Ras Michael & The Sons Of Negus: Nyahbinghi (Trojan Trls 113)

THERE IS a story on the sleeve — which makes a change. It tells how Haile Selassie was the last in a line of 323 kings directly descended from Solomon and his old lady, The Queen Of Sheba. And how Selassie was born in Ras Makonnen's summer house accompanied by the regulation thunderstorm and ritual celebrations (people cutting themselves with knives, much drinking). And how Negus Negusti means King of Kings. So the oldest monarchy in the world has become a hook to hang a batch of music on.