Audiopile Review: Huge shout out to Warp Records for helping get so much of the On-U Sound catalogue back into print. It’s noticeable that this ongoing reissue series has gone beyond heavy hitters like African Head Charge and Dub Syndicate to explore lesser-known corners of On-U’s vault. This is very much in keeping with the spirit of Adrian Sherwood’s legendary punky reggae label. Sherwood is all about paying tribute to the backroom players who powered reggae’s golden age. That’s how he came to release ’35 Years from Alpha’, the only solo album by session saxophonist ‘Deadly’ Headley Bennett. Headley was an essential instrumental voice in Jamaican music from the 1950s on, playing on countless sessions for everyone up to and including Bob Marley. Originally released in 1982, ’35 Years from Alpha’ features a typical On-U cast of characters, including members of The Roots Radics as well as heavenly vocalist Bim Sherman. The funky riddims and Headley’s sweet-but-never-saccharine sax stylings make this one of the most accessible albums in the On-U Sound discography. Essential for On-U fans and a fantastic place to start for the curious.

***

Long awaited reissue of the 1982 solo LP from the late, great “Deadly” Headley Bennett, a key sideman from the golden age of Jamaican music who played on hundreds of records in a long and storied career.

Designed as a showcase record for his unique talents, producer Adrian Sherwood assembled a crack team of his singers and players at the time for this set, including Style Scott, Bim Sherman, George Oban, Lizard Logan, Crucial Tony, and Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah. Also making an appearance on two tracks is fellow Alpha alumni Rico Rodriguez.

Vinyl re-cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, includes a printed inner sleeve with liner notes and rare photos.