Linval Thompson

𝘼 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧-𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙧, 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙄 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙖 (1978) brings together conscious lyrics, heavyweight rhythms and dubwise sensibility in one of reggae’s definitive roots albums.

Recorded at Channel One and featuring Jamaica’s top session musicians, the album was remixed at King Tubby’s Studio in Kingston. The first side features the anthemic title track “I Love Marijuana”, alongside songs such as “Dread Are the Controller” and “Just Another Girl”, each carried by Thompson’s distinctive vocal tone and lyrical clarity. Backed by The Revolutionaries, with Sly Dunbar on drums, Robbie Shakespeare on bass and Errol “Chinna” Smith on guitar, the arrangements deliver heavyweight grooves rooted in Channel One’s unmistakable sound.

The second side continues with equally strong cuts including “Roots Lady” and “Westbound Train”, balancing lovers themes with militant roots expression. The interplay of Thompson’s voice and the stripped yet powerful instrumentation gives the record its timeless character.

I Love Marijuana remains a crucial document of late-70s reggae, marking Linval Thompson’s transition into one of the era’s most important singer-producers.