Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The Gladiators get serious on this 1984 set, their second for Nighthawk. Their previous album for the label, Symbol of Reality, was a bit more adventurous and actually found the group dipping their toes tentatively into dancehall. However, the group apparently found those waters too cold for comfort and now return with a solid roots record. Albert Griffiths is certainly in a serious mood, filling his songs with thoughtful, cultural lyrics. "My Thoughts" is part prayer and part sermon, the title track condemns gossip, "Good Foundation" prods listeners toward righteousness, while "Rearrange" is a heartfelt cry to stop the violence. This latter number, boasting a classic Studio One rocksteady rhythm, was initially cut by the group for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in the early '70s. Its release in 1975 was prompted by the Mighty Diamonds' own version of the rhythm, "Have Mercy," the single which debuted the group in Britain that same year. The Gladiators also resurrect "Fling It Gimme," a bouncy single dating from 1969. Although the song is given a rootsier arrangement, it still sounds a bit out of place on this set. "Freedom Train" fits much better; this free adaptation of "I Shall Be Released" was initially cut in 1971 and the group does a fine job reviving here. Serious Thing may confront serious issues, but the Gladiators occasionally liven up the mood, as on "After You," where the brass section sassily reels out an old '50s melody overhead. Even though the arrangements are all firmly roots based, there's a lovely lilting quality to the whole set and, in places, an almost rural mood. Although by this time Jamaicans had turned their back on roots, losing themselves to the dancehall DJs, the Gladiators refused to pander to the new fashion. Griffiths' pen is as sharp as ever, the melodies are strong, the harmonies incandescent, and the musicianship superb. The perfect roots album.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133.33/month
Albert Griffiths, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Albert Griffiths, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Albert Griffiths, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Albert Griffiths, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Albert Griffiths, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Clinton Fearon, Writer - Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Gladiators, MainArtist
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Album review
The Gladiators get serious on this 1984 set, their second for Nighthawk. Their previous album for the label, Symbol of Reality, was a bit more adventurous and actually found the group dipping their toes tentatively into dancehall. However, the group apparently found those waters too cold for comfort and now return with a solid roots record. Albert Griffiths is certainly in a serious mood, filling his songs with thoughtful, cultural lyrics. "My Thoughts" is part prayer and part sermon, the title track condemns gossip, "Good Foundation" prods listeners toward righteousness, while "Rearrange" is a heartfelt cry to stop the violence. This latter number, boasting a classic Studio One rocksteady rhythm, was initially cut by the group for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in the early '70s. Its release in 1975 was prompted by the Mighty Diamonds' own version of the rhythm, "Have Mercy," the single which debuted the group in Britain that same year. The Gladiators also resurrect "Fling It Gimme," a bouncy single dating from 1969. Although the song is given a rootsier arrangement, it still sounds a bit out of place on this set. "Freedom Train" fits much better; this free adaptation of "I Shall Be Released" was initially cut in 1971 and the group does a fine job reviving here. Serious Thing may confront serious issues, but the Gladiators occasionally liven up the mood, as on "After You," where the brass section sassily reels out an old '50s melody overhead. Even though the arrangements are all firmly roots based, there's a lovely lilting quality to the whole set and, in places, an almost rural mood. Although by this time Jamaicans had turned their back on roots, losing themselves to the dancehall DJs, the Gladiators refused to pander to the new fashion. Griffiths' pen is as sharp as ever, the melodies are strong, the harmonies incandescent, and the musicianship superb. The perfect roots album.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 00:51:04
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Gladiators
- Label: Omnivore Recordings
- Genre: Reggae
© 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC. ℗ 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.