Review: Dread Locks Dread, originally released in 1975 on KLIK Records and reissued by Front Line in 1978, stands as one of Big Youth's most defining albums. Known for his innovative DJ style, Big Youth's chant-like toasting brought a melodic, rhythmic energy to socially charged lyrics, making him one of reggae's most distinctive voices in the early 1970s. This album, featuring the legendary Skin, Flesh and Bones band with Lloyd Parks on bass and a young Sly Dunbar on drums, delivers a blend of punchy reggae rhythms and deep, immersive dub. Produced by Tony Robinson and Errol Thompson at Joe Gibb's studio, Dread Locks Dread shows Big Youth's ability to elevate classic reggae tracks with his unique vocal style. Highlights include 'Some Like It Dread', a reinterpretation of Dennis Brown's 'Some Like It Hot', enriched by bluesy harmonica, and 'Marcus Garvey Dread', a fiery version of Burning Spear's anthem. The album also features a brilliant take on John Holt's 'Keep on Moving' and a dub-heavy version of the Techniques' 'You Don't Care'.
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