Junior Murvin : Police and Thieves
Another song reflecting the chaos in Jamaica, Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" was named Reggae Single of the Year by Black Echoes and ranked #6 in NME's year end list of 1976's best singles. Produced by Lee Perry, the single is sung in falsetto, with Murvin reporting on the escalating battle for control of his native country. In the UK, "Police and Thieves" has its own meaning following the riots at the Notting Hill Carnival at the end of August. The Clash has been there and recorded a cover of Murvin's "Police and Thieves" as well as "White Riot" on their debut album.
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| Murvin died in 2013 |
'Classic' may well an overused descriptive, not least by me, but in the case of 'Police and Thieves' it's the only word that fits.
ReplyDelete'Police and Thieves' were one of my first contacts to Jamaican music and still played at my house. Thank's for putting this song on your list.
ReplyDelete'Police and Thieves' were one of my first contacts to Jamaican music and still played at my house. Thank's for putting this song on your list.
ReplyDeleteAs Walter said - many folk's introduction to the wonderful world of Reggae
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get the feeling of what was happening in Jamaica right. Just read a Lester Bangs article about his 1976 visit where he heard sporadic gunfire at night. You have to be careful about reading too much into most reggae lyrics because many are prophesying a war in the First World (Babylon) which makes an exodus back to Africa possible for Rastafarians.
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