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.

Kingston All-Stars meet Downtown at King Tubby's 1973-1975

This disc is another great offering from the Kingston Sounds/Jamaican Recording label. Another great list of artists on this compilation include: Cornell Campbell, Johnny Clarke, Linval Thompson, Horace Andy, and others. Within the 14 Tracks total, you'll here rare tracks that have been left off many of these artists other discs. My favorite track on this on is #2 (Here Me Now Star - Cornell Campbell). This is really a great song/rhythm and Jamaican Recording has a dub version on their Dub Sampler Vol. 3. The booklet is a nice addition and breaks down each track and shows the credited musicians and other info for each one. At the end of the booklet their is a Two-Page breakdown on the materials included and the time frame from which they came from King Tubby. There are too many great reggae musicians on this disc to list here, but it's the usual line-ups of outstanding horn, percussion, guitar, and bass.

Forward the Bass - Dub from Randy's 1972-1975 : The Impact All-Stars

If you love a good straight forward dub album, then you should love this disc. It's in my top ten dub albums of all time. Blood & Fire is no slob when it comes to sound quality and production value. You get 15 tracks of clean, killer, instrumental dub from such legends as: Bingy Bunny, Familyman, Sly, Tommy McCook, the Wailers, the Impact All-Stars, and Augustus Pablo. My favorite tracks on this one are: #5 (Wire Dub), #9 (Last of the Jestering), and #12 (S-Corner Dub). S-Corner Dub has the melodica pushed to the background with an ambient echoing affect that gives this track a foggy-night/spy work type of feal to it. Another great addition to this roots dub catalog is the harmonica work they sneak in on about every third track. The harmonica work is credited to the mysterious "Chicago Steve", who's great at adding the perfect touch of soul to the dub out. Like most Blood & Fire CD's this disc comes with a great booklet that tells the story of Randy's and it's various reggae engineers.

Rockers from Channel One : Linval Thompson

If you like multiple version sets with dj and dub tracks, then you should eat this up big time. A true master of roots reggae; Linval Thompson is showcased on this CD along with Ranking Dread , Big Joe, and the Revolutionaries. This disc is a 2001 release from Trojan with a large 22 tracks. Some of the Linval vocal tracks are considered classics and can be found on other discs ( Ride On Dreadlocks : Linval Thompson ) and compilations ....... but the alternate versions really make this a great disc for your collection. My favorites on this one are: #2 (Natty on the Rock - dreader than dread version by Ranking Dread), #17 (Love Can Conquer - love is the question version by Big Joe), and #18 (Poor Man - love is the question version by Ranking Dread). This isn't a cheap production of extra tracks slapped together. It's a very well thought out set of lyrical versions that would really take a little work to dig up elsewhere - BIG Thanks to Trojan for this one.

Climb the Ladder : Bob Marley & the Wailers

Climb the Ladder is a decent release, the bulk of the material is old school vocal trio Wailers featuring Bunny and Peter in the lead as well as Bob. This disc has 17 tracks total, but my favorites on this one are: #2 ( I'm Gonna Put It On), #3 (Lonesome Track), and #10 (Sinner Man). You might have some of these tracks on other Bob Marley or Wailers compilations. I actually prefer the JAD released series of discs called "The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers". The sound quality is better on the JAD discs and multiple versions are offered on many of the tracks. Climb the Ladder was released by Heartbeat in 2000. It's a more rocksteady and ska set from the mid-sixties when there was still a large R&B and Soul music influence on the Jamaican scene. This is a strange CD because it's billed as Bob Marley mainly. I just don't feel like this enough time was put in to this CD - it's make-up of commonly used Wailers tunes just makes this disc another lack-luster compilation and you might have the material covered in your collection already. It's worth a listen, just so you know what's out there.

