Forward My Youth
Photo: Greensleeves Record
November 30, 2018, Greensleeves Records, a division of VP Music Group, presents Step Forward Youth, a compilation album featuring 36 songs by the innovators of reggae music as Lee “Scratch” Perry, Michael Rose, Aswad, Culture, Horace Andy, Junior Murvin, Steel Pulse, Prince Far I, Keith Hudson, Tappa Zuki, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and Augustus Pablo. Meeting consumer demand, the album is available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms.
A well curated compilation with each artist representing a milestone in reggae music. From Dennis Brown’s emotive delivery and August Pablo’s compositions to Lee “Scratch” Perry leading the development of electronica and furthering sonic interpretations as dub and EDM. And notably it is their artistry which anchored the identity of West Indians the first generation of children whose parents migrated from Jamaica to North America and the United Kingdom. With this came the fostering of unexpected relationships between the West Indian and punk rock communities in the UK during the mid to late 1970s.
Distinct cultural spaces and races forming a relationship through music. To date, arguably, we have yet to survey this level of unity in diversity. Evident is the power of music to achieve where laws, social, political and economic strategies fail. To create unity where alienation pervades. Therefore, while division continues to exist, so does the connectivity of humanity and the influential power of the youth culture.
Rock Against Racism Carnival Southall, photo by Syd Shelton, London 1980
Change is difficult. Yet even when it slants towards the greater good, change management is often met with organized resistance, numerous reversions, and failure. In the field of music, the genre of reggae, the resistance is unyielding. Developers and consumers of reggae music are one of the fiercest soldiers. Consequently, melodic discourses that shift the landscape of reggae and even dancehall music are countered with increased air play, parties, and discussions of the old hits. That is the power of the music. And we need this sense of resilience to move us forward in our own lives.
Music is embedded in cultural legacy and icons, nationalism, social conditioning, identity politics and economic loyalties. To permit an additional perspective is to challenge certainty. As the legendary Culture’s single, “Two Sevens Clash,” association with Marcus Garvey.
At the core of our mindsets is legitimate fear especially in an era of social and economic uncertainty. But the contributors of this album confronted difficulties with ingenuity and collaborative efforts. And they were youths with limited family and social approval, the rude boys. While a few have departed, their legacy leaves teachable points about resiliency, especially when you are a stranger in a foreign space as Junior Murvin’s song of reason, “Cool Out Son.”
Photographer: Unknown
Today, the revolutionist strategy is founded on aggressive tactics of shock and awe. A principle problem with these types of plans is the resistors, like us, can sense the indecisiveness. While we may welcome some artistry, the level of noise only reinforces our loyalties to the familiar because the narratives lack traction. And traction is usually achieved through respectable ingenuity and constancy not a pastiche of the past. So, for every true new star we embrace ten mainstays.
This is the reason we need this album because these artists (vocalist, musicians, songwriters, producers, and sound engineers) demonstrate how to challenge systems and maintain loyalty to the cause of rebellion, particularly need for survival. So, let us join the fight through the purchase of another phenomenal collectible. And let us also note the incredible cover art frames nicely as wall art.
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