First Class Citizen by Edi Fitzroy
Edi Fitzroy has been making sweet reggae music since 1975, and his 1981 release "Check For You Once" is one of the classics, having been a number one album for weeks in Jamaica following its release. I've had a highly valued copy on vinyl, but recently I discovered this CD, which combines "Check For You Once" with several other songs done with producer Trevor Elliott (the Musical Ambassador) who was kind enough to forward I several copies. I didn't have to beg, but I would have! This is an absolutely awesome disc, one where the description "all killer and no filler" is fully legitimate. "The Gun" and "Youthman Penitentiary" are two of his all-time classic singles, but the crucial roots music is non-stop here..."Work On Mr. Farmer," "Informer," "People Dem A Suffer," "9mm," "Check For You Once" and the title track are simply so massive that you'd think this was a greatest hits album. For those of you more familiar with his later works that have some dancehall influences, na worry, this is roots all the way- upbeat roots, but still true. The tight backing riddims of the Roots Radics (who else) clinch this as an absolute must-have album. And be thankful that somebody who cared put this out on CD. Very highly recommended!
John "Bahiman" Reichle Creation-Steppin Radio
