Lot's of Loving

Ranking Dread: Supa Star
From Lot's of Loving [Tad's, 1980]

Marijuana Soul
From Girls Fiesta [Burning Sounds, 1978]

Per earfuzz reader request (yes, you guys can do that) I'm doing a post on reggae supa star Ranking Dread. Lot's of Loving was the first album of his that I bought and it instantly became one of my favorite dancehall albums. At the time, Dread was doing vocal work for Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound, and they recorded this album under his production. Like the title would indicate, the LP is filled with feel good riddms and rhymes, the choice cut being "Supa Star." Dread's exceptional vocal ability is showcased on this one, mixed especially high which I think greatly intensify's the album's acoustics.

The other song I chose here was from an earlier album, "Girls Fiesta," produced by Linval Thompson. Unlike the dancehall riddms of Lots of Loving Dread works with dub soundscapes, which naturally changes his delivery. It's much more melodic and doesn't have all the random buh-dah-bee-bum-bum-bum stuff, making it an entirely different listen. "Marijuana Soul" is a great cut, even if it is the most played out topic in reggae music.