Muggers in the Street

Debuting under the aegis of vanguard producer Lee Perry with the classic reggae album POLICE AND THIEVES, Junior Murvin's compelling falsetto became the rallying cry of late-'70s social unrest in Jamaica and England--influencing not only conscious reggae artists, but punk rockers like the Clash. Never again reaching such heights in subsequent years, Murvin did record sporadically during the '80s. MUGGERS IN THE STREET, a set from 1984, features the singer in a proto-dancehall mode. With bouncy rhythms provided by backing band Roots Radics, Murvin's buoyant vocals are here, and in fine form.