Released May 1980 The Legend Lives On... Jah Wobble in "Betrayal"
(1980) V.I.E.P. EP
(1980) Release date May 1980 Label Virgin Records | Length 78:19 Artist Jah Wobble Producer Eddie Jobson Genre Post-punk | |
 | ||
Similar The Light Programme, The Inspiration of William, Umbra Sumus, Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission, Full Circle | ||
Jah wobble as mr x battle of britain
The Legend Lives On... Jah Wobble in "Betrayal" is the debut studio album by English bass guitarist Jah Wobble. Produced by musician Eddie Jobson, it was released in May 1980 through Virgin Records. A dispute over the use of rhythm tracks from his then band Public Image Ltd. on the album led to his departure from the band.
Contents
Background and music
The album features a largely "guitar-free" sound, infused in reggae and punk-inspired dub." According to Trouser Press, Wobble "accentuates his reggae pretensions, fiddles with electronics and overdubbing and plays shadowy, threatening bass."
The tracks "Not Another" and "Blueberry Hill" primarily feature rhythm tracks originally recorded during the sessions for Public Image Ltd.'s second studio album, Metal Box (1979). This caused a dispute between frontman Wobble and John Lydon, which ultimately led to Wobble's departure in 1980.
Virgin Records' 1990 CD reissue of the album features seven bonus tracks, including a horn-laden remix of "Today Is the First Day."
Critical reception
Allmusic critic Andy Kellman panned the Wobble's vocals on the album, describing them as "awful, most resembling a liquored up Colin Newman." However, Kellman also wrote: "Aside from these gripes, it remains a pretty strong record. The Legend Lives On's finer moments often occur when Wobble's mouth is shut, or when he chants rather than sings." Trouser Press similarly criticized the vocals, while at the same time regarding it as "a return to the DIY, no-rules punk tradition."
Track listing
All tracks are written by Jah Wobble except where noted.
- "Betrayal" — 4:52
- "Beat the Drum For Me" — 4:02
- "Blueberry Hill" (Vincent Rose, Larry Stock, Al Lewis) — 4:16
- "Not Another" — 3:13
- "Tales from Outer Space" — 3:03
- "Today Is the First Day of the Rest of My Life" — 7:24
- "Dan MacArther" — 5:23
- "Pineapple" — 6:55
Personnel
Album personnel as adapted from Allmusic.
Songs
1Betrayal4:55
2Beat The Drum For Me4:03
3Blueberry Hill4:18