This reggae classic, long heralded as a cornerstone of the DJ genre, was remastered and reissued in 2006. Along with U-Roy, Big Youth was one of the most influential DJs on the Jamaican scene in the 1970s, helping to develop and popularize the tradition of singers "toasting" over records (a tradition that bears a direct lineage to dancehall and rap). Big Youth's 1973 debut SCREAMING TARGET has the passionate vocalist espousing conscious themes over smartly produced roots reggae rhythms in a way that sounds as fresh decades later as it did upon its original release. The reissue contains 14 bonus tracks and crisply remastered sound.
Personnel: Big Youth (vocals); Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, K.C. White (background vocals).
Engineers: Errol Thompson, Karl Pitterson, Syd Bucknor.
Rolling Stone (p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Toasting over bass-driven versions of early reggae hits, he slayed rival DJs with pointed cultural and religious commentary and his trademark James Brown-ish shrieks and yells."
Uncut (p.98) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Youth remains one of the most playful and engaging lyricists in reggae music, but here the rhythms and melodies behind the words are allowed to sparkle, too."
The Wire (p.72) - "Highlights are 'Pride And Joy Rock', a version of Leroy Smart's 'Pride And Ambition' and the title track, whose complicated lineage can be traced back to Willie Cobb's R&B hit 'You Don't Love Me'..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.121) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t was this ex-hotel mechanic and cab driver's easeful toasting and dextrous weaving that raised the beam to an iconic conscious level."
Mojo (Publisher) (8/02, p.76) - Included in Mojo's 50 Greatest Reggae Albums - "...A winning blend of politics and humor..."
1 Screaming Target 3:39
2 Pride & Joy Rock 2:35
3 Be Careful See All 7 3:35
4 Tipper Tone Rock 3:25
5 One of These Fine Days 3:03
6 Killer S 3:25
7 Solomon a Gunday S 3:08
8 Honesty S 2:37
9 I Am Alright 2:41
10 Lee A Low 2:17
11 K.G.'s Half Way Tree 3:24
12 Origan Style
Augustus Pablo 3:34
