The gravel-voiced reggae deejay Prince Far I was a towering figure in the 1970s roots-and-culture era, one whose commitment to Rastafari and righteousness never took a backseat to either politics or romantic concerns. (He did take a memorable swipe at Richard Branson, though, with the brutal and brilliant On-U Sound single “Virgin.”) Voice of Thunder exemplifies his approach: song titles like “Ten Commandments” and “Shall Not Dwell in Wickedness” clearly signal his intentions, and his rumbling voice is well matched by the rhythms and the stripped-back production style. Alongside Psalms for I, this is perhaps the most essential Prince Far I album.

– Rick Anderson