First time available on vinyl since 1982. Psychotic Jonkanoo was the sixth Creation Rebel album in three years, originally licensed to the post-punk oriented Glaswegian label Statik. Another solid set of killer dub, albeit less instrumentally inclined than their previous efforts and more focussed on militant-style conscious chants. Bandleader Crucial Tony was aided on the vocal front by harmonies from other group members, in a style reminiscent of Black Uhuru, plus the occasional guest such as John Lydon of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited providing backing harmony (!) on ‘Mother Don’t Cry’, and the legendary Deadly Headley Bennett adding saxophone to the opening track.
“Anybody searching Adrian Sherwood's catalogue for an easy point of entry would do well to start here, and everyone else can simply applaud Psychotic Jonkanoo as the last truly great roots reggae album of the 1980s.” All Music
High Above Harlesden 1978–2023
On-U Sound presents High Above Harlesden 1978–2023, shining a spotlight on
the work of the original On-U house band Creation Rebel. The reissue campaign
sees 5 classic albums being repressed on vinyl, as well as a 6CD anthology box
set. See below for more details on each.