Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    I was a big Steel Pulse fan in their early days - I really liked
    their first two albums.  Some of their latter stuff has been good,
    but I don't think they set themselves apart from the rest, as much
    as they use too.  Saw them many years ago at Manchester Poly (around
    1978/1979) and they were great then.  Saw 'em at the Hammersmith
    Palais a year or so ago - thought they weren't that spectacular.
    
    David.
    

    
    
    	I agree... they aren't as set apart as they were in the early
    80's with albums out like Handsworth, and Tribute to the Martyrs.
    I will have to say, my most listened to album, or tape out of
    my collection is True Democracy.  
    	Very much like UB40, Steel Pulse has adopted a more pop sound
    than the skankin' roots reggae of their earlier days, but the one
    thing that has kept me with them is that they still aren't popular.
    Popular in the sense that I turn on my radio and constantly hear
    them like  UB40's Red Red wine...  
    	I did get to see Steel Pulse for my first time last fall at
    the Berklee School of Music, in Boston, and to my delight they played
    tunes from all of their albums, they didn't favor one over the other.
                                                                         

	
�   Very much like UB40, Steel Pulse has adopted a more pop sound
�   than the skankin' roots reggae of their earlier days.
                                                     
    I think this hits the nail on the head for me, and maybe the reason
    why I'm not so keen on them as I use to be.
    
    BY the way, I think one of their ex members is now fronting the
    Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra.
    
    David.
    

    
    Any more info about the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra? I first read
    their name a few days ago in a listing for upcoming gigs here in
    Munich. As I'm usually very keen on British Reggae, it might be
    interesting to go and see them...
    
    I once saw Azwad at the Glastonbury Festival back in 1983, really
    enjoyed them. Also got their live recording from Notting Hill Carnival
    years ago. But haven't heard of them recently.
    
    As far as Steel Pulse are concerned, I do agree with the previous
    replies, but nevertheless I bought their - fairly new, I think -
    album "State of Emergency", which contains some very good titles,
    though some pretty middle of the road ones too.
    
    By the way, does anybody out there know about the whereabouts and
    whatabouts of the Bristol based Black Roots?
    
    - Hannelore -
    

    
    Steel Pulse is a little too "cross-over-y" for me, but Aswad's
    got some good roots music out.  Have you checked out any ON-U
    Sound (this is Adrian Sherwood's label)?  Most of the rythms are
    done by the Roots Radics band, with singers like Bim Sherman,
    Prince Fari, Lee Perry, and Jah Woosh to name a few.  There
    are four different "groups" (Singers and Players, Creation Rebel,
    Dub Syndicate, African Headcharge), but they consist of pretty
    much the same persons.  Great stuff - and if you're into something
    a little harder try some Kieth Leblanc, Mark Stewart, Fats Comet,
    Missing Brazilians, etc. (wicked mixes!)
    
    
    Ron

    Strange no-one's mentioned this yet, but Aswad have recently become
    a top-10 group, having had a couple of major hit singles recently.
    I suspect, though that this level of success may only be temporary,
    in that they'll stay close enough to their roots not to have to
    sell out totally to the big machine.
    
    Is the Notting Hill live stuff what came out on the "Live and Direct"
    lp a while back - if so, that's a demonstration of Aswad at their
    best.
    
    There was a lot of British reggae that came through in the wake
    of punk, Steel Pulse and Black Roots were in there (yes, where *are*
    they now?), also it maybe worth checking out some Misty in Roots,
    and Black Uhuru
    
    I saw Lee Perry a couple of years back, unfortunately he can't have
    been at his best, I was not very impressed.
    
    Bob

    Yes, the Aswad live stuff recorded at the Notting Hill Carnival
    IS 'Live and Direct' 1983. 
    
    As Misty 'n' Roots was mentioned, I do like their stuff, but was
    disappointed when I saw them here in Munich some years ago, mainly
    because they just were on the stage for 50 minutes and didn't even
    come back for an encore...
    
    - Hannelore -

    Blimey, when I saw 'em they were only half way through their second
    song after 50 minutes!!         
    
    Bob

    So they must have had a BAD day the day I saw them...
    Well, maybe there's another chance!
    
    UB40 seems to be one of these bands that get caught up in big bizz
    more and more, remembering their first couple of albums, BEFORE
    the days of red red wine etc, they still had something to say, I
    enjoyed their words as well as the sound. What are tey up to now?
    Any hint of returning to their roots, or still on the way "up"?
    
    ..............hannelore

    Has anyone out there heard the latest Reggae hits album?  It's got
    a good variety of reggae on it, including tunes like 'Proud to be
    Black', Michael Jackon's Man in the Mirror (reggae style), and other
    really good tunes.  
    
    If you haven't got it - get it!!
    
    p.s. I saw UB40 in concert about 3 years ago, and I thought they
    were brilliant - Chrissie Hynde (is that right?) turned up to sing
    I GOT YOU BABE - it was great at the time!!
    
    Julie
    

    Hi all.
    
    Does anyone remember a reggae song, that was well popular, in the
    latter half of 1985.  I think it was called 'ring the alarm', possibly
    by 'tenor saw'?  Anyone remember it, or have any idea of where I
    can find it now?
    
    Thanx
    
    Mike