Don't Haffi Dread is an album by the Jamaican band Morgan Heritage, released in 1999.[3][4] The title track, which advised that one doesn't need dreadlocks to be committed to Rastafari, was a hit.[5][6] The band promoted the album by supporting Toots and the Maytals on a North American tour.[7]
| Don't Haffi Dread | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1999 | |||
| Genre | Reggae, dancehall[1] | |||
| Label | VP[2] | |||
| Producer | Bobby Digital | |||
| Morgan Heritage chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was produced by Bobby Digital.[8] Its songs were cowritten or written by the band; Bunny Wailer and Rita Marley contributed to the songwriting.[9] Dean Fraser played saxophone on the album.[10]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide |  [8] |
| The Sun | [13] |
The Washington Post wrote that "Peter Morgan is an able lead vocalist, but some of the strongest tracks feature Roy 'Gramps' Morgan, whose powerful baritone vocals are eerily similar to Peter Tosh's."[10] The Mirror called the album "a crucial summer feel-good album which is chock-full of sweet sounds—a hefty 18 tracks—and taking in influences from right across the music firmament."[14]
The Washington Informer praised the "beautiful, rhythmic tones."[15] The Times deemed the album "gloriously laid back"; the paper also considered the band to be "the year's best new find."[16][17] Americas noted that "clever, socially conscious lyrics and gorgeous vocal harmonies meld with infectious reggae rhythms."[18] The Orange County Register labeled Don't Haffi Dread "hook-laden but serious reggae that's very much in the Marley tradition, though seasoned with a dash of lovers rock."[19]
AllMusic wrote: "Boasting smooth harmonizing and hopeful messages, these singers present a convincing case for the power of simple reggae 'riddims.'"[11]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Reggae Road Block" | |
| 2. | "Caught into a Trap" | |
| 3. | "Troding Jah Road" | |
| 4. | "Don't Haffi Dread" | |
| 5. | "Heart of a Child" | |
| 6. | "Freedom" | |
| 7. | "Talkin' Bout War" | |
| 8. | "Earthquake" | |
| 9. | "Guess Who" | |
| 10. | "Ready to Work" | |
| 11. | "Crying Out" | |
| 12. | "Don't Go" | |
| 13. | "Smile" | |
| 14. | "World Cry" | |
| 15. | "Send Us Your Love" | |
| 16. | "Reggae Bring Back Love" | |
| 17. | "New Time, New Sign" | |
| 18. | "Don't Haffi Dread (Alternative Mix)" |
References
edit- ^ "Hot Band". Newsday. 13 May 1999. p. C3.
- ^ "New World". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 58, no. 616. May 3, 1999. p. 35.
- ^ "Morgan Heritage Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Clover, Joshua (Jun 1999). "The Shredder". Spin. Vol. 15, no. 6. p. 137.
- ^ Ponzanesi, Sandra; Blaagaard, Bolette B. (July 9, 2019). Deconstructing Europe: Postcolonial Perspectives. Routledge.
- ^ Oumano, Elena (Mar 17, 2001). "Morgan Heritage offers 'More Teachings' on VP Reggae set". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 11. pp. 14–20.
- ^ Catlin, Roger (13 May 1999). "Morgans Remember Springfield". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 5.
- ^ a b MusicHound World: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 2000. p. 534.
- ^ Roberts, Kimberly C. (16 Mar 1999). "Morgan Heritage preserves reggae". The Philadelphia Tribune. p. 5B.
- ^ a b "Morgan Heritage 'Don't Haffi Dread'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Morgan Heritage Don't Haffi Dread". AllMusic.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. pp. 891–892.
- ^ "New releases". Features. The Sun. March 12, 1999. p. 8.
- ^ "Morgan Heritage Don't Haffi Dread". Features. The Mirror. 26 Mar 1999. p. 23.
- ^ Ferrell, Belinda Y. (2 June 1999). "Morgan Heritage". The Washington Informer. No. 32. p. 15.
- ^ Verrico, Lisa (February 27, 1999). "Reggae choice". Metro. The Times. p. 12.
- ^ Verrico, Lisa (December 18, 1999). "Reggae – The year's best". Features. The Times. p. 14.
- ^ Holston, Mark (Sep–Oct 1999). "From conjunto to reggae and samba". Americas. 51 (5): 58–59.
- ^ Darling, Cary (April 2, 1999). "A return to classic reggae?". Orange County Register. p. F51.