Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard

Review by Amy Primeau

Album Review: Trying Very Hard by Leroy Smart – A Reggae Gem from Jamaica Alright, let’s dive into Trying Very Hard, the reggae album that feels like a warm breeze on a Kingston afternoon. Released under Volcano Records and produced by the legendary Henry "Junjo" Lawes, this project has that raw, unfiltered vibe only true reggae heads can appreciate. And shoutout to D.T. for mastering it—clean but not too polished, just how roots music should be. Now, onto the tracks. The title cut, "Trying Very Hard," hits you right off the bat with its hypnotic bassline and Leroy Smart’s laid-back delivery. It’s one of those tunes where you don’t even realize you’ve been humming it all day until someone asks why you’re mumbling about “trying.” Smart doesn’t overdo it—he lets the groove do most of the talking, which is exactly what makes it stick. You feel him, man. Like, we’ve all been there, grinding and hustling, trying very hard to make things work. This song gets that struggle without being preachy. Then there’s the dub version, "Trying Very Hard (Version)." Oh boy, this one’s a trip. If the original track is the main course, then this is the spice rub that makes your ears tingle. Stripped-down vocals, heavy reverb, and an echo so thick you could swim in it—it’s pure magic. Dubs like these remind me why I fell in love with reggae in the first place. They take something simple and flip it into a whole new experience. Every time I hear that bass drop, it’s like my brain takes a little vacation to some beach in Jamaica. No passport required. What stands out here isn’t flashy production or crazy features—it’s the authenticity. Leroy Smart sounds like he’s having a chat with you over a cup of tea, sharing stories from the streets of Jamaica. There’s no pretense, no gimmicks, just good ol’ reggae vibes brought to life by Junjo Lawes’ expert touch. Reflecting on Trying Very Hard, I gotta say—it’s kinda wild how two tracks can pack such a punch. In a world full of playlists stuffed with hundreds of songs, this album proves less really can be more. But hey, maybe that’s the lesson here. Sometimes, instead of chasing perfection, we should focus on keeping it real… and trying very hard at that. P.S. Listening to this album might make you wanna grow dreadlocks and start a garden. Don’t fight it.

Artist: Leroy Smart
Album: Trying Very Hard

Jamaica

Reggae

Rating: 4.67

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Download

Filename: leroy-smart-trying-very-hard.zip

MP3 size: 7 mb
FLAC size: 110.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Trying Very Hard
Trying Very Hard (Version)

Video

Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard (Volcano 7 inch)

LEROY SMART ~ Trying Very Hard

Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard

Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard - 1981

Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard

Images

ladda ner album Leroy Smart - Trying Very Hard

Labels

Volcano

Listen online

lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
online anhören
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea

Formats

Vinyl
7"
45 RPM
Single
White Label

Companies

Role	Company
Distributed By	Sonic Sounds Rec. Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Mastered At	Dynamic Sounds Recording Co. Ltd.

Credits

Role	Credit
Mastered By	D.T.
Producer	Henry "Jungo" Lawes

Barcodes

Matrix / Runout (Runout side A): DSR-3204-A-D.T. H. LAWS
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B): DSR-3205-B-D.T. H. LAWS

About Leroy Smart

Leroy Smart (born 1952, Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer and producer. Smart recorded his first single, "It Pains Me" in 1969. In 1970 he recorded "Ethiopia" for Joe Gibbs, and the first version of one of his most famous songs, "Pride & Ambition

Name Vars

L Smart
L. Smart
L. Smith
L.Smart
Leroy
Leroy (Super Star) Smart
Leroy (Booma) Smart
Leroy Classic Smart
Leroy Samrt
Leroy Smart The Don
Leroy Smarth
Leyroy Smart
Mr Smart
Smart
The Don Leroy Smart

Aliases

Leroy Samuel

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Trying Very Hard* by Leroy Smart is a classic piece of Jamaican reggae history. It was produced by the legendary Henry "Junjo" Lawes, a key figure in the genre. The album features just two tracks: the titular song and its dub version, showcasing the raw creativity of reggae music. Mastered by D.T., it’s a perfect example of how simplicity can leave a lasting impact. Pure vibes from Jamaica!