Congos, The - Heart Of The Congos

This isn't really a review about the music on this album, because of course the music is untouchable - Heart Of the Congos is generally considered to be one of the greatest reggae records of all times.

Instead, I wanted to highlight some of the details about this 2xCD edition. Blood and Fire have a well-earned reputation for excellent reissues - great selection, mastering and artwork - and here they have given this classic album the respect it deserves. This edition is lavishly presented in a slimline clear double jewel case with a 20+ page full colour booklet on thick stock. The art and design from Intro gives an organic feel to the package with images of the original LP and irie collages of found objects. The booklet also has an essay and some short technical notes about the remastering process.

CD1 largely follows the tracklisting of the original LP, with a couple of extra tracks. CD2 is a collection of versions including two spacious mixes of Congoman. The audio has been transparently remastered - it never feels fatiguing like overdone remastering sometimes feels.

Altogether, Blood & Fire do it again with a superb edition of a sublime album. Essential!

One of the greatest Reggae albums ever and probably Lee Perry's finest moment. Achingly beautiful harmonies accompanied by incredible Perry production and riddims. There's such melancholic beauty to the Congos' vocals, yet at the same time it fills you with joy at the sheer beauty of the songs. The production is almost space-like for Roots Reggae with incredible layers of percussion and dub like spaces for the music to grow. To go with the sweet melodies and stunning vocals which leaves a breathtaking album. Essemtial Reggae for your collection.

Probably my favorite reggae album of all time, outstanding production by the great Lee Perry, and a firm favorite of the late John Peel as well. Also some pioneering use of DMX on 'Congoman'....