Milton Henry is certainly not the most famous Jamaican singer, but definitely not the least talented. The album in question, “Milton Henry: Branches And Leafs“(A-Lone Productions) is neither an old Bullwackies album nor a brand new release. It is the third album from the singer, guitarist and arranger, who passed away in 2022, and was released in 2013.”
In the 1960s, Milton Henry was active in various musical groups. Together with Keith Blake, better known as Prince Alla, and Roy Palmer, he founded "The Leaders" in 1966. This trio recorded the song "Hope Some Day" for Joe Gibbs in 1968, along with the Lynn Taitt Band. Milton Henry was just 18 years old at the time. After two more recordings for Gibbs, he turned to other musical projects. He then went to Lee Perry to try his luck as a solo artist. He recorded his debut single, "No Bread and Butter," for Lee "Scratch" Perry, a song mistakenly attributed to Milton Morris. In addition, a few other classics exist that were recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio, such as... z. B. an interpretation of the Impressions classic “Gypsy Woman” or his first songs “This World” and “Follow Fashion” as King Medious over the “Fever” riddim by the Upsetters.
In 1979, he moved to New York, where a large community of Jamaican musicians already lived in the diaspora. Immediately after his relocation, Milton Henry showed no further interest in performing as a singer. As a vinyl record salesman commuting between New York and Jamaica, he inevitably met Lloyd "Bullwackie" Barnes, and soon after, he was deeply involved in the daily operations of Wackie's. Milton Henry managed sales and all the marketing and even had spare keys to the studio in case "Bullwackie" himself wasn't around. Naturally, his talents inevitably led him to make music again, and in 1985, his long-awaited album "Who Do You Think I Am?" was finally released. Indeed, just a few of the names who worked on this album speak volumes about its quality: Sugar Minott, Max Romeo – backing vocals; Sly Dunbar; Jackie Mittoo and the Bullwackie Posse, of course. Two years later, the debut album was followed by the less well-received "Babylon Loot" album.
More than 25 years passed before Milton Henry, together with Roberto Sanchez, released the showcase album "Branches and Leaves." The Spanish producer began collaborating in 2013, crafting the perfect organic roots riddims in his A-Lone-Ark-Muzik studio, which Henry then recorded at Bullwackie's studio in New York. Milton Henry's third album features six original songs as well as their... DubThe album features tracks like "Rastafari Cannot Die" and "Let Go The Ego." These two songs were previously released on a 12" record by Iroko Records in June 2013. Other tracks such as "Crisis," "Rastaman Beware," and "Gimme Gimme" round out this exceptional album, which is full of positive, thought-provoking messages. Milton Henry impresses me with his calm, deep, and soulful voice, underscored by the powerful riddims of Lone Ark Riddim Force. A first-rate roots album brimming with poetry, it perfectly reflects the current global situation with its economic and spiritual challenges.
One thing you have to give Roberto Sanchez credit for: he has a good instinct and a sure hand for bringing old Foundation veterans back into the public consciousness with a successful album. Furthermore, he proves time and again that he is an outstanding European Dub-A master par excellence who understands how to be completely calm and relaxed. Dubto conjure up something from a long-gone era.
A response to “Milton Henry: Branches and Leaves”
I've had the album on CD at home for quite a while now and I still enjoy listening to it. When it appeared here on Radar, I still listened to it again on Bandcamp and I really couldn't believe it was a Roberto Sanchez production. That must have been printed too small on the cover again. I do like Roberto Sanchez, but I honestly didn't expect something this good. Among many others, there was also a record by the Vice Roys that I quite liked as well. DubUnfortunately, they don't produce a very strong psychedelic effect on me. Which is no wonder, considering his DubHe comes across as "completely calm and relaxed." Sometimes he lets it beep loudly, which then creates extreme tension in me, something that can drive me absolutely crazy. For me, that's a clear sign that he's just like everyone else. But being like everyone else isn't so bad. It's perfectly normal. And it's precisely this "normal" quality that I often find too boring. I also find the riddims he's created here with Lone Ark Riddim Force to be anything but boring; they're truly "powerful." The lack of psychedelic elements is hardly noticeable. DubThe effects aren't so important anymore. But I love this album primarily for the vocal tunes. How Ras Vorbei Since he hits the nail on the head, I'm completely convinced by his "calm, deep, and soulful" vocals. Not a single note is grating, and I can only describe the volume of his singing as masterful (!). I find that very appealing. It's the complete opposite of singers like Chezidek or shouters like Capleton and Sizzla. No offense intended. I also have quite a few of those troubadours who seem to think their loud stage presence is necessary, and yes, there are some real highlights among them, but I have much more respect for singers who don't yell, bellow, or even blare at me like Duane Stephenson, for example. Someone who has compelling arguments or lyrics with depth doesn't need to be so loud. But even though I'm writing this, it doesn't mean I currently know what Milton Henry is singing about. However, I am sure that on the next rotation of the disc, I will again be "stimulated by the positive messages for reflection".
For me they are DubVersions are good too. But not because Roberto Sanchez is such an "outstanding European" Dub"Not because he's a master par excellence," but because the riddims are completely to my taste.
However, I don't want to deny that he is an outstanding European DubMaster is fine by me. But I prefer it when the effects in my head are doing somersaults. It has to really "bubble"... if you know what I mean... lemmi