A. Robert Ffrench – I Am Wondering
B. Shortie Ranks – Dance In A Skate Land
Label: Ffrench/Jamwax – JAMWAXMAXI24
For this installment of Double 12″ Spin, we’re switching to the 10″ format to showcase two legendary songs – one from Don Carlos and another by Sammy Dread.
We’re traveling back to 1985 for this edition, highlighting various artists who significantly shaped the reggae scene.
We kick off with Robert Ffrench’s I Am Wondering, and if you know reggae, you know Ffrench is one of the most solid singers, songwriters, and producers Jamaica has produced.
He jumped into the music scene early, recording his debut singles in 1979 at just 17 years old. Word spread fast about his talent, and 1984 became a breakthrough year with killer performances at the Festival Song Contest and Reggae Sunsplash.
His first two albums dropped in 1985 – The Favourite and Wondering – establishing him as someone to watch. Four years later, 1989 brought multiple chart successes. Following his New York period, he headed back to Jamaica where he shifted focus to the industry side, establishing his Ffrench record label and distribution company.
He’s been behind the console for some of reggae’s biggest stars including Buju Banton, Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond, and George Nooks, among many others. With several decades under his belt, Robert Ffrench keeps pushing forward, balancing his rich musical background with a sharp eye for where the industry is heading.
Originally released in 1985 on the Kangol label, the track was reissued by Jamwax Records in 2010. The B-side features a deejay version by an obscure artist known as Shortie Ranks.
A1. Al Campbell – Monkey Sample
A2. Sly & Robbie – Jungle Mouth Dub
B1. Linval Thompson – Halla Them A Halla
B2. Sly & Robbie – Jungle Mouth Dub
Label: Taxi – S R 009
The second 12″ single showcases the warm, familiar tones of reggae stalwart Al Campbell. Starting out in his father’s church choir, Alphonso ‘Al’ Campbell’s journey into music began early before he joined The Thrillers during his teenage years – a group that dropped several singles in the late 1960s.
His solo career really flourished in the 1970s, working alongside legendary producers like Phil Pratt, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, Joe Gibbs, and Lee Perry. He was also a go-to backing vocalist, contributing his harmonies to various artists. The 1975 lovers rock gem ‘Gee Baby’ became his breakthrough hit, scoring big in both Jamaica and the UK.
What sets Al apart is how he adapted to the digital era while many of his peers struggled with the change. With a discography that stretches across generations and a consistent presence in the reggae world, Al Campbell remains a treasured artist whose music continues to resonate, and he’s still making music today.
Flipping to the B-side, we’re introduced to the illustrious Linval Thompson. Born in Kingston on October 12, 1954, Linval Thompson has built a solid reputation as both a skilled reggae artist and sharp producer. He got his start in New York with ‘No Other Woman’, but the real magic happened when he returned to Kingston and teamed up with Lee “Scratch” Perry for ‘Kung Fu Man’.
His friendship with Johnny Clarke connected him to producer Bunny “Striker” Lee, who produced Thompson’s 1976 debut ‘Don’t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks’. From there, Thompson started wearing two hats – singer and producer – crafting self-produced albums like ‘I Love Marijuana’ and ‘Rocking Vibration’.
Thompson kept the momentum going with a steady stream of quality releases while launching his own Thompson Sounds and Strong Like Sampson labels. Though his vocal career slowed down in the mid-80s, his production work really took center stage. He’ produced some of reggae’s finest – The Wailing Souls, Freddie McGregor, Eek-A-Mouse, Johnny Osbourne, The Viceroys, Barrington Levy, and deejay Trinity.
His signature sound features those massive, rumbling basslines that reggae fans love. He’s also proven himself in the lovers rock arena, showing his versatility across different reggae styles. The man’s still active and doing his thing, with recent releases like ‘Ganja Man’ proving he’s not slowing down.
Produced by Sly & Robbie, the 12-inch delivers a thunderous, bass-heavy riddim that hits hard from start to finish.
Widely regarded as Jamaica’s most iconic riddim pairing, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare—Sly & Robbie—redefined the sound of an era. It all started in the mid-’70s when drummer Sly and bassist Robbie crossed paths under the guidance of famed producer Bunny “Striker” Lee.
Together they powered The Revolutionaries, the resident band of Channel One Studios, and ignited a musical legacy. With the launch of their Taxi label, the duo’s influence soared—stretching far beyond the shores of Jamaica.
Their deep grooves became a global language, earning them recognition as top-tier session musicians worldwide. Sadly, in December 2021, Robbie Shakespeare passed away, leaving behind a timeless rhythm.
[These tracks were digitized directly from vinyl using a Technics SL-1210MK2 turntable equipped with an Ortofon cartridge. The recordings were captured in 24-bit/96kHz WAV format via SoundForge]