Maverick A Strike

Reggae, not bad

Why?

Sucked

This album is hurt by the fact that it exists in a universe that also contains Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytalls, and a plethora of other reggae artists I would much prefer to spend my time listening to. If it was the only reggae album ever made, I might enjoy it more. The accent he uses in places was at first kind of distracting, but I eventually found it to be…funny? ** Because I did enjoy it more than some of the other stuff that has come up so far this week.

My first 1 - this sucked. My guy sounds like a bad SNL skit. I did enjoy the band backing Finley - but my god does this dude sound like he'd be friends with Gary Oldman in True Romance (the its not white boy day guy).

What the fuck is a Finley Quaye? I’ve gone 40 years as a self-declared music aficionado, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard those two words strung together. My first few tracks were a bit of a musical journey. First thought: Oh, okay, a reggae album. Then: Oh, okay, a weird, psychedelic, almost electronic, borderline dubstep reggae album. Very cool. Then things got a little more polished and poppy, almost Jamiroquai-esque, with some really nice organ work, jazzy guitar, and fantastic bass. Then “Sunday Shining” comes along and suddenly I’m hearing what sounds like a reggae song laid over an Oasis or Blur track. Reggae meets Britpop. Didn’t see that coming. And that’s really where this album shines, when it gets a little freaky. Some trippy production, unexpected musical detours, and weird psychedelic backwards guitar solos. Never hurt anybody. Unfortunately, the novelty starts to wear off. A lot of the songs begin to blend together, and despite the interesting production and musicianship, I found myself getting a little bored. It’s perfectly enjoyable, but it’s not Marley. It’s not Toots and the Maytals. It’s not Peter Tosh. And while I appreciate Quaye’s willingness to push reggae into some interesting territory, I can’t say much of it really stuck with me. Interesting, occasionally inventive, and certainly better when it’s weird. But ultimately, just not quite my thing. 3.8/5

Interesting shift. Never heard this. Very late 90s, but with more reggae/soca vibe. Voice has range, but he sings in an almost deadpan. Deliberate? Good bass lines and intriguing and groove pushing guitar as well. He just sounds like he’s phoning it in.

I mean, I guess. Why not. I didn’t hate this. It meanders, yeah, but so do the elderly in grocery stores. It’s good music to vibe to at like a record store. To act interesting when you pick it and gaslight local college girls.

I was stuck behind a big rig going twenty-five the WHOLE way to work this morning. 90s faux-reggae is no good as a bedfellow for road rage! Cool atmospheric production and playing. Singing that makes me want to cross the double yellow and pass big rigs on the left. I will not return to this. Lol, this went double platinum? How?

Nice new touches and experimenting on reggae formula. Not particularly my style, but I appreciate it.

***A good, easy listening album

Some great songs and some I didn’t love. 2.8

This album occupies a strange place for me, in that it both quintessentially achieves what I was looking for in this list and absolutely could not be on here. I realise this list is compiled from a book with a set number, and keeps every album that has been in any edition even as some are removed to make way for newer releases; I sincerely hope this album is one of the 100+ that are part of that clique of formerly-part-of-the-1001. On one hand, I feel like a more informed music-fan for having listened to this album and stepping outside my comfort zone by listening to a genre I would never choose to listen to performed by a musician I have never heard of. On the other, I didn't enjoy this album and don't feel like my life would be incomplete having not listened to it. Perhaps that is the point of this list, to make us more well-rounded and show us what exists outside the narrow lines of our well-worn favourites and preferences. On this occasion, I cannot say ignorance is so harmful. This album is in no way bad, to clarify, but I would say it peaked early and then didn't know when to stop. To me the album's strongest tracks were in its initial few. These were songs I would not mind hearing in a rotation of other stuff, something to break up my normal habits, but by the time we reach the unremarkable title track the near-hour of reggae has become a drag, not unbearable but certainly tedious. I salute those who get more out of this than I do, and say it is not a weakness to have a favourite genre and acknowledge what does and, more pertinently here, doesn't work for you. I imagine I am a better music-fan for hearing this album, but it was an album more endured than enjoyed.

Never heard of Finley Quaye or his music before. If you remember Snow, he of Informer fame, this is his black British counterpart. Never plan to listen to this again

Not bad to listen to, but not interesting either. Very meh.

Scottish reggae? Hmmm.... This is fine, perfectly cromulent, but not something anyone needs to hear before they die. 2.5 stars.

Thoroughly unoriginal and uninspiring. Definitely understand why this musician was a flash in the pan who snookered his way to some album sales and a BRIT award. Back to the $0.99 rack where you belong my friend.

