Visions of Dennis Brown

Dennis Brown had been recording for nearly a decade by the time he teamed up with producer Joe Gibbs to cut the remarkable Visions of Dennis Brown in 1978. Brown had scored hits with nearly every notable Jamaican producer, including Cement “Coxsone” Dodd, Winston “Niney the Observer” Holness, Alvin Ranglin, and a host of others. Brown’s silken voice, relaxed delivery, and righteous lyricism won him a level of esteem among Jamaicans second only to that afforded Bob Marley himself. Though Brown’s catalog is full of exceptional material, the two LPs he cut with Gibbs and studio engineer Errol Thompson—Visions of Dennis Brown and Wolfs and Leopards—are among his very best. Visions may suffer slightly in comparison to its more celebrated companion, but it remains a remarkable achievement. The bracing roots cut “Deliverance Will Come” opens the set on a powerful note that Brown manages to sustain throughout the entirety of this 10-track release. Sensitive production from Gibbs and Errol Thompson, and tough, unfailingly solid instrumental work from Gibbs’ studio band The Professionals only add to the greatness of this landmark release.