Reviewed by Steve Serpiente

For a choice compilation of early dancehall material inna rootsman style,
check out Easy Star Records' latest release, "Can't Stop Us Now."

Jammed with 19 tracks (13 of which were previously unreleased on CD)
the disc showcases the production work of Linval Thompson, concentrating
on the period from 1979-1982, and features heavyweight artists like Dennis
Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, Junior Reid, Don Carlos, Eek-a-Mouse,
Barrington Levy, the Wailing Souls,  Johnny Clarke and Johnny Osbourne.
The Roots Radics, as well as Sly & Robbie, laid down the backing riddims at
the infamous Channel One studio, and Soljie and Scientist shared duties at
the boards.

With the exception of Gregory Isaacs' "Tenement Yard," a reality tune recorded
in 1990 prominently featuring Sly's syndrums and other electronic effects typical
of the late 1980's / early 1990's, the CD is a cohesive study in pre-digital dancehall
reggae. Among the standouts are Freddie McGregor's "Jah Help the People" (which
is presented in an extended showcase format with the vocal followed by wicked dub);
Junior Reid's "Mr. Big Man" (on which the pre-Bobo Reid chants praises to Jah in his
signature Waterhouse style); Dennis Brown's upbeat "Give a Little;" Johnny Osbourne's
"Night Fall" (another extended mix); Eek-a-Mouse's herbal anthem "Sensi Party;"
and "Bad Boys" (a combination cut featuring Linval himself with Barrington Levy
riding the Vanity riddim).

Although this disc features his output as a producer, Linval is indeed a very capable
performer in his own right. Essential listening from Thompson's solo catalog includes
his first release - 1976's "I Love Marijuana;" "Six Babylon;" "Look How Me Sexy"
(Greensleeves, 1982) and "Cool Down Your Temper" on the Clocktower imprint. The
UK label Blood & Fire has also released a first rate collection of Linval's recordings
on "Ride On Dreadlocks 1975-77." But it was as a producer that Linval scored his
greatest successes. As the dancehall sound matured from the late 1970's into the early
1980's, Thompson was behind some of the most acclaimed LP's of the period: Freddie
McGregor's "Big Ship;" Eek-a-Mouse's "Skidip;" Barrington Levy's "Poor Man Style;"
Triston Palmer's "Joker Smoker;" Johnny Osbourne's "Night Fall;" the Meditations'
"No More Friend;" the Viceroys' "We Must Unite;" and two hard Scientist dub albums:
"Scientist Encounters Pac-Man" and "Scientist and Jammy Strike Back."

Easy Star's first collaboration with Thompson, "Can't Stop Us Now" is the latest in a
series of reissues of vintage reggae from the label. Previous releases dipped into the
deep well of Sugar Minott's work as both producer and performer, resulting in the
various artists sets "Hidden Treasures Volumes1 & 2;" as well as "Rare Gems," an
assemblage of hard to find Minott solo songs; Sugar's 1979 classic "Ghetto-ology +
Dub;" and "Want Some Freedom" by the 1970's harmony trio the African Brothers
made up of a very young Sugar Minott, Tony Tuff and Derrick Howard.

Contact reggae addict Steve Serpiente at serpiente97@yahoo.com