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U-Black - Westbound Thing a Swing

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U-Black - Westbound Thing a Swing

U-Black - Westbound Thing a Swing

By Erik Magni on Friday, June 13, 2014 - Comment

U-Black carries the swing.

u black Germany’s Buyreggae has recently re-released another essential piece of reggae history. U-Black’s Westbound Thing a Swing is a slice of mid 70s roots produced by Prince Jammy and mixed at King Tubby’s, and it collects deejay versions to Black Uhuru’s stellar debut album Love Crisis and The Travellers’ Black Black Minds.

The set was originally issued in 1977 on Third World and is pretty rare these days, even though I saw the original in a record store about a month ago. That copy went for about $65.

U-Black definitely carried the swing back in the days. His style is similar to more well-known deejays such as Dillinger and U-Brown and he rides the dubby and skanking riddims with ease and grace.

There are several strong cuts on this set. Honourable mentions goes out to King of All Time, a cut of Black Uhuru’s excellent I Love King Selassie, and Ride Into Zion, a wicked version of Black Uhuru’s African Love.