Who Say Jah No Dread : Jacob Miller

This disc shows us some great tracks from Jacob Miller alternating with the instrumental/dub track featuring Augustus Pablo and King Tubby. This is a great disc to have in your catalog because it serves a dual purpose. Not only do you get 6 Jacob Miller classics, but you get the complementary dub sides to these gems. This is a Jamaican production through and through. All material came from Dynamic, Randy's, and King Tubby's. Many of the usual suspects are present in the line-up: Bobby Ellis, Sly & Robbie, Chinna, and others. These classic mid-seventies sounds were compiled and released by Greensleeves in 1992, the sound quality is excellent and the set list is solid. My favorites on this one are: #3 (False Rasta), #4 (Hungry Town Scank), #7 (Who Say Jah No Dread), and #8 (Jah Dread). Even is you have some of this material on other discs - these tracks are set up nicely and it's a pleasure when listened to straight through.

Repatriation : U-Brown

This is a greatest hits disc representing the legendary U-Brown. You get a solid 18 tracks of roots and culture dj from the 70's. From what I can see there are only 10 tracks on the original LP release. The extra eight tracks you get on the CD are dub tracks and alternates, so it creates a nice listening package. My favorites on this disc are: #9 (Reggae dub), #12 (Set Jah Jah), #13 (Give the People), and #14 (The People Dub). All the tracks on Repatriation are about 3 minutes, except the first song wich is an extended disco mix. This is a solid production with the Revolutionaries as the backing band at Channel One in Kingston, JA. There's another U-Brown compilation by Blood & Fire (1997) called Train to Zion. It covers more seventies material ('75-'78) and between these two discs you'll have a great cross-section of U-Brown's best material.

Far East : Barry Brown

This is known to be one of the more popular albums in the Barry Brown archives. Far East was recorded and mixed in 1982 at Channel One in Kingston, JA. This one's got 13 tracks total. The vocals are backed by some of the usual suspects : Tommy McCook, Sly & Robbie, Bobby Ellis, and Ansel Collins plus many more. My favorites on this one are: #7 (Forward On), #8 (Run Wicked Man), and #9 ( So Jah Jah Sey). A lot of people like the title track "Far East", but for me "Run Wicked Man) is the crucial track on this one. Unfortunately, Barry Brown passed away in 2004, taking with him the conscious message of roots reggae and a sweet youthman voice comparable to other legends like Linval Thompson and Johnny Clarke.

Firehouse Clash : Junior Reid vs. Don Carlos

This disc is a short simple compilation of a few Junior Reid and Don Carlos tracks. It's got 11 tracks total. The first 5 are from Junior Reid and the last 6 are from Don Carlos. I've had this disc since the late 1990's and still listen to it on a regular basis. It serves as a decent sampler for the two artists. My favorite Junior Reid track on this on is #2 (Respect Due). My favorite Don Carlos track off this one is #11 (Spread Out), although the CD has other popular Don Carlos tracks like (Living in the City) & (No Trouble This). Although this CD was distributed by RAS, it was put out under the label name "Live & Learn". It seems to be kind of an economy type of release - maybe meant for cheaper retail pricing. None the less, this is still a solid set of tracks to have in rotation.

Rare Reggae Grooves from Studio One : Clement Dodd

This disc is from the Heartbeat label (1999) and meant to be a follow-up to "Studio One Showcase Vol. 1". This is a short disc with only eight tracks, but they're all crucial. Many of the tracks on this one are extended tracks and the result of the re-mixing the popular hits of the time. What we end up with are these great versions that have been picked from deep in the Heartbeat catalog. My favorites on this one are: #1 (Cuss Cuss - Lloyd Robinson), #6 (My Baby - The Martinis), #8 (Going to Zion - Winston Francis), and #2 (Sing a New Song - Peter Broggs). Sing a New Song showcases Peter Broggs' outstanding vocals with simple clear lyrics and a killer organ riff turns this one in to a heavy, heavy classic. Other artists on this album include The Gaylads, The Silvertones, and Ken Boothe. I don't want to forget about the booklet - it's has nicely detailed notes on each track. Only eight tracks, but at least you get a deep look in to the story of each one. Listening to this disc after reading the booklet makes this quite an lesson on roots music. Give it a try.

