Words Of Wisdom

Album review

Alongside Culture, Prince Far I, and the DJ Trinity, singer Dennis Brown helped establish the Mighty Two (Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson) production brand during the late 1970s, and he did so through records like Words of Wisdom. The singer's delivery is strong and his concerns palpable on a set of songs that consist largely of sobering, reality themes. Though his fondness for lovers material served Brown well, earning him a hit with "Ain't That Loving You," the most memorable material is contained elsewhere. The God fearing opener "So Jah Say," the wise man's discourse of the title track, and "A True"'s pleas for deeper understanding in religious matters and life in general, are standouts. Though these may not be quite the equal of Visions' counterparts like "Malcolm X," "Repatriation," and "Deliverance Must Come," they were strong enough to suggest that Brown had lasting potential. The singer even revisits his first charting single, 1972s "Money in My Pocket," achieving greater success the second time around. Gibbs' studio band is in even sharper form than on Visions. The veteran rhythm section of Sly Dunbar (drums), Robbie Shakespeare (bass), Willie Lindo (guitar), Winston Wright (keyboards), and others urging Brown to arguably greater musical heights. Words of Wisdom's follow-up, Joseph's Coat of Many Colours, completed a highly successful trilogy of recordings for the Mighty Two. Brown's subsequent popularity led to a contract with A&M in the U.S., though later attempts at broadening his fanbase failed to produce results as successful as early albums like this one.

© Nathan Bush /TiVo