Freedom Street

Artist: Ken Boothe

Released: 1975

What you have here is Ken Boothe's only album for Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s Records. It is a collection of the singles he recorded while there. The title track, written by his good friend and label mate Harris Seaton, became an anthem of intent and struck a chord with the Jamaican public, becoming a huge hit and an early Reggae classic.

As Rock Steady transitioned to Reggae at the end of the sixties, Ken Boothe was in a prime position for international success. Freedom Street is an important artefact and classic Beverley’s album. It includes other Seaton compositions, an inspired version of Satisfaction, Mungo Jerry’s hit In the Summertime, and The Royalettes' hit It’s Gonna Take a Miracle. Songs like Drums of Freedom and Love and Unity point the way to what would typify Reggae in the coming generation.