Handsworth Revolution cover

Handsworth Revolution

Released

In the 1970s, England’s reggae scene was second only to Kingston’s in its richness and depth. And at the very top of the heap of UK reggae bands was Steel Pulse, a Birmingham-based outfit with an unusual depth of musical and songwriting virtuosity. Frontman David Hinds had a jazzy delivery and a deep well of righteous anger, and he drew on all of those elements to produce sharp protest songs like the title track and the classic “Ku Klux Klan.” Handsworth Revolution was melodically rather dry compared to Steel Pulse’s later work, but it remains a classic of the UK roots genre.

Rick Anderson

Recommended by

Suggestions
Below the Bassline cover

Below the Bassline

Ernest Ranglin
Easy Star’s Thrillah cover

Easy Star’s Thrillah

Easy Star All-Stars
Police & Thieves cover

Police & Thieves

Junior Murvin
More Fire cover

More Fire

Capleton
Blackboard Jungle Dub cover

Blackboard Jungle Dub

The Upsetters, Lee "Scratch" Perry
Pure Badness cover

Pure Badness

Gappy Ranks
Racines cover

Racines

Tiken Jah Fakoly