Tribute to the Martyrs

Steel Pulse’s sophomore effort found the band continuing its exploration of “truth and rights” themes and of musically ambitious song arrangements. This was also the album on which David Hinds’ winning way with a melodic hook started really coming to the fore: “Jah Pickney - R.A.R.” is a soaring hymn of defiance, while “Babylon Makes the Rules” is an irresistibly tuneful sufferer’s anthem. Brief interstitial musical transitions bring in a somewhat arty element to what is otherwise a gritty but deeply well-crafted album of UK roots reggae.