We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Black Symbol

by Black Symbol

supported by
mandajoan
mandajoan thumbnail
mandajoan this album is absolutely fantastic. As good as anything I can think of reggae wise. Deeply spiritual, deeply creative musically. Cannot believe I have been unaware of this band for so long. Can't stop playing it.... Favorite track: None a Jah Jah Children.
Craig White
Craig White thumbnail
Craig White killer 'lost' uk roots - both delighted and ashamed that these crucial tunes have by-passed me for 40 years! towering bass performances, vocals very much in the style of burning spear/sylford walker, this is invaluable stuff!
best deal is to buy cd - accompanying download is of vinyl release with some differing tracklisting/mixes, so you get the full package! Favorite track: Travel.
Fred Clark
Fred Clark thumbnail
Fred Clark great vocals, sound, lyrics..everything...just great.
/
  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Double Vinyl LP in a deluxe gatefold sleeve. Package includes a cd of the tracks on the LP. We have 50 copies available from the website which include the limited cd.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Black Symbol via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days
    edition of 50 

      £22 GBP or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD comes in a standard jewel case. 16 tracks with several different versions to the tracks on the LP. Comprehensive sleeve notes by Martin Langford with rare photos and family photos supplied by Fatman

    Includes unlimited streaming of Black Symbol via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 2 days

      £8 GBP or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £8 GBP  or more

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 20 Reggae Archive Records releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Journey, Feel It, Menelik, Political / Generals, Mark of Slavery / Slow Down (New Stock), The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume Two, Black Symbol presents The Complete Handsworth Explosion, The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One, and 12 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £63.50 GBP or more (50% OFF)

     

1.
Loving Jah 06:31
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Travel 07:41
9.
How Long 09:48
10.
Solidarity 07:13
11.
Tension 07:01
12.
Dub Piano 03:28

about

Black Symbol are among the unsung heroes of British Reggae. During their heyday in the early 1980s, they not only released a handful of their own songs as singles, now highly sought after, but financed and released the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion”, records that documented and showcased so many talented local acts. They played countless shows, funded numerous recording sessions for local bands and singers and did everything possible to promote the music they and their fellow artists were creating.

Although their reputation within Birmingham was and still is second to none, their self-released records lacked the promotional muscle of major label backing and enjoyed modest sales, not escaping beyond the specialist reggae market.

There can be few British bands whose back catalogue is so unknown by the masses and so deserving of an album release. Better late than never, three decades and more since they were recorded, Reggae Archive Records have gone through the singles, the Black Symbol tracks included on the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion” and unreleased songs, to compile an album that will do Black Symbol's music justice and rightfully secure their place as one of Britain's most important and original reggae bands of the 1980s.

When it came to naming this album “Black Symbol” was all the title it needed, a name resonant with meaning that truly fits the music within. The CD version contains 16 tracks of which 4 are versions, whilst the high quality double vinyl contains 12 tracks including versions and is cut for maximum dynamic range. Where they exist on the master tapes we have taken the opportunity to use slightly different mixes on the vinyl and CD and whilst the CD contains tracks from the two volumes of “Handsworth Explosion,” these are omitted from the vinyl as they can be readily found on our vinyl reissues of those LPs.

The music itself is roots reggae at its best, clearly British, but firmly anchored to the childhood home of the band's core members in St Ann's on Jamaica's North coast; like Birmingham another hotbed of Reggae creativity and talent. Although all tracks were recorded at Outlaw Studios in the heart of Birmingham, this music is among the most Jamaican sounding of any British recordings. There is not a conscious attempt to mimic a Jamaican sound, it's in the group's DNA and just naturally permeates their sound. Unlike so many other British reggae groups, they didn't take The Wailers as a template and instead created something new and entirely unique.

Two thirds of the vocals have overtly religious themes, spiritual, uplifting, joyful, a timeless celebration of belief; these songs are inclusive rather than exclusive and lift your spirits whatever your faith or none at all. The rest of the vocals have political themes, equally heartfelt and everything is delivered with total conviction. The versions are no mere afterthoughts, but perfectly realised companion pieces with all the weight and vibes anyone could wish for.

