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This release of the Rocking & Swing LP is long overdue, as it represents arguably the best full album effort by mega-influential deejay daddy General Echo.

Known best in reggae circles as the leading purveyor of humorous and crass lyrics, Echo released precious little non-slack material during his short life, and most of it is collected here. While not completely free of rude chat, the slack lyrics are scaled way back and as a result Echo shows himself to be a more versatile and playful lyricist than usual. It doesnít hurt that heís been given a canvas of only the top shelf rhythms of the day, including tough cuts of Fever, Answer, So Long, Love Me Always, Baba Boom, It's Raining and others. And while many are decorated with synth blasts or bubbles, in most cases it's supportive and not overbearing.

Rootsman Dudley "Manzie" Swaby produced the original LP, which here is supplemented by three dub versions and four additional 45s, including a really funky and disco-ish sounding rhythm for a song talking about the "Hot Reggae Music". "Armagideon" is the heaviest roots tune on the set, both in rhythm and lyrics, while songs like "Foxy Mama," "Titanic" and "Answer the Telephone" best display Echo's sly wit and effortless skills riding a rhythm. The set closes with "Track Shoes" from a Black & White label 45; for my money, it's one of Echo's best ever.

Echo's finest performances are widely accepted to be on the numerous audio recordings of his sound system, Stereophonic, where he is outside the rigid confines of the studio and is in turn more relaxed, endlessly creative and too rude. Many of these soundsystem tapes are close enough to commercial quality such that we may eventually see their wider release. Until that time, however, we have these gems that best display General Echo's style and fashion. Steve Barrow and Equalizer should be commended for finally getting this gem out to the masses.

– Toby Gohn

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General Echo
"The Teacher Fe Di Class"
Rocking & Swing
Equalizer, 2007 (1979)