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As the album states, Aston "Familyman" Barrett was The
Wailers' musical director, writing, arranging, playing bass, and
leading the band through the group's most successful times.
The Wailers as a band are often overshadowed by Bob Marley, but
Cobra Style is a top-notch showcase for Barrett's musical skills,
featuring tracks he produced from the '70s to the '90s.
He puts forth a group of songs that truly grab the listener; they
assault your ears with a full-blooded cornucopia of sound and
a flood of high-caliber musicianship. Typical is the title
cut, an instrumental jam featuring power trumpets and trombones,
a saxophone, African drums, an organ and piano, a guitar, and
of course, Barrett's bass. It shakes and rattles with a
pure energy that compels you to move. Other similarly strong
instrumentals include the imperial "Distant Drums" and
the jazzy duo "Eastern Memphis" and "Well Pleased."
The musicality doesn't stop with the instrumental songs, though;
the vocal tracks are just as good, as the music is complimented
by strong melodies, the best being Brimstone's catchy "Back
Weh" and "Babylon," Jimmy Riley's gospel-infused
"We're Gonna Make It," Senya's haunting "Children
of the Ghetto," and Ashantiwah's funky "Elegant Shape."
The crisp sound of Cobra Style rivals -- dare I say it -- the
work he did with The Wailers; it's a shame that these tunes didn't
get the exposure they deserved at the time of their release.
Track Listing
1. Cobra Style -- Aston "Familyman" Barrett and The
Rebel Arms
2. Back Weh -- Brimstone
3. We're Gonna Make It -- Jimmy Riley
4. Eastern Memphis -- Aston "Familyman" Barrett and
The Rebel Arms
5. Guided Missile -- Aston "Familyman" Barrett and The
Rebel Arms
6. Babylon -- Brimstone
7. Elegant Shape -- Ashantiwah
8. Distant Drums -- The Wailers Band
9. Children of the Ghetto -- Senya [Disco Mix]
10. My Girl -- New Wave and The Rebel Arms
11. Well Pleased -- Aston "Familyman" Barrett and The
Rebel Arms
12. Woman In Love -- Maria Anderson and The Wailers Band
13. Work -- Aston "Familyman" Barrett and The Rebel
Arms
14. Natural Woman -- Senya [Disco Mix]
15. Cobra Style [Disco Mix]
16. Well Pleased [Disco Mix]
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