It's ok! But my jam but not offensive. Some eclectic songs but overall nice tunes.

This album is better when it sticks to the reggae basics, which wasn't often enough for me. Favorite track: The Way of the Explosive

huh?

I had never heard of this artist before today, so I quickly scanned some of the reviews. Most were scathing, so I was not feeling at all hopeful about the album. It didn't start off great, but then the next two songs were not bad at all. I was thinking that I might be one of the outliers this time, but then the rest of the record happened. It was...fine. I found most of his vocals to be annoying, regardless of his affected Jamaican accent. So overall not as bad as expected, but definitely not a good album either.

Track 1 - 4 Track 2 - 3.5 Track 3 - 4 Track 4 - 4 Track 5 - 3 Track 6 - 3 Track 7 - 3.5 Track 8 - 3 Track 9 - 3.5 Track 10 - 2.5 Track 11 - 3.5 Track 12 - 3.5 Track 13 - 3

whatever. i just think imitating an accent you don't have in music is so weird. could have been good fusing genres together but it was mostly boring

Strange, incoherent, still the sound gets old before it’s over

easy listening reggae. Nah

I bought this when it was released and thought it was great. Listening back I think it isn’t. This really is one of those albums that is of its time where somebody new does a cross genre album and everyone buys into it only to find it’s all a bit lazy

Nice bit of Scottish reggae. And listening to it three times and it's definitely going to stay in the library for listening again in the future

I remember when this came out not getting what all the fuss was about. Once you find out this man singing bland songs with a Caribbean accent is actually Scottish, you’ve heard the most interesting thing related to this album (apart from his drunk and violent behaviour in the decades since). Hearing it again now I can confirm that 1997 me wasn’t wrong. Dull music for dull people, absolutely baffles me that this made the list. I was going to give it 2/5 because it is well produced but I see so many giving it absolutely undeserved 5/5 ratings that it has to get a 1/5.

An interesting mix of genres here Fave track: Supreme I Preme

Encountering an album/artist you've never heard of but then instantly recognising the first track is always interesting. And then also the third track too. And the fourth track. Hang on, what's happening here - where and when did I hear this? And assumedly more than once otherwise I wouldn't have remembered it. I'm thinking Buddha FM at good ol' FJs. Great times. 3.5/5

I'm going to make a list of 1001 albums you absolutely do NOT need to hear at all, ever. Half the albums on this list will be present on my new list and this one will be chief among them.

Finley strikes gold with his debut. Great blend of reggae, smooth jazz, island hippity, and mellow electronica. Lots of variety throughout the album and some songs with clever lyrics to boot. Another excellent entry for The 1001 Must Hear List. (4.65*s) Not familiar with Finley Quaye but now a fan!

Scottish musician? Finley faking the Jamaican accent? I am very confused. Do we have another Reggae Imposter like Snow from Canada? Mav is fitting for the 90s with a blend of genres that make a somewhat palatable cheese sauce. You know, like that stuff you get on fries from the bowling alley...melted crayons. I don't hate it and kinda like it actually but not going out of my way to listen or eat. The album wasn't a chore and kept an upbeat attitude. Doesn't Strike a chord with me or deserve a list spot but we've had waaaaay worse...2.02 stars.

How do I sum up Maverick A Strike? I guess it's equal parts incompetent and brilliant? As the songs ticked by I found myself bobbing my head to the lamest reggae tones, the lames beats and the lames pseudo-rap lines but was actually kinda enjoying it? Perhaps the sum of a bunch of pretty weak parts adds up to something somewhat catchy? I don't mean this in a so-bad-its-good way, I just genuinely think I enjoyed the album despite some pretty obvious flaws and jank. Evidently I'm not alone on this as this album surprisingly went double platinum in the UK, but I'd also fully understand if someone said it was terrible. Consider me puzzled, bamboozled and perplexed on this one in the best way. This had to have been the worst reggae album I've ever enjoyed and I really believe I mean that as a compliment. 2.69 stars

I cannot say it better than "author," posted 12/12/23: "For too long, we have been subjected to the whim and whimsy of one “Robert Dimery” and the time has come for us to agree upon some self-evident truths. It is high time that we free ourselves from the tyranny of mediocrity. Are we not civilized beings, should we not be allowed to once again hold our heads high, unburdened by the choices made by one man several decades ago?" Amen. This is a terrible choice. (The full review is worth the time - may be the best thing you read today)

Nice groove and mix of styles. Had to dance to a few.