Owner Fe De Yard : Ethiopians

This is a selection that's been in my permanent catalog for over ten years now. Another quality release from the Heartbeat label (1994) and a great compilation of classic roots with great sound quality. The Ethiopians are some of the old school reggae masters who made that transition from the sixties to seventies a legendary time in reggae culture. Clement Dodd and Leonard Dillon recorded these 15 tracks at Studio One and Randy's mostly in the mid-sixties and the seventies. My favorites on this one are: #1 (Owner Fe De Yard), #3 (One Heart), #4 (Bad to Worse), #5 (So You Look Pon It), and #10 (Fire Fire). The Ethiopians have a very gentle vocal delivery that softens these roots tracks. Like most Heartbeat discs, this has a decent booklet that comes with it. It discusses the early influences of church music and the first meetings with Bob, Bunny, and Peter. Also tracks notes on each song and an interview with Leonard Dillon round out the booklet and make this a quality representation of the prime Ethiopians tracks and a glimpse in to their background.

Greensleeves 12" Rulers : Jah Thomas

This is my favorite disc of three "Greensleeves Rulers" that I have found. The other offerings are from Gussie Clarke and Junjo Lawes. This Jah Thomas showcase features 11 tracks by various artists such as: Triston Palmer, Toyan, Little John, Michael Palmer, Billy Boyo, and the DJ skills of Jah Thomas himself. My copy of this CD is from 2008, but the material was originally recorded back in 1981-1984. A great time for reggae - the transition from deep roots of the 70's, in to the hard conscious dj scene the early 80's. My favorite tracks on this one are: #3 (Joker Smoker - Triston Palmer), #4 (Loafter Smoker - Papa Bruce), and #11(Scandal - Billy Boyo). The standout track to my is #1 (Entertainment) with an extended DJ version featuring Jah Thomas and Toyan. The booklet for this disc completes this nice package. It's about 10 pages equally split between information on Jah Thomas and studio/dancehall photos. Some interview question with Jah Thomas round out the booklet nicely. Overall this is a great disc and I highly recommend adding it to your permanent reggae collection.

I Love Marijuana : Linval Thompson

The name says it all. Linval Thompson is fully motivated by his raw emotion on the subject of the title track of this album. Linval is the producer and main vocal feature on this 1978 Trojan release. My copy is a CD released in 1997 also off the Trojan label. There are 11 tracks on this one and they're all relatively short from about 2 minutes to about 4 ; most of it was recorded at Channel One - Kingston. My favorites on this one are : #1 ( I Love Marijuana ), #4 ( Not Follow Fashion ) a Ken Boothe cover, and #11 ( Jamaican Colly ) an I Love Marijuana Version. This is classic seventies roots from one on the last great producers of the era. He's stacked his musical line-up with extraordinary talent including : Sly, Robbie, Horsemouth, Familyman, Chinna, and many others. This one might not be essential to your collection, but the album art is totally a great example of the original style of album cover art fro the late seventies. Other great Linval Thompson tracks can be found on Ride On Dreadlocks ( Ride On Dreadlocks : Linval Thompson ) and other compilations.

Live In Chicago 1984 With Sly & Robbie : Black Uhuru

This disc is off of the Taxi label and released in 1984. Original Black Uhuru with Micheal Rose and backed by Sly & Robbie on tour. This disc has 11 tracks total, including: #1 Shine Eye Gal, #2 Plastic Smile, #9 General Penitentiary, and #10 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Great sound quality for the live recording. Don't confuse this with "Black Uhuru - Live '84" witch has 13 tracks off of the Tabou 1 label and released in 2000. It also starts with Shine Eye Gal and Plastic Smile. Taxi has another Sly & Robbie backed live tour recording - a 2 disc 1986 tour with Yellowman, Ini Kamoze, and others. The Ini Kamoze portion includes a lot of material off his famous self titled debut album ( Ini Kamoze : Ini Kamoze ) . These discs give us the opportunity to hear these legendary musicians performing on tour in the prime time of their careers. It's classic material and it sounds great in concert.

