Faith George: To Be A Lover

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 Bells 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 Earls debut album. Permeated throughout with the kinky Black Ark sound and fusing Lee Perrys experimentation with George Faiths 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 Kingstons 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 reggaes 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 Faiths 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.

1.1 Midnight Hour / Ya Ya
1.2 To Be a Lover Have Mercy
1.3 Opportunity
1.4 So Fine
1.5 Ive Got the Groove
1.6 Diana
1.7 All the Love Ive Got
1.8 Turn Back the Hands of Time


H 0.23
W 12.15
L 12.42