It might be rap and it could be reggae, but being Scottish doesn't improve either.

I think I just about drifted off before the microwave bleep at the end of one of the tracks awoke me. Not for me at all Worst track- ‘red rolled and seen’ Best worst track ‘ride on and turn the people on’ 0.5/10

Finley Quaye There's much better reggae, better dub, better trip-hop, better everything. So how this is on this list, I have no idea. Best Track - let's go Sweet and Loving man. At least this was a song that new what it was trying to do. Worst Track - was gonna say Red Rolled and Seen then I Need a Lover came on and it was gonna be that....then Maverick a Strike trumped everything with its woefulness. 2/10 for trying.

Wow! This album had quite the variety with some reggae and then onto soul and even a little funk mixed in. All in all the album was decent but also a bit strange in how it was all put together. Some songs seemed very well assembled while other seems very disjointed and bad. It gets a solid 2 from me.

An algorithmic recommendation on a radio created based on a decent reggae band. Technically fits the theme, doesn't really add anything.

better than expected

Good listen. Was unfamiliar with this one.

There are a couple of vibey tracks but the voice just is extremely annoying

So I like reggae music. I like roots and dancehall. I can really dig the music overall. When I turned this on I didn’t know what to expect. I have heard plenty of songs like these. Does it make it less authentic? I’m not sure. But I definitely don’t like it. It’s strange what hits with people. This was certified double platinum. I’m not hearing. But I’m not English so I don’t have the same taste. This is shit to me.

yeap I just don't like reggae. Some I don't mind but eh it's hard to listen to sometimes.

Reggae

Reggae, yaeh

Very chill

I actually like reggae. But this album really got on my nerves. I don't like Finley Quaye's voice. I liked one or two tracks. But that's not enough to make me want to listen to this album again on purpose. 3/5

Buen disccco. me gusto.

It's different, fun, and surprisingly likeable

3/5

468/1001. I was already dissing this record for European man’s reggae, which part of it is, but there are some delicate and interesting moments here. Somehow listening to the music here can be compared to a friend’s friend who you meet at a bar table. Over the course of the evening he is sometimes funny, sometimes sensual, but mostly too full of himself. You don’t think too badly about him, but when you meet him again you notice you had totally forgotten about him and that didn’t matter at all.

Didn’t care for this one. There were some decent parts here and there, but I struggled through most of it.

Very good album! I was very impressed by how much I liked it

Genuinely had no idea how to rate this and I think that alone lands it a 5/10

That was definitely an album of all time

This has some damn interesting production! It's a reggae album at its core, but it's hard to pin it as only that when every song takes a little influence from everything. The execution isn't perfect and the singing can be... varyingly enjoyable, but I can respect what Finley Quaye was trying to pull off. Not bad! Standouts: Sunday Shining • Even After All • Your Love Gets Sweeter • Supreme I Preme • Red Rolled and Seen

This is a completely unremarkable album with a few bright spots that don't make up for its unnecessary length. Sunday Shining is great. However, the album makes a long descent into background music pretty fast and doesn't have any of the commentary or depth I would expect from the genre.

This album has a couple really good songs but at the end of the day it is still just another reggae album.

might be the kind of thing I need to listen to more than once, feels like a genre mix album

"Ultra Stimulation" "Sunday Shining" "The Way of the Explosive" "Supreme I Preme"

2.5

It took me three days to get through this album because it was such a slog. Literally uninteresting and yet I love Reggae usually. Meh

3.5 A nice surprise. I was pretty sure I had heard and dismissed his stuff before. But this hit right this time around.

I know it’s inauthentic but I still enjoyed listening to this. Even After All reminded me of something Dave Matthews would do. Loses me a bit in the second half. Favorites were Sunday Shining, Even After All, and Your Love Gets Sweeter.

Reggae isn’t really my bag, but this is an interesting UK-style take on it

production is kinda good, hooks are also fine, but holy shit my man can't write a verse to save his life, it freels like he's just rambling about nothing. Also, pretending to be Jamaican is cringe af

too old school for my liking

Super chill r&b

really cool album. loved the sound

Something somewhat different for a change? Sort of appreciated the experimental take on reggae and dub here and found it pleasant enough, not overwhelmingly great.

What a boring and bland album. The songs are not interesting at all, Quaye's voice is not even pleasant, it just sounds like background music... and, the worst part of it is how mediocre, insipid and forgettable it is. I cannot say it is horrible, it surely is a correct album... but just too correct it even is soulless. It feels so cold and even so musically uninteresting that it becomes an uninspired collection of even unrelated tracks. It feels at times even more like a compilation than an actual album. And those very stripped songs with just a bass, drums and this guy talking are so tedious to listen to that are not even worth as background. I cannot find words to describe how boring this album is.

