"I know your evil plan, Mister Babylon..." Freddie McGregor was part of the next generation of Studio One artists mining the label’s catalog and repurposing classic riddims, a sea change initiated by the late great Sugar Minott on his debut album Live Loving, released in 1977. Bobby Bobylon was Freddie’s debut album for the reggae institution, released a whopping 14 years after he debuted on the label ‘longside Ernest ‘Fitzroy’ Wilson as Fredie & Fitsy with the “Do Good” single in 1965. More 45s trickled out over the years, but Freddie’s “Bobby Bobylon” single, a re-rub of Jackie Mittoo’s classic “One Step Beyond,” did serious damage in the dance in 1979, leading to this Clement Dodd-produced LP of the same name. The album collects a few of the heavier singles released in the few years prior, notably “Rastaman Camp” and a reworked version of “Revolutionist,” plus new takes on Studio One classics “Undying Love” by former partner Ernest Wilson (“Wine Of Violence”) and The Kingstonians' “I Make A Woman” (“We Need More Love”). If a deluxe remastered pressing of the original album weren’t enough (it is), this double vinyl set includes alternate mixes and rare tracks on the second LP, all housed in a gatefold jacket containing rare photos and extensive liner notes. Recommended.

• deluxe remastered edition
• double vinyl pressing
• LP1 contains original album
• LP2 contains bonus tracks, rare singles + extended mixes
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Studio One 2018

reviewed by hannibal chew 03/2018