Many of the tracks will be familiar to Jamaican music fans and music lovers in general. This collection includes seven major UK chart hits and is a complimentary release to the ‘The Best Of Reggae’ and the Doctor Bird label via Cherry Red Records have put this on the market as a second hit-packed collection of Reggae hits from the ’70s. A host of celebrated artists, including Desmond Dekker, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Bob & Marcia and many more are featured.
Apart from the first track, I have chosen the so-called lesser remembered tracks, starting off with a UK No.1 chart hit that will be familiar to the listener from the opening intro.
DISC ONE
1. EVERYTHING I OWN – Ken Boothe. Yes, we all know this opener for this collection, it’s a classic. Ken Boothe always recorded top-notch sounds and had a No.1 hit with this. The rhythm track is pulsating and the producer was Lloyd Charmers it made the top UK position in 1974. 4. MIDNIGHT RIDER – Paul Davidson. This is a cover version of an Allman Brothers song/recording and it has a punchy rhythm track with Davidson doing a full-on vocal. It starts with a sound like a police patrol car siren and has a guitar break around half-way through. The track was arranged by another Reggae singer, Pluto Shervington and the vocalist is joined by further vocalists from time-to-time. Released on Topic Records label in 1975 and reached No.10 in the UK charts. 6. CANDIDA – Bruce Ruffin. The US outfit Dawn had a big UK hit with this, maybe Bruce Ruffin should have done likewise, but did not. Never the less this is a fine version and moves along at a mid-tempo pace with the rhythm track is punchy. Some orchestration is used to put this into the commercial Reggae category as was becoming the case with a large number of Reggae recordings around this time. Released in UK on Trojan’s subsidiary Summit label, 1971. 8. YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW – Boris Gardner. A hit for The Stylistics in 1974 and here we have Boris Gardner doing a first-class punchy version. He is helped-out by a vocal chorus at various times and overall it stands up well alongside the original. Released in the UK on Trojan label, 1986. 12. THEN HE KISSED ME – The Marvels. Originally recorded and turned into a major hit for The Crystals, here we have a punchy version by a much-underrated female outfit. The Marvels do a fine job and the rhythm track comes with a semi-commercial feel and a combined vocal is heard at times. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1972. 15. GOD BLESS OUR LOVE – B.B. Seaton. This starts off slowly with Seaton doing a spoken intro before it goes into a mid-tempo, punchy sound. The vocal is a soulful one and he is helped out by a backing chorus and the listener ends up hearing a pleasing number from a much-underrated artist. Released in UK on Cactus label, 1975. 21. GOT TO HAVE YOU BABY – Lord Tanamo. On this, the artist is joined by the legends that were and are The Skatalites and a female backing chorus from time-to-time. The rhythm track is fast and punchy with Tanamo doing a fine job on vocal. Should have been a UK hit but wasn’t. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1975. 23. SUSSIE IS SORROW – Horace Faith. Known for his UK hit, ‘Black Pearl’ Horace comes up with a fast commercial Reggae sound. He is joined from time-to-time by backing singers and overall it is a catchy 2min 20secs number. Released in UK on red/white Trojan label, 1970.
DISC TWO
1. SING A LITTLE SONG – Desmond Dekker. Dekker is joined by The Aces and it starts off slowly before it moves into a punchy sound on which he gives his usual cheeky vocal. Backing singers are heard at times and we end up listening to a catchy Boss Reggae track. It made No.16 in the UK charts. Released in UK on Cactus label, 1975. 4. HELP ME UP – Bob & Marcia. This is a very soulful number from the ‘Young Gifted And Black’ duo. Here we have a true commercial Reggae sound with both vocalists doing an A class job. This can be found on the ‘Pied Piper’ album along with other top-notch tracks, including the above mention recording. Released in the UK (album) on Trojan label, 1971. 7. STONED OUT OF MY MIND – John Holt. This is a true commercial Reggae sound from a Reggae legend. John Holt gives a smooth vocal in front of a mid-tempo rhythm track. When a pop song, it was recorded by The Chi-Lites and Holt’s version is equally as good. Can be found on the ‘1000 Volts Of Holt’ album. Released on Trojan, 1973. 10. PRETTY FACE – Laurel Aitken. This is a fast sound on which we hear the British Reggae legend, Laurel Aitken at his best. At various times a female backing chorus is present, the rhythm track is non-commercial and the overall recording is catchy. Released in UK on Columbia label, 1972. 13. KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR – Winston Francis. This is self-penned by Francis and he gives a good vocal performance. This comes with light orchestration and backing vocalists and is a very catchy number from another underrated artist in one’s opinion. Released in UK on Rhino label, 1973. 17. AIN’T IT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING – Danny Ray. This is a punchy mid-tempo slice of commercial Reggae and has Danny Ray at his vocal best. This is very pleasing and probably deserved a place in the UK charts. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1974. 20. FEEL A LITTLE BETTER – Lloyd Parks. Joined by The Techniques and after a slowish start it moves along at a speedy pace. The vocalist sounds young on the vocal and fronts a commercial rhythm track with cascading strings. A very pleasing sound and another recording that should have made the UK charts. Released in UK on Harry J label, 1970. 21. WILLY – Greyhound. This is a typical sound from this British outfit and has solo and group vocals. The rhythm track comes fast and overall it is a commercial Reggae sound. This outfit had their biggest UK chart hit with a version of ‘Moon River’. Released in UK on Repeat Records label, 1973. 23. TIME HARD – The Pioneers. Good synthesizer sound on the intro before the legendary Pioneers come in with mostly combined vocals. This is a fast sound and very catchy with this outfit doing their usual top-notch performance. Their biggest UK hit was ‘Long Shot Kick De Bucket’ in 1968. Released in UK on Trojan label, 1972. 25. A DASH OF THE SUNSHINE – Lord Tanamo. This is a self-penned number and a cross between Reggae and Calypso with Tanamo’s vocal being well-suited which is no surprise as he was originally a Calypso singer. Calypso music always has a catchy feel and this is no exception. This is a fun sound and a good final track on this collection. Released in UK on Third World label, 1978.
CONCLUSION
Most of the tracks on the collection will come as no surprise and are well-known, the reviewed tracks may not be. This is a mixture of both commercial and non-commercial tracks and with 50 likeable recordings it will be a good collection for music lovers who are just getting into Jamaican music. This could be looked upon as a follow-on from Cherry Red Records, Doctor Bird label collection ‘The Best Of Reggae’. It is released with a recommended retail price of £14 99p.