Revenge of the Underdog

The short-lived Singers & Players were something of a reggae supergroup, comprised of various top-notch studio players (among them several members of the legendary Roots Radics) and a revolving lineup of singers including, at various times, Bim Sherman and the gravel-voiced DJ Prince Far I. Revenge of the Underdog was the follow-up to War of Words, the group's debut, and was one of the more important early production efforts by the very young Adrian Sherwood. There really is not a single weak track here: Lizard Logan, Prince Far I and Bim Sherman all take turns working over the rhythm from "Dungeon" by the Wailing Souls; Prince Far I delivers two of his most indelible performances with the stern "Prodigal Son" and the more light-hearted "Water the Garden." Bim Sherman's wispy voice is showcased to fine effect on the sufferer's anthem "Too Much Work Load." On every track, Sherwood spins his glistening web of intrusive, hyperactive magic, a production approach that would never work for anyone else but almost always does for him. No reggae collection should be without this one. ~ Rick Anderson