Gregory Isaacs & Dennis Brown ‎– No Contest

If I could I would rate 6 stars!!

This is such a nice and rewarding record ! Two of the best Singers in the world teamed up over wickedest Reggae Beats, the world ever heard. That late-eighties Reggae was so far developed , it is always astonishing for me, when i hear something fresh from that time . "Judge Not" the 1983 Dennis & Gregory album also produced by Gussie Clarke (but with Sly & Robbie backing Dennis and The Roots Radics Gregory) is , besides KAYA the most played Vinyl in my collection. esp. the two long Trax on Gregory's side (Innercity Lady & Streetwalker) have been played over and over for a few years - This stufff here was backed by Steely & Clevie and Roby Lyn - Gussie's Music Work's Studio Band got more punch and is faster. You hear Syndrums and early digital gear all over the place; what makes these sound so special is Augustus "Gussie" Clarke's producer talent and of course the quality of the selected musicians. Great Songs, excellent delivery and then the following Dubs make this such a musical treat. Again it is hard to judge who is the winner here, but hey No Contest. Strongest Tunes here : from Gregory "Love Me Or Leave Me" just gives me the chills all over. His voice touches me in places i never knew even existed....LOL
Easy Life is a Collaboration and very strong- well placed as an opener. Dennis makes his biggest points with the woeful melancholic more conscious than mystic sounding No Camouflage.The Race is on,tThe Bass plays on , drums roll , Keyoard stabs and outro. This minimaalism goes on for minutes...Wonderful !
This was only Side A so far....
B1 is plain disappointing, Dennis "Life In The Fast Lane" is better , was played quite often on the Radio and in Clubs but is too digital for me to really make a deep impact on myself.Big All Around is the other Big Tune here - Dennis & Gregory were definitely Big And Broad all about. Gregory's Open Up is the final Feel Good Tune a "Let Me In, My Number One, Private Beach Party" type Sing A Long Tune. The multi voiced Backing Vocal Group does a fine Job here. All in All NO Contest won't ever take the place of Judge Not in my heart, but i will gladly recommend this to all fans of music, who like good songs, fine singers and great arrangements. Even Dub Fans will find enuffto discover here ; but it might be too personal for some.