Battle Axe [Trojan UK]

RELEASE
1996
LABEL
Trojan
GENRES
Pop/Rock, Dub, Roots Reggae

Album Review

You won't see Lee Perry's name anywhere on this album unless you look very hard for the producer credit, which is in tiny print on the back. And it's probably true that he doesn't perform on any of these tracks, many of which are instrumentals by the Upsetters, and others that feature such well-known singers as Junior Byles, Delroy Wilson, and Little Roy (as half of a duo called Mark & Luke). But his production style is unmistakable, and the Upsetters' sound is one that he shaped. This collection of Jamaican hit singles was originally released in 1971, and it includes such deathless material as Junior Byles' "Place Called Africa," the Upsetters' instrumental version of "Blue Moon" (billed here as "Dark Moon"), and the title track, an instrumental version of Bob Marley & the Wailers' "Small Axe." The two Delroy Wilson songs, "I'm Yours" and "Cool Operator," are also excellent. Highly recommended.
Rick Anderson, Rovi

Track Listing

  1. Battle Axe
  2. Place Called Africa
  3. Cheerio
  4. Picture on the Wall
  5. Cool Operator
  6. Knock Three Times
  7. Pop-A-Pop
  8. Earthquake
  9. Don't Cross the Nation
  10. Dark Moon
  11. Rough and Smooth
  12. Groove Me
  13. Easy Snapping
  14. I'm Yours