Hugh Mundell - Mundell (LP)

Hugh Mundell, tragically, was shot in 1983, at the age of 21. This album, first released in 1982, showcases his talent in a later stage of his unfortunately short-lived career, after 1980, for producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes. Mundell's vocals are (were) excellent, with a tortured feel, and with the underestimated quality of making you not only hear, but also "feel" the songs. Not only the vocals are great on this album, but also the music is tight (in a good sense), maintaining a solid roots reggae feel of (on most songs) the Roots Radics at their best. Especially the horns are inventive on these songs, and the riddim section well-balanced. This drum and bass, crisp, "clear" sound differs from Mundells' rougher-edged, and somewhat more atmospheric, earlier album Africa Must Be Free by 1983, but works on Mundell well. Mundell's emotive, heartfelt vocals are convincing throughout, in their expression of Rastafarian commitment. Especially "Rasta Have The Handle," "Tell I A Lie," "Red Gold & Green," and "Jah Music" draw you in with their beauty, especially vocally but also musically. Most remaining songs are, in my opinion, also good, though somewhat more chaotic and with some simpler compositions. The vocals remain engaging, however, and musically the sort of "dub" approach to roots reggae is entertaining enough, while the 2 dubs are okay, though somewhat strange (or original?), with added sounds. This 2004 rerelease adds 4 bonus tracks, including the good, previously unreleased "Walk with Jah."

     written by Michel Conci, seen on reggae-reviews.com