Released 43 years ago this October
Making History
Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1983
33 min · 7 tracks · dub poetry
A powerful blend of dub poetry and reggae, infused with sharp political commentary and rhythmic intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Di Eagle an' di Bear — This track sets the tone for the album with its exploration of the relationship between power dynamics and oppression, showcasing Johnson's masterful use of language.
-
→
Wat About di Workin' Claas? — Here, Johnson directly addresses working-class struggles, employing vivid imagery to highlight systemic injustices faced by ordinary people.
-
→
Making History — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and activism, delivering a message of empowerment through its compelling narrative style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of rhythmic intensity and political commentary creates a compelling listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of syncopated rhythms that drive the spoken word delivery, creating a dynamic interplay between voice and instrumentation.
- Each track maintains a strong political theme, with lyrics addressing social issues directly tied to the Rastafarian movement.
- The production employs echo and reverb effects typical of dub, enhancing the atmospheric quality of the tracks while keeping the focus on the vocal performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Di Eagle an' di Bear 4:12
- 2 Wat About di Workin' Claas? 5:09
- 3 Di Great Insohreckshan 3:58
- 4 Making History 4:21
- 5 Reggae fi Radni 5:04
- 6 Reggae fi Dada 4:44
- 7 New Craas Massahkah 6:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.