Familyman in Dub : Aston Barrett

Be careful with this one, it's got heavy heavy base and bounding instrumental dubs straight through - 14 tracks total - Just under an hour ( about 57 minutes ) .  It's the perfect companion disc to Cobra Style (released off of the Heartbeat label in 1999).  Familyman in Dub was also released in 1999 off of the Heartbeat label.  Some selected tracks on this one are : #1 (Cobra Style Dub) a great version of the Familyman great, #2 (Steppers Rock) is a nice - slow instrumental dub - take your time, #3 (Familyman Skank) has a triumphant ring with a dominant horn instrumental dub out, #10 (A Distant Dub) all bass & horns, #14 (Dub Maker) this is ... one of the few tracks on the disc with full vocals - very nice.  Familyman opened the recent concert at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA with the Cobra Style / Dub - most everyone recognized that was going to be the beginning of a great show.  Familyman is one of the originals and we're very lucky to have him touring the West Coast.  Come back soon Familyman !!!

Deeper Roots, The Best of ... : The Meditations

The Meditations have been around since the late seventies and this album is a proper compilation of their work on the roots scene.  From deep in Jamaica - The Meditations are one of the classic vocal trios, but seem to have been overlooked at times.  They only released 5 album spanning from 1978 to 1983.  If you don't have any of the meditations original albums, you can jump the gun with "Deeper Roots" and get the most Meditations for your money.  This CD is a Heartbeat release from 1994 with 20 tracks - most of them solid roots.  Top tracks include #4 (Having Fun), #10 (No Peace), #12 (Something Looking Good), and #13 (Groovy Situation aka Being A Dread Is No Crime).  Like most Heartbeat compilations, this has a great booklet with an extensive history and story of the Meditations, along with track breakdowns, and top performances.  The Meditations might not have gotten the credit they deserved early on, but since the early 1990's they have managed to stay on the top of the pile thanks in part to this CD compilation.  This is the only Meditations disc I own, but it gets quite of bit of playing time in the rotation.

Dub Specialist : A Studio One Dub Compilation

This is a set of classic studio one instrumental-dub tracks that warps you through time back to the beginning of the roots dub movement.  You can easily keep this in rotation with your best albums.  This is a great disc to listen to straight through and that should really help you get the best feel for these great examples of some dub all-stars and pioneers classic cuts.  You can find solid dub tracks for several roots greats like: Cornell Campbell, The Heptones, Delroy Wilson,  Jackie Mittoo, Horace Andy, and a few others.  There are 17 tracks total on this 1995 release from Heartbeat - It's presented as an album by C.S. Dodd representing Studio One, but with the great line-up it has more of a compilation feel.  The best couple tracks on this one are: #2 (Dubbing Lecturer - The Soul Agents), #6 (Banana Walk), and #7 (Lost in Dub - The Heptones).  This is mostly very early seventies and late sixties classic roots dub, so if you're in to more heavy solid roots dub, this might not be the album for you.

Satta Massagana : The Abyssinians

The Abyssinians are one of the sweetest vocal trios on the roots reggae scene.  This is for sure the cornerstone album of the Abyssinians music library, which is really only a few truly different albums.  My copy of this disc is the 1997 Heartbeat release, the original release was in 1976 on vinyl.  The 1993 CD has 14 tracks, but there is another more recent release from 2007 within an additional four tracks including two extended mixes.  This is one of those albums were it's tough to pick out the best tracks because the whole set is just a great production.  Track #13 (Reason Time) features a haunting organ and bass line ; Track #14 (There is No End) has a great message of keeping your head up and looking forward not backward with a mysterious ambient electric guitar dancing in the background.  This is truly one of the top vocal trio albums in the history of reggae and I look forward to sinking my teeth in to the extra tracks on the 2003 release.

Production Something : Culture

For fans of Culture and Joseph Hill this disc should be in the top two or three albums in their collection along with International Herb : Culture . This disc is set up so you get the dub version of each track mixed straight in to the end of the original vocal version - excellent. Apparently this is Joseph Hill's example of how patience and thoroughness in the studio and at the mixing boards paid off. The first few tracks are the prime examples of the Culture sound with clean instrumental roots dubs laced on to the end. My favorites on this one are : #1 (Too Long in Slavery), #2 (Garvey), and #7 (Dog A Go Nyam Dog). There's also an eleven minute version of Pyaka (#6). Only nine tracks total on this one, but they're all extra long chunky dubs. All the studio musicians involved are the highest ranking and the production of this disc is another solid effort from Heartbeat (1998). The booklet on this one explains quite well how this album came about and how this has affected the path of dub that culture began to integrate in to their musical path through the years.

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.

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.

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.

Bobby Bobylon : Freddie McGregor

Freddie McGregor shows his roots talents on this impressive CD with 10 tracks total. Original release looks like it was 1980. It was recorded at the Jamaica Recording Studio and produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. My copy of this disc is advertised as a "Studio One Classic". My favorites on this one are: #3 (What Difference Does it Make) witch sends a great social message about relationship, and #10 (I am a Revolutionist) where Freddie touts his rebellious side with a rasta anthem of strength. Other notable tracks are: #1 (Bandulo), #6 (Bobby Bobylon), #7 ( Wine of Violence), and #8 (Gonna Take Over Now). Now there is an 18 track version available from Heartbeat, released in 2006. The eight bonus tracks include an alternate version of (I am a Revolutionist) and an extended version of (Bobby Bobylon). This is a solid roots classic from start to finish and is worth checking out.

This is Augustus Pablo - Rebel, Rock, Reggae : Augustus Pablo

Another Pablo disc worth checking out. This is said to be Pablo's first album. My CD is a Heartbeat release from 1988. When listening to a Pablo set I usually get blindsided by a track or two, but I found five solid tracks on this one: #4 (Arabian Rock), #7 (Skateland Rock), #8 (Dread Eye), #10 (Assignment #1), #12 (Lover's Mood). I find it a little harder to run across an Augustus Pablo disc that represents his solid rootsy sound from start to finish. Also many discs have some of the same songs or similar versions which make it even harder to sift through all the Pablo out there in the marketplace. With so much producing and contributing to other artists' success, pure Augustus Pablo is a great thing when you can find it. Check your set lists carefully so you don't buy a disc that you have half of already on another album.