Shades of Brown. Leroy B sounds like Dennis B, over Glen B’s immortal Wicked Can’t Run Away rhythm. Typically expert digi do-over by KJ, with an ace dub.
Creativeness pon the dance.
Ace.
Chugging, confessional, Chicagoan loveliness from Delroy Williams, Ricky Grant and George Allison.
‘I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker, And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker, And in short, I was afraid.’
The Shades had freshly peeled away from The Techniques, because besides singing Winston Riley wanted to try producing, and Bruce Ruffin needed room… and this is a gem of a calling card.
Sweetly hopeful, rocking rocksteady — with an undertow of foreboding — which Junior Delgado revisited for Dennis Brown, ten years later.
There’s a killer Marry Me dub on Meditation Dub, judiciously beginning ‘Boss, boss, boss, boss, boss, boss, boss, boss, boss, boss…’
Thumping soundboy frightener from 1987, with nice Eastern flourishes.
The Treasure Isle masterwork… plus a sweetly rocking Tommy McCook.
Killer Osibisa do-over.
‘Trammy’ was the nickname of trombonist Ron Wilson; but this is Vin Gordon.
Irresistible version of the Isley Brothers.
Vin Gordon kicks it through the swinging doors and down the street, on the flip.
Apparently the Brothers were fed up with Berry Gordy pushing them around… but it’s timeless, universal advice: ‘Sock it to your neighbour / Sock it to your mother / It’s your thing / Do what you want to do.’
Soundboy vibes over a hard-driving, clattering rhythm.
Buoyant anthem to ghetto people boutiques.
You can get anything on Princess Street, ‘from a pin to an anchor… Just have some cash, and you will conquer.’ Not like Orange Street, which is always getting shut down by plod.
Transfixingly stone-faced dub, for all hard-core Channel One massive.