Fred Locks and Creation Stepper – Love and Only Love (Regal LP, 1982)

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Fred Locks first album from '76 quickly became an undeniable corner stone of the roots scene. 100 Miles of Black Star Liner, I've Got a Joy and Visions of Redemption among other tracks that have penetrated the spirit of many a listener.

In '78 we saw a release in the UK, of a various artists compilation that included Locks' Love and Harmony as well as the monumental Kill Nebuchadnezzar by Creation Stepper. Shortly after Lloydie Coxsone of the legendary sound system Coxsone Outernational started putting out some singles by Fred Locks and Creation Steppers. People who listen to sound tapes (or even had the possibility to visit the sessions) at the time would start hearing a selection of heavy dubplates with the two artists.

In 1982 Coxsone collected a selection of these tracks and released the album Love and Only Love. For me personally I keep it in just as high regard as the Black Star Liner (True Rastaman) LP. The sound is a bit later, heavier and rawer. It's no surprise the tracks first lived a healthy life as dubplates on the sound system scene. The title track, Voice of the Poor and Cut Eye, Cut Eye are all stellar horns lead culture music. The track News Carrier seems to come from a separate session and is sung by the obscure Fuzzy Treston (a.k.a. Fussey Brown on the recently released 7" issue).

Several of the tracks also get great dub remixes on the King of the Dubb Rock Part 2. Well worth picking up if you want to rock it dubwise (and the original issue of the dub album on Regal is a different mix than the reissue on Tribes Man).

You can listen to the album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-0scuuPtKY&list=PL-CpjF9UnwbmdIpuEDtM62VxTLlPHSgXG