The Twinkle Brothers: Countrymen - 1980

The strangely-named Twinkle Brothers had been playing on the North coast tourist circuit of Jamaica before they did what many reggae bands did growing their locks and becoming a Rasta roots outfit. 

Their first successful album in this vein was this excellent offering from 1980, albeit a bit late in the day for roots stuff, the peak of that sub-genre having been 1975-78. It is, therefore, slightly behind the times, but it has a fine, clear sound to it and is eminently listenable. They had previously released Rasta Pon Top in 1975. 

Anyway, the brothers served up religiously fervent, melodious, gospel-influenced rockers -style roots, similar to that of Culture, The Gladiators and The Mighty Diamonds. 

Highlights are the Biblical story of Shadrakh, Meshakh and Abednigo in Never Get Burn, the regulation Rasta message of Jah Kingdom Come, the Rasta celebration of Since I Threw The Comb, the slightly funky roots of Patoo and the album's best track in the glorious bass and brass of Free Us and its mighty dub companion.

If you want more roots from The Twinkle Brothers, they released an even more righteous, deeper offering in 1975 with Rasta Pon Top. I prefer Journeymen, however, the sound on it is superior. 

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