Personnel: Prince Far I (vocals); Andy & Little Dee (guitar); Deadly Headly (horns); Tony Asher (Melodica, keyboards); Steely, Tarzan (keyboards); Professor Larry Silvera (bass); Eric "Fish" Clark (drums); Jah Lloyd & Scully (percussion).
Prince Far I distinguished himself from other reggae artists with his deep, gruff, and slowly paced chanting delivery of righteous lyrics. On VOICE OF THUNDER he slows the pace even further, and keeps the instrumental backdrop relatively dry and wide open. The methodical pacing and sound serve to amplify his message.
Though this is the album named for his tremendous voice, it's this that's paradoxically least forcefully displayed here. On "Tribute to Bob Marley," (who had died earlier in the year this record was made), the vocal fire so evident on all of his previous records is replaced with remorse, and this holds true for much of the remainder of this album. Far I had good reason enough, to be sure, though on tracks like "Coming in From the Rock," and the masterpiece "Kingdom of God," his voice again regains its powerful resolve. In all, VOICE OF THUNDER is an affecting record for fans of Far I's work.
