Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock - 40th Anniversary Edition (2025) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

One evening in the early 1980s, Isaiah Laing of Supreme Promotions, the promoters of Sting, hosted a dance at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, a stone's throw from the Spanish Town Adult Correctional Centre.

The sound system of the now legendary Jamaican producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Volcano Sound, played. To be recognized as one of the top sounds on the island, Junjo and his crew had to put on serious music, exclusive dubplates, "one-away" specials and an extraordinary DJ set.

Before this dance, one of Jamaica's biggest stars, Barrington Levy, had recorded something very special on acetate for the Volcano crew. The recording became known as Prison Oval Rock. It was reworked by Chronixx as Spanish Town Rocking in 2016.

In a 2003 interview with The Gleaner, Laing recalled that evening: "The prisoners came out and started dancing on the roof; they lit newspapers and Barrington Levy just sang.“

Levy also had fond memories of the night: "The dance was a huge dance over Prison Oval. Believe me, my Lord, it was awesome!“

The album was produced by Henry "Junjo" Lawes and recorded at Channel One, while Levy was supported by the Roots Radics.

Barrington Levy first appeared on the reggae scene in early 1979. Young and precocious, he was one of the first artists to transfer the live excitement of dancehall, both its cheerful, optimistic celebrations and its gloomy, brooding introspection, directly to record. In the following years, his music has continued to grow and mature, because there is no substitute for unbridled talent, ambition and determination.

Barrington Levy is one of the few dancehall singers who have had real, lasting success. His long career is reminiscent of the successes of the legendary Jamaican singers of the 60s and 70s. He is a man whose popularity has always been based on talent and substance. His music continues to grow and mature, and the former "teen reggae star" has more than earned his place in the list of classical singers of Jamaica.

"Reggae fans knew about Levy's vocal brilliance early in his career, especially his dynamic root material and equally fleeting love ballads and romantic melodies. The 10 tracks on this Ras set come from that time when he was among the great Crooners and plans in reggae. If you want anger and poison, there is the terrifying rage of "Robber Man" and the title cut; those who prefer sensuality and the joy of stimulation will devour "Good Love" and "Mary Long Tongue", while the religious zealots will be able to please in "Please Jah Jah"." (Ron Wynn, All Music Guide)

TRACKLIST

1. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock
2. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Dub
3. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me
4. Barrington Levy - Good Loving
5. Barrington Levy - Rip And Run Off
6. Barrington Levy - Please Jah Jah
7. Barrington Levy - Robber Man
8. Barrington Levy - Hammer
9. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl
10. Barrington Levy - Mary Long Tongue
11. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock (Greensleeves 12-inch Mix)
12. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock (Greensleeves Alternate Mix)
13. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock (Reggae Sound 12-inch Mix)
14. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock (Dynamic Sounds Master)
15. Josey Wales - Bobo Dread (Lightning 12-inch Mix)
16. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me (Alternate Mix 1)
17. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me (Alternate Mix 2)
18. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me (Dynamic Sounds Master)
19. Barrington Levy - Good Loving (12-inch Mix)
20. Barrington Levy - Please Jah Jah (Dynamic Sounds Master)
21. Barrington Levy - Robber Man (Reggae Sound 12-inch Mix)
22. Barrington Levy - Robber Man (Dynamic Sounds Master)
23. Barrington Levy - Hammer (7-inch Mix)
24. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl (Mix 2)
25. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl (Mix 3)
26. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl (Extended Mix)
27. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl (Dynamic Sounds Master)
28. Barrington Levy - Mary Long Tongue (Greensleeves 12-inch Mix)
29. Barrington Levy - Prison Oval Rock Instrumental (Reggae Sound 12-inch)
30. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me Instrumental
31. Barrington Levy - You Say You Love Me Instrumental (Alternate Mix 2)
32. Barrington Levy - Good Loving (Alternate Version)
33. Barrington Levy - Good Loving Alternate Version (12-inch Mix)
34. Barrington Levy - Please Jah Jah Instrumental (7-inch Mix)
35. Barrington Levy - Robber Man Instrumental
36. Barrington Levy - Hammer Instrumental
37. Barrington Levy - Hammer Alternate Version (7-inch Mix)
38. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl Instrumental
39. Barrington Levy - Stray Away Girl Instrumental (Mix 2)



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