Arguably the heaviest hitting of the quartet of albums U-Roy recorded with producer Tony Robinson, Rasta Ambassador's musician credits read like a best of the era list. The Riddim Twins Sly & Robbie, percussionist Sticky, pianist Ansel Collins, synth player Earl Lindo, and vocal group the Gladiators are just the some of the 15 guest stars that filled the Harry J Studios during the recording. Needless to say, this dream team created an extraordinary classic roots reggae album, with Robinson's love of reverb adding a throbbing, deep dub feel. At the same time, the backing vocals, in best rocksteady harmonizing style, provide a link with Jamaica's past, notably on "Say You" and a re-recorded "The Tide Is High." Equally impressive is the recut "Wear You to the Ball," where the deep dub beats are juxtaposed against Collins' simple piano melody and the Gladiators' sedate sweet vocals are played off against the DJ's more excited delivery. Counterpointing these versions of '60s gems are the newer, pure roots songs like "Evil Doers," which showcases some of Sly & Robbie's fattest rhythms, and U-Roy's rap becomes one with the beats. A dub-heavy version of the Wailers' "Small Axe" made quite a splash at the time, but the DJ delivers much more powerful performances on "No More War" and "Jah Jah," tongue-tying toasts that ride the rhythms like a Grand Prix driver. Rasta Ambassador remains a masterful album, a seminal blend of past and present, roots and rocksteady, this is U-Roy at his best, accompanied by a group that is yet to be beat.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo