Words of Wisdom

by Dennis Brown

Overview

Alongside Culture, Prince Far I, and the DJ Trinity, singer Dennis Brown helped establish the Mighty Two (Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson) production brand during the late 1970s, and he did so through records like Words of Wisdom. The singer's delivery is strong and his concerns palpable on a set of songs that consist largely of sobering, reality themes. Though his fondness for lovers material served Brown well, earning him a hit with "Ain't That Loving You," the most memorable material is contained elsewhere. The God fearing opener "So Jah Say," the wise man's discourse of the title track, and "A True"'s pleas for deeper understanding in religious matters and life in general, are standouts. Though these may not be quite the equal of Visions' counterparts like "Malcolm X," "Repatriation," and "Deliverance Must Come," they were strong enough to suggest that Brown had lasting potential. The singer even revisits his first charting single, 1972s "Money in My Pocket," achieving greater success the second time around. Gibbs' studio band is in even sharper form than on Visions. The veteran rhythm section of Sly Dunbar (drums), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Willie Lindo (guitar), Winston Wright (keyboards), and others urging Brown to arguably greater musical heights. Words of Wisdom's follow-up, Joseph's Coat of Many Colours, completed a highly successful trilogy of recordings for the Mighty Two. Brown's subsequent popularity led to a contract with A&M in the U.S., though later attempts at broadening his fanbase failed to produce results as successful as early albums like this one. ~ Nathan Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	02/18/2014
Label:	Vp Records
UPC:	0054645418218
Rank:	60898

Tracks

1. So Jah Say
2. Don't Feel No Way
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Should I
5. A True
6. Ain't That Lovin' You
7. Cassandra
8. Love Jah
9. Black Liberation
10. Rasta Children
11. Drifter
12. Money in My Pocket

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dennis Brown   Primary Artist,Vocals
Sly Dunbar   Drums
Winston "Bo-Pee" Bowen   Guitar
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace   Drums
Ruddy Thomas   Percussion
Winston Wright   Keyboards
Willie Lindo   Guitar
Franklyn Waul   Keyboards,Percussion
Dean Fraser   Horn
Lloyd Parks   Bass
Neville Grant   Drums
Willie Breakridge   Horn
Ronald "Nambo" Robinson   Horn

Technical Credits

Allan Jones   Composer
Christopher Cross   Composer
Benny Andersson   Composer
Errol Thompson   Arranger,Engineer,Producer,Remixing
Homer Banks   Composer
Dennis Brown   Composer
Dennis Walks   Composer
Bjoern Ulvaeus   Composer
Robert Vosgien   Digital Mastering
Ruddy Thomas   Assistant Engineer
Oswald Palmer   Assistant Engineer
Joe Gibbs   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Remixing
John Lee Hooker   Composer
Peter Simon   Photography
Fred Carlson   Artwork
Egbert Evans   Horn Arrangements