Taylor, Rod – “Where Is Your Love Mankind” – [Greensleeves Records Ltd.]

Thurston Hunger   9/26/2013   12-inch, A Library

Reissue of Rod Taylor’s sophomore release out in 1980 originally.
The title track hits the apex off the bat, Taylor’s sweet vocals
rising above the Roots Radics Band. Special respect to Steelie and
Ansel Collins, providing the organ work which on the entire first
side really carries the sound. And on the title track, they sort
of juggle around the melody, carried primarily by Gladstone
Anderson’s bluesy piano. This album finds its strength in a minor
key, but steadied by the bass of Errol Holt. There’s something
about reggae bass players that just speaks to devotion. They
are always going to be there, the guitars can flicker in, scratch
and wah a bit. The drums can dip in some reverb dub (not too
much here despite Scientist doing the mixing honors), but that
bass will always be there on the one. Lyrics hang on women a lot,
one moment Taylor wants Cheryl to “Give Me Your Love Forever” but
that is followed by a “Lazy Woman.” Other thoughts move between
ghetto pride and tenement tenacity. Soothing and soulful and
like the photo on the cover, dominated by the hues of blues.

-Thurston Hunger