Alexander Minto Hughes had a few careers in his lifetime. He was a pro-wrestler (named the Masked Executioner), a bouncer, and a debt collector- but he’s most known under his reggae persona Judge Dread. During the 1970’s he sold several million records, with his sales second only to Bob Marley in the UK.  His sound blended elements of ska & rocksteady genres of reggae, with cheeky lyrics that were alive with sexual innuendo- meaning a fair number of his singles were banned by the BBC. Here we have a four-CD boxset bringing together all of his four albums from the 70s- as well as twenty-seven bonus/ rare tracks.
 

The set is presented in a dark orange glossy flipside box. Inside each album comes in its own colour slip, which reproduces the original cover artwork. There’s a twenty-page inlay booklet- this features a seven-page write-up about the Judge, as well pictures of the man, loads of single cover/ label reproductions, and more. So, another very nicely presented and curated boxset from the Cherry Red family of labels. 

Hughes was born in 1954 in Snodland Kent. And seemingly fairly soon young Alexander’s family moved to Brixton, and this was where the large-set white boy got his taste for all things reggae. In 1969 Prince Buster had a big underground hit with "Big 5"- So  Hughes decidedly to capitalise on the popularity with the track "Big Six"- which was based on Verne & Son's "Little Boy Blue". In 1972 single was put out by Trojan under the name of Judge Dread, going on to chart at number 11 in the UK charts- and this was the start of his musical career/success. Which saw him record eight albums in his lifetime, Hughes sadly passed from a heart attack in 1988.
 

So, on disc number one we have his 1972 debut album Dreadmania- It’s All In The Mind. This appeared on Trojan Records, and took in twelve tracks- with this reissue adding on two bonus tracks. And from the off there is a fun, cheeky, and at points very sleazy 70’s air to the proceedings. We move from the single “Big Six” with its tightly jaunting organ playing, clip-clap-smash beat, and Hughes rapid spoken-barely sung vocal- which focus around nurse rhyme influenced lyrics. As we on we have the strutting guitar ‘n’ snipping cymbal groove of “Oh! She Is A Big Girl”. There’s the lyrical innuendo-soaked “Ding-A-Ling”, with its steady/ joyful pacing, percussive snaking ‘n’ chimes hits, and of course, the Judge singing about his Ding-A-ling. We have the rocksteady shuffle ‘n’ Strutt of “The Biggest Bean You’ve Ever Seen” with the talking/semi-singing vocals detailing the bean's story, with football-like chanting appearing later on.  On the whole, it’s a cheekily entertaining debut- which blends reggae with the Judge’s larger-than-life persona.

Onto disc number, we have Working Class ‘Ero. This was from 1974, and once again appeared on Trojan. It took in ten tracks, with a bonus of six tracks at the end of the disc.  The album found the Judge sounding a lot more sonically confident, as well as, a lot more sleazed/perverse. We open with the shala-la-la chorus and tight bass groove of “Big Eight”. There is the decidedly sleazy 70’s vibe of “Take Off Your Clothes” with it's tightly weaved organ ‘n’ bass groove, and a chorus of ‘My daddy is a priest you know, and I’m not a beast you know- I just want to look, to Love”.  There’s the trombone, pubic house piano bound, banjo & toy time lo-fi electronics of “ Grandad’s Flanalenett”.  Or the spaced out ‘n’ slurred disco meets ska of “What Kung Fu Dat” which details the Judge stepping in dog poo. Again this is an entertaining enough follow-up, though we move more towards the novelty side of things.
 
Onto disc three we have Bedtime Stories- this is 1975, and saw the Judge moving to the Creole label. This took in ten tracks, with this disc taking in a whooping nine bonus tracks. This album charted at number twenty-six in the UK chart, and basically, it’s more of the same- though with the cheeky chappy/ sexual innuendo elements are enhanced.  We go from the reggae-up cover of “ Je T’aime” with the Judge chatting up a female fan,  before getting more than he bargains for. There’s the squelching lo-fi electronic chugg, simmering slide guitar work, & sleazy whiteman rasta singing of “Rudness Train”.  We have tapping percussion, jiving organ, and strutting guitar of “Treachtown Billy” which details Billy’s big member. With album playing out with another cover “Move Over Darling” with its wavering sing-song vocals, and male/ female getting-into-bed dialogue. As an album Bedtime Stories really did push the novelty side of things, though there were still some decent grooves & beats on display.
 

Finally, we have Last of the Skinheads- this is from 1976, and was from the  Cactus label. This featured eleven tracks- one of these being a reprise of an early track- and I’m afraid as the popularity of reggae was dipping in the UK, so was the Judge's talent to write a decent tune & groove- and his sleazy side has become decidedly cringe-inducing/improper. We get a whooping eleven bonus track on the CD.  We kick off with the rather tired ska horns of “Bring Back The Skins”. There's “Dread Rock” which seems him using the melody of ‘ Oh What a big one’ as he talks/ sings about his sticky rock at the seaside. There’s the wondering bass-lightly-organ groove of “Come Outside” which details the Judge hassling a woman at a disco. We get another cover- this time it's “Banana Boat”, which he slows down, and retitles “Banna Throat Song” with the lyrics detailing his banana!. Last of the Skinheads really was the butt end of the Judge's 70’s career- there were a few interesting/ worthy moments, but that’s about it.
 
The twenty-seven bonus/ rare tracks spread primarily through the last half of the set give us a few gems/ worthy moments. So certainly when you get to the fourth disc, and are feel rather jaded with the later album tracks- these are well worth checking out.

Judge Dread was certainly a very British phenomenon & artist, and really you’ve got to be not easily offended/ rather like the sexual innuendo ’70s to fully enjoy what he had to offer. There is no doubt that there is a fairly bit of entertainment, groove & fun to be had here- and good on Cherry Red/Pressure Drop for releasing this album collection.