Watch this sound! The mysterious Music On Vinyl label has been on a real tear serving up these impossibly rare dub and reggae joints lately, and this one’s no less crucial. Absolutely is the debut LP from The Uniques’ second lineup of Slim Smith, Roy Shirley and Franklyn White (but before later incarnations featuring Cornell Campbell and Al Campbell) released by Trojan in 1968. Jamdown was firmly steeped in the rocksteady sound at this point, having all but left behind ska for a slower groove in an effort to de-escalate rude boy business in the dancehall. But Jamaican singers were still looking stateside for inspiration in their vocal style, so Absolutely is dripping with vintage Motown sweetness and soulful harmonies. The trio burn through a mix of originals and cleverly-disguised covers, including numbers by Curtis Mayfield (“Gipsy Woman”), Smokey Robinson (“Just A Mirage,” “You’ll Lose A Precious Love”), Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong ("That's The Way Love Is”) and curiously but most effectively, Stephen Stills (“Watch This Sound” aka “For What It’s Worth”). Production is shared by Bunny “Striker” Lee and Lloyd “Reggae Is Tight” Charmers, individually stamped & numbered edition of 1000 copies on orange colored 180g vinyl. This is a chance to own one of the rarest-ever Trojan LPs on wax, easy recommendation.

• 180g orange colored vinyl
• official reissue of rare 1968 rocksteady LP
• first time on vinyl in over 40 years 
• individually stamped + numbered edition of 1000 copies
• music label: Music On Vinyl 2019

reviewed by dwigt rortugal 06/2019