PICK OF THE MONTH

<< HALF PINT >> RECOLLECTION. SKUNK RECORDS 2000

Upon receiving this disc, I was checking out the artwork and photography on the front and back covers of Half Pint’s new album. I noticed that on the back cover next to the copyright warning that reads, “Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws,” was an additional caveat added to the copyright notice by the musician that says, “It would also be a bad mark against your soul.” It’s refreshing to see the positive vibes and karmic ideology of the Rastafarian culture as opposed to other oppressed groups of society who might have added, “If you copy this, I’ll bust a cap in your ass.” Considered by some in the music industry to be a living legend, Half Pint continues to stay true to the roots of reggae by spreading his message of “justice, peace, and unity” on his new album Recollection.

Recollection, Half Pint’s compilation album put out by Skunk Records, is a collection of 12 of the reggae great’s best cuts from 15 years in the music biz. Coming from the same economically deprived community of Rose Lane, where fellow artists Bob Marley and Peter Tosh grew up, the small statured singer has transcended his repressed background to become a worldwide star. This album showcases songs which, because of numerous factors, including the notoriously unscrupulous Jamaican record labels, have not been easily accessible in the US.

Just because the songs aren’t easily accessible doesn’t mean you haven’t been listening to them in one form or another. Remember Sublime’s number one hit “What I Got?” That was an adaptation of Half Pint’s song “Loving” that can be found on track seven of Recollection. And for you older rockers out there, in 1987, the Rolling Stones took another song on this album entitled “Winsome,” changed the name to “Too Rude,” and performed it as one of their own songs. In February and March of 2000, Half Pint opened for fellow Skunk band Long Beach Dub Allstars on their 21-city national tour.

Besides being recognized by the music industry, Half Pint’s musical and philosophical themes of peace and love have been acknowledged for their ability to uplift mankind worldwide. The artist was presented the key to the city in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, and was also invited by the White House to perform at the Israeli Peace Talks. By keeping with the original tenets of reggae, Half Pint has risen out of obscurity and is influencing people across the globe. If you don’t check out this Jamaican legend, it could be a black mark against your soul. -By Chris Towery