Staggering. Beautifully paced and varied, this classic compilation hasn’t aged a bit. Killer after killer, including numerous sides out here for the first time.
‘Vol 1 was mighty fine, presenting rare and deep recordings from Studio One’s mid-70s heyday. Hard to believe the Vol 2 is even better… As with all Soul Jazz material, the vinyl is heavyweight, with fine packaging and good liner notes. Reggae music doesn’t get much better than this: buy immediately and play loud’ (David Katz, Fact).
‘This will be hard to beat in the Studio One series in my humble opinion, amazing stuff. Too many good tunes on here to pick. Check this out you will not be disappointed’ (RYM).
‘Soul Jazz still crank out the best. Non-completist, non-purist, but always 100% killer’ (Mojo).
‘If anything, Studio One Roots 2 is even better than the first volume and has some superb (and rare) tracks’ (Record Collector).
Chocka with scorchers.
Isaac Hayes, Booker T, Stevie Wonder, James Brown are in the house.
Some of the previously unreleased cuts are amazing, like the Jackie Mittoo spaghetti, The Sharks’ dread techno.
Pure fire, from start to finish; killer after killer.
Expert, deep digging — including a dubplate mix of Last Call — leavened with a couple of all-time classics, for good measure.
Truly a cornerstone collection.
A blistering selection, with the series’ signature mixture of classic hits and recovered treasure.
Over three decades, Rude Boys cast as thugs, henchmen, pariahs; cutting-edge cultural warriors, rebels, freedom fighters. From ska to dancehall, with numerous rare contributions, and thrilling from start to finish.
A masterful, sublime cover of the Young Holt by the newly-formed Sound Dimension; backed with Roy Richards’ classic harmonica version of Summertime.
Two all-time ska masterpieces: back-to-back fire.
A Skatalites charger and a jolt of vintage Ethiopian ska rumpus.