Big yellow Taxi

Press, 2 April 1987, Page 22

Big yellow Taxi

SLY AND ROBBIE "A Dub Experience” (Ireland L 38572). INI KAMOZE "Pirate” (Island L3BM9). VARIOUS ARTISTS "Taxi Connection Live In London” (Ireland 1LP59862). Everyman’s session musos, Sly and Robbie, have gradually moved to centre stage in the reggae riddim department. The Taxi

Connection’s on-again, offagain tour to New Zealand, brought some prospective excitement, but now there is only the live album to rely on. The question that the bass guitarist and drummer raise is whether you are experienced enough to dub? This reggae greats LP features mixes, courtesy of Paul “Groucho” Smykle, of , songs by Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown, Flabba Holt, plus a few extra.

The question then, is whether it is up to scratch? Certainly, it requires some patience to take in two sides of almost total instrumental dub. But there are little gems in among here — notably “Assault On Station 5.” There also appears to be the element of a concept album here which could be a reggae soundtrack for a sci-fi film — “Destination Unknown,” "Computer Malfunction,” “Back To Base” for example. Ini Kamoze, picked up by Sly and Robbie’s Taxi label, has been classed as rasta-pop, rather than a true Rastafarian. He is more in the vain of Eddy Grant, particularly in the area of love songs. The best in this area is “Betty Brown’s Mother,,” a song with a family twist to it.

Kamoze is stronger on the social side, particularly “Gunshot,” and the title track, “Pirate,” about

record industry moguls. “Pull The Cork,” about beating prohibition, also beats the other tracks, a neat song with a driving rhythm and vocals. But Kamoze better watch his words — the opening track, “Dream,” is as cliche ridden as the computerised machine he sings about. By far the best of the three selections is the Taxi Connection live import, recorded in London in December, 1986. It features Sly and Robbie, Kamoze, Half Pint, and Yellowman, and it is guaranteed to get that party going. The beat is irresistible, particularly the two opening instrumental tracks “Red Hot,” and “When You’re Hot You’re Hot,” by Sly and Robbie. The horn section is red hot. Even Ini Kamoze sounds positive and strong, especially on “Call t The Police.’’ -

Half Pint’s three tracks are dlsapppintliig but Yellowman’s “Reggae Calypso” is a fitting finale. There was much dismay that the Taxi Connection’s Sunsplash Downunder tour never eventuated earlier this year and an even more ; personal one for me. Last year these acts were due to play at a place I was standing at in Britain — the day after I was to leave. The Taxi Connection make the dance connection. Its the full fare. -NEVIN TOPP.