Johnny Osbourne

This reissue brings together two classic Johnny Osbourne albums from the early '80s, 1980's Fally Lover and 1982's Never Stop Fighting, both overseen by up-and-coming producer Junjo Lawes and backed by the Roots Radics. Inevitably, then, the two sets have a certain similarity of sound, but there are noticeable differences as well, particularly in the mix. Fally boasts a more atmospheric sound, as mixer Barnabus conjured up stark, dread vistas for the record. The title track is filled with mists, "Ice Cream Love" is absolutely frigid, and "Love So Strong" is haunted by melancholy, while "Man from Jehoviah" enters the dreadest of territory. Never Stop Fighting is much busier, with mixer Scientist filling the grooves with ever more radical sounds, which reach fruition on the extraordinarily militant "Give a Little Love." Counterintuitively, however, Fighting boasts brighter atmospheres overall, particularly on "Baccara," a party piece in a carnival style, and across virtually all of the first half of the set, culminating in the bubbly love song "Sister Mister." However, the quality of Osbourne's lyrics -- many being just one step away from throwaway -- do not match the Radics' rhythms. Regardless, there's no arguing with the singer's performances, which equal the band's own. Forget the words and listen instead to Osbourne's emotions playing across the songs, and the true power of these sets comes alive. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide