This 1984 album from
Barry Brown
comes at the end of a prolific run for the reggae singer, one that began in the late '70s with producer
Bunny Lee
.
Right Now
, on the other hand, is produced by the underappreciated
Jah Screw
, and it's unique for other reasons too, like being a rather sweet and cool album and in contrast to his two other 1984 releases -- the upbeat clash album
Showdown, Vol. 1
with DJ
Little John
, and
Roots & Culture
, the aptly titled throwback album he recorded with "Armageddon Time" singer
Willie Williams
. Add that year's playful and sexy lovers rock single "Belly Move" -- with swagger borrowed from both
Yellowman
and
Dennis Brown
-- and you've got the full
picture with the humble and almost hitless
being the rich, rewarding, and dank anchor. That dank bit comes from
Screw
's reverb-heavy, always echoing production, which on the opening dancehall stepper "Sister Magling" goes beyond the usual dub tropes as its horn section seems to wave in the breeze, occasionally being carried away by the stronger gusts. Convincing heartache from
Brown
and speaker-cutting lick shots from
make "Lonely Girl" a standout, then "I Give My Love" kicks off three easy romantic numbers, all of them prime showcases for the singer's youthful voice and smooth croon. "Mister Minister" and the rest of the original LP's side two are right in the modern Rasta vein of
the Mighty Diamonds
and are sure to make
Sublime
fans feel at home, but
exits without that signature hit or standout songwriting, even if
's commitment to the B+ material elevates it all. With
taking a break soon after its release,
fell into obscurity until 2012 when the
Greensleeves
label rescued the album and polished it into a true gem with eight extra tracks of dubs, plus a DJ "version" from
Triston Palma
. The reissue is a great score for reggae enthusiasts, but even without all the extras, this forgotten album is a must for
's fans, and
's as well. ~ David Jeffries