PRICE:
$11.00
IN STOCK
ARTIST
TITLE
Be Thankful EP
FORMAT
CD

LABEL
CATALOG #
IRON 024CD IRON 024CD
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
5/14/2021

The Blackstones were formed by Leon Leiffer in 1974. Since the initial group formation, there have been several line-up changes, currently the group consists of: Leon Leiffer, Tony Mahoney, Jr. Bailey, and they have recently been joined by A.J. Franklin (Chosen Few, Federals). On tours they have supported Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Rufus Thomas, Dennis Brown, Owen Grey, John Holt, Alton Ellis, and many more soul/reggae greats. In 2013, the Blackstones were voted the No. 1 vocal group in the reggae section of the BBC Radio London awards. Also, their Mellow Mood album recorded for Stingray in 2018, was a main contender for the Reggae Grammy Awards for that year. Over the years they have worked with many notable Jamaican producers, Count Shelly, Fatman, Phill Pratt, Lloyd Charmers, Lindel Lewis, Tony "Ruff Cut" Phillips, Winston Curtis, Jah Larry, Tony Owens, and the late great Bunny "Striker" Lee and the legendary, Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, at Studio One in JA. This release features two sides of their consistent repertoire. A contemporary reggae re-work of William DeVaughn's US '70s soul classic, "Be Thankful" and also a re-work of the Yabby You '70s roots reggae track "Deliver Me". The vocal tracks are replete with instrumental versions from Alvin Davis (hornz)/Steven "Marley" Wright (guitar) and dub versions from Alien Dread.