Devon Russell – Prison Life (Vinyl LP)

Devon Russell – Prison Life is a roots reggae album by Jamaican singer Devon Russell (1948–1997), who started his career in the 1960s with the rocksteady group The Tartans. The album was released in 1983 on Roy Cousins' label Tamoki Wambesi (cat. no. TWLP1008); it was produced by Roy Cousins, recorded at Aquarius Recording Studio in Half Way Tree, Jamaica, and mixed at Easy Street Studios. Russell wrote and arranged all the songs and also sang the harmonies; the rhythms are played by Flabba Holt, Style Scott and others. This copy is a UK original pressing.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Tamoki Wambesi TWLP1008
• Format: Vinyl LP, Album
• Pressing: UK original
• Country: UK
• Year of this pressing: 1983
• Genre: Reggae, Roots Reggae, Dancehall

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG+

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Thank You Jah
2. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
3. Life Is
4. Prison Life
5. Some Time

Side B

1. Jah Is Watching You
2. Shame And Pity
3. Let's Get Together Now
4. Stranger
5. Jah Will See

Personnel

Devon Russell (vocals, harmony vocals, songwriting, arrangements); Flabba Holt, Neville Morris (bass), Rancei “Rusty” Chambers, Style Scott (drums), Alan Weeks, Karl Taylor (guitar), Pablo Black (organ), Michael Martin (synthesizer), Errol “Johnny Pedal” Mullings (percussion), Rudolph “Ras” Bonito (harmonica), Simon O'Grady (flute), Baba Williams, Paul Heemer (horns), Leonard “Shoe Mark” Allen, Nina Soul (harmony vocals).

Production: Roy Cousins; engineer: Christopher Daley; mixed by Jeff Chandler.

FAQ

Is this the original pressing?
Yes. This is the UK edition on Tamoki Wambesi with catalogue number TWLP1008, released in 1983.

Who was Devon Russell?
Devon Russell (1948–1997) was a Jamaican singer and producer. He started out in the 1960s with The Tartans, whose members also included Prince Lincoln Thompson and Cedric Myton, and later worked with Roy Cousins among others.

What does Media NM- / Cover VG+ mean?
NM- (Near Mint minus) means the record is close to new with at most minimal signs of play. VG+ (Very Good Plus) means the sleeve shows light wear. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more Devon Russell records?
This is currently our only record by Devon Russell. You can hear the rhythm section of Flabba Holt and Style Scott on Israel Vibration – Praises as well. More titles are in our Reggae, Ska & Dub collection.