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Changes

Used reggae records are few and far between in this particular corner of South Wales. I can't even recall the last time I saw a copy of Bob Marley's Legend hereabouts. That goes some way towards explaining why I only own a grand total of three reggae LPs: two by Black Uhuru and this one, Changes, by The Mighty Diamonds. I'd long imagined my copy, which has 'MADE IN JAMAICA' printed on the rear of the sleeve, to be an import; but, on closer inspection, I now think it's the 1982 UK re-press. To be fair, the two variants are very similar.

It's a very enjoyable album with strong songwriting throughout (with six of the ten tracks written by one or more of the Diamonds), and is one of many benefitting from the presence of Sly Dunbar on the drums, and Robbie Shakespeare on bass. As one might expect from a group that originated as a vocal harmony trio, the singing is first rate too. Oddly, the record has never been issued on CD.

I was half-familiar with the opening track 'Pass The Kouchie', having heard it a few times, and being better-acquainted with the reworked version by Musical Youth ('Pass The Dutchie'), which had been a big hit in '82. Other favourite tracks of mine are 'Wanna Be With You' and 'No Crying, No Bawling'. Tragically, lead singer Donald "Tabby" Shaw was killed in a drive-by shooting in March this year, and, by sad coincidence, his bandmate Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson died in hospital only days later, after a long illness.

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