Bunny Wailer

INDOMITABLE revolutionary reggae legend, Bunny Wailer, could take court action against record company, Universal Music Group(UGM)/Island Records, to prevent the re-release of his groundbreaking Blackheart Man album.

Wailer, christened Neville O'Riley Livingston, told the Observer he was not consulted on the matter before the company went ahead and released the product.

"No one consulted I, and I'm the creator for the Blackheart Man album from start to finish -- composition, production, arrangement, graphics, art design, is one hundred per cent Solomonic Production," declared the three-time Grammy Award winner.

The lone surviving original Wailer said it was not until he read it in the papers (The Throb of the Observer dated Saturday, July 13) and subsequently received sample copies of the re-issue album from UMG, that he became aware of the development.

"I can't see how people could just take Bunny Wailer and Solomonic Production's material and do what they have done without even consulting with me. It's a total disrespect and insult to reggae music and to the product itself. I don't approved of it," added the singer, songwriter, arranger, producer affectionately called Jah B.

One of reggae's most decorated ambassadors, Bunny Wailer -- who, in addition to his Grammy conquests, is the recipient of Jamaica's Order of Distinction (Commander Class) as well as the keys to the cities of New York and Boston -- is also concerned over royalty payments.

He said he does not know what kind of provisions are being made for him to get paid, pointing out that he has not been paid for 27 years by Island Records, when it was under the control of Chris Blackwell.

He also cited a court ruling in his favour which makes Island/UMG currently accoutable to him in terms of royalties for such albums as Burnin, Catch-a-Fire, Legend and Songs of Freedom box set.

"So I can't see how they are accountable to me on the side of the Wailers, and on the side of Bunny Wailer which is my solo career, whereas the Blackheart Man is my most outstanding album (and) they are not accountable to me," Wailer said.

In a subsequent press release, he has indicated that he is going to seek an injunction from the courts "... to prevent the re-releasing and further exploitation of the Blackheart Man, Protest and Bunny Wailer sings the Wailers albums, until such time that Island Records/UMG have accounted to Solomonic Productions and Bunny Wailer for more than 27 years of unpaid royalties".

In addition, the veteran entertainer is not pleased about certain credits on the re-issue version of his debut solo album recorded for Tuff Gong in the early 1970s.

"As far as the album was concerned, it was completed and there didn't have to be any credit given to anybody for any reason whatsoever," said Wailer, who says he is willing to have the matter amicably resolved.

Blackheart Man, the timeless album that brought Wailer's vocal and writing dexterity to the fore, is the latest classic set to be a part of UMG's massive re-issue campaign which began two years ago with the re-release of Bob Marley's Island Records catalogue.

A year ago, albums from former Island Records acts -- Burning Spear and Jimmy Cliff -- were given new lease on life by UMG.

The 27-year-old Blackheart Man set contains time-honoured cuts such as title track, Fighting Against Conviction, Dreamland, Fig Tree, Rasta Man, Reincarnated Soul, Armagideon and This Train.

Trousers in Denim

Cream of the 'Crop'

Cheeky's World