Rasta Dub ' 76 : The Aggrovators

This disc is from the Attack record label 2006, the original LP release is from 1976. It's 12 tracks of solid roots dub from producer Bunny Lee. The Aggrovators lay down the tracks that later got mixed at King Tubby's. Along with The Aggrovators, the Attack label is also known for working on releases from Errol Dunkley (Darling Ooh) and Johnny Clarke. This album contains dub versions of Ites Gold and Green and None Shall Escape. Other notable tracks on this one are #10 (No woman No Cry) and #11 ( Small Axe). Overall this is a pretty good listen. You can go straight through it and not have to skip over any sour tracks. This is a dependable, solid, roots dub CD usually found at a reasonable price.

My Number One : Gregory Isaacs

This disc is from the Heartbeat label released back in 1990, all tracks were recorded in the seventies. 13 tracks total on this one, the last three tracks of the disc have dj work by Barnabas and U-Brown on reprise versions of earlier tracks on the album. Trinity has a brief verse at the end of the title track "My Number One". This is by far my favorite Gregory Isaacs disc of all time, these are the legendary rhythms and grooves; the type that helped make reggae an international music powerhouse. Gregory Isaacs displays his relaxed yet emotional delivery with solid roots backing. Besides the title track, my other favorites on this one are: #1 (Philistines), #7 (No Speech, No Language), #9 (Border w/ U-Brown), and #12 (Lonely Teardrops). All materials were produced at Channel One and Harry J's, a straight-up Jamaican product. Musicians include The Revolutionaries and Soul Syndicate Band among others. There are so many Gregory Isaacs discs and albums out there and I think this one is a great example of some of the best he's got to offer.

Fire Down Below : Scorchers from Studio One

This is a great compilation of classic roots performers released from Heartbeat in 1990. The CD has 14 tracks from the late sixties and early seventies, showcasing artists like: Winston Jarrett, Jackie Mittoo, Burning Spear, and many others. Although the tracks are older recordings, the sound quality is nice and clear. My favorites on this disc are: #1 (Fire Down Below - Burning Spear) and #11 (Sweet Talking - Heptones). This collection was produced and compiled by C.S. Dodd and features such legendary musicians as: Ernest Ranglin, Cedric Im Brooks, Leroy Sibbles, and many more. These are supposed to be all Studio One recordings and the set list features a good cross section of reggae types. This disc has early and classic roots recordings, instrumentals, and even a little dj and nyahbingi chants - a little bit of everything.

Non Stop Disco Style : Dillinger

The title is a little deceiving on this album. This disc is not what us Americans would refer to as "disco style". It's actually some pretty hard core roots DJ work from one of the greats. The original release for this material is from 1978 and it was originally an LP release from the Canadian labels Clocktower & Abraham. 10 tracks total on this disc - I really don't have any true favorites on this disc. The alternating DJ tracks with the dub tracks to follow really kept me listening all the way through the album. The CD's released from the Abraham label are solid productions, but sometimes hard to find. A lot of great seventies roots, DJ, and dub have come through this label. The lack-lustre production of the liner notes and packaging leaves a little information and research for us to find, but the quality of the musical production makes up for it big time.

True Democracy : Steel Pulse

This is the fourth album by Steel Pulse and my personal favorite, originally released in 1982. It has a short 10 track set on the original, but an extra four 12" versions are now available on the re-released CD from Elektra. My favorites on this one are #1 (Chant A Psalm), #5 (Worth His Weight in Gold), #8 (Your House), and #10 (Dub Marcus Say) which is a dub version of #5. David Hinds in the outstanding front man and lead vocalist for Steel Pulse and he keeps the energy running hot with his determined and passionate delivery and conscious message. Steel Pulse has laid the foundation for European roots and culture music and continue to tour across the globe. If they come near your area - don't miss the chance to see one of the hardest touring bands in reggae. Their stage presence and sound quality in concert is excellent and I'm pretty sure you will not be disappointed.

