But then, if you listen to the music itself, you would hear that the music is in fact heavily influenced by a style called "Rub a Dub": and the Black Ark isn't that known to record that kind of Reggae Music.

In fact, Lee Perry had already burned down his Black Ark studio at the time of this recording.

So, what's the deal?

You wouldn't expect it, if you never heard of the studio and label that provided this Showcase album by one of the few Roots Harmony groups that would be able to ride a Rub a Dub riddim just as well as a Rockers track: The Meditations

They had already been recording with a number of producers before "I Love JAH", including a well appreciloved album produced by Linvall Thompson and the band that basically was Rub a Dub: The Roots Radics.

On this album, they proof once more that "Roots Harmony Vocal Trio's" could also provide the vocals for Rub a Dub, which is a more minimalistic style of Reggae than the rather complicated Roots Rockers usually associated with Harmony Groups.

The music on "I Love JAH" is kind of a mix between Rockers and Rub a Dub and that makes this album kind of special. Six great tunes by The Meditations, all kind of long as they come with a vocal and a DUB in the same track. 

Crucial material from this Jamaican Roots group, recorded in... America!

We're talking about the Wackies label: founded by Lloyd Barnes, it was the first American Reggae studio of some significance. And it had a sound that would have a lot of similarity with the Black Ark sounds of Lee Perry.

Unfortunately, the sound wasn't the only similarity. Like the Black Ark, Wackies does no longer exist and it's original vinyl releases have become well sought after by Reggae collectors who know their business.

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