THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS - Thugs In The Street (2006)

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The Mighty Diamonds – Thugs In The Street (2006)


1. Every Other Day
2. Thugs In The Street
3. Flat Foot
4. Ten To One
5. Jam Jam
6. One Step
7. Baby Love
8. Conversation
9. Magic Woman
10. Sarah
11. Party
12. Ku Deh!
13. I Need A Roof


This is the latest offering from the prodigious Mighty Diamonds, thirty-two years after their formation in 1969 in Trenchtown, Jamaica. With their soulful harmonies and ever conscious lyrics these foundation rockers continue to educate the world.






The opening track ‘Every Other Day’ rides the phenomenal 'Satta Massagana' riddim; mix this with some wonderful vocal harmonises, especially on the chorus and it’s a sure fire winner. The roots vibe continues with ‘Thugs in the Streets’ and the notable tune ‘Flat Foot’. The whole album has a very ‘current’ sound and contains several refurnished riddims. It also takes a step into the modern expression of reggae music. For example ‘Party’ which features a deejay by the name of Ragga B is a ruff dancehall cut, and there’s even a hip-hop version of one of their most treasured tracks ‘I Need A Roof’. In contrast ‘Jam Jam’ is a wonderful calypso style track; full of energy it's enormously uplifting and will surely have you up and dancing.






You’ll also find a couple of covers included on this release, specifically ‘Ten To One’ which has seen incarnations from such artists as Dillinger and Cornell Campbell. Also ‘Conversation’ which is a beautiful reworking of Slim Smith’s ‘My Conversation’.






In conclusion this is a solid release with some lovely tunes. It doesn’t reach the heights of their early works such as ‘Stand Up To Your Judgement’ or ‘Right Time’, but very few foundation artists can make that claim. So go out and pick this one up and give support to one of reggae's great vocal trios.