Stalag alert! With Ansel Collins, a killer Big Youth, and King Tubby.
Superb Blood & Fire selection of scattered late-seventies outings, all in discomixes. Treasures include the opener, Reggae Rhythm, with its blaring horns, originally out on Trio International; the 12” mix of Pure Ranking by Jammy, at Tubby’s; and the deadly triumvirate of Everton Da Silvas — Youths Of Today, Don’t Let Problems Get You Down and Mr. Bassie.
Unmissably looking back over Sleepy’s almighty discography, with top-notch On-U cohorts like Style Scott, George Oban, Dr Pablo, and Skip McDonald, and Adrian Sherwood’s loving, respectful artistry, and Horace himself gloriously on song.
Magnificent do-overs of timeless classics like This Must Be Hell, Safe From Harm, Rock To Sleep, Materialist, Mr Bassie; plus six new songs.
Phil Pratt productions, 1972-1974; Sunshots recorded at Channel One, Black Ark, Dynamic Sound and Randy’s Studio 17, with house engineers Ernest Hoo Kim, Lee Perry, Carlton Lee and Errol Thompson at the helm, and backing by Sly & Robbie, Family Man, Chinna, and co, aka Soul Syndicate. Check the versions of Money Money Money and I Don’t Want To Be Outside.
Three front-rank reggae singers — with extensive credits for such producers as Coxsone Dodd, Augustus Pablo and Glen Brown — whose work at Wackie’s without question includes their very best. Originally two 10s.
Lovers Rock utilising Delroy Francis’ tough do-over of the Java rhythm, no less; with Althea & Donna coursing through.
Superb, fat, classic roots production by Michael Forbes, with full horn section, organ, expert percussion and drumming. Strong, heartfelt, resigned singing by Mike Anthony (not to be confused with the much more prolific Lovers singer from Lewisham).
With a Nitty Gritty dubplate do-over of Trial And Crosses.
Thumping soundboy frightener from 1987, with nice Eastern flourishes.