Aquarius Dub : Herman Chin Loy

This is about as old school instrumental dub as you can get. The Aquarius dub is a legendary 10 track dub set presented to us by Herman Chin Loy. Recording date for this material is about 1973 and I think the release date for this original album is about 1975. The band credits go to The Now Generation and the tracks were dropped and finished up at Randy's and Aquarius studios; a full on Kingston production. My favorites on this one are #1 ( Jah rock) and #7 (Heavy Duty) . Some of the songs you might recognize from Pablo albums such as The Red Sea : Augustus Pablo. This classic dub selection for your collection - it was a groundbreaking piece of dub architecture and considered very progressive and way ahead of it's time.

Triston Palma Show Case in a Roots Radics Drum and Bass

This is the most impressive works I've encountered from Triston Palmer and I'm more than happy to give a quick review. This disc has 12 Tracks total - Alternating original vocal and then the dub track to follow. It was recorded and mixed at both Channel One and King Tubby's. Produced by Jah Thomas and engineered by King Tubby, Scientist, Professor, and Barnabas. Just a ton legendary talent on the production side of this disc. My favorites on this disc are #3 (Give me a chance) & dub ; the other is #9 (Time so Hard) & dub. These are both crucial sets of roots reggae with outstanding not overshadowing dub mixes. This disc was released by the Abraham label out of Ontario, Canada - but I'm not sure what year. This disc went in my permanent listening rotation soon after I heard it for the first time and I highly recommend at least checking it out.

Big Showdown : Scientist vs. Prince Jammy

If you like solid roots dub this is going to be a great album for your collection. Let's begin with a "ringside" introduction by Jah Thomas - Big Showdown at King Tubby's is a Greensleeves production with Junjo Lawes and is presented showdown style with alternating dub tracks, starting track #1 with Scientist and proceeding from there. All tracks were laid at Channel One by the Roots Radics band - a ton of original reggae talent including Flabba Holt, Chinna Smith and many other notable musicians. The dubbed-out set list includes many tracks from Barrington Levy ( Bounty Hunter 2-Disc ) and is solid from start to finish - No favorites here, it's all good. The cover art puts our champions is a fun comical atmosphere, but this is some serious business once you get in to it.

Up Tempo Collection Vol. 1 : The Posse

This CD features 22 tracks from various outstanding reggae artists such as: Don Carlos, Michael Palmer, Sugar Minott, and several others. Sugar Minott is also listed as an executive producer along with Steve King on this 2006 release. The Uptempo label is new to me, but Steve King started it in the early eighties. At that time he was a producer with Black Roots, working with talents such as Jah Shaka and Bim Sherman. The sound quality and track selection on this compilation are excellent - many thanks to JFC music label w/ Method Recordings. New beats and some fresh rhythms make this disc a rare musical and lyrical treat. My favorite tracks are #1 (I and I Time - Trevor Junior) and #2 (Too Much Sufferation - Anthony Johnson). These are two seriously crucial tracks and I hope to find more quality roots from other Uptempo compilations and upcoming re-issues. Thanks to Ernie B's on-line reggae store for pointing me in the right direction on this one.

96 Degrees in the Shade : Third World

This is by far the most popular and influential of all the Third World albums. Most reggae aficionados are familiar with the title track - and it's a great track. My favorites on this disc are: #1 (Jah Glory), #2 (Tribal War), and #5 (Human Marketplace). Human Marketplace has a great haunted sound provided by the ambient effect of the horns. This material was released originally in 1977 by the Island label that was blowing up big time, largely thanks to Bob Marley. Third World is a definitely a band with great talent, most of the group members contribute to the vocals as well as providing an excellent musical foundation for these roots tracks. The original album only has eight tracks total but when you listen it feels as if you were maybe a concert. The sound quality is very clean and this album gives us a great set of songs that show the outstanding musical bond this group had at the time.