DISC ONE
1. ATIBELLA – Ken Boothe. Starting-out with an organ intro it has the unmistakable vocal from the legendary Ken Boothe. The rhythm track comes mid-tempo and has the Pama Records sound, it was released released via this well-known Jamaican music company.
4. SILVER AND GOLD – Charley Ace. For the first time on CD, this mid-tempo sound comes as a talk-over recording. Charley Ace is known for this style of recording and does a fine job on this. Released in UK on Punch label via Pama Records in 1970. 6. CUT THROAT – Phil Pratts All Stars. As one might expect this sound comes as an instrumental and comes mid-tempo. The trombone work is good and one ends-up listening to a catchy, foot-tapping sound. Released in UK on Trojan’s Jackpot label. 9. BOOK OF BOOKS – Charlie Ace. This has a full-on spoken intro before moving on to be a fast talk-over sound. Nothing special about the rhythm track that goes around-and-around. Although having said this it is a catchy recording, a cross between Rocksteady and Reggae. 11. GIVE IT TO ME – Ken Boothe. This comes slower than the previous track and features the unmistakable vocal talent of a legend. Top-notch organ on the intro and although the rhythm track is nothing special, overall it is a good recording. Released in UK on Pama Records’ Punch label. 14. WHY – Ken Boothe. Although on this collection it is given the title ‘Why’ it is actually ‘Why Baby Why’. Many listeners will already have come across the track on various vinyl recordings. It is a pacey number and the vocal appears to be double-tracked. Released in Jamaica via Beverley’s Records and UK via Trojan Records, both on B sides. 17. OUR FATHERS DIED IN THE SAND – Carl Moore. Moving onto a mid-tempo sound from an artist one knows nothing about. The rhythm track is punchy and nothing special, the vocal has a nursery-rhyme feel and this is not a particularly riveting recording, and soon forgotten. 21. HALLELUJAH aka MY SWEET LORD – Lloyd Charmers. This piano-led mid-tempo sound is as the title suggests a version of ‘My Sweet Lord’. Lloyd Charmers comes in on vocal from time-to-time and this ends up as a very good version of a classic song. 23. RUNNING CHILD – Errol Dunkley. This self-penned song is another mid-tempo sound with Dunkley giving the listener a classic vocal. The rhythm track is catchy and overall it is a top recording. This was recorded at Dynamic Sounds Recording Studio, and released via Trojan Records in UK.
DISC TWO : PAT KELLY – BREEZING
1. THEY TALK ABOUT LOVE. We hear another of Jamaica’s legendary artists on this mid-tempo sound and Pat Kelly shows off all his vocal talents. He is joined by a chorus at times and this has a punchy rhythm track. Good track to start off this disc and was released in the UK via Pama Records. 4. BOTH SIDES NOW. Yes, you’ve probably guessed that this is a version of the Judy Collins UK hit and again Kelly does a fine vocal job. The rhythm track comes mid-tempo and although the backing comes straight it compliments the overall sound well. If you like the original song you will equally like this. 6. HOW LONG (Sunshot Mix). This was originally released as “How Long Will It Take” and is self-penned. It comes with a chug-along, mid-tempo rhythm track which comes straight apart from the occasional piano. Kelly’s vocal is once again good and maybe this should have made the UK charts when released on Pama’s Gas label in 1969. 8. STEAL AWAY. This again comes mid-tempo and Kelly is joined by a backing chorus at times. Released via Pama Records it has their usual production sound and it has a catchy overall make-up, it was self-penned. Released on 7″ by Pama Records. 10. HE AIN’T HEAVY HE’S MY BROTHER. Yes, a version of the big UK hit by The Hollies and although not as good it is still a good listen with a young sounding Kelly giving his all on a soulful vocal. The backing comes straight and again has the Pama Records sound. Released on Pama’s Gas label in 1971. 14. MISS WINE – E WINE E – Ken Boothe. This is 2mins 16secs of mid-tempo, punchy Reggae and not the usual sound one expects from Ken Boothe. The vocal shows off the vocalist’s talent and the overall sound is catchy. 17. SWEET WANTON – Barrington Spence. If you have followed the career of Barrington then the vocal will be recognisable. Mid-tempo with a slightly laid-back rhythm track that is nothing special. 20. LIVING IN A WHITE MEN LAND – Alton Ellis. This track has Alton Ellis written all over it and shows the listener why he had so many Jamaican hits and became popular in the UK. Alton is joined by a chorus and the rhythm track comes straight and is mid-tempo. 22. WHAT ABOUT THE HALF – Dennis Brown. Once again we have another of Jamaica’s recording legends on a mid-tempo, chug-along sound on which the vocalist shows off all his vocal talents. The rhythm track comes straight and the lyrics are clear which helps to give an overall quality recording. Released in UK on Trojan’s Duke label in 1972. 24. GIVE ME JUSTICE – John Holt. Over the years John Holt recorded various styles of Jamaican music and always gave his all on the vocals and this is no exception. It is a mid-tempo sound and comes with a catchy lyric. The rhythm track comes straight and one ends-up listening to a catchy recording. Released on 7″ in Jamaica in 1970 but not in the UK. 26. OUR ANNIVERSARY – The Tropic Shadows. Finishing off the collection we have group one knows nothing about and on this we have group vocals from time-to-time and it is a slower sound. The rhythm once again comes straight with the main vocal full-on. Released in UK on the Trojan subsidiary Big Shot label in 1972.
IN CONCLUSION
This first Doctor Bird volume of Phil Pratt covers the first two years of his production work and is a collection of major Jamaican hits and obscurities from over 50 years ago. It includes many of Jamaica’s finest artists and is very well put together and packaged by Cherry Red Records along with informative information via the enclosed 8-page booklet. This collection is a fine way to start off the new year and will enhance any Jamaican music collection. For the record, the cover of this collection was used for the vinyl album ‘Jamaican Memories’ back in 1968 on the Blue Cat Records label, a subsidiary of Trojan Records in the UK.