The double vinyl LP comes in a deluxe gatefold sleeve and both it and the CD version contain sleeve notes based on interviews with original band members; Fatman, Blobbo and Rhino plus archive photos provided by bandleader Fatman. The album will be released on all formats by Reggae Archive Records on 16th March 2015 and is sure to be one of the highlights of the year for all fans of roots reggae and British reggae.

The music of Black Symbol can also be found on Reggae Archive's previous releases, “Handsworth Explosion Volume One” and “Handsworth Explosion Volume Two” as well as featuring on our forthcoming release “The Midlands Roots Reggae Explosion Volume One”. Fatman has also released a new album under the Black Symbol name, “Journey” which is available on our sister label Sugar Shack Records.

ARTIST: Black Symbol
TITLE: “Black Symbol”
RELEASE DATE: 16th March 2015
LABEL: Reggae Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / SRD
FORMAT: Double Vinyl (Gatefold Sleeve), CD and Digital Download
CAT NO: RARC016V / RARC016CD
BARCODE: 5052571058916 / 5052571058923
GENRE: Reggae, Dub

credits

released March 16, 2015

Black Symbol

Black Symbol: LP Version

Side A
1. Loving Jah (6.28)
2. Everything Has It's Time (9.35)

Side B
1. None a Jah Jah Children (4.06)
2. Jah Children Version (3.50)
3. In The Name Of Jah (4.07)
4. In The Name Of Jah Version (4.04)
5. In The Name Of Jah (Drum & Bass Reprise) (1.53)

Side C
1. Travel (7.41)
2. How Long (9.48)

Side 4
1. Solidarity (7.13)
2. Tension (7.01)
3. Dub Piano (3.30)

All tracks recorded, engineered and mixed at Outlaw Studios, Birmingham, UK between 1980 and 1987
All tracks produced by Black Symbol
All tracks written by Fatman / Black Symbol except Side B Tracks 3, 4 and 5 written by Rhino / Black Symbol
All tracks published by Archive Publishing Ltd

CD Track Listing:

1. Everything Has It's Time (4.49)
2. Everything Has It's Time (Version) (4,46)
3. None A Jah Jah Children (4.21)
4. None A Jah Jah Children (Version) (3.50)
5. Travel (7.38)
6. How Long (9.48)
7. Loving Jah (6.28)
8. In The Name Of Jah (4.04)
9. In The Name Of Jah (Dub) (4.04)
10. Trouble Trouble (5.03)
11. Spiritual Reggae (3.06)
12. Travelling (3.06)
13. My Heart Reveals Danger (3.30)
14. Dub Piano (3.30)
15. Solidarity (5.25)
16. Tension (4.11)


(c) & (p) Reggae Archive Records 2015
All tracks owned by Black Symbol and exclusively licenced to Reggae Archive Records by Fatman

Tape transfers Adrian (Great Bear) except Side A Tracks 1 & 2 transfers and audio restoration by Sean Pennycock
Mastered by Steve Street
Sleeve design by Sam Giles
Compiled by Martin Langford
Sleeve notes by Martin Langford from an interview with Black Symbol in 2014
All original photos supplied by Fatman

Contact:
info@reggaearchiverecords.com
www.reggaearchiverecords.com

Made in UK
Cat. No. – RARC016V and RARC016CD

Thanks to: Fatman, Rhino and Jeff (Black Symbol), Mark Ismail (Soul of Anbessa Records), Paul Horton (Ecks Productions).


Musicians

Jeff Rhythm Guitar except bass on Track 1 Side B
Godfrey Drums
Rhino Lead Guitar
Sonia Keyboards
Smalls Sax
Essa Bass
Fatman Lead Vocals, Percussion and Rhythm Guitar

Backing singers:
Fatman
Mushae


This album is dedicated to Jeff – RIP 2014
Jeff was a member of Black Symbol which is a family band
Jeff was an inspirational musician who went on to have a successful career as a Defence Barrister dealing with clients throughout the UK. He was loved by the community in Handsworth and fellow musicians worldwide.

Jeff may the stars shine bright and the bass be heavy. Blessed Love. (Fatman)

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Reggae Archive Records UK

Reggae Archive Records is a record label dealing in British Reggae from the 70's, 80's and 90's.

contact / help

Contact Reggae Archive Records

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Black Symbol, you may also like: