originally recorded for chris blackwell of island records the rights of ‘life of contradiction’ were then given to joe higgs who released the album in jamaica and the u.k. in 1975. it was immediately obvious that this was a unique collection coming from a completely different direction to the other reggae releases of the period. although joe had first recorded some of the songs in the early sixties for studio one it was as if he was at last able to realise a vision of his own music that had previously been denied to him: either by financial constraints or from not having the right situation with the right musicians.
re issue of one of the most seminal reggae records of all time from 1975, totally re mastered, comes with incisive sleeve notes, an extensive booklet with period photos, joe higgs (r.i.p. 18.12.1999) was the teacher for the young bob marley and bunny wailer livingstone, the wailing souls and actually played with the wailers when bunny wailer had refused to travel in the early seventies and he stood in for bunny on various international tours as a harmony singer - essential!
on the same rythm as im going home, journey to freedom is a lead trombone instrumental work out to the vocal version. credited as carl masters on the hit va va voom this superb jazz tinged blow out journey to freedom is as rare as they come. hypnotic!!!
originally released on the elevation label which was joe higgs own label. this is the far superior early version than the later version recorded with the wailers band. a driving rhythm with joes soulful vocal floating over the top an absolute must for any serious reggae fans. its also got the original artwork from the original label. a roots classic!
back in print! 2xlp now with bonus download code!
studio one’s list of singers launched at the famous label reads like a roll call of jamaican music. horace andy, alton ellis, ken boothe, freddie mcgregor, johnny osbourne and more. this album features classic and rare tracks that span the breadth of the legendary studio one catalogue: ska, roots, rocksteady, lovers and more from the 1960s and 70s.