Since 2003, French sound-turned-one-stop-reggae-label-shop Irie Ites have been knocking out relicks of classic rhythms with Jamaican artists old and new. Their latest album compiles previously released singles and fresh tracks from one of the island’s greatest deejays, Wade Brammer AKA Trinity. He’s the musical glue that binds a veritable pile-up of well-loved backings, compositions and phrases featuring a joyous reunion of vintage voices.
Trinity was among the talkers who followed in the wake of cultural pioneer Big Youth. And his similarly charismatic, dread-regal yet mischievous style still stands up. His voice is grainier than in his heyday, toasting over platters for Channel One, Joe Gibbs and Vivian Jackson/Yabby You. But he hasn’t lost the magic – particularly when the reverb is wacked high.
With a deep bag of rhythms, links and regular dubplate sessions between their Le Mans studio and Kingston it’s no surprise that Irie Ites have a serious roster of names at their disposal. And as such ‘Eye To Eye’ is a loving look into reggae’s past with few deviations from its rulebook. This is not one of those comeback records where Trinity tries his hand at bashment or pop.
The surprise, for those new to the label, is the sheer number of veteran vocalists for Trinity to spar with: from Leroy Sibbles to Beres to old friends like The Mighty Diamonds. Some deejay longplayers suffer from vocal monotony – there’s little danger of that here.
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