Carl Meeks – Weh Dem Fah (North Parade, 2025)
Carl Meeks’ cult 1988 LP Weh Dem Fah, produced by Hugh “Redman” James, will be released digitally for the first time on July 18 via 17 North Parade.
Originally issued during the peak of dancehall reggae, the album features nine tracks propelled by Meeks’ distinctive falsetto and the signature production of Steely & Clevie. Armed with Yamaha CS-01 and DX-100 synthesizers and the Oberheim DX drum machine, the duo crafted high-impact riddims that defined the late 1980s sound of Jamaica.
Meeks first gained attention in 1983 after placing second in the Tastee Talent Competition with a cover of Johnny Osbourne’s “Ice Cream Love.” The performance impressed Yellowman, who introduced Meeks to Kingston’s sound system circuit. Encouraged by a friend, Meeks later connected with Redman, who invited him to record at Gussie Clarke’s Anchor Studio. The resulting track, “Weh Dem Fah,” became a hit in 1987 and led to the full album a year later.
The reissue preserves the original Wilfred Limonious cover art and marks the album’s debut on streaming platforms, reintroducing a key release from dancehall’s digital era.
Author: Joe Nash
