Max Romeo @ Studio 24
One of the sharpest Jamaican songwriters in full effect
| 13 Oct 2006
There's something disconcerting about going to see a surviving reggae legend like Max Romeo. Like their counterparts from the golden age of sixties soul, the conquering lions of Jamaican music have been shunted to the gigging sidelines and left to eke out a living in the less salubrious reaches of the touring itinerary. Thankfully, despite his relegation to the nether regions of the circuit – no disrespect to Studio 24 intended – Romeo betrayed no hint of bitterness, belting out a sparkling set of roots diamonds to a reverent flock.
Despite coming to UK attention as the author of the smutty skinhead classic, Wet Dream, Romeo has always been one of the sharpest and most politically pointed Jamaican songwriters and this was evidenced to full effect in big hearted versions of Public Enemy Number One and the timeless paen to tenement-yard dread, War Inna Babylon. After closing with Chase the Devil (Out of Space, Prodigy fans) he was gone. Under-appreciated, yes. Diminished, never. [Duncan Forgan]
Despite coming to UK attention as the author of the smutty skinhead classic, Wet Dream, Romeo has always been one of the sharpest and most politically pointed Jamaican songwriters and this was evidenced to full effect in big hearted versions of Public Enemy Number One and the timeless paen to tenement-yard dread, War Inna Babylon. After closing with Chase the Devil (Out of Space, Prodigy fans) he was gone. Under-appreciated, yes. Diminished, never. [Duncan Forgan]