Album Review: Never Realize by Unknown Artist (1988)
Alright, let’s dive into this reggae gem from the dancehall vaults—a little-known slice of Jamaican magic called Never Realize. Released in ’88 under Classic Sounds with Oswald Creary pulling strings as producer, it’s one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a cool breeze on a Kingston afternoon. No frills, no fuss—just raw vibes and some serious basslines to get your head nodding.
First off, I gotta shout out the title track, “Never Realize.” It’s got that classic late-'80s swagger where the rhythm feels like it could keep going forever without breaking a sweat. The lyrics? Simple yet kinda haunting—you know how sometimes life smacks you with stuff you didn’t see coming? That’s what this tune captures. Plus, the horns hit just right, adding this unexpected layer of soul that sticks with you long after the needle lifts off the record. Honestly, every time I hear it, I’m reminded why reggae isn’t just music—it’s therapy for the ears and soul.
Then there’s “Version,” which is basically the instrumental flip side of “Never Realize.” Now, normally I’d be all “meh” about version tracks, but this one? Pure gold. You can really hear the craftsmanship here—Creary knew what he was doing when he let the drums and bass take center stage. There’s something hypnotic about how stripped-down it feels; it’s like watching someone build a fire with nothing but twigs and pure confidence. If you’re into sound system culture or just love hearing instruments have their own conversation, this cut will slap harder than a plate of ackee and saltfish.
What makes Never Realize stand out isn’t just its grooves—it’s the vibe. This album doesn’t try too hard to impress anyone, and maybe that’s why it works so well. It’s unpretentious, authentic, and dripping with that old-school charm only Jamaica knows how to bottle. Sure, it might not have blown up internationally, but who cares? Sometimes being underrated is the best thing an album can hope for.
Here’s the kicker though—if Oswald Creary were alive today, I reckon he’d laugh at how we’re still talking about his work decades later. Maybe he thought this was just another project in a long line of many. Or maybe he knew he was crafting something timeless. Either way, thanks for the tunes, Oswald. And hey, if you ever stumble across this review while sipping coconut water on a beach somewhere, give us a wave.
Final verdict? Never Realize ain’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s real, it’s rootsy, and it deserves more love than it probably got back in the day. Go track it down if you can—it’s worth the hunt.
