KINGSTON LADIES

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Review written by Maxime Nordez on Sunday, November 07th 2004 - 16 395 views A trio formed on the initiative of the French documentary maker Pierre-Marc Simonin, the Kingston Ladies release their first album here. A 12-track set made up of classics of Jamaican music, enhanced by a few original compositions co-written by Pam Hall and the group's manager. Although one cannot help thinking that this French idea looks like a marketing ploy, satisfying the French appetite for original roots reggae, the album is a real success and the musical quality outweighs any suspicion. Even before the group was formed, the selection had been settled by P.M Simonin. The task of recruiting the singers was entrusted to Pam Hall who, a true professional, knew how to surround herself well. She chose Leba Hibbert (Toots's daughter and backing vocalist for Sly & Robbie) and Keicha Patterson (singer, dancer and actress whom Pam met at a musical-comedy casting, also working for the Taxi Gang). Having interviewed these ladies, we know they give the impression of really enjoying themselves in this project, and it is precisely this positive vibe that comes through in the recording. They manage to make their own of standards covered many times over and come out well from the exercise. With Leba on the high notes, Pam handling the low parts and Keicha slotting in as the middle voice, the trio's timbre is at once clear and compact. Technically, they are simply gifted, and their live performances are living proof. A few roots masterpieces The album opens symbolically with the track "Unite", an original composition with positive lyrics. On this "Ladie's Turn" we find a few roots masterpieces. This is the case with "King Majesty" (the Techniques' "Queen Majesty"), which puts the Kingston Ladies back in the tradition of the great Jamaican vocal trios. Leba takes the lead vocal on this track, where the horns outdo themselves. There is also Ken Boothe's "Train is coming", this time elevated by Pam. Then comes Bob Marley's "Wisdom", with the judicious choice of this cover especially appreciated. This track is embellished with a well-judged sax solo and bewitching backing vocals. Then come better-known tracks such as Gregory Isaacs's "Number One", where the girls challenge each other: "Who is di Number One ? Mi a di Number One…". Another big tune: "Still in love", in a version combining Alton Ellis's original and its cover "Uptown Top Ranking" by the duo Althea & Donna. Another pick from Alton Ellis's catalogue: "Willow Tree", backing vocals and horns resurrected, faithful to the original. An undeniable success Compositions such as "Don't stay away" and "Lonely days" (with its horns taken from the Rockfort Rock Riddim) slot into the selection without a problem. Worth pointing out are the dancehall tracks like "Woman of the ghetto" (Big up Jungle, Rema, Tivoli, Brooklyn…) or "Magic", which remind us that the Kingston Ladies are in step with their times and also have a substantial message to deliver. The whole is very horn-heavy and the appearance of the soprano sax on "Can't trust you" brings a new colour. The success of this project is undeniable, the Kingston Ladies shining equally in rocksteady, lovers, reggae and dancehall and ragga-dub repertoires. As Pam Hall told us in an interview: "They can do everything!". Leba and Keicha should each release their first solo album shortly, while Pam is multiplying releases with a dancehall album, a lovers rock/one drop one and a sublime jazz album: "Testament", recorded as a duo with Ernest Ranglin. Enormous potential for these ladies, currently on tour, ready for a second album whose release we will await with interest.

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