Ludicrously prolific as a session mainstay for a slew of indispensable figures in the grand scheme of 20th century Jamaican music, saxophonist “Deadly” Headley Bennett only cut one solo record, 35 Years From Alpha, which was released in 1982 on the fledgling enterprise of Adrian Sherwood, On-U Sound enterprise. Flash forward to right now, and the same label is giving the album its first vinyl reissue, with compact discs and digital downloads also available. According to Bandcamp, the LPs and CDs ship out on or around October 11. Loaded with guests, the ten selections flow with roots warmth and dub edge. Two previously unreleased bonus tracks intensify the already considerable value.
Deadly Headley began recording as a teenager in the 1950s, with his skills on saxophone landing him in studios with numerous outfits, including Lynn Tiatt & The Jets, Sly & The Revolutionaries, The Aggrovators, The Arabs, The Mighty Vikings, Sound Dimension, The Abyssinians, The Professionals, The Roots Radics, and the Studio One house band, and backing such major artists as Alton Ellis, Bob Marley (on his first recording “Judge Not”), Derrick Morgan, Prince Far I, Horace Andy, Mikey Dread, King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, Gregory Isaacs, and Dennis Brown.
And then, most relevant to this review, there was Bennett’s work in connection with Sherwood, playing on records by Creation Rebel, Singers and Players, Dub Syndicate, African Head Charge, and Bim Sherman. That a man as passionate about Jamaican music as Sherwood would give Bennett the opportunity to record his first solo release is no surprise, and neither is the number of contributors he lined up to secure the album’s success.
Too many big names has spoiled many a well-intentioned recording, but fortunately not here, in part because of a low-key feel that avoids a parade of personalities and taking any big masterpiece swings. Instead, the set registers as an extended appreciation of the utility player, and with plenty of room for Bennett to get his licks in, particularly in the opening title track. Jumpy and fast paced, the cut spreads out, with Nick Plytas on keyboards, Style Scott on drums, Lizard Logan on bass, and Rico Rodriguez on trombone.
Like Bennett and numerous other Jamaican musicians, Rodriguez attended the Alpha School, a shared reality that pinpoints discipline and maturity as the engines of 35 Years From Alpha’s achievement. “The Danger” thrives on a funky bass line, percussion from Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah and vocals from Bim Sherman. Next is “Head Charge,” one of the album’s gems, with the Roots Radics enhancing the old school flavor.
For “Without a Love Like Yours,” Eskimo Fox comes swooping in on drums as Mr. Magoo adds percussion and Crucial Tony enters on guitar. Sherman returns to the mic for the track and sticks around for “Little Dove,” while Rodriguez steps back in and lets it rip for the aptly titled “Two From Alpha.” From there, “Another Satta” just rolls with dubby atmosphere and crisp slap back as Bennett’s blows expressively and then kicks it up a notch for the album’s jazzy closer “Headley’s Medley.”
Echoey and swirling, the bonuses “Independent Man (Horns Cut)” and “Devious Version” really ratchet up the dubbed out ambiance, carrying a solid LP right up to the border of great. 42 years later, Deadly Headley Bennett’s 35 Years From Alpha sounds even better.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
A-
