By Maral Amiri
On Jul 14th 2007

The Heptones - Sweet Talking

The Heptones, a group who has played an integral part in reggae history is back !

The Heptones, a group who has played an integral part in reggae history - and more widely in the Jamaican music history - is back to make your speakers burst out !

Heartbeat label releases Sweet Talking, a compilation gathering for the first time on a CD several new mix. We are rediscovering the original trio, Leroy Sibbles, Barry Llewellyn and Earl Morgan in 18 songs, produced by Coxsone Dodd between 1967 and 1971. This compilation symbolizes the collaboration between the mythical Studio One label and a genius bassist and singer, Leroy Sibbles who played a great part in reggae development in terms of vocals as well as instrumentals. As a sure sign of that, Give Me The Right, based on a Studio One riddim, was revisited several times since its first release in 1968.

Equal Rights and Let’s Try with militant lyrics, Pretty Look Isn’t All, Sweet Talking and We Are In The Mood, in a true lover style. One Love or the magic of groove and the vocal’s harmony of a reggae pioneer trio. We should draw attention to the deep Message From A Black Man' led by an heavy bass, which wouldn't shame the original r’n’b hit of The Temptations.

What can we say about the moving Why did you leave me to cry and How can I leave you, except than it’s genuine love anthems, deep hearted sung by a Leroy Sibbles barely aged of 20 !

Sweet Talking is in the image of The Heptones’ work, poetic and melodic, switching from love messages (Sad Songs, In Love With You) to more commited lyrics (Glory Land, Let’s Try). It’s also a piece of the Studio 1 history which is presented with these songs that have contributed to build up the identity and the reputation of this label.