DAVE BARKER & ALBERTO Tarin – A Moment In Time – CD

Label: Brixton Records
Code: BR-034-CD
Format: CD, album
Release: 11/08/2011

On *A Moment In Time*, Dave Barker, Alberto Tarin and The Jazzin’ Reggae Band showcase their full potential alongside guest artists such as Earl Appleton and Sergio Monleón, with original songs tackling socially conscious themes and jazz standards. Jazz, soul and reggae come together in a distinct stylistic blend, yet with such a wide variety of rhythms that this album becomes a collection of intense and infectious tracks. And above it all, Dave Barker’s magnificent soulful voice.

Dave Barker needs no introduction amongst lovers of classic reggae, but just in case, here’s a brief reminder. Born in Jamaica, as a teenager he was already a vocalist in several bands, including the early incarnation of The Two Tones. In the late 1960s, he worked alongside Glen Brown, recording for Harry J and Coxsone, and was even a member of The Techniques for a brief period. In 1969, he recorded classics such as ‘Prisoner of Love’ and ‘Set Me Free’ with Lee Perry. An album by Barker, produced by Perry, was released in the 1970s under the title ‘Prisoner of Love’.

Although Barker had a superb soulful voice, Perry insisted on developing his potential as a DJ, and it was a DJ’s voice that Winston Riley used alongside the veteran organist Ansel Collins. The result was the huge hit ‘Double Barrell’, which in 1971 topped the UK charts and reached the US Top 20. The duo Dave & Ansel Collins followed this up with another hit single, ‘Monkey Spanner’, and an album that will always be a classic: *Double Barrell and the Heavy Heavy Monsters: The Sound of Dave & Ansel Collins*. The duo performed all over the UK, and it was then that Barker settled in London. Since then, he has continued to record albums both as a solo artist and with friends such as Bruce Ruffin in the soul vocal group The Chain Reaction, or with The Selecter themselves.

Alberto Tarin hardly needs any introduction either; he has released three albums on Brixton Records with his band, The Jazzin’ Reggae Band, and has been the official guitarist for The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble since 2005. His work as a session musician, guest guitarist, composer and producer is countless.