THE ITALS - RASTA PHILOSOPHY

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THE ITALS - RASTA PHILOSOPHY

A1 Rasta Philosophy

A2 No Call Dread Name

A3 Satisfaction

B1 Dance A Yard

B2 My Woman

B3 Don't Blame It On Me

Companies etc

Recorded At – Channel One Recording Studio

Mixed At – Harry J's Recording Studio

Credits

Bass – Chellum Rocksborro

Drums – Devon Brown, Ken Porter (2)

Guitar – Bingy Bunny, Chinna*

Guitar [Lead] – Osbourn Ranking*

Guitar [Rhythm] – Harmon Russell

Keyboards – Chescott James, Devon Henry, Bubbler*

Percussion – Bongo Herman, Scully*

Producer – Leroy Pierson, Robert Schoenfeld

Recorded By, Mixed By – Sylvan Morris

Saxophone – Deadly Headly*

Songwriter – Keith Porter, Lloyd Ricketts, Ronnie Davis

Trombone – Everald Gayle*

Trumpet – Arnold Brackenridge

Two years had passed since Give Me Power!, and this time the Itals returned to more familiar waters; there's not a single militant or society number in sight. But those types of cultural concerns seemed a bit of a stretch for Keith Porter, whose forte remains deeply felt and reasoned religious numbers. Half of Rasta Philosophy revolves around such devotional pieces and contains inspired songs that echo Psalms in their phrasing and intent. Amongst these, arguably the title track is the standout, a truly inspired and inspiring number. The arrangement there is stately roots, the soulful "Don't Blame It on Me" is a slow scorcher, the equally heartfelt hymn "No Call Dread Name" boasts a more insistent rhythm, while the gorgeous and plaintive "Satisfaction" harkens back to the rocksteady age. Yet Porter is equally determined to showcase his lighter side, and the breezy "Dance a Yard" and the rub-a-dub "Jamaican Style & Dub" are both dance-friendly, lighthearted tracks sure to set toes tapping. There's also a number for the ladies, the romantic "My Woman," although even here Porter laces his declarations of love with a few complaints. All told, Rasta Philosophy is a stellar album, with the Jah's Children Band providing superb accompaniment abetted by the always excellent Roots Radics. The only possible complaint is that the set will leave the listener hungry for more, and at a mere seven courses, this is a fairly parsimonious banquet. ~ Jo-Ann Greene same as 6-track mini LP plus the extra track Jamaican Style & Dub Composer: Keith Porter. Personnel: Earl "Chinna" Smith , Osbourn, Bingy Bunny (guitar); Deadly Headley (saxophone); Arnold Brackenridge (trumpet); Everald Gayle (trombone); Chescott James, Bubbler, Devon (keyboards); Devon Brown, Keith Porter (drums); Bongo, Scully (percussion).