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Horace Andy - Get Wise

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Horace Andy - Get Wise

Horace Andy - Get Wise

By Erik Magni on Monday, June 16, 2014 - Comment

Hypnotic and dread set from Horace Andy and Phil Pratt.

Sampler

Horace Andy has one of the most distinct and expressive voices in reggae and his vibraton is instantly recognizable. And his singing is very much in focus on the Phil Pratt-produced album Get Wise, recently reissued by Pressure Sounds on CD and LP.

This hypnotic set collects 16 tracks – 14 on the vinyl edition – of the highest calibre. The mood is dark and dread and the arrangements are sparse, often with only the bare essentials – guitar, bass and drums. Others also include piano, organ, horns and harmony by acclaimed singers such as Keith Poppin, Al Campbell, Jimmy London and Phil Pratt himself.

Phil Pratt and Horace Andy first worked together in the mid 60s, but this set was recorded between 1972 and 1974 and then only released in Jamaica in 1975. It is built around a series of 7”, but sounds remarkably consistent and certainly has a high level of continuity in its production.

Apart from strong vocal cuts – including versions of Zion Gate and Youths of Today – from the passionate and emotional Horace Andy, the set also features instrumentals from Phil Pratt Allstars and some wicked deejaying from Jah Stitch.

Pressure Sounds has yet again manage to find another rare and excellent gem that has been unavailable for almost 40 years.