Lantern Records / Europe / RE 2022
The city of Bristol has undoubtedly a rich reggae heritage. The criminally neglected Talisman finally benefits of a long overdue release, collecting their first efforts plus a series of extra tracks. You'll get their first two singles released on Recreational Records -- Run Come Girl/Wicked Dem and Dole Age/Free Speech, both released in 1981 -- plus a selection of five, long-lost contributions. Originally formed in 1977 as Revelation Rockers, a name they soon changed, Talisman was considered the top reggae act in town alongside local contemporaries Black Roots. The band -- popular for their intense live shows -- opened for such glorious and diverse acts as Burning Spear, The Clash, and The Rolling Stones. This proper release on vinyl allows a new generation of fans to catch with their original style. Talisman certainly shows a different side of the UK reggae flourishing scene -- think about Aswad, Steel Pulse, and Misty In Roots -- putting Bristol back on the map. Edition of 500.