Michael Smith was an incredibly talented, politically ferocious dub poet who, tragically, lived long enough to release only one record. Born in a rough section of Kingston, Jamaica, Smith grew up in a reggae culture immersed in the toasting style of I-Roy and U-Roy, the heavy dub innovations of Lee Perry and King Tubby, and the political attitude of Bob Marley. He raged against a Jamaican political machine, that seemed to fail the majority of its people, also highlighting the devastating impact of racism in the Caribbean and on West Indian emigres. Smith’s poetry came to the attention of Linton Kwesi Johnson and, with help from Dennis Bovell, he brought Smith to England to record an album of dub poetry backed by a superb band that included members of Bovell’s Dub Band, the British reggae group Aswad and legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez. Produced by Bovell and LKJ, Smith’s debut, Mi Cyaan Believe It, was a stunning piece of work, already finding the poet at the height of his power, with his work superbly showcased by the distinctive, scorching musical backings. He toured the UK supporting Gregory Isaacs, in 1982. Highlights include the striking poem, and title track, the epic storytelling of Trainer, the emotional pull of Mi Feel It as well as the deft irony and sly humour featured in tracks like Black and White and Long Time. Smith’s words, sometimes playful, sometimes heart-rending, were always as sharp as a scalpel. “Smith uses pitch, tonality and structure with exhilarating freedom. He has a lightness and agility of style that is wholly his own, and a hard directness that provides the perfect counterpoint to his almost playful approach to language” – NME 1982 Smith’s strongly-held beliefs, outspoken left-leaning politics, and Rastafarian sympathies, led to his tragic death in 1983. Smith was allegedly murdered by political opponents associated with the right-wing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) after he had heckled the Jamaican Minister of Culture at a political rally in August, 1983. Circumstances around his death are shrouded in mystery. It is believed he was hit by stones thrown at him by his opponents, but the politically motivated murder of Michael Smith robbed reggae of one of its most eloquent voices of protest. This revolutionary album would also be Smith’s epitaph, a heart-breaking monument to a brilliant talent taken away far too soon. “The late Jamaican poet, Michael Smith, was to my mind one of the most interesting and original poetic voices to emerge from the English-speaking Caribbean during the last quarter of the 20th century.” – Linton Kwesi Johnson Long overdue reissue for this seminal album, originally released on Island Records 1982 Remastered at Abbey Road, and featuring enhanced artwork and period photos Features four bonus instrumental tracks, previously unreleased.
