Mr Spaulding aka Renford Ferguson from Clarendon Jamaica, recorded his only album at the age of 19, the masterful "The Twelve Tribe Of Israel”. Recorded at Aquarius Studios, in Half-Way-Tree, Kingston, Jamaica and released in 1983 on the Roots Rockers label, this is an almost exclusive excursion in voice, drum and bass with only the faintest hint of guitar and discordant organ. This is an album of pure minimalist reggae with deep dancehall sensibilities. • Containing an amalgamation of UK and Jamaica recorded rhythms, the "Twelve Tribe” album has some of the lowest bass frequencies this side of Western Kingston. A graduate of the King Stur Gav sound system Spaulding’s fine vocals suggest a talent that should have become much bigger, but it’s never too late and now it’s his time to eat food. • With most of his catalogue now increasingly hard to find and demanding high prices this is the first time any of Mr Spaulding’s material has been reissued and includes almost everything he ever recorded. • In addition to the studio album and associated singles and dub versions, the bonus disc has a mixture of 7 inch singles that appeared on the Kris Disk label as well as other 12”s from the Roots Rockers label from 1983-1986. Also featured is a song from a live Stur Gav sound system session on the Negril beach so we can hear how Spaulding handled the dancehall and also a couple of songs that showcase Spaulding’s journey toward the digital sounds of the late 80’s and early 90’s. • This is the definitive collection of Mr Spaulding’s reggae catalogue, reissued with able assistance and blessing from the man himself.
* vinyl lp tracks