Cimarons ADD

Review

Album Review: Cimarons - Harder Than The Rock

06/13/2025

by Angus Taylor

One of 2024’s most heartwarming reggae stories was the revival of foundation UK group Cimarons, as told in Mark Warmington's documentary Harder Than The Rock. 

The first reggae band to form in London, they worked with Jamaica's biggest artists in the early 70s, scored a number one hit in Jamaica covering their friend Bob Marley's Talking Blues, and made pioneering tours of West Africa, Asia, and Europe. Despite these milestones, they suffered from a lack of management and missed out on the success of next wave UK bands like Aswad and Steel Pulse. They disbanded due to a scarcity of work in the 1980s, with lead singer Winston Reedy going on to a solo career. Since reforming, minus Reedy, in 2020, the group has weathered the loss of original drummer Maurice Ellis and of vocalist/songwriter Bobby “Dego” Davis (who both died during the making of the film). 

So poignant is their tale that fans will be rooting for their comeback album, also titled Harder Than The Rock, to be an artistic achievement. And thanks to founders Locksley Gichie, Franklyn Dunn and new singer Michael Arkk linking up with top Spanish musicians supervised by maestro producer-engineer Roberto Sanchez, it is the reverently organic, beautifully rendered work one would hope for. 

Several classic Cimarons songs are revisited respectfully and energetically. The album begins with Ship Took Us Away, a Dunn helmed offshoot of their 1974 cover of the O'Jays Ship Ahoy (and as heard on their 1978 LP Live At The Roundhouse). Featuring nyabinghi percussion, wave crashing echoes, additional ad-libbed lyrics and beautiful flute playing by Lucho Lopez, the new version is a worthy companion to previous iterations. The same can be said of first single Morning Sun, a revisit to their enduringly popular 1970 collaboration with Aces singer Al Barry. Garnished with subtle horns and Sanchez’ shimmering vintage organ, it's a wonderful showcase for Arkk's big, gospel inspired yet silky smooth vocals. 

A retread of 1978’s Dunn composed Harder Than The Rock has special meaning, as it saw Reedy and Arkk share the mic at Cimarons’ reformation gig at Brixton Hootananny. A blissed out cover version of Johnny Osbourne's 1979 Studio One standard Eternal Peace, chosen for its lyrical resonance, features a guest verse from next generation talent Makeda Moore. 

The newer songs are just as nicely executed. Fervent plea and second single Oh Jah, co-written by Arkk and Gichie at Huey Izachaar’s studio in Hackney, stands with the band’s cultural back catalogue. The soul-ballad-evoking I Will Follow You, sung in heavenly higher registers by Arkk, was written by their friend Dego prior to his passing. Partly penned by Dego and finished off by Arkk is the joyous rebuke The Fool Said, a return to the churchical territory that Arkk trod before his Cimarons career. 

The combination of the Cimarons material, Arkk's singing and the sure touch of Sanchez and his musicians make this a pleasing reckoning for all the hardships the group has faced. Hopes will be high for the follow up album, already being planned.

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