Conquering Lion Riddim – Various Labels

The Conquering Lion Riddim sits right in that heavy mid-’70s roots pocket, all dusky bassline and militant bounce, with Yabby You/Vivian Jackson’s fingerprints all over it. Augustus Pablo sounds especially sharp on “Pablo Dread In A Red” and “Tippa Tone Blues, ” where the melodica cuts through the rhythm like a siren, while Big Youth’s “Yabby Youth” and “Lighting Flash” lean into the deejay pressure and keep the whole thing moving. Devon Russell and Dicky Burton add a couple of deeper pulls too, and the King Tubby cuts push the riddim into dub territory without losing that stern, hymn-like feel. Recorded across 1974 to 1976 and spread across various labels, it catches that exact moment when roots reggae was getting leaner, darker, and more devotional.

Conquering Lion Riddim Tracklist:

1. Augustus Pablo – Tippa Tone Blues
2. Augustus Pablo & Yabby U – Pablo Dread In A Red (1974)
3. Big Youth – Lighting Flash Weak Heart Drop
4. Big Youth & Yabby U – Yabby Youth (1975)
5. Devon Russell – Race Track Riot
6. Devon Russell – Rat & Bat
7. Dicky Burton – God Is Watching You (1974)
8. King Tubby & Yabby U – Big Youth Fights Against Capitalism (1975)
9. King Tubby & Yabby U – King Tubby’s Rock (1974)
10. King Tubby & Yabby U – Lord Dub (1976)
11. The Prophets All Stars – Lazy Mood
12. Tommy McCook & Don Drummond Junior – Fisherman Special (1975)
13. Toyan & Errol Scorcher – Natty Roots
14. Trinity – Jamal Foundation
15. Trinity – Samson The Strongest Man (1977)
16. Vivian Jackson & The Ralph Brothers – Conquering Lion (1972)
17. Wayne Wade – King Of Kings (Lord Of Lords) (1976)
18. Yabby U – Conquering Lion (1977)
19. Yabby U & King Tubby’s – Rock Vibrations
20. Yabby U & The Prophets – Beware
21. Yabby U & The Prophets – Beware Dub