Knowledge – Hail Dread LP Kingston Sounds (UK)

LP version. Kingston Sounds present a reissue of Knowledge‘s debut album Hail Dread, originally released in 1978. The group Knowledge and Tapper Zukie‘s stories are intertwined through their location in the Rema area of Kingston. Tapper Zukie took the band under his wing and helped get this classic album Hail Dread a worldwide release back in 1979. When it first hit the record shelves, Knowledge’s lineup included Anthony Doyley, Delroy Folding, Earl MacFarlane, Mike Smith, Michael Samuels, and later Paul Freeman. The group’s debut release was Make Faith (1978) with Tapper Zukie introducing the band as his protégés, beginning a winning formula. The band released many of their early singles on Tapper’s Stars imprint, and they were produced by Tapper himself. This culminated in Tapper getting the band a deal with a major label A&M making Knowledge the first reggae band to be signed to the label. A&M were keen to work with Tapper as an artist and producer. They even motioned Tapper to be backed by one of their other signed bands, The Police, for a UK tour. Tapper thought that being backed by a band named after such an establishment would not be a wise idea and declined the offer. But the connection did lead up to one of Jamaica’s great vocal groups getting their debut album, again produced by Tapper Zukie and released on this major label. Sadly the relationship was short lived and the album Hail Dread would be their only release on A&M. Hail Dread is one of roots reggae’s classic ’70s releases and shows the group and their producer at the height of their powers. Proof is in the listening.