I Roy - Exodus Chapter 2 - Ten Commandments (1978)

I Roy - Exodus Chapter 2 - Ten Commandments
It was one of the most stunningly audacious concepts of all time.
Versioning a song was one thing, and by 1977 an enormously popular one at that,
but the idea of versioning an entire album was something no one had ever even considered,
least of all versioning a masterpiece like Bob Marley & the Wailers' Exodus.
But that's precisely what I-Roy did on Ten Commandments (aka Exodus Chapter II).

But the DJ didn't stop there, as the title makes clear;
he hung the set around the Ten Commandments, with each track representing one of God's laws,
beginning with I-Roy reciting, singing, or toasting about the commandment itself.
Some provide the inspiration for his toast, as with ''Commandment 6'''s ''Thou shalt not kill,''
which is set to a sublime version of ''Natural Mystic.''
Elsewhere, it's the actual song that sets the DJ rocking, as on ''Commandment 5,''
where he sings along to ''One Love,'' reminds listeners to ''honor thy mother and father,''
and delivers up a romantically seductive toast to boot.
On ''Commandment 2,'' grave images get short shrift, as the DJ calls out warnings to the Wailers' ''Heathen.''
Not all the songs are cultural in intent: ''Commandment 7'' confusingly starts off with I-Roy stating he's giving listeners ''number six,''
but delivers up the seventh (''Thou shalt not commit adultery'');
however, that's the only biblical reference, as the singer skanks off on a ''Jamming'' shock attack.
The same is true with the jumping ''Commandment 1,'' where I-Roy celebrates toasting itself.
This number is the sole one not versioned from Exodus itself,
and substitutes a punchy ''Put It On'' for the more downbeat ''Turn Your Lights Down Low.''

Contrary to later legend, Ten Commandments does not version the original album itself,
instead boasting spectacular recuts by the low-profile band Chalawa.

It may be sacrilegious to suggest, but the versions here are arguably superior to the originals,
and most are far rootsier than what the Wailers created on their record. ''Exodus'' (aka ''Commandment 4'')
absolutely steams across the grooves, ''Heathen'' is positively ominous, ''Natural Mystic'' is stomach-dropping heavy, and even ''Three Little Birds'' have bulked up from fluttering sparrows to soaring eagles.

Pete Weston's superb production emphasizes the dread auras the band creates,
giving the record a dubby depth that shook sound systems around the world.

An incredibly popular album in its day, it's beggars' belief that Frontline, who released the set in the U.K.,
let it fall from their catalog and has steadfastly refused to reissue it – a cultural crime if ever there was one.
This album is a masterpiece that demands a new audience.
source: Jo-Ann Green - allmusic.com

- Tracks -
01 - I Am The Lord Thy God, Thou shalt Have No Other Gods
02 - Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image
03 - Thou Shalt Not Take The Name Of The Lord Thy God In Vain
04 - Remember The Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy
05 - Honour Thy Father & Mother
06 - Thou Shalt Not Kill
07 - Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
08 - Thou Shalt Not Steal
09 - Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
10 - Thou Shalt Not Covet
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