was recorded after he spent 3 years retired in the Jamaican countryside upon his departure from The Wailers. The group was on the brink of international stardom, but Bunny didn’t want to tour, due to the inconsistency of touring life with his Rastafari lifestyle. These same Ital principles permeate Blackheart Man, with Bunny chanting down the babylon system that locked him up for spliff possession on “Fighting Against Conviction” (originally titled “Battering Down Sentence”). That tune, and tracks like “Dream Land,” “The Opressed Song” and “Armagideon” rival some of Bob’s most inspiring songs. It’s a family affair, featuring Bob Marley and Peter Tosh on backing vocals and a who’s who of Jamaican session musicians: Carlton & Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Robbie Shakespeare, Tommy McCook of The Skatalites and Earl “Chinna” Smith. Limited edition red, green & yellow swirl vinyl housed in deluxe gatefold with full album lyrics.

• red, green + yellow swirl colored vinyl
• gatefold sleeve
• limited edition
• music label: 4 Men With Beards 2018

reviewed by frau farbissina 03/2018