Between “Caught You” and “True Democracy” Steel Pulse left Island Records and eventually signed with Elektra. When they began recording however, they had no record deal. Some demo’s were made in New York which prompted a small Danish label to offer their studio for recording which is how “True Democracy” came to be recorded at Feedback Studios in Aarhus, Denmark.
The album continues “Caught You”s mix of social and religious comment and danceable reggae. “Chant A Psalm” begins things with a bit of both. It’s a smooth, easy skanking floorfiller with a killer chorus and positivity in it’s lyrics (“When pressure drop it cannot conquer dread no, So blow away your bluesy feeling”) something that gets forgotten about Reggae music is that it’s not just wonderful dance music or politically charged rebel music it’s can also be deeply religious music. “Chant A Psalm” has references to psalms (obviously), Lucifer, Armageddon, angels, Daniel, Moses, Samson and King David. Maybe if the Church had us chanting psalms on the one-drop rather than ploughing the fields and (f*cking) scattering they may have had more luck with us at school.
“Ravers” and “Blues Dance Raid” mix the dancefloor with politics. “Man No Sober” rails at the evils of alcohol and promotes a sober Rastafarian lifestyle (much as I love you I’m gonna pass on that David). The album plays out on the Dub of “Dub Marcus Say”.
“True Democracy” marks a turning point for Steel Pulse. It was the last album to feature guitarist and founding member Basil Gabbidon. Future albums would take on a more electronic sound that was becoming popular in Jamaica with the Dancehall style. Steel Pulse are quite simply one of the greatest bands ever to come out of Birmingham or the UK for that matter. If nothing else if you’re ever in the company of someone who starts rattling on about UB40, give them a slap and preach the gospel of Steel Pulse.
Chant A Psalm - https://youtu.be/4nony-xB3tE?si=b3hihX993YG91NiJ
