Handsworth Revolution

by Steel Pulse

Overview

Steel Pulse's debut album set the band decisively apart from its British colleagues. This was not, by any stretch of the imagination, either pop-reggae or lovers rock. Nor was it the kind of dreamy Rasta reggae or art-for-art's sake dub that was popular at the time. Though the subtly jazzy swing that would later become explicit was already informing Steel Pulse's groove, the band's first album seemed not at all interested in generating anything like a party atmosphere. Handsworth Revolution is about politics first and religion second, with a quick nod to the dance ("Sound System") and another to the herb ("Macka Splaff") and not a single love lyric to be found anywhere. This gives the music a certain intellectual urgency, and the band's instrumental virtuosity is impressive given its youth and relatively inexperience. But it also makes for a rather dry listening experience; other than "Ku Klux Klan" and the gorgeous "Prodigal Son," there's not much to hold onto here, melodically speaking -- and even those two songs sound dry in comparison to the band's subsequent work. Still, there's a solidity to these tunes, a sheer tensile strength, that makes them compelling in their own Spartan way. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2024
Label:	Universal Import
UPC:	0602458787825
Rank:	67559

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steel Pulse   Primary Artist,Multi Instruments
Steve Nesbitt   Drums
Godfrey Madura   Saxophone
Steve Nisbett   Drums
Basil Gabbidon   Guitar,Vocals
Alphonso Martin   Vocals,Percussion
Ronnie McQueen   Bass,Percussion
Selwyn Brown   Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Mikey Riley   Percussion,Vocals
David Hinds   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

Steve Nesbitt   Composer
Andrew Aloof   Illustrations,Illustration Concept
Martin Fuller   Logo
Mike S. Riley   Composer
Pete King   Executive Producer
Steve Nisbett   Composer
Steve Lillywhite   Producer
Basil Gabbidon   Composer
Alphonso Martin   Composer
Ronnie McQueen   Composer
McQueen   Composer
Karl Pitterson   Engineer,Producer
Godwin Logie   Producer,Assistant Engineer
Selwyn Brown   Composer
Steel Pulse   Composer
Mikey Riley   Composer
Michael Riley   Composer
David Hinds   Composer