Bob Andy : I-ANKA Records

I - Anka releases are available by mail order from :
Dub Vendor
Ernie B's Reggae
Ejaness Reggae Comprehensive

The Friends album was Bob's first release on his own I-Anka label. It topped the reggae charts when released in 1983, and contains the Number One single "Honey" (b/w with the classic "Going Home"). Recorded in Jamaica and the US, it features some of Jamaica's greatest musicians, including Sly & Robbie, Dean Fraser, David Madden, Robbie Lyn, Willie Lindo, Sky Juice, and Derek Barnett.

BLACK MUSIC:
`Bob Andy is back in business, and lovers of Compleat Reggae are in clover.'

SUNDAY TIMES (London):
`Search for... veteran Bob Andy's dulcet Friends.'

SMALL AXE:
`Bob's voice is still as rich as ever - it is so full of flavour you can almost taste it.'

JAMAICA DAILY GLEANER:
`In the LP, Bob captures the essence of reggae in its newest and most powerful form, while still adhering to the same sort of clarity of vocal sound and professionalism of style that characterised the early singers and writers of our music.'

ECHOES:
`Another flawless masterpiece from the man ... a world-class album of original songs ... (it) marks a pinnacle of achievement in reggae's topsy-turvy history, being music to lift the spirit.' (rating: 5 out of 5)

Tower Records' TOP:
`Timeless musical artistry ... seek within so that you too may find wisdom through the songs, reminiscent in style to Dylan's 60s classics.'

Retrospective is a collection of many of Bob's best-known works in recordings from the years 1970 - 1975. Nine of the eleven songs included have been UK and/or Jamaican singles. The remaining two tracks - "Patience is the Key" and "Too Proud to Beg" - are previously unreleased gems which had been lost for many years. Retrospective's lengthy list of contributing musicians is a Who's Who of Jamaican music.

CITY LIMITS:
`A consummately excellent presentation of his 70s hits is nothing more than uncrowned reggae king Bob Andy deserves. Retrospective captures the integrity, grace and passion of this "other" Bob's sporadic, classic output: as with Marley's work (these songs) are timely reminders of Jamaica's most durable musical moments.'

REGGAE REPORT:
`This collection deserves utmost respect, now and in the future.'

Q MAGAZINE:
`Bob Andy is one of the most lyrical writers in reggae. This compilation ... is hugely listenable. The voice and the playing are always seductive and melodic.'

ECHOES:
`An album you can turn to again and again; time will not wither its beauty and integrity. Buy this album.'

SMALL AXE:
`A magnificent collection.'

WEST INDIAN NEWS:
`Timeless music - as fine an introduction to the man's artistry as anyone could wish for.'

Although BOB & MARCIA had split professionally in 1974, there was a brief musical reunion at Harry J's studio in 1976. These recordings had surfaced in a limited Jamaican release under the title Kemar, but in 1987, they were freshly remixed by Neil Fraser, better known as MAD PROFESSOR, at his Ariwa Studios in South London. As with all of Bob Andy's self-productions, the aristocracy of the Jamaican music scene can be heard: these sessions feature Geoffrey Chung, Wire Lindo, and Dalton Browne, amongst others. Three of the tracks were written by Bob, and the remainder are by the Clarendonians, Jackie Opel, Stranger Cole and Dobby Dobson.

Tower Records' PULSE (USA):
`The accent is on quality, the singing is inspired and the arrangements pristine. This is soul-full reggae, filled with love and talent. Yes-I.'

ECHOES:
`A criss reminder of just how wonderful the two of them sounded together. Don't miss.'

THE VOICE (London):
`An album which is genuinely sympathetic to the intrinsic warmth of reggae and the reggae beat. This is the closest we are going to get to the golden age of reggae.'

Freely - the second of the two 1980s Andy albums - contains eight tracks recorded in Jamaica and London, all written and produced by Bob. Included are the Tuff Gong single "You Think It's A Joke" along with I-Anka singles "Level Vibes" (JA 7") and "Cherry" (UK 12"). There are fresh versions of two classics, "Sun Shines For Me" and "I Don't Want to See You Cry". MAD PROFESSOR mixes seven of the tracks.

NME:
`Andy's soulful voice cuts loose on a selection of originals. A track like "No Video" says more about the poor than any number of earnest Geneva speeches.'

Q MAGAZINE:
`Straight-up, classy reggae...reinforces Bob's standing as Jamaica's most soulful vocalist.'

Tower Records' TOP:
`If "No Video" was sung by Tracy Chapman it would be hailed as a classic.'

REGGAE REPORT:
`Bob Andy is determined to stamp his art with the mark of excellence.'

THE VOICE:
`A real gem ... I challenge anyone to make a better album this year.'

BEST ALBUMS LISTS 1988:
Miss P, BBC Radio One; John Williams, The Beat; Simon Buckland, Echoes.

Released in November 1989, this is the only dub album available to date of Bob Andy's music. At Ariwa studios, Britain's dub master MAD PROFESSOR was let loose on twenty years' worth of classic Andy cuts. Tracks like "Unchained", "War in the City", "You Don't Know", "Ghetto Stays in the Mind", and "Going Home" have been given the full Neil Fraser treatment.

REGGAE BEAT:
`This is not just one of the best dub albums, but one of the best new albums period. We get the best of two worlds as the cerebral and complex Andy goes head to head with the wild and innovative Mad Professor. Highly recommended.'

ECHOES:
`A truly representative collection of Bob's wicked music, mixed by the UK's number one dub maestro, the Mad Professor. All concerned have done a sterling job.'

THE VOICE:
`An excellent album - a great variation of sounds and styles.'

NME:
`At its best, dub has always been amongst the most satisfying of musics. Dub Book, horns aching, drums ringing, bass carousing, is amongst the best of dubs.'

Andywork is a collection of twelve rare or previously unreleased productions by Bob Andy from the early to mid 1970s. Featured artists in addition to Bob are Delroy Wilson, Bob & Marcia, Leroy Smart, the Ethiopians, and Richard Ace. Included are many original Andy compositions as well as a few hand-picked cover versions ... and the unmistakable contributions of the top studio musicians of the era.

ECHOES:
`Bob's slide rule perfection was mirrored in his productions of other artists. The tragedy of having had to wait so long is at least offset by the joy of finally receiving this lovingly compiled set. One slice of reggae history not to be overlooked.'

ETNA (Belgium):
`Every lover of true roots music will be delighted to find these long-deleted or never released gems.'

BOOMSHACKALACKA:
`Showcasing the smooth but still rootsy side from the period. Classy stuff.'

Tower Records' TOP:
`Six of the tracks have been unissued to this day, a minor disaster when you hear the quality. Bob Andy's production talents are rarely commented upon; Andywork should put that right.'

REGGAE WORLD:
`An essential album which should be part of any serious personal record collection.'

All of our singles are now sold out (sorry!) except the following:

12" Releases:

DKAA 2    Bob Andy - Sun Shines For Me / Touch Me Again   (1988)
Bob's stunning 1988 version of his early classic, b/w a previously unreleased track recorded at Harry J's circa 1974.

DKAA 3    Bob Andy - Feel The Feeling / Version  (1991)
The 1991 re-cut of his much-loved 70s gem.

7" Releases:

KAA 1    Bob Andy - I Love You / Tell Me Now  (1998)
A new song recorded at Willie Lindo's Heavy Beat Studios in 1998; b/w the first voicing by Bob of the Marcia Studio One classic - his1990 recording, which inspired Sluggy's monster dancehall hit.

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