Back catalogue: Reggae

Review: Yet two more rarities from the esteemed Jamaican roots label Studio One, helmed by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, come to the fore. A true mystery rests at the core of this record. 'Take A Ride' was originally released in 1978 over the 'Truths & Rights' riddim by Johnny Osbourne. Though the famous reggae artist Al Campbell takes credit for the release, it should be noted that the real recording artist behind this song was a mythically unknown artist and doppelganger known as Alan Campbell, a complete unknown in the reggae world who allegedly believed he could make a quick buck out of recording just one song. As if by one swoop of Faustian vengeance, Alan was miscredited as Al, and the typo has since endured through time as one to be treasured rather than corrected. Though the song was originally a flop, it's found cult success in recent years. The track is also a perfect complement to Alton Ellis' 'Pearl', a no less gemmy cut by one of the most influential singers in Jamaican music history.

Review: We may not all have Common Ground between us, but we can certainly agree on many things when we look back on our vernal roots. This fresh 7" by the UK label homes in on one of the greatest lights to brave the Caribbean sonic Sea, Al Campbell. 'When Spring Is Around' was put out again by the label only last year alongside Ansel Collins on the B, but now a properly labelled version also materialises through their sublabel Jah Fingers. Campbell's canny song is a crackly breeze, detailing the lush renewal of love in the earliest months of the year. Keep your frog's hunkers coiled for this one, so that you can spring on it when Spring springs!

Review: 1978 was a standout year for the great Al Campbell, with five album releases across various labels. This particular album, originally released on Phil Pratt's Terminal label, was originally released in 1981 and stands as one of his most notable. It features powerful roots tracks like 'Foot Stool,' 'Soul Sister' and 'No More Running' which combine militant rhythms with Campbell's soulful vocals fusing conscious reggae and emotional depth. It is a true classic of its genre that now comes on nice coloured wax that looks as good as it sounds.