Being fans of roots music, which reached it’s peak in the mid to late 1970s, we seem to throw the word “classic” around a lot.  While many of the records from the ‘golden age of reggae’ may be considered to be classic, there are some records that are clearly a cut above the rest.  Johnny Osbourne’s Truths and Rights is one of those records.  Aside from putting Osbourne back on the circuit after disappearing to Canada for 10 years, this record, more than any other, is evidence of the genius of Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd and his ability and willingness to adapt to a rapidly changing environment in Jamaican music.
Truths and Rights is Johnny Osbourne’s second studio album. It was recorded in 1979 after his return to Jamaica from Canada, and first released in 1980 on the Studio One label.  The album was preceded by three singles on Studio One, “Jealousy, Heartache and Pain”, “Forgive Them”, and “Love is Here to Stay”,none of which were included on the original release of the album, although “Jealousy, Heartache and Pain” was included on the expanded CD reissue on Heartbeat Records in 2008 (it had earlier been released by Heartbeat with the original track listing).  This was the sole album Osbourne recorded for Studio One, and like Sugar Minott’s groundbreaking Live Loving album from two years earlier, this featured new lyrics written over vintage Studio One rhythms, including The Soul Vendors “Swing Easy” (on “Can’t Buy Love”), Al Campbell’s “Take a Ride” (on “Truths and Rights”), and Otis Gale’s “I’ll Be Around” (“We Need Love”).
Here is the title track and version.  This album was re-released by Heartbeat in 2008 and it sounds amazing.  BUY THIS RECORD and support positive roots music.

400-8451