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To Be A Lover on LP

Earl George aka George Earl had established a redoubtable reputation before recording his relaxed yet supremely soulful vocals for Lee Scratch Perry on an adaptation of William Bell's 1968 Stax classic 'I Forgot To Be Your Lover' credited to George Earl in 1973. Four years later they returned to I Forgot To Be Your Lover : To Be A Lover for an extended twelve inch 'disco mix' version and hit all over again. Scratch recommended a number of classic songs to Earl which he felt were suited to his sultry voice and the pair then began work together on Earl's debut album. Permeated throughout with the 'kinky' Black Ark sound and fusing Lee Perry's experimentation with George Faith's emotive vocals the set was originally released as 'Super Eight' on Black Art in Jamaica and 'To Be A Lover' on Black Swan in the UK in 1977. The album took about eight months to put together and, during the extended recording sessions, Scratch told Earl he had a "lot of faith" and suggested he changed his name to George Faith. Earl recalled that faith can move mountains and "from there I just stick with that name". The combination of a number of Kingston's foremost session musicians, collectively known as The Upsetters, the wizardry of Lee Perry fully in control and the unique ambience or if you prefer, 'vibes', of the Black Ark studio produced a minor masterpiece that turned well known songs into something completely otherworldly. This classic collection of pleasantly palatable cuts of psychedelic Jamaican soul was a palpable hit in the UK where it proved particularly successful with reggae's latest adherents, the punk audience, who belied their violent reputation and wholeheartedly embraced the smooth sophistication of this album. Punk pop star Billy Idol enjoyed chart success in late 1986 when his version of I Forgot To Be Your Lover, also entitled To Be A Lover and redolent of both his punk heyday and George Faith's reggae interpretation, reached Number Twenty Two in the UK National Charts. This set represents another resounding re-release from the Cree catalogue, re-mastered and replete with (previously unseen) contemporary photos from Adrian Boot, extensive liner notes from Steve Barrow and Noel Hawks showcased in a gorgeous gatefold sleeve from designer Merten Kaatz. Now is the time to catch up with Scratch, The Upsetter, at the height of his powers and the deep, heartfelt soul of George Faith on this essential album.