War Ina Babylon

Description

Originally released in 1976, War Ina Babylon was recorded with the band The Upsetters and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry at the Black Ark studio in Kingston, Jamaica. This reissue faithfully reproduces the original Island Records UK version and is pressed on 180g vinyl. Considered Romeo's masterpiece, this album is a landmark of roots reggae, blending political commentary, Rastafarian themes, and Perry's distinctive, dub-influenced production style. Released on Island Records, the album reflects the social and political upheavals of mid-1970s Jamaica, addressing poverty, violence, and oppression. Its lyrics frequently criticize "Babylon," the Rastafarian term for corrupt systems of power, while offering spiritual resistance and social awareness. The album includes nine tracks, some of Romeo's most iconic songs, such as "One Step Forward," "War Ina Babylon," and "Chase the Devil," the latter having gained considerable influence through its numerous later samples in popular music. "War Ina Babylon" is often considered, alongside other Black Ark productions, as part of a trio of essential reggae albums from the era, and it remains one of the most acclaimed and influential albums in the genre.