Product Description

Compared to the crossover-oriented, synthesizer-heavy soundof its mid-1980s records (EARTH CRISIS and STATE OF EMERGENCY), the vibe of Steel Pulse's 1978 debut is pure, stripped-down roots. HANDSWORTH REVOLUTION may not appeal to fans of the band's later formula, but there is no denying the spare,surging energy of cuts like "Bad Man" and "Sound Check", with their classic reggae rhythms. The record also shows that Steel Pulse's political and religious convictions emerged fully formed--"Ku Klux Klan" and "Prediction" establish the band's militant stance on social issues and Rastafarian beliefs.
But for all of the group's hard-edged allegiance to traditional reggae principles, Steel Pulse distinguishes itself from its Jamaican influences (the band is from Birmingham,England) with a sleek, tight-knit sound that contains uniquely textured percussion webs and the hints of pop and jazz fusion. (The bridge in the title cut wouldn't sound out of place in a Steely Dan song.) That Steel Pulse is able to mix these musical advances with a no-nonsense roots sensibility is among the reasons for the group's longevity and popularity. The ensemble's auspicious debut marks that trajectory, andremains one of the strongest and most compelling releases in its catalogue.

Track Listing

1. Handsworth Revolution
2. Bad Man
3. Soldiers
4. Sound Check
5. Prodigal Son
6. Ku Klux Klan
7. Prediction
8. Macka Splaff

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2237 in Music
• Released on: 1990-11-27
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

No rest in Birmingham
In the late 1970s, amid the hurricane of the new wave, Steel Pulse were seen as the UK reggae band most likely to mix it with other newcomers, and were hardly ever out of the NME. Every track on this album seems to me to be tied to the title track, its portentous 'Babylon is falling' warning set to a restless undercurrent. Steel Pulse seemed to capture some of the social discontent of the time with a no-nonsense approach to their music. They occasionally added colour, as in the guitar flourishes on 'Soldiers,' but they were direct rather than poetic. The titles tend to leave little to the imagination. Other than on the celebratory 'Sound Check' they chart fairly gloomy territory, until the closing 'Macka Splaff,' which seems to represent comfort rather than solution. They never achieved the acclaim that seemed to be predicted for them, but 'Handsworth Revolution' is a satisfying album, and one which highlights how half-baked most white interpretations of the form are.

Interesting release but not vital
The music of Steel Pulse was radical, reggae based evocation to the multi-culturalism of Handsworth, a suburb of Birmingham. In 1978 Britain was in economic crisis, and certain dubious elements were hoping to cure all social and political ills by flag waving. The singles `Prodigal Son' and ` Klu Klux Klan' (included here) were sort of known in amongst the Punk, New Wave, Reggae crossover which the Clash's version of `Police and Thieves' had captured so well. A whole album was called for to celebrate the Rock Against Racism movement. And who better than Steel Pulse who had the ability to play to both Black and White audiences. But thirty years later, however well meaning, this album is more interesting as a historical document more than a vital piece of music for today's `kids'. It is adequate, the two aforementioned singles were great, but reallythe rest of the tracks on offer are nothing special compared with contemporary releases by Tapper Zukie, Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell, Black Prince Far I, et al. Or Brixton based Linton Kwesie Johnson's `Forces of Victory' from 1979.

The sound of 1978
Along with The Clash, The Jam, The Buzzcocks and The Sex Pistols possibly the British band played the most at venues pre-gig or in nearby music-friendly pubs was Birmingham-based reggae band Steel Pulse. At the forefront of the music of choice of the punk/reggae marriage this was a tremendous debut album, chock full of bags of rootsy, urban atmosphere that immediately transports one straight back to those heady days of 1978. "Ku Klux Klan" is the track that got the most airings, but nobody who was around at the time can fail to be moved by hearing "Handsworth Revolution" or "Prodigal Son" once more. Indeed, all the other tracks, "Soldiers", "Sound Check" etc are minor clasics of the genre - lilting, roots reggae blended together with a distinctive vocal delivery. Forget UB40. Steel Pulse were three years ahead and they were the real deal. The follow-up album, "Tribute To The Martyrs" was not quite as explosive in its impact but it trod water. However, it all faded rather rapidly after that as punters looked to ska bands for their touch of reggae and the punks pogoed off into the distance.

For an authentic taster of what was being played in 1978, invest in this excellent album. For me, it is the best British reggae album ever released.