Message Man Explained

Message Man
Type:	Album
Artist:	Eddy Grant
Cover:	EddyGrantMessageMan.jpg
Released:	1977
Studio:	The Coach House Recording Studio, Stamford Hill, London
Genre:	Reggae, funk, soca, pop^[1]
Length:	46:32
Label:	Ice
Producer:	Eddy Grant
Prev Title:	Eddy Grant
Prev Year:	1975
Next Title:	Walking on Sunshine
Next Year:	1979

Message Man is the second album by Eddy Grant. He plays almost every instrument and sings every voice on this album. The uncredited backing band was 90° Inclusive. The album is significant for its socio-political stance in songs such as "Race Hate" and "Cockney Black". The track, "Hello Africa", is considered a major highlight of this album with Grant creating a unique genre that remains difficult to categorize to this day.

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Eddy Grant

1. "Curfew" – 5:47
2. "It's Our Time" – 4:33
3. "Cockney Black" – 3:56
4. "Jamaican Child" – 3:20
5. "Get Down Soweto" – 4:38
6. "Hello Africa" – 11:55
7. "Race Hate" – 4:47
8. "Neighbour Neighbour" – 7:33

Personnel

• Eddy Grant - lead vocals, all other instruments
• Winston Henry - bass on "Curfew", "Jamaican Child" and "Race Hate"
• Wayne Bonaparte - bass on "Neighbour Neighbour"
• Webster Dyer - organ on "Curfew", "Jamaican Child" and "Race Hate"
• Peter Nelson - acoustic piano on "Cockney Black"
• Delford Davis - drums on "Curfew", "Jamaican Child" and "Race Hate"
• Ron Telemaque - drums on "Hello Africa"
• Errol Wise - drums on "Neighbour Neighbour"
• Kofi Ayivor - congas on "Hello Africa"
• George Agard, Jackie Robinson - backing vocals on all tracks except "Hello Africa" and "Neighbour Neighbour"
• Herschell Holder, Lloyd Smith - horns on "It's Our Time"
• 90° Inclusive was Delford Davis, Henry Barnes, Hugh Francis, Webster Dyer, Winston Henry

Technical

• Frank Aggarat - engineer
• Dave Field - sleeve design, illustration

"Thanks to Akwila Simpasa for making me the Message Man, and to Victor Olakau for helping with the translations."

Notes and References

1. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eddy-grant-mn0000796763/biography Eddy Grant|AllMusic