Open the Iron Gate: 1973–77 is a reggae compilation album by Max Romeo, released in 1999.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Entertainment Weekly	A−[2]
Reggae Reviews	[3]

The compilation consists mostly of the material from Romeo's 1975 album Revelation Time, adding four songs recorded between 1973 and 1977: "Every Man Ought to Know", "Valley of Jehosaphat", "Fire Fe the Vatican" and "Melt Away".[4] The album was listed in the 1999 book The Rough Guide: Reggae: 100 Essential CDs.[5] The album includes an essay by Steve Barrow in its liner notes.[6]

Track listing

1. "Every Man Ought to Know" – 3:18
2. "Revelation Time/Hammer and Sickle" – 5:06
3. "No Peace" – 3:43
4. "Tacko" – 2:49
5. "Blood of the Prophet Parts 1 & 2" – 6:24
6. "Warning Warning/Version" – 7:42
7. "A Quarter Pound of I'cense" – 2:43
8. "Three Blind Mice" – 2:54
9. "Open the Iron Gate Parts 1 & 2" – 5:14
10. "Valley of Jehosaphat/Version" – 5:02
11. "Fire Fe the Vatican" – 3:33
12. "Melt Away" (12" Version) – 6:05

Personnel

• Max Romeo – vocals
• Aston Barrett – bass
• Carlton "Carlie" Barrett – drums
• Tony Chin – guitar
• Geoffrey Chung – bass, keyboards
• Glen DaCosta – tenor saxophone
• Carlton "Santa" Davis – drums
• Tyrone Downie – keyboards, harmonica
• Bobby Ellis – flugelhorn
• George Fullwood – bass
• Vin Gordon – trombone
• "Dirty" Harry Hall – horns
• Bernard "Touter" Harvey – keyboards
• Clive "Azul" Hunt – bass, percussion, keyboards
• Earl Lindo – organ, clavinet
• Robert Lyn – keyboards
• David Madden – trumpet
• Lee "Scratch" Perry – percussion
• Ernest Ranglin – guitar
• Earl "Chinna" Smith – guitar
• Keith Sterling – piano
• Uziah "Sticky" Thompson – percussion
• Winston Wright – keyboards
• Derrick Stewart – drums
• Mike Murray – guitar, percussion

References