The latest releases reviewed
Blood & Fire is best known for its impressive dub credentials and impeccable reissues (plus the fact that reggae fan Mick "Simply Red" Hucknall put his cash into the venture). The label's Singerman compilation is where the voices take control of the sound system. Featuring 18 divine vocal cuts, Singerman is a smartly pitched and priced sampler of the label's back-catalogue. While there are some familiar names in the line-up - even non-reggae fans will nod at the mention of Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy and Black Uhuru - the quality on show throughout is tremendous. The strident swagger of Max Romeo on Fire Fe the Vatican,the beautiful righteous sweep of At the Feastfrom The Congo, and Yabby You's lovely Deliver Me from My Enemiesare proof that Singerman is coming right from the heart and the soul of the sound. www.bloodandfire.co.uk JIM CARROLL
Download tracks: The Congos: At the Feast; Dennis Brown: Man Next Door