Gladiators

Their 1983 EP featuring a cover of Bob Marley’s “Fussing And Fighting” returns on vinyl.

Gladiators were founded by Albert Griffiths in 1968 after he experienced positive reactions to his early solo singles. Success came quickly for the new roots reggae band with “Hello Carol” which topped the charts in Jamaica. Working at Studio One in the early ’70s, the Gladiators produced a string of hits; “Roots Natty,” “Bongo Red,” and “Jah Jah Go Before Us.” Naturally the major labels came calling and the band was signed to Virgin Records where they cut albums for the rest of the decade. They started by revisiting their history on the classic, Trenchtown Mix Up, their Virgin debut, on which the Gladiators recorded new versions of their early hits. Roots reggae underwent a decline in popularity during the ’80s, but it was a busy decade for the Gladiators who were at the height of their powers. They recorded eleven albums during the decade, including three for the U.S. label, Nighthawk Records (now owned by Omnivore Recordings). The Nighthawk albums include Symbol Of Reality (1982), Serious Thing (1984), and their collaboration with Leonard Dillon (the Ethiopian) Dread Prophecy (1986). A CD compilation, Full Time, was released in 1992, containing previously unissued tracks left off the Nighthawk albums plus 1983 U.S. Tour-E.P., which was only issued on vinyl.