Archive 7″ 2008
Finally re-released on the Archive reissue label, Rod Taylor’s “Ethiopian Kings” is a roots anthem from the second half of the 70s, when rasta roots was at it’s peak. Originally released on Freedom Sounds, the song affirms that all the Kings mentioned in the bible - King David, King Solomon, King Moses.. were all black men from Africa, prophets that tried to show the light to the people but are not remembered as they should. Rod Taylor’s falsetto voice is plaintive and heartfelt , combined with a militant and carefully instrumented rhythm track, which has even got a middle eight with a wah wah’ed rhythm guitar solo, that brings another interest to the tune. Side B is a dub by the mighty King Tubby at his best, which, needless to say, is absolutely essential – a masterpiece of dub.
Prince Malachi has been getting good attention recently from UK producers, and his new album One Perfect Love released on Blakamix has given the Bradford based producer Dennis “Mixman” Bedeau an excellent varied album. The album starts and ends with a nyabinghi chant – strictly drumming and harmonized voices - setting a the mood for the album which ventures away from sticking solely to the usual steppers style associated to the label. Prince Malachi, as a roots messenger, sings reality and culture on a variety of riddims ranging from 4/4 roots on the title track and “Burning” (also available as a 10”), to one drops such as Protect Your Home, or the excellent Fire chant which sounds like an Xterminator production. The singer’s characteristic smooth voice – a mix between Luciano and Michael Rose - makes One Perfect Love a lovely listen, even if you are not a UK dub fan.
Little is known about this meditative roots song or it’s excellent dub version. The discrete background echoes of wah wah-ed up guitar, the soulful keyboards, the definitely-not-over the top harmonica, are backed up by a strong grove on the bass and a very rootsy plaintive singing. Almost like a chant. The melancholy flute end solo also adds to make it a very 70s UK sound. The obscure lyrics add to the mystery: “Nation fiddler, them a devil in disguise. Two fence (? Not sure) players, them a play with our lives? Fire, fire, fire ha…It a go burn them down” Another prophetic warning to all wicked men or a subtle political statement? Who knows its message? It dates from 1977, on the Congo label (CO 1) . Most comments I have seen on it seem to agree that despite similarities with Perry productions,¹ the general sound and vibe feel UK rather than JA, which would seem to be supported by the appearance of the 7” and its label.
Hailing from London, the Dubsicarius label has just released two tens featuring Prince Malachi on vocals. One of these is “Revolution”, a minimalist one drop digital dub which comes as a breath of fresh air in the midst of the steppers tunes that have been coming out of the UK recently. 
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