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Rating:
LA RECENSIONE
Sunny sounds, and 10 simple yet impactful tracks, for these two Jamaican girls (then just eighteen), who entered the reggae annals thanks to the hit from 1978 "Uptown Top Ranking". Together with the splendid "No More Fighting", this constitutes the highlight of an album that, while maintaining respectable reggae/pop levels, couldn't replicate the remarkable success of the leading single.
And just looking at them, these two plain Janes, one can't help but think of the classic losers currently making a comeback, see Arisa and Susan Boyle. Yet, quite the opposite can be said about their vocal abilities: almost whispered songs, never intrusive, that much like their musical proposition appear fresh ("They Wanna Just") and radiant ("Oh Dread", "Jah Music"), a feature surely appreciated by that circle of fans used to the usual dreadlocked guys. An album that can even offer sophisticated moments and considerable depth such as "Jah Rastafari" with its pleasant sax riff, and "Make A Truce", where the inevitable percussion stands out. The tedious "The West" and the anonymous "Sorry" go unnoticed; "If You Don't Love Jah" manages, however, to sound relevant even after 30 years.
The arrangements are sufficiently well-crafted, (10 musicians involved), with an excellent production by Joe Gibbs. The duo would cease to exist just two years later, and would soon fall under the category beloved by the English, One-hit wonder. Certainly not a pride for a project that undoubtedly could have said more.
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Summary by Bot
Althea & Donna's 'Uptown Top Ranking' album offers sunny reggae sounds anchored by the iconic 1978 hit. While the album contains fresh and radiant tracks with skillful production, it fails to replicate the single's success. Vocal performances are subtle and engaging, with notable moments such as 'Jah Rastafari' and 'Make A Truce'. Some tracks fall flat, rounding to a respectable but not outstanding record. The duo disbanded shortly after, cementing their status as one-hit wonders.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
05 Uptown Top Ranking (03:49)
See me in me heels and ting
Dem check sey we hip and ting
True them no know and ting
We have them going and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
See me pon the road I hear you call out to me
True you see mi inna pants and ting
See mi in a 'alter back
Sey mi gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Uptown Top Ranking
See mi in mi Benz and ting
Drivin' through Constant Spring
Them check sey me come from cosmo spring
But a true dem no know and ting
Dem no know sey we top ranking
Uptown Top Ranking
Shoulda see me and the ranking dread
Check how we jamming and ting
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Watch how we chuck it and ting
Inna we khaki suit and ting
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Love inna you heart dis a bawl out fe me
When you see me inna pants and ting
See me inna 'alter back
Sey me gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Uptown Top Ranking
See mi pon the road and hear you call out to me
True you see me in me pants and ting
See me inna 'alter back
Sey me gi' you heart attack
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Gimme likkle bass, make me wine up me waist
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
You shoulda see me and the ranking dread,
Check how we jamming and ting
Love is all I bring inna me khaki suit and ting
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Nah pop no style, a strictly roots
Althea and Donna
A Jamaican female vocal duo best known for the 1978 hit "Uptown Top Ranking."01 Reviews
