Ranking Toyan

The late Byron Everton Letts (aka Toyan or Ranking Toyan) is generally remembered today for his brilliant 1981 LP How the West Was Won, on which he chatted over Roots Radics rhythms dubbed up by the legendary Scientist. But his work for the pioneering dancehall producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes was top quality as well, and that's what was collected for release in 1982 as Spar with Me on the VP label. And apart from a couple of inevitable clunkers (mostly arising from the fact that his chatting isn't in the same key as the rhythm), this album is sure to please anyone who enjoyed the classic early dancehall sounds of How the West Was Won. At the time Spar with Me was recorded, the line between roots reggae and dancehall was still fuzzy and permeable -- there are no computer beats here, just unusually heavyweight roots rhythms from the High Times Band and Roots Radics, over which Toyan chats in a style that sometimes recalls Big Youth (check out his introductory flourishes on "Jacket & Tie") and sometimes harks back as far as Count Matchukie ("You I love and not another") but always sounds fresh and at least reasonably original. "Stylee" is much more modern-sounding (and the mix is a little bit strange), but "Walk and Talk with Jah Love" sounds like it comes from the same transitional period. Highly recommended. [Spar with Me was finally reissued on CD after 25 years on VP's 17 North Parade imprint.] ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide