Sweet Melody / Mr. Workhard

Limited Edition Black Vinyl (300 Copies only).The latest in Reggae Archive Records ongoing reissue series of classic and in-demand UK roots singles is another expensive and almost impossible-to-find 12" gem. Birmingham's Carnastoan went into the studio with top producer and UK reggae legend Dennis Bovell and produced the double-sided Killer, "Sweet Melody" coupled with "Mr. Workhard".Sweet Melody is a tribute to reggae music contrasting the sweet soulful melodies of reggae with its positive and uplifting message to those who use music for their own vanity, seeking silver, gold and rubies, "you looking for gold, silver too, rubies, seeking vanity, seeking vanities. Silver and gold will fade away, but black reggae here to stay. Reggae music never die". The spiritual and positive messages of roots reggae are eternal and stand above the throwaway lyrics and the self- serving vanity and greed of many of those who perform other genres. There is a purity and spirituality at the heart of roots reggae that will ensure its relevance and continued survival, a very apt theme for a reissue label to embrace and forty-five years after release this reissue demonstrates the truth in the message.Complementing it is the even stronger "Mr. Workhard", a song that is a message to those people who seemingly have nothing in their lives beyond work. They sacrifice love, family, other experiences and even a relationship with their god, yet all their work doesn't even bring them a fair reward for their sacrifices, just no energy left after their toil. They are being exploited by the system but can't see it. It compares the then-contemporary exploitation of workers with the evils of slavery, forefathers bound and chained and working the fields for no pay. People need to stop working so hard and realise what's actually important in life. A killer rhythm and the usual highest quality production from Dennis Bovell underpin the message.Carnastoan's "Sweet Melody" / "Mr Workhard" is reissued in the original 12" format including a reproduction of the picture sleeve design by Alvin Kelly.