Me parece un álbum muy curioso porque combina muchas cosas a la vez, podría estarme equivocando pero siento que influye mucho en grupos del 2000, siento vibra a Gorillaz por momentos y luego también hay elementos reggae que lo diferencian del resto Hay algo de rap en la lírica expuesta por Finley, versos interesantes y en muchas ocasiones caso todas con mensaje positivo Lo disfruté, sin tener ninguna canción necesariamente memorable como un todo hace un producto que invita a ser escuchado de nuevo posteriormente Recomendado

I rather enjoyed this-it’s not the best reggae ever made, but this man knows his craft.

A quirky album mixing genres and styles. Harmless enough but it didn't rise above ambient.

I’d not heard of Finlay Quayle although a couple of the tracks sounded familiar. I enjoyed this and 1001 is back to where it should be bringing new stuff to me.A very solid 3

Reggae that's been dipped in quite a bit of trip hop (and maybe a few other things) along the way. Always original and listenable, if not always brilliant, especially towards the end where it tails off quite badly. And for that it's 3*

I wasn't really impressed. There was some cool melodies here but they were baked into the instrumentation. My primary beef with the album is how just one dimensional it was. Sure I got it, island vibes with hip hop and heady rythmns but it was boring at best.

An absolute head scratcher of an entry on the list, this album feels neither popular nor essential. Listening to Finley Quaye's take on dub and reggae is like hearing a musician lean heavily into a questionable patois while floating on top of some of the most featherlight, directionless arrangements imaginable. While a few tracks like "Sunday Shining" offer a genuinely sunny, groovy vibe with a nice wobbly bassline, the rest of the record too often plays out like beige wallpaper music, background noise on a lazy Sunday, yet fundamentally unmemorable and soulless. The most I remember about Finley is he's a Hibs fan, and a former Hibs ball boy.... This album the the aural equivalent of Hibs-ing it

This feels like a type of fusion album that should work? Reggae + trip-hop sounds fun. And it sort of was. I liked his voice a lot but didn't love any of the songs too much. Didn't feel like it leaned hard enough towards either side of the fusion and kinda just came out pop with some interesting rhythms. Not a bad thing I guess. But not what I wanted.

Celkom v pohode

eh

It is pretty good and interesting. It contains some reggae and hip-hop influences, which are not among my favourite genres. However, I found this quite enjoyable. Some songs I particularly enjoyed: "Ultra Stimulation" (fun track), "Sunday Shining" (probably my favourite), "Supreme / Preme", or "I Need a Lover". Overall, this is a solid 3 star album for me (3,5 actually).

I’d argue this should be on a “1001 albums not to listen to before you die” list. This was awful? There’s zero direction to it, it’s just a mess from start to finish. “Sunday Shining” is an insult to Bob Marley’s artistry. Hated every second.

Notable Textzeilen: If you don't know by now You may never know If you don't know which way the wind is blowing Wicked gravity Wiedermal ein Album das super abrupt endet. Dabei war es schon viel zu lang. Das hat wirklich (fast) alles was man an Reggae haßen muss. Die Gleichförmigkeit, die nöllige Stimme, die dummen Texte. Gibt bestimmt noch mehr nervige Sachen bei Reggae, aber da möchte ich jetzt gar nicht drüber nachdenken. Just don’t

No. Niemand braucht neo-reaggae ohne Identität. Niemand.

Durchgeskippt und den einen Song aus dieser 90er-Werbung erkannt. "Sunday Shining" also durchgehört. Dafür 1 Punkt. Alles andere geskippt. Kann das nicht, Brauch das nicht.

I see the vision but it was really quite boring to be honest

Scottish reggae? That’s different

First time - had no expectations surprised by reggae influence on some songs

It's mid-regge from a violent UK nutter. Pretty par for the course for this list.

An honestly pretty cool album that sounds like it’s from before its time.

Pretty good

Fine enough, but it's unlikely that I'll ever listen to this again. ★★★

pleasant enough, if unremarkable. 3/5.

It grew with the listening, and after an unsure start I quite liked it. Not a favourite, but certainly not the worst thing I've heard on here so far.

p799. 1997. 2 stars. Well done 90s Scottish reggae. Unfortunately, I don't like reggae (oh no). Glad I heard this but will not revisit.

This is not as bad as I expected. It didn’t need to be in the list though. Background music at best.