Ital Dub : Augustus Pablo

This is a great album to really showcase Pablo and his melodica as the featured instrument. Original work from 1974-1975 and engineered by King Tubby. What you really get is 12 really dubbed out Augustus Pablo tracks. I have a CD copy from 1999 released by Culture Press. My favorite tracks on this one are : #2 (Road Block), #9 (Mr. Big), and #11 ( House Raid). Road Block is a version of the classic Bob Marley track and Mr. Big is a Natty Dread version, both are outstanding interpretations. House Raid is a Burial version and you really feal it through the haunting melodica of Pablo. When I'm looking at Augustus Pablo albums against each other, I like this one quite a bit. It's solid roots dubbed by the master Tubby and the sound quality is clean. Some of my other favorite Pablo albums are Authentic Golden Melodies : Augustus Pablo & This is Augustus Pablo - Rebel, Rock, Reggae : Augustus Pablo . Check them out for a more complete Pablo experience.

Police & Thieves : Junior Murvin

Most of us know about this classic already, but I would like to do a quick review anyway. My copy of this CD is from 1991 off of the Island label. This is the older copy with 10 tracks. Island has since released a remastered disc in 2003 with 15 tracks total. My favorites on this one are #2 (Police & Thieves) and #3 (Solomon). I haven't had a chance to hear the five extra remastered tracks, but if the quality is the same as the original Lee Perry production, then it should be stand up work. The material on the 10 tack disc was originally released back in 1977 ; produced by Lee Perry and backed by the legendary Upsetters. The title track can be found all over the reggae scene, appearing on numerous compilations - it appears on the Rockers Soundtrack (reviewed 1/17/09) for instance. Police & Thieves has left a long legacy of different versions and rare verses by Junior Murvin and other artists as well and should be noted as a tremendous contribution to all reggae music.

Curly Locks : Junior Byles

This is basically a greatest hits album for Junior Byles with 20 or 22 tracks, depending on which copy of the disc you have. Originally released back in 1997 on the Heartbeat label. It's filled with extended mixes and alternate takes showcasing other stars such as Dennis Alcapone. There are actually 3 curly locks versions right in the middle of the album. A lot of Lee Perry production with the Upsetters. Most of the tracks on this one are classics but my favorites are: #4 (Lick the Pipe Peter) and #15 (Got the Tip). The material was recorded from 1970 - 1976 with the Upsetters. Lick the Pipe Peter is a "Fever" version featuring Errol Thompson and Jah-T that left a solid impression. Got the Tip is about a horse racing tip and a man down on his luck. #18 (Cutting Razor) is also a notable track - it's a "Stepping Razor" version backed by the Versatiles. All and all this is a very good disc and could find a home in your collection quite easily.

Wackies Tribesman Assault Dub

Another set of Wackies classic dub sound. 10 tracks on this one, but every track is a winner. Maybe eight of the tracks have a severe smokey vibe to them and the other two a little more up-beat and bouncy. Drum, bass, and guitar are mostly featured, but that's all we need sometimes. My favorites on this one are #3 (Tribal Rock) and #4 (Dread Feeling). Really, the whole album is nice to listen to straight through. Nothing too aggressive on the album, which makes it really nice to chill to, but still very satisfying. The CD was released in 2003 and the original LP album was released back in 1977. Like most Wackies dub material, this one belongs in your collection. If you like this disc then you should check out the Wackies Sampler series, Creation Dub, and the Wayne Jarrett/Horace Andy Showcase.

Too Much Iron in the Fire : Blackbeard & Friends

This 2 disc set is a compilation that represents the work of Roy "Blackbeard" Sinclair. Each disc has 20 tracks, but most of what you will hear are 3 maybe 4 versions in a row of the same rhythm. It seems Blackbeard borrowed many of these familiar beats we're used to, but that seems to be a more common practice with the increasing number of dj's, engineers, and producers on the reggae scene. There are a ton of artists that have contributed to this release including : Barry Brown, Johnny Clarke, Horace Andy, Trinity, Jacob Miller, Wayne Jarrett, and Ronnie Davis. So, when listening to this set straight through, you'll hear a couple of versions by some of the masters listed above - and then maybe a dub version by the Blackbeard All-Stars. My favorites on disc 1 are: #2 (Pass up the Chalice - Barry Brown), #7 (False Rasta - Jacob Miller), and #14 (Cayamanas Park Dub). This last one is a Blackbeard dub track of Black Uhuru/Ranking Joe's "Rent Man". My favorites on disc 2 are: #8 (Eyes on Africa - the Mighty Diamonds) and #11 (Mount Zion - Wayne Jarrett). This is a Trojan release from 2004 and the material was originally recorded 1974-1984.

