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Try as you might you will not find any articles on any websites regarding Tribesman. Nothing apart from a couple of YouTube posts, eBay and Discogs, and other commercial outlets to purchase some re-released copies of the handful of 7" and 12" singles and one album.

Nothing else. Ziltch.

I have not found any mention of Tribesman in any of the reggae books that I own, and I own a few!

Before I got pissed off, I glanced through the obvious books.

Steve Barrow's 'Rough Guide To Reggae', David Katz ' Solid Foundation' Tighten Up - The History Of Reggae In The U.K (ahem, except one band), the Virgin Encyclopedia Of Reggae (yuck - a Christmas present several years back).

Further, I looked in Steven Davis' 'Reggae International' and finally Dave Thompson's 'Reggae And Caribbean Music' and Lloyd Bradley's 'Bass Culture'.

Nothing. Ziltch.

Absolute madness considering...

What I do know is that Tribesman seemed to have been close to Dave Goodman, ex live soundman, and the studio producer for Sex Pistols in 1976.

Dave Goodman produced the Tribesman records that were released in 1978 and 1979 via 'Boa' Records, affiliated to his 'Label' record label, the latter better known as the recording home of punk band, Eater, and novelty records like the 'Cash Pussies' 7" single.

Tribesman released three records for Boa Records;

The 'Rocking Time' 7" single.

The 'Finsbury Park' 7" and 12" single.

The 'Street Level' album.

Tribesman released this promotional mini album that I have uploaded this evening via Dave Goodman's 'Label' record label.

No sleeve artwork, just a TRIBESMAN stamp across a generic white sleeve, although there are printed labels on both sides of the record.

Unofficially called 'Wonder Wolf' due to the first track on the album.

I haven't a scooby how many copies would have been pressed up. Although I would correctly guess at 'not that many' compared to records pressed up for public sale.

There are four studio demo tracks, and two live tracks (according to the labels on each side of the record) on this promotional mini album, although one of the live tracks sounds like a studio quality recording! The live track that actually sounds like a live track is pretty disposable in my opinion, a feel good jam based on Bob Marley's 'Waiting In Vain'.

The studio tracks are decent enough, and include 'Rocking Time' the debut 7" single, a 7" single that I assume was released after this promotional mini album.

I have seen a mention of Tribesman being part of the whole R.A.R scene in 1978, which is righteous enough.

Overall Tribesman's sound, in my opinion, is similar to the earlier formed U.K reggae bands from the late 1960's and dawn of the 1970's like Matumbi and Cimarons, and how those two bands sounded in the latter part of the 1970's.

So leaning towards a more commercial path compared to their mid to late 1970's contemporaries, the tougher sound of Aswad or Misty In Roots and others.

After listening to Misty In Roots, Tribesman might not be everyone's cup of sonic roots rock militancy...

A decent band, and a decent record nevertheless.

If anyone can enlighten me on a more concise history of the band then please leave a message and I will add ANY information to this YouTube post.