The late
Byron Everton Letts (aka
Toyan or
Ranking Toyan) is generally remembered today for his brilliant 1981 LP
How the West Was Won, on which he chatted over
Roots Radics rhythms dubbed up by the legendary
Scientist. But his work for the pioneering dancehall producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes was top quality as well, and that's what was collected for release in 1982 as
Spar with Me on the VP label. And apart from a couple of inevitable clunkers (mostly arising from the fact that his chatting isn't in the same key as the rhythm), this album is sure to please anyone who enjoyed the classic early dancehall sounds of
How the West Was Won. At the time
Spar with Me was recorded, the line between roots reggae and dancehall was still fuzzy and permeable -- there are no computer beats here, just unusually heavyweight roots rhythms from the Hi Times Band and
Roots Radics, over which
Toyan chats in a style that sometimes recalls
Big Youth (check out his introductory flourishes on "Jacket & Tie") and sometimes harks back as far as Count Machuki ("You I love and not another") but always sounds fresh and at least reasonably original. "Stylee" is much more modern-sounding (and the mix is a little bit strange), but "Walk and Talk with Jah Love" sounds like it comes from the same transitional period. Highly recommended. [
Spar with Me was finally reissued on CD after 25 years on VP's 17 North Parade imprint.] ~ Rick Anderson