This is no longer the only Abeng label 45" I have, but this is still my favorite of the ones I've picked up. Enjoy!
In the course of reggae, there have been artists that have made it huge on the international scene - Bob Marley & The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Toots & The Maytals... artists who's prominence has been more confined to the Jamaican scene and enthused reggae fans - Prince Buster, The Heptones, Max Romeo, the list goes on... and finally there have been handfuls of artists who released a very limited number of tracks and then simply disappeared. Elpedo Burke falls into the final category here. Nonetheless, this is an absolutely brilliant track all around from 1975.
From the opening few seconds, the band sets the mood of the song with the heavy bass, sweet guitar, and rolling piano. Shortly after, Burke comes in with a solid voice, backed by great harmonies. I'm quite surprised that his vocal ability didn't bring other producers running to commission him for more tracks. The song seems to be somewhat about a girl spreading gossip and Burke's distaste for it. As used here and in Justin Hind's "Carry Go Bring Come," the phrase simply refers to gossiping in Jamaican slang.
This is the only record I have from the Abeng label, and from what I can find out, the label looks like it began releasing singles in 1974 and released about 20 singles total in the 70s. It then put out another 20 or so between the 80s and 90s. Elpedo Burke didn't put any more singles out through Abeng, but did have a few other singles through the late 70s and early 80s. Unfortunately, I haven't come across any of them but I'm certainly on the look out.
Listen & download here:
A-side: Elpedo Burke - Madgie
B-side: The Mighty Clouds - Madgie Dub
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