Keith Hudson – The Black Breast Has Produced Her Best, Flesh Of My Skin Blood Of My Blood
| Label: | Mamba – KH 1 |
|---|---|
| Format: | Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Red labels |
| Country: | UK |
| Released: | 1975 |
| Genre: | Reggae |
| Style: | Roots Reggae |
Originally released in 1974, “Flesh of My Skin” saw Keith Hudson blend a heady mix of funk, soul and blues into his reggae experimentalism. He earned the nickname ‘The Dark Prince of Reggae’, and after listening to this album you’ll understand why.
‘Hunting’ opens the album with the sound of soft rustling leaves and out of the darkness we hear rumbling heavy percussion rolls, blended with distant harmonica and blues wah-wah guitar.
As the music moves along, the thick and heavy production really captures a sense of dread or darkness, the music feels like it’s risen out from a deep damp cavern and into your listening space. It’s an absolute monster of a track that sounds like it could have been lifted from a lost Massive Attack album in parts.
The real magic here is the transition to track two, “Flesh Of My Skin” which in contrast feels light, upbeat and warm. We have some gorgeous gospel vocals and a touch of funkiness in the bass and guitar playing. It feels open and welcoming in contrast to the thick haunting sound in the opener.
The immediate and obvious contrast in style creates a welcoming sense of redemption and brightness.
As we move through the album, we hear more spaced out congas and percussion, courtesy of Count Ossie (check out his fantastic album Grounation) but the real highlight for me is the guitar playing, it reminds me of “There’s a Riot Going On’ by Sly & The Family Stone if it was transported into a reggae context.
The final track “Stabiliser” opens with a riff that The Clash surely took inspiration from as they ventured into reggae years later, this track is my favourite on the album and features some fantastic organ playing. The easiest way to describe it would be a soundtrack to a reggae spaghetti-western movie.
This is easily one of my favourite Reggae albums, a masterwork of production, spiritually and dark and light. One of these days I’ll fork out for an original pressing!
Track listing
A1 Hunting
A2 Flesh Of My Skin
A3 Blood Of My Blood
A4 Testing Of My Faith
A5 Fight Your Revolution
A6 Darkest Night
B1 Talk Some Sense (Gamma Ray)
B2 Treasures Of The World
B3 My Nocturne
B4 I Shall Be Released
B5 No Friends Of Mine
B6 Stabiliser
