My inspirational teacher was Jackie Barrow, who taught English in my last couple of years of secondary school. If I had to pick one thing that opened my mind up to the possibilities of a bigger world beyond our predominantly white working- & middle-class suburban bubble, it would be introducing me to the poetry of Benjamin Zephaniah and Linton Kwesi Johnson. It's fair to say that a fair chunk of the class were unmoved by their poems, but it made a huge impact on me, beginning a lifelong interest in their work. So when I discovered that both had released albums, setting their poetry to music, of course it was a win-win.
Both continue to write, perform, challenge and inspire today.
Side One
1) Fantasy Poem (Single Version By Mad Professor): Benjamin Zephaniah (1982)
2) Wat About Di Working Claas? (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1984)
3) I Am A Revolutionary (Album Version By The Sea aka Corin Pennington): Benjamin Zephaniah ft. Logic aka Declan Davids (2017)
4) If I Waz A Tap Natch Poet (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1998)
5) Rong Radio Station (Album Version By Trevor Morais): Benjamin Zephaniah ft. Dennis Bovell (2005)
Side Two
1) Di Black Petty Booshwah (12" Version By Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980)
2) Dis Policeman Keeps On Kicking Me To Death (Lord Scarman Dub): Benjamin Zephaniah (1983)
3) Reggae Fi Peach (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Black Beard aka Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1980)
4) I Have A Dream (Album Version By Luke Slater): L.B. Dub Corp ft. Benjamin Zephaniah (2013)
5) Reality Poem (Album Version By Linton Kwesi Johnson & Dennis Bovell): Linton Kwesi Johnson (1979)
1979: Forces Of Victory: B5
1980: Bass Culture: B3
1980: De Black Petty Booshwah 12": B1
1982: Dub Ranting EP: A1
1983: Rasta: B2
1984: Making History: A2
1998: More Time: A4
2005: Naked: A5
2013: Unknown Origin: B4
2017: Revolutionary Minds: A3
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