Talking Revolution : Peter Tosh

This is a 2005 2 disc release from Pressure Sounds. Disc 1 has 8 tracks of live concert material from the One Love Peace Concert. Disc 2 is an acoustic set of 11 songs recorded at US radio stations while touring North America. Most people will tell you Disc 2 is far superior but I feal it the other way around. Tracks #2 (Four Hundred Years) and #3 (Stepping Razor) on the Live CD are my personal favorites for this 2 disc release. If Tosh is one of your favorites then no doubt you'll dig this high quality booklet and rare set lists. Really, most of the Peter Tosh I listen to are on the "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights" albums. A few of my favorite singles are "Wanted Dread and Alive" and "Reggae Mylitis". The deep and powerful messages of his earlier work with the Wailers is another great taste of his brilliance and wisdom. The album "Burnin" or the single "You can't Blame the Youth" are two good examples. "Talking Revolution" is a good deal to find used for about $12 or less on CD. For me Peter Tosh usually isn't something I have in regular rotation, but instead it's music I find myself craving for the specific messages and the energy it gives out.

Columbia Colly : Jah Lion

This is a Lee Perry production originally released on LP in 1976 and later released by both Island and Mango on CD. It was recorded at the Perry's Black Ark in Kingston, JA. This is an interesting album because Jah Lion is also known as Jah Lloyd (Pat Francis). Most of his work was done under the name Jah Lloyd including one of my favorite albums "A Double Helping of Jah Lloyd and King Tubby". All of Jah Lion/Lloyd's work is solid roots dub and dj material weather it's with Perry or Tubby. There's eleven tracks total on this disc and my favorites are #1 (Wisdom), #5 (Columbia Colly), and #7 (Bad Luck Natty). There's also a Satta Version and Police and Thieves Version (Soldier and Police War) that round out this disc nicely. His smokey voice textures and chilled mellow delivery make Jah Lion and Columbia Colly a great disc to have on while just relaxing in the afternoon. There's a lot of classic rhythms are on this album and Jah Lion matches his vocals to each with great success.

Larry Marshall in Dub / World in Dub

I've been shopping for some new reggae recently and went straight to my favorite on-line store, Ernie B's. They have the best selection of reggae I've ever seen. The layout and navigation of the website is super easy to use. They have sound samples on selected albums and offer many details including: brief reviews, contributing artists, recording locations, and more. My last purchase included Larry Marshall/King Tubby's I Admire You in Dub and Ranking Joe - World in Dub. I found them both in the "Blowout" list of sale items for about a dollar fifty each. That's right, they're that cheap !!! These are good albums too. I Admire You in Dub is 14 tracks of totally solid roots dub Tubby style. My favorites are #12(You Lie Version) and #13(Heavy Heavy Load) which is an extended version. This CD is a release off of the Motion label. I like most of Ranking Joe's material so I figured I would try World of Dub and I was pleasantly surprised by the 12 fresh dub tracks composed with the Twilight Circus Sound System. This disc has a more modern sound, at times similar to Some of Jah Shaka and Mad Professor's work at Ariwa. My favorites on this one are #1 (World in Dub) and #6 (Seek Ya Dub). These two discs are just a peek of what's at Ernie B's so check it out some time.

Creation Dub : The Bullwackies All-Stars

This is a solid dub set from the powerhouse dub label Wackies (Lloyd Barnes). The label started out as a record shop and soon became a popular studio stop for such legends as Horace Andy and Wayne Jarrett. The presence of Wackies made a huge impact on the American reggae scene and continues this heavy role by releasing their classics on CD (Natures Dub, Tribesman Assault, Jamaican Super Dub, etc.). Creation Dub was released on LP in 1977 and 1983 and then released on CD in 2003. There are ten tracks of clean and "old school" dub on this one and it's almost like it should be played on huge heavy wood speakers to give the sound some weight. There are four standouts on this disc for me: #1 (Asmara), #3 (Next to Jah), #8 (Tell it to them Roots Dread), and #9 (East Africa Dub). Tell it to them Roots Dread had a little vocal in it, but the others are straight up roots dub. East Africa dub is a bounding and upbeat track with some nice guitar and very clean drumming. The quality of Wackies dub makes it a great label to build your collection with and also a great example of classic roots dub. Very nice.

Zim Zim : Billy Boyo

You might not have ever heard of Billy Boyo, but this dj was heavy on the dancehall scene when he was just a teenager back in the early eighties. Zim Zim is his most popular compilation studio work and the material was recorded in 1983. My CD copy of this album was released by the Silver Kamel label out of London in 2002. There are 12 tracks total on this disc. Six straight-up dj vocal tracks alternating with their dub track counterparts inna showcase style. My favorite tracks on this one are: #1 (Jamaica Nice), #2 (Dub Freeze), #6 (Dread Skank), and #12 (BB's Posse). The sound quality on the 2002 cd release is very clean and sounds excellent with the dub tracks cranked up. Billy Boyo was not as famous as some of his contemporaries like Little John, Ranking Trevor, and Dillinger but his youthful voice and flow are true and his message is clearly heard.

Pablo & Friends : Augustus Pablo

Here's a peak at another Augustus Pablo disc. Pablo & Friends is a kind of greatest hits CD with 18 tracks total. You get to hear the original track by such artists as: U Roy, I Roy, Derrick Morgan, John Holt, and Prince Jammy. That's followed by the Pablo instrumental version. Showcase style a la Pablo. This album set-up allows you to experience the pure Pablo and gain insight into how he's contributed to the evolution of reggae music. His instrumental interpretations of these reggae classics are good to have in your collection. My favorite tracks on this one are: #5 (It Dread Inna Earth), #6 (Pablo's Majestic Mood), #8 (A Tuff Dub), #15 (Cow Town Skank), and #16 (Pablo in Cow Town). When you listen to the disc as a whole, it's really like listening to 9 extended tracks - nice to leave on around the house. My copy of this disc is RAS '92, but there might be other releases out there. With all the popular reggae artists on this one, I would almost consider this a various artists CD.

Rockers Soundtrack : Various Artists

If you've never seen the movie Rockers you're missing the best Reggae film ever made. It's a Jamaican Robin Hood with every scene packed full of short performances by all of our favorite Reggae stars of the seventies. It's a brief look inside the daily life of Jamaican musicians, thick with Jamaican patois and messages of unity and brotherhood. But enough about the film, I would like to give a brief review of the soundtrack. This soundtrack is one of the better compilations you can buy for seventies reggae. This is a great selection of roots from such legends as: Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, the Heptones, Jacob Miller, the Maytones, and more. This disc has 14 tracks total and my favorites on this one are : #2 (Money Worries), #7 (Fade Away), and #8 (Rockers). The movie was released in 1979, but the material on the soundtrack could be from about'76-'79. Chris Blackwell was the main man behind this project and you can find this soundtrack released by both the Island and Mango labels. Just a quick note ; the DVD copy of this movie has extra soundtrack songs and versions in the bonus materials/extras section of the menu. If you haven't experienced Rockers yet, I would urge you to watch the movie first and then check down the CD soundtrack as a supplement to the vibe of this fun and energetic movie.

Plantation : Don Carlos

Once again it's the sweet youthful vocals of Don Carlos. My copy of Plantation is a Tamoki Wambesi CD released in 2001. I've actually seen a couple different versions of this album. My copy is a total of 16 tracks and includes alternating versions of each song. There is also a release with 10 tracks, but with out the alternating versions. I'm not too familiar with the 10 track album and I'm sorry I can't do a head to head comparison. I'm usually a big fan of "showcase" style, when the tracks are followed by their dub or dj counterpart, but on this CD it just didn't feel right. I found myself listening to the dub versions and thinking that they were more instrumental versions than dub. They came out a little dry and stripped down with very little sound effects and not heavy enough to support the original vocal versions. My favorite track on this one is #3 (Plantation). All the vocal tracks are good and true Don Carlos style, but the dubs fell a little short of expectations.