Heart of the Congos

The Congos were a harmony duo consisting of Roydel Johnson and falsettist Cedric Myton. In 1976 they entered the legendary Black Ark studio of producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, and proceeded to create one of the true monuments of reggae’s roots-and-culture period. It’s hard to overstate either the uniqueness or the brilliance of this album; from the eerily exalted “Congoman” to the transcendent “Ark of the Covenant,” the Congos conveyed a spiritual vision that seemed to sum up the whole Rastafarian worldview, and Perry’s wild, dark, and crazily creative production enhanced the Congos’ delivery immeasurably. Until recently, the definitive issue of this album was a two-disc set on the (now sadly defunct) Blood & Fire label; it has now been superseded by a three-disc version on VP’s 17 North Parade imprint. An essential item for every reggae collection.

Not only on the shortlist for greatest reggae album but also greatest albums of all-time, few records can touch the beauty, profundity, and wisdom of Heart of the Congos. The Congos were a vocal group that paired Cedric Myton’s falsetto lead and Roy "Ashanti" Johnson’s tenor with Watty Burnett’s rumbling baritone to sublime effect, evoking the American vocal groups of ages past and the divine harmonies of Jamaican music. When they teamed up with Lee “Scratch” Perry, the result was a set of songs that were so devotional and heavy so as to feel like they were chiseled into stone tablets. 

Perry’s full array of FX were on display here (special shout-out to his zombie cow moos) and with some backing vocals by members of the Meditations and the Heptones, the results were undeniable. But rather than catapult the group to international success, Chris Blackwell inexplicably passed on releasing the album on his Island Records imprint and for many years the album sat in obscurity. Thanks to Blood & Fire and their efforts, Heart finally received a proper release (note the cover art which situates the original album cover in a tableau befitting a religious altar) and rose to its rightful place as one of the defining albums of Jamaican music.