Freddie McGregor: Bobby Bobylon – Deluxe Edition Vinyl LP Freddie McGregor

“I know your evil plan, Mister Babylon…” Freddie McGregor was part of the next generation of Studio One artists mining the label’s catalog and repurposing classic riddims, a sea change initiated by the late great Sugar Minott on his debut album Live Loving, released in 1977. Bobby Bobylon was Freddie’s debut album for the reggae institution, released a whopping 14 years after he debuted on the label ‘longside Ernest ‘Fitzroy’ Wilson as Fredie & Fitsy with the “Do Good” single in 1965. More 45s trickled out over the years, but Freddie’s “Bobby Bobylon” single, a re-rub of Jackie Mittoo’s classic “One Step Beyond,” did serious damage in the dance in 1979, leading to this Clement Dodd-produced LP of the same name. The album collects a few of the heavier singles released in the few years prior, notably “Rastaman Camp” and a reworked version of “Revolutionist,” plus new takes on Studio One classics “Undying Love” by former partner Ernest Wilson (“Wine Of Violence”) and The Kingstonians‘ “I Make A Woman” (“We Need More Love”). If a deluxe remastered pressing of the original album weren’t enough (it is), this double vinyl set includes alternate mixes and rare tracks on the second LP, all housed in a gatefold jacket containing rare photos and extensive liner notes. Recommended.

• deluxe remastered edition
• double vinyl pressing
• LP1 contains original album
• LP2 contains bonus tracks, rare singles + extended mixes
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Studio One 2018

reviewed by hannibal chew 03/2018