Wailing Souls – Joy Within Your Heart (1978)

The Wailing Souls are one of the great roots reggae vocal bands.

I first stumbled upon them after buying the “Inchpinchers” LP as a Jamaican import in a backstreet record shop in Hong Kong in late 1983. That is a fantastic LP but I came to learn that Wailing Souls had been going for many many years (and had written Mr Fire Coal Man which was later covered by Stiff Little Fingers).

I have half a dozen favourites that will eventually grace this blog but why not start with the classic 1978 single “Joy Within Your Heart”. Heartfelt vocal over a relentless rhythm and killer bassline – reggae heaven.

Track is here – easily obtained on the stunning Pressure Sounds LP “Wailing Souls at Channel One”