Mikey Dread Dread At The..-Coloured-

Although it's the dub version of this album that was to reach legendary status, the original vocal version of Dread at the Controls is equally crucial. On this, his debut album, Jamaica's one and only roots Rasta DJ toasted over some of the most superb rhythms to be had, laid down by a kaleidoscope of power pairings -- Robbie Shakespeare, Ranchie McLean, and Earl "Bagga" Walker throbbing, high-stepping, and slinking around on bass, with Sly Dunbar, Carlton "Santa" Davis, and Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace snapping out the militant beats. Joining them is a trio of star axemen including Earl "Chinna" Smith, a quintet of pianomen/keyboardists including Augustus Pablo, Ansel Collins, and Gladdy Anderson, a pair of expert percussionists, and a lethal brass section. An errant explosion could have snuffed out the island's entire music industry in a nanosecond, assuming everyone was present in the studio. While Dread was at the controls, behind him were such studio wizards as Ernest Hookim, Errol