Beat Down Babylon

One of the greatest singers of reggae’s roots-and-culture period, Junior Byles is also something of a tragic figure, one who has battled mental and physical health challenges throughout his life. On Beat Down Babylon you can hear some the foundational recordings from when he was at the peak of his powers: the yearning repatriation anthem “A Place Called Africa,” the celebratory “(Festival) Da Da,” the very dread title track. All of this music was recorded at the legendary (not to say notorious) Black Ark studio under the supervision of Lee “Scratch” Perry, whose unique production style turned out to be a perfect match for Byle’s musical vision. An essential document of reggae’s classical period.