Gladiators, The / Studio One Singles
Album: Studio One Singles   Collection:Reggae
Artist:Gladiators, The   Added:Oct 2007
Label:Heartbeat  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2007-10-28 Pull Date: 2007-12-30 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Nov 4
Airplays: 1

Recent Airplay
1. Aug 08, 2013: Trainee Special
Boo Boo Dub
3. Jul 09, 2011: New World Disorder
Pretending
2. Mar 17, 2012: New World Disorder
Don't Fool The Young Gal
4. Oct 31, 2007: public noize racket
Don't Fool The Young Gal

Album Review
Sadie O.
Reviewed 2007-10-29
The Gladiators – Studio One Singles
Reviewed by Sadie O., 10/24/07
Collection of singles and the dubs/versions from one of Reggae’s most popular groups in the 70’s. You can really see their development if you listen straight through (it’s chronological, from 1969 to 1978) – they grow up with their hit “Bongo Red” and get better from there. Early versions and dubs are also a bit flat. Tracks 20 and 23 are the 12” versions, and include the version.
No FCCs detected, although I suspect track 1 is slightly rude… Track 19 is particularly fun, everything with 3 stars is worth a listen.
1. 2:57 *a bit uptempo, very bouncy rock steady, simple harmonies, nice bass.
2. 2:55 *downtempo early skank with reedy organ and very simple instrumentation – primitive but loveable.
3. 2:50 **version of track 2 with added hand drums, syncopated and fun.
4. 2:39 *downtempo dub, very minimalist. You can hear the original vocals way off in the distance – it’s kind of strange…
5. 2:40 *the version of track 4 – not much different from the dub, really. Instrumental. The drummer rides the hi-hat for all it’s worth.
6. 3:07 **midtempo skank with twangy guitar; lead vocalist is definitely maturing. Rasta lyrics.
7. 3:03 *version of track 6, vocals come in and out, twangy guitar stays.
8. 2:51 *midtempo rock steady, kind of loping, odd lyrics.
9. 2:55 *version of track 8 with a few of the vocals left in.
10. 2:48 ***rather uptempo early Reggae, odd mix of the vocals but much more mature sounding than previous tracks, esp. the lyrics.
11. 2:47 **dub of track 10, fun stuttering guitar at the front of mix. Still not much in the way of effects, some vocals left in.
12. 3:28 **slow lover’s rock, harmonies have gotten really nice; some falsetto vocals. Apparently in praise of the beauty of his dreadlocks…
13. 3:00 *midtempo skank, music cuts out altogether in favor of vocals early in song, after that straight instrumental.
14. 2:57 **downtempo skank, strong Rasta lyrics.
15. 2:44 ***energetic, bouncy midtempo skank. Strong lyrics (including JFK quote)
16. 3:43 **uptempo bubble with percussion. Vocals a bit back in the mix, but nice. Nursery rhyme lyrics – but this was a major hit.
17. 3:41 *version of track 16
18. 3:06 ***unusual midtempo syncopated bubble, very odd lyrics.
19. 3:05 ****dub of track 18 – much more pronounced dub effects than the previous dubs.
20. 5:57 ***strong, slightly downtempo skank, impassioned love gone wrong song. Includes the version.
21. 3:58 ***uptempo, rather funky strut. Grab a Red Stripe in each fist and skank to this.
22. 3:36 **dub of track 21 – seems to be mostly bass and tamborine.
23. 7:50 **rather uptempo skank with lots of Rasta fervor. 12” -0 includes lots of dub and syndrum. LOTS of syndrum.

Track Listing
1. Fling It Gimme   12. Beautiful Locks
2. Sonia   13. Sufferation Version
3. Solas (Sonia Version)   14. Roots Natty
4. Dub Ina Babylon   15. Rearrange
5. Version Ina Babylon   16. Mr. Baldwin
6. A Prayer To Thee   17. Baldhead Dub
7. Version Of Prayer   18. Big Boo Boo Day
8. Boy In Long Pants   19. Boo Boo Dub
9. Long Pants Dub   20. Pretending
10. Bongo Red   21. Don't Fool The Young Gal
11. Bongo Dub   22. Don't Fool Dub
  23. Happy Man