Hugh Mundell aka Jah Levi was gifted in many ways, blessed with a powerful voice and wisdom beyond his years. He was one of the greats and was senselessly taken in his prime, murdered in cold blood.
Mundell was the fourth child and only boy to Theresa and Alvin Mundell. Alvin Mundell was a successful lawyer. Hugh was a promising athlete. He grew up just houses away from three other youth who would also go on to become reggae singers: Winston McAnuff, Earl Sixteen Daley, and Yabby You protogé Wayne Wade.
During Mundell’s career he produced five albums (one was released after his passing) and numerous singles, but there should have been way more. A loved and highly respected deejay (singer), he worked closely with the legendary Junior Reid. Both sparred on Volcano Hi-Fi and Killamanjaro Sound System, alongside the biggest names in the deejay trade including Barrington Levy, Burro Banton, Ranking Toyan, Super Cat, John Wayne, Madoo and Puddy Roots.
Between 1976 and 1978, Mundell and Augustus Pablo laid down the tracks for what would ultimately become Mundell’s debut LP, Africa Must Be Free By 1983. The album was produced by Pablo and Mundell wrote every song. It included two Black Ark-recorded titles, “Let’s All Unite” and “Why Do Black Man Fuss and Fight”, both supervised and mixed by Lee Perry.
“Rasta Have The Handle” was released in 1982, produced by Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes and mixed by Scientist. It has it all, a killer dancehall riddim, a super heavy bassline and inspirational lyrics. My copy is a great press on a Volcano seven inch.
“No matter how the mountain may be high
We’ve got to reach the top
And no matter how the hill might be steep
We’ll never stop
And no matter how dangerous the cliff
We’ll never fall
‘Cause Rasta have the handle
Babylon, you hold on on the blame”
What makes this record even better is having Scientist on the flip. When the drums land later in the track, it gets real heavy. Pure dubwise.
Al Rankin
Whakatū / Waimea based dub reggae dancehall selector. Original badman, blat blat.
