This collection comes with 31 tracks not before on CD and includes some of the biggest hits from the early ’70s. This features the production work of Phil Pratt and during the early ’70s he continued to consolidate his earlier hits with more. He secured the services of Jamaica’s biggest and up-and-coming performers and by 1972 he had on his roster future Reggae superstars in Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, Dillinger and Al Campbell. Slightly more established artists on his roster included Delroy Wilson, Big Youth and Max Romeo and with the high quality of his output at Pratt’s Sunshot, Sounds Unlimited and Terminal labels his recordings became the hallmark of quality for Jamaican record buyers for the remainder of the decade. Having said the above it is time to take- a- look at a selection of the 46 tracks.
DISC ONE
1. BLACK MAGIC WOMAN – Dennis Brown. Starting off with a slow instrumental intro it moves into a mid-tempo sound and the song will know doubt be familiar with the listener, not only by this artist but by Santana who performed the original version, amongst other artists. It has the unmistakable vocal one expects from Dennis Brown and the backing comes with some fine guitar work. Released in Jamaica on Sunshot label and UK Explosion label (Trojan Records). 4. HEART MADE OF STONE – Delroy Wilson. This comes slower than the previous track and has Delroy giving the listener his usual high standard vocal. The backing comes uncluttered and flows along nicely, overall it is a catchy number and turn-over the original 7″ and one would find a version. 6. LET LOVE IN – Dennis Brown. The legendary Mr Brown again, this time on a slower sound that is a typical recording by this artist. The backing track compliments the vocal well and is uncluttered. Towards the middle this goes into a semi-dub sound and fits into the overall recording. The 7″ single was only released in Jamaica, 1972. 9. GEE BABY – The Tropic Shadows. Nothing known about the artists but they give a classy vocal and are joined by a chorus at times. This is not a version of The Peter Shelley UK pop hit but a very listenable sound that comes mid-tempo. This can be found on the album ‘United Reggae Vol 2’ on the UK Magnet label. 10. FEEL GOOD ALL OVER – Horace Andy. This faster sound has a longish instrumental intro and the title obviously comes as the collections title. Horace Andy is another artist that has a distinctive voice and on this he is joined by a chorus at times. Good guitar work both lead and bass and this gets the feet-tapping. Overall this is a good catchy track that one remembers after first hearing. Can be found on the Trojan Box Set ‘Rare Groove’ amongst other albums/CDs. 12. PHIL PRATT THING – Big Youth. Most Jamaican music fans will have heard Big Youth over the years and this is naturally a talk-over version of ‘Riding For A Fall’ recorded by John Holt. The backing track is mid-tempo and comes with some trombone and is full-on. Big Youth does, as usual a top-notch talk-over, this is a good track. Released in the US on the Terminal label (7″), date unknown. 15. ALL I HAVE I LOVE – Gregory Isaacs. The listener will probably have heard the song before and it comes faster than most of the previous tracks. Isaacs is in full swing and the backing comes with percussion. This is a very high standard recording and get one singing along. This has appeared on several albums/CDs over the years. 17. MR BALLA FIX YU COLLAR – Prince Jazzbo. If you know the recordings of this artist then this will come as no surprise. It is a slow full-on talk-over that surprisingly is a good one in this genre. The backing track is nothing special and the spoken vocal is full-on. Released in Jamaica on the Sounds Unlimited label in 1973. 19. RASTA ARMY – Norman Watson. The vocalist comes unknown to me and he does a good job with the vocal. The rhythm track comes mid-tempo and is very catchy with some fine guitar work. One of the most likeable tracks on this disc. Released in UK on the Magnet label in 1973. 21. MURDER IN THE PLACE – Max Romeo. This starts with a spoken intro before becoming a mid-tempo sound. Max Romeo will be known to most listeners and on this he does a fine vocal job, this is a catchy sound. Released in UK on the Magnet label in 1973. 23. DEAD BUDDY – Jah Banna. Talk-over intro leads into a fast-moving full-on sound on which we hear the vocalist along with a female who shares the vocal. The backing track comes punchy and catchy and the original was credited to Cock+Puss as Jah Banna. Not a bad track especially if you like the talk-over genre. Released in the US on the Impact label, 1971.
DISC TWO
1. SAVING MY LOVE – Al Campbell. This begins with an instrumental opening before going into a punchy mid-tempo sound with Al giving a clear vocal. Som good guitar work and one ends up listening to a classic Reggae track. Released in Jamaica on the Sounds Unlimited label, 1973. 3. PLATT SKANK – Di Vinger. On the original (7″) the vocal credit went to Dillinger and on this he gives a full-on vocal over a punchy rhythm track. As you might expect it is a talk-over and a good one. 6. SOUTH WEST OF RHODESIA – Bobby Kalphat. This is a slower track on which Kalphat is heard playing the melodica. The rhythm track is very catchy even though it does somewhat go around-and-around. At 2mins 21secs it could have been longer and listen-out for more recordings by this artist. Released in Jamaica on the Sounds Unlimited label, 1972. 9. PUT THOSE FOOLS – The Tidals. Coming mid-tempo with another punchy rhythm track that has no percussion. A chorus can be heard and the lead vocal is full-on. This comes as what could be Deep Roots Reggae and The Tidals began recording in 1960s, members included Aston Pryce, Eupert Reid and Winston Cleeveland. 11. SHAKE YOU WAKE YOU – Barrington Spence. This song was originally recorded as ‘Contemplating Mind’ at Studio One. Starting-off with an organ intro before it moves into a punchy mid-tempo sound with the vocalist, who most listeners will have come across before gives a classy vocal. On some of the recording information this is titled ‘Wake You Shake You.’ Released in Jamaica on the Terminal label in 1973, this is a pleasing recording. This originally was the b side to ‘When Spring Is Around’. Released in UK on Magnet label, 1973. Not a bad way to conclude this disc and collection.
CONCLUSION
This collection features many hits and obscurities and focuses on Phil Pratt’s recordings during a compelling period for Jamaican music. It really does feature some of the finest recordings before the Roots Reggae era came along. It never ceases to amaze one on how Cherry Red Records keep putting together classic collections, this is one of those and at £14 99p along with the usual 8-page information booklet it’s well-worth the outlay.