Ethiopian, Everything Crash (side A)

Leonard Dillon was half of the vocal reggae duo Ethiopians.  5 years after Steven Taylor's death, he made his first solo record as Ethiopian, 1980's Everything Crash, working with Coxsone Dodd from Studio One.  I'm not so familiar with Ethiopians, but their music from what I have heard seems to have been a bit higher energy.  The tempos on Everything Crash are a bit slower, and the feel of the album is darker.  Dillon's amazing singing shines in this setting, with a series of beautiful vocal takes.  Many songs are melodic and memorable, including at least one recut of Ethiopians' "Everything Crash".  The opener "When Will be the End" also particularly stands out.  The sound of the record is present with punchy dub bass, but the midrange feels a bit weak and does not flatter Dillon's beautiful voice.  The stylized cover design stretches the Studio One style into a slightly darker terrain.