By Howard Campbell–  Judy Mowatt— ALBUMS by female reggae acts were a rarity during the 1970s. As the decade closed, Judy Mowatt broke that drought with the remarkable Black Woman. Black Woman was recorded while Mowatt was a member of the I Three, Bob Marley’s harmony group. Released in 1980, it is regarded as one of the great reggae albums. In a 1995 interview with Reggae Report magazine, Mowatt says she was inspired to record the album after viewing an exhibition on slavery in the southern United States. Some of the pieces were so graphic, Mowatt recalled being overwhelmed. “I got nauseous,” she said. The sessions for Black Woman started in 1979 and featured noted musicians such as drummers Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace and Freddie McGregor; bassist Howard Bedassie, keyboardist Tyrone Downie, saxophonist Headley Bennett and guitarists Stephen ‘Cat’ … Read entire article »