Jacob Miller & Inner Circle: Reggae Greats

 

Jacob Miller's first notable success came as a rootsman, with 1975's excellent Who Say Jah No Dread album. However, he soon found that, after joining up with rhythm section Inner Circle, he was playing the "resort circuit" of Jamaica's North coast, playing poppy reggae-lite in hotels for tourists after a reggae experience. That said, though, Inner Circle proved themselves to be as heavy a backing outfit as anybody and Miller's late seventies recordings saw him expressing righteous, Rasta, conscious concerns over a strong but accessible beat. It was quite an infectious mix. He offered "Rasta with rhythm" and "danceable dread" like Cornell Campbell, Sugar Minott and Israel Vibration also did, amongst others. For every heavy manners Prince Far I or U-Roy there was a Gladiators or a Jacob Miller to provide a lighter approach to roots, something that shouldn't be overlooked.

Off to the tenement yard, then....

We begin with Miller showcasing his strange hiccupping vocal style on the catchy pop reggae of Shaky Girl. This is continued on the slightly heavier rootsy skank of Tenement Yard, which tells us that "dreadlocks cyaan live in a tenement yard", and they prefer a rural lifestyle growing the 'erb and grinding blue mountain coffee beans. I can't say I blame them, actually. This track was a minor chart hit and earned a place on of the Reggae Chartbusters CDs.

Suzy Wong is a goofy-ish and poppy love song to a Chinese beauty (Chinese/Jamaica split ethnicity was not unusual in Jamaica) while Sinners espouses a devout Rasta message, albeit played out, in true Miller breezy, summery style. A heavier roots groove is to be found on the Gladiators/Mighty Diamonds-esque Healing Of The Nation. The same applies to the very appealing but still fervent 80,000 Careless Ethiopians. I've Got The Handle is next and, guess what? I'm going to say the same thing, although this one is a bit more romantic in theme. 

Tired Fe Lick Weed In A Bush, from 1977, is a recognisable poppy number in praise of ganga featuring more of those funny vocals. Also from the same period is the very typically roots groove of Roman Soldiers Of Babylon. Although from 1979, Standing Firm is strictly roots, as they say - "Jah would never give a power to a baldhead man". It, unusually, features a killer saxophone solo too. 

My favourite is the really enjoyable and uptempo All Night Till Daylight. It's a very melodic, attractive number. 

The album ends with its rootsiest cut in the grinding Forward Jah Jah Children, a candidate for any punky reggae party 1977-79 playlist. Despite his poppy instincts, Jacob never deserted his roots either, and this collection perfectly shows what his music was about. It's got great sound quality too.