Wildfire was a household name in Tropical Island music circles due to their excellent albums and performances throughout Trinidad, Tobago, the Caribbean & US Virgin Islands and French Guadeloupe. In 1962 they started off as 'The Sparks' (a well-respected Calypso outfit who released a bunch of successful singles) but with the release of their hit single 'Come On Down' from 1975, they exploded into Wildfire. Wildfire had a very fruitful career and released four top full-length albums and a vast amount of singles before calling it quits. Led by bandleader Oliver Chapman (bass & guitar player, vocalist, arranger, producer and co-writer for the majority of the bands' songs) and comprised out of high talented musicians, Wildfire was out there with the big boys in the niche they carved out for themselves. On the album we are presenting you today (Time Is The Answer from 1980) you'll find the perfect mix of funk, soul and disco, basically the popular sounds of the day, and all tracks are originals. The album is FUNKY and the production quality can rival with any of their peers and records produced/recorded in the US. The performance of Wildfire on this album is beyond excellent. This release was also the first time the group took control over production and getting their album out in the world. Also included is the hit single 'Say A Little Prayer For The Children' which is just one of those songs that will be stuck in your head forever. Besides virtuoso Oliver Chapman: the talent that was featured on 'Time Is The Answer' is exceptional. Anstey Hamilton carries around a rich noticeable tenor voice. Arthur Byron who also did vocals on the album, has a beautiful rasping tone that can knock you out anytime he gets into his act. Fitzroy Isaac on keyboards and Donald Leid on drums are the guys that were responsible for keeping the groove tight. Clifford Wilson like Oliver had been with band since the start. He is calm in his approach, he played the bass guitar and sung background vocals, he also chipped in with Oliver whenever they wrote songs together. Finally we have Cyllan Charles, who was known as the Wildfire voice. Cyllan had been doing most of the lead vocals since he joined the group in 1972, he was the most experienced of all the members, and can really take you to higher heights anytime he gets into doing his thing both on stage and on wax. "Time is the Answer' by Wildfire is a scarce and increasingly sought-after LP. Filled with hit-bound songs it comes as no surprise that the album has now become a much-wanted item due to it's addictive and original-sounding nature. This is a must-have for any self-respecting record digger! Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first ever reissue of this fantastic Island Funk-Soul classic (originally self-released in 1980 on Wild Fire Records) & this is also the first time the album is getting a release outside of Trinidad & Tobago. This rare record (original copies tend to go for large amounts on the secondary market) is now finally back available as a limited 180g vinyl edition (limited to 500 copies).
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Die Spitz Something to Consume
Third Man Records
September 12, 2025 -
Hooded Menace Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration
Season Of Mist
October 3, 2025 -
Vince Guaraldi You're A Good Sport, Charlie Brown
Lee Mendelson Film Productions
September 12, 2025 -
Ambush Evil In All Dimensions
Napalm Records
September 5, 2025 -
Skinhead It's a Beautiful Day, What a Beautiful Day
Closed Casket Activities
September 26, 2025 -
Dream Nails You Wish
Marshall Records
February 6, 2026 -
Creem Circus Get. Switched. On!
Creep Records
September 19, 2025 -
Bloom The Light We Chase
Pure Noise Records
October 24, 2025 -
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard King Gizzard (Live In Houston '24; Triple Splatter) [3xLP]
Reverberation Appreciation Soc
September 26, 2025 -
Ritual Mass Cascading Misery
20 Buck Spin
September 5, 2025 -
Blood Orange Essex Honey [2xLP]
Rca Records
August 29, 2025 -
Daniel O'Donnell Now & Then (Picture)
Demon / Edsel
October 3, 2025 -
Ebba Åsman When You Know
Dorado
September 12, 2025 -
Supergrass Road to Rouen (Petrol/Forest Green) [2xLP]
Bmg